Grand Rapids is heading into another packed September weekend, with major concerts, comedy, cultural festivals, fall celebrations, live music, theater, and sporting events happening throughout West Michigan. Before the festivities, though, the community pauses to remember: the Grand Rapids 9/11 Memorial Stair Climb returns to LMCU Ballpark on Saturday, September 12th, where climbers take on the equivalent of the 110 stories of the World Trade Center to honor the 343 firefighters, 60 police officers, and 10 EMS members who lost their lives that day. From that morning of remembrance to a weekend full of celebration, there's something for everyone September 11–13.

All Weekend & Multi-Day Events

Fiesta Mexicana 2026

Friday–Sunday | Calder Plaza

One of Grand Rapids’ longest-running cultural celebrations returns for its 57th year. Fiesta Mexicana fills Calder Plaza with Mexican food, mariachi, folklórico dancing, a mercado featuring local vendors, family activities, and live entertainment. Admission is free, and Saturday evening features the traditional El Grito de Independencia celebration.

53rd Annual Wheatland Music Festival

Friday–Sunday | Remus

One of Michigan’s best-known traditional music festivals returns for three days of folk, bluegrass, Americana, Celtic, Cajun, and roots music. Thousands of festivalgoers gather across the 160-acre grounds for concerts, workshops, dances, jam sessions, arts and crafts, food, and camping.

Sister Act

Friday–Sunday | Circle Theatre

Circle Theatre continues its run of the feel-good musical comedy Sister Act. Performances are scheduled Friday and Saturday at 7:30 p.m. and Sunday at 3 p.m. Current ticket listings show this weekend’s performances as sold out, with waitlist options available.

CHIHULY at Meijer Gardens

Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park

Spend part of the weekend surrounded by colorful glass installations from Dale Chihuly. The exhibition features work from more than four decades of the artist’s career displayed throughout the gardens and galleries and continues into the fall.

Silver Lake Sand Dunes Apple & BBQ Festival

Friday & Saturday | Silver Lake

If you’re up for a West Michigan road trip, this fall favorite combines BBQ, Michigan apples, live entertainment, a beer and wine tent, more than 140 craft vendors, a classic car and ORV show, a 5K, and plenty of activities for kids.

Friday, September 11

Billy Idol – It’s a Nice Day To… Tour Again!

Acrisure Amphitheater

Rock icon Billy Idol kicks off the weekend at Acrisure Amphitheater with special guest Susanna Hoffs. Expect a night packed with decades of recognizable rock hits and plenty of ’80s nostalgia along the Grand River.

House Party: A Sweaty Love Letter to the 2010s Rager

Elevation at The Intersection

If your ideal Friday night sounds more like 2011 than 1981, head to Elevation for a full-on 2010s throwback party. The 18+ event promises a night built around the decade’s biggest party tracks and dance-floor favorites.

The Browning – Burn This World [Evolved]

The Stache

Rock and metal fans can catch The Browning with Deadlands, The Crimson Armada, and Blind Equation. The all-ages show provides a much heavier alternative to Friday night’s other downtown concerts.

Fiesta Mexicana – Opening Day

Calder Plaza

Kick off three days of Mexican culture with food vendors, family activities, traditional performances, music, and dancing in the heart of downtown Grand Rapids. Friday’s festivities continue until 11 p.m.

Silver Lake Apple & BBQ Festival – Day One

Silver Lake Sand Dunes

Friday features food vendors, kids’ activities, axe throwing, drinks, caricatures, and an evening glow party before Saturday’s full festival schedule.

Saturday, September 12

Alabama Live in Concert

Van Andel Arena

Country legends Alabama take over Van Andel Arena Saturday night with special guest Craig Morgan. The show brings decades of country hits to downtown Grand Rapids and is one of the weekend’s biggest concerts.

John Mulaney

Acrisure Amphitheater

One of comedy’s biggest names returns to Grand Rapids when John Mulaney performs at Acrisure Amphitheater. Fred Armisen and Saturday Night Live cast member James Austin Johnson are also scheduled to join him. The performance will be a phone-free experience inside the performance space.

Cody Fry with the Grand Rapids Symphony

DeVos Performance Hall

For something completely different, GRAMMY-nominated singer-songwriter, composer, and arranger Cody Fry joins the Grand Rapids Symphony for a one-night-only orchestral performance.

Gimme Gimme Disco

The Stache

Dust off your dancing shoes for a Saturday night celebration of disco. Gimme Gimme Disco takes over The Stache with a dance party built around the genre’s classic hits and feel-good energy.

Emo Nite

Elevation

If disco isn’t your thing, Elevation has another throwback option. Emo Nite brings sing-along favorites from the emo and pop-punk eras, with a special DJ set from Frosty.

Rhoades McKee Reeds Lake Triathlon

John Collins Park, East Grand Rapids

Start Saturday with some serious competition as athletes take on the 42nd annual Reeds Lake Triathlon. The event includes a sprint-distance triathlon, duathlon, AquaBike, relay, and swim events around Reeds Lake.

Fiesta Mexicana & El Grito

Calder Plaza

Saturday brings another full day of music, food, vendors, and dancing, highlighted by El Grito de Independencia at 7 p.m., one of the festival’s signature traditions.

Silver Lake Apple & BBQ Festival – Final Day

Saturday is the festival’s biggest day, with the Apple A Day 5K, craft show, apple pie competition, classic vehicles and ORVs, live entertainment, family activities, food vendors, and plenty of BBQ.

Grand Haven Musical Fountain: Extended Taylor Swift Night

Lynne Sherwood Waterfront Stadium

Head to the lakeshore Saturday night for a free extended Musical Fountain show featuring the music of Taylor Swift synchronized with water, lights, and color along the Grand Haven waterfront.

Sunday, September 13

Gable Price and Friends

The Stache

Close out the weekend with Gable Price and Friends at The Stache, joined by special guest Stephen Stanley. Doors open at 7 p.m. for the all-ages show.

Holland Haven Marathon

Grand Haven to Holland

Runners take on one of West Michigan’s most scenic races Sunday morning. The full marathon starts near Grand Haven and follows the lakeshore toward downtown Holland, while half-marathon and 8K options are also available.

Fiesta Mexicana – Final Day

Calder Plaza

Sunday is your final opportunity to enjoy Fiesta Mexicana. The family-friendly finale includes vendors, food, a youth folklórico showcase, and an afternoon closing concert and ceremony.

Wheatland Music Festival – Final Day

Remus

Wheatland wraps up Sunday with more traditional music, workshops, arts, dancing, and family activities. Sunday-only tickets are also available for anyone who couldn’t make the full weekend.

Sister Act Sunday Matinee

Circle Theatre

Sunday afternoon offers one more chance to see Sister Act. The performance is currently listed as sold out, but a waitlist is available through Circle Theatre’s ticketing system.

Gathering Light: The Jack H. Miller Glass Collection – Final Day

Grand Rapids Art Museum

Sunday is the final day to explore this exhibition celebrating contemporary studio glass. The collection includes works by artists such as Dale Chihuly, Lino Tagliapietra, Toots Zynsky, and Harvey K. Littleton.

Make the Most of Your Weekend

This weekend covers just about every kind of outing. You can see Billy Idol, Alabama, Cody Fry, or Gable Price, laugh with John Mulaney, dance at Gimme Gimme Disco or House Party, celebrate Mexican heritage at Fiesta Mexicana, or make a road trip out of the Wheatland Music Festival or Silver Lake Apple & BBQ Festival.

Whether you’re into country, rock, comedy, dancing, food, culture, theater, or outdoor events, Grand Rapids and West Michigan have you covered.

So grab your friends, pick an event, and make the most of the weekend!

Event schedules, availability, and ticket status can change, so check with the organizer or venue before heading out.