Fall has officially arrived in West Michigan, but the event calendar isn’t slowing down. ArtPrize 2026 is in full swing, Oktoberfest GR is taking over Riverside Park, country legends Brooks & Dunn are coming to Acrisure Amphitheater, and downtown is packed with concerts, dance parties, LEGO creations, theater, and more.

Whether you’re looking for live music, family fun, fall festivals, art, or a reason to hit the dance floor, here are some of the biggest events happening around Grand Rapids and West Michigan this weekend.

All Weekend & Multi-Day Events

ArtPrize 2026

Friday–Sunday | Throughout Grand Rapids

ArtPrize continues transforming Grand Rapids into a massive citywide gallery this weekend. The international art competition runs through October 3, with more than 1,000 entries by over 1,300 artists displayed at galleries, museums, restaurants, businesses, parks, and unexpected spaces throughout the city. Viewing ArtPrize entries is free.

Saturday is especially big, with the ArtPrize HalfTime Party happening at John Ball Zoo from 5:30–8:30 p.m. The signature event includes live art experiences and the announcement of current competition frontrunners.

Oktoberfest Grand Rapids

Friday & Saturday | Riverside Park

Break out the lederhosen because Oktoberfest GR returns to Riverside Park. The free, all-ages festival features imported German beer and wine, traditional food, live music, games, contests, alphorns, and plenty of Oktoberfest traditions.

The festival runs 3–10 p.m. Friday and noon–10 p.m. Saturday. Saturday morning also brings the OktoberfestGR Bier Stein 5K and 8K.

Brickworld Grand Rapids LEGO Expo

Saturday & Sunday | DeVos Place

LEGO fans of every age can explore 50,000 square feet of original LEGO creations, interactive activities, and specialty vendors when Brickworld Grand Rapids takes over DeVos Place.

The expo runs from 10 a.m.–5 p.m. Saturday and 10 a.m.–4 p.m. Sunday.

CHIHULY at Meijer Gardens

Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park

If you’re looking for something a little quieter, Dale Chihuly’s colorful glass installations continue throughout Meijer Gardens. Pair the exhibition with a fall walk through the gardens and sculpture park for an easy weekend outing.

Friday, September 25

Brooks & Dunn – Neon Moon Tour

Acrisure Amphitheater 

Country legends Brooks & Dunn bring the Neon Moon Tour to Grand Rapids Friday night with special guests David Lee Murphy and Willow Avalon. Expect a night packed with country classics along the Grand River.

Class of ’98

The Stache 

Ready for a nostalgia trip? Class of ’98 takes over The Stache Friday night for an all-ages throwback show. Doors open at 7 p.m.

Electric Feels: Indie Rock + Electronic Dance Party

The Intersection

Electric Feels returns with a dance party mixing indie-rock favorites and electronic hits. The 18+ event begins at 9:30 p.m., giving you plenty of time to make this your late-night Friday stop.

Grand Rapids Symphony Opening Weekend: Simon Trpčeski Plays Prokofiev

DeVos Performance Hall

The Grand Rapids Symphony launches its 2026–27 season with internationally acclaimed pianist Simon Trpčeski and Music Director Marcelo Lehninger. The program includes Prokofiev’s Piano Concerto No. 3 and Rachmaninoff’s Symphony No. 2.

Oktoberfest GR – Opening Day

Riverside Park

Kick off the weekend with German food, imported beer, live music, games, and Oktoberfest traditions at Riverside Park. Admission to the festival is free.

Friday Nite Lights at ArtPrize

Rosa Parks Circle

If you’re already downtown exploring ArtPrize, stop by Rosa Parks Circle Friday evening for Friday Nite Lights, one of the community celebrations on this weekend’s official ArtPrize schedule.

Saturday, September 26

Bed By 10pm: 30+ Daytime Clubbing

Elevation 

Want to go clubbing without sacrificing your Sunday morning? Bed By 10pm is built specifically for the 30-plus crowd, bringing the dance floor to the afternoon. The 21+ party starts at 4 p.m. at Elevation.

Alex Lambert

The Stache 

Singer-songwriter Alex Lambert performs at The Stache Saturday with support from Critter Ruwart. Doors open at 6:30 p.m. for the all-ages show.

Conjunto Rienda Real & Pócima Norteña

The Intersection

Saturday night also brings regional Mexican music to The Intersection. Conjunto Rienda Real and Pócima Norteña headline with Reales and Víctor Mora joining the lineup.

ArtPrize HalfTime Party

John Ball Zoo

One of ArtPrize’s signature events arrives Saturday. Head to John Ball Zoo for live art experiences and the reveal of the current competition frontrunners as ArtPrize reaches its halfway point.

Brickworld Grand Rapids

DeVos Place

Families and LEGO enthusiasts can spend the day exploring enormous custom builds, displays, vendors, and interactive activities across a 50,000-square-foot exhibition space.

Grand Rapids Symphony: Simon Trpčeski Plays Prokofiev

DeVos Performance Hall 

Saturday offers a second opportunity to experience the Grand Rapids Symphony’s opening weekend program featuring Simon Trpčeski.

It’s a 2000s Party

GLC Live at 20 Monroe 

Keep the nostalgia going Saturday night with an 18+ party devoted to the songs that defined the 2000s.

Macatawa Water Festival

Kollen Park, Holland

Head to Holland for a free family-friendly celebration of Lake Macatawa and the local watershed. More than 20 community partners will offer outdoor and educational activities including kayaking, biking, water experiments, and hands-on environmental experiences.

Park2Park Half Marathon & 5K

Holland

Runners can take on a scenic half marathon beginning at the Ottawa County Fairgrounds and passing Lake Macatawa, Holland State Park, and Lakeshore Drive. A 5K run and walk through Waukazoo Woods begins at 8:30 a.m.

Pigeon Hill Oktoberfest

Downtown Muskegon

If one Oktoberfest isn’t enough, Pigeon Hill Brewing Company is hosting its own celebration in Muskegon with German-inspired food, seasonal beer, live music, steinholding, games, a costume contest, and even Puptoberfest featuring a dog costume contest and parade. Admission is free.

Sunday, September 27

KC & the Sunshine Band

DeVos Performance Hall 

Get ready to dance Sunday night as KC & the Sunshine Band bring decades of disco and funk favorites to DeVos Performance Hall.

Joe Jordan – The Heart Sessions Tour

The Stache

Joe Jordan closes out the weekend at The Stache with The Heart Sessions Tour, joined by Gunnar and The Grizzly Boys. Doors open at 7 p.m. for the all-ages show.

9 to 5 – In Memory of Dolly Parton

Wealthy Theatre

Spend Sunday afternoon revisiting the 1980 comedy 9 to 5 on the big screen. Wealthy Theatre lists the special screening as “9 to 5 (In memory of Dolly Parton)”, with the film beginning at 1 p.m.

SHE RUNS Grand Rapids

John Ball Zoo 

Sunday morning brings SHE RUNS Grand Rapids, an all-women’s running event featuring half-marathon, 10K, and 5K distances. The event begins at John Ball Zoo and celebrates women in sport while supporting Girls on the Run and the YWCA.

Brickworld Grand Rapids – Final Day

DeVos Place

Sunday is your final chance to explore Brickworld’s giant LEGO displays, unique creations, interactive activities, and vendors before the expo packs up for another year.

ArtPrize 2026

Spend Sunday exploring ArtPrize at a slower pace. Artwork is spread across a huge network of participating venues, from the Grand Rapids Art Museum and DeVos Place to breweries, hotels, restaurants, parks, and storefronts throughout the city.

Make the Most of Your Weekend

This weekend gives you just about every kind of outing you could ask for.

You can sing along with Brooks & Dunn, dance at Electric Feels or Bed By 10pm, catch Alex Lambert, Conjunto Rienda Real & Pócima Norteña, or Joe Jordan, and finish the weekend with KC & the Sunshine Band.

Families can explore thousands of LEGO creations at Brickworld, runners can hit the streets for SHE RUNS Grand Rapids or Holland’s Park2Park, and anyone ready for fall can choose between Oktoberfest GR and another Oktoberfest celebration in Muskegon.

And, of course, ArtPrize is still going strong, with artwork filling Grand Rapids and the HalfTime Party taking over John Ball Zoo Saturday evening.

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

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