Summer Festivals in West Michigan
West Michigan comes alive with a plethora of exciting summer festivals, spanning art, music, flowers and more. Whether it’s beachside revelry, quaint town gatherings, or the urban buzz of Grand Rapids, there’s something for everyone. From May to September, this comprehensive list highlights the region’s top festivals month by month, ensuring festival enthusiasts don’t miss out on any of the vibrant celebrations.
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May Summer Festivals
Tulip Time Festival– Holland, May 4-12
Tulip Time, a beloved summer festival in West Michigan, epitomizes the region’s vibrant Dutch heritage each May. Holland bursts into a kaleidoscope of colors as thousands of tulip blooms adorn streets, parks, and the iconic Windmill Island. From engaging children’s activities to a bustling Dutch artisan market, photo classes, tours, and a lively carnival, there’s something for everyone to enjoy during this festive week.
Other West Michigan Festivals in May:
Old Fashioned Days Midway Carnival and Parade – Fruitport- May 22-27
Kite Festival– Grand Haven- May 18 & 19
Cider Week–Grand Rapids- May 10-18
June Summer Festivals
Asian Pacific Festival – Grand Rapids
June 14-16 Calder Plaza
Step into the captivating world of the East at the Asian Pacific Festival, an enchanting annual affair tucked away in downtown Grand Rapids at Calder Plaza. Curated by the Grand Rapids Asian Pacific Foundation, this June jubilee promises an eclectic spectrum of experiences, ranging from tantalizing culinary delights and handcrafted treasures to immersive children’s adventures and spellbinding live cultural showcases. Embark on a journey of exploration and enlightenment, where the vibrant threads of Asian Pacific heritage weave together in a symphony of colors and flavors, inviting you to revel in every enchanting moment while learning about other cultures – without even leaving the Midwest.
Start to Summer Festival– Rockford- June 13-16
Get ready to embrace the summer vibes at the Start to Summer Festival, located right in the heart of downtown Rockford, West Michigan! This vibrant event offers an abundance of family-friendly activities to keep everyone entertained. From a lively children’s activity tent filled with free crafts to dynamic live entertainment, a buzzing beer tent, exciting carnival rides, a spirited parade, thrilling duck races, and a dazzling fireworks spectacle, there’s something for every member of the family to enjoy.
Check out this festival for a summer kickoff celebration brimming with excitement and unforgettable moments!Want to spend more time in Rockford? Learn how to spend A Day in Rockford with this post!
Other West Michigan Festivals in June:
- “Remember When” Vintage Car Show & Cruise – Holland – 2024 Dates TBA
- Plein Air by Grand Rapids Festival of the Arts – Grand Rapids– June 7-9
- Muskegon Pride Festival – Muskegon – June 1
- Taste of Muskegon– Muskegon – June 7-8
- Heritage Festival– Spring Lake – June 8-14
- **Merchants and Makers at John Ball Zoo** – Grand Rapids – June 1
- Juneteenth Festival– Holland – June 15-22
- Hudsonville Balloon Festival – Hudsonville– June 15
- MSU Grand Fondo– Grand Rapids- June 22
- Pride Festival- Grand Rapids – June 22
- Montcalm County Fair– Greenville – June 23-29
- Arts Festival- Grand Haven – June 28-30
- Holland PRIDE Festival– Holland – June 29
- Lakeshore Art Festival- Muskegon – June 29-30
July Summer Festivals
Coast Guard Festival– Grand Haven- July 26-Aug. 4
Set sail on an adventure along the breathtaking West Michigan lakeshore to the charming town of Grand Haven, where the Coast Guard Festival awaits! This week-long celebration pays tribute to the courageous men and women of the United States Coast Guard while offering a plethora of family-friendly entertainment. Immerse yourself in exciting activities such as ship tours, live musical performances, a bustling carnival, a captivating car show, a special Kids Day, a heartwarming community picnic, a grand parade, and an awe-inspiring fireworks spectacle synchronized with the mesmerizing Grand Haven Musical Fountain. Join us for a celebration filled with patriotism, joy, and cherished memories against the backdrop of this scenic lakeside locale!
Ionia Free Fair– Ionia Fairgrounds- July 13-22
The Ionia Free Fair is a classic West Michigan festival to take the entire family to! The event takes place at the Ionia fairgrounds and features a carnival, live music, parade, monster truck events, kids talent show, derby, rodeo, livestock auction, tractor pull, 80s night and so much more. Find all the events-here!
Other West Michigan Festivals in July:
- Berlin Youth Fair– Marne– July 17-22
- Lowell Riverwalk Festival – Lowell– July 11-13
- Egelston/Wolf Lake Festival- Muskegon– 17-21
- Sparta Town and Country Days– Sparta– July 21-22
- Macatawa Water Festival– Holland- July 13
- Muskegon Bike Time – Muskegon – July 18-21
- Upheaval Festival – Grand Rapids – July 19-20
- Fresh Coast Fitness Festival – Muskegon – July 13-14
- Ottawa County Fair– Holland– July 22-27
- Summer Wine Up Festival-Muskegon– July 30 (2024 Dates TBA)
August Summer Festivals
Burning Foot Beer Festival– Muskegon-Aug. 24
Indulge in the ultimate beer and music experience at the renowned Burning Foot Beer Festival, featuring an incredible lineup of live entertainment and an abundance of craft brews to savor, all set against the stunning backdrop of Lake Michigan. Held at Pere Marquette beach in Muskegon, this festival showcases over 80 beer vendors alongside a variety of delectable food options. Don’t miss out on this unforgettable event! Tickets are available now—secure yours today and join us for a day of brews, beats, and beachside bliss. Click here for tickets!
Danish Festival– Greenville- Aug 16-18
Join the charming city of Greenville for the annual Danish Festival, a cherished tradition honoring Danish history and heritage since 1965. Immerse yourself in the festivities with an artisan craft fair, tantalizing food vendors, a lively parade, captivating live entertainment, and the prestigious Miss Danish Festival pageant. Don’t miss this opportunity to celebrate the rich cultural tapestry of Denmark right here in West Michigan!
Other West Michigan Festivals in August:
- The White Lake Chamber Music Festival– Muskegon- Aug 2-10
- Restaurant Week- Grand Rapids- MOVED TO NOV 1-9
- Grand Rapids Hispanic Festival- Grand Rapids- Aug 2-4
- Kent County Youth Fair– Lowell- July 29-Aug. 3
- Unity Christian Music Festival– Muskegon- Aug. 7-10
- Sparta Celtic Festival- Sparta- Aug. 9-10
- Coopersville Summerfest and Car Show– Coopersville- Aug. 9-10
- Great Lakes Surf Festival- Muskegon- Aug. 10
- Sand Sculpture Contest- Grand Haven- Aug. 10
- A Glimpse of Africa- Grand Rapids- Aug. 9-11
- Grand Rapids Yassou! Greek Cultural Festival– Aug 18-19
- Hudsonville Community Fair- Hudsonville- Aug. 19-24
- 28th Street Metro Cruise- Grand Rapids- Aug. 23-24
- Polish Festival– Grand Rapids- Aug. 23
- Polish Festival – Muskegon – Aug. 30-31
September Summer Festivals
ArtPrize- Grand Rapids- Sept. 13-28
Prepare to be swept away in a cultural extravaganza like no other as ArtPrize, a globally acclaimed art festival, returns for its 18th edition since its inception in 2009. This awe-inspiring event annually attracts over a quarter of a million art enthusiasts from across the globe to the vibrant city of Grand Rapids. Both seasoned professionals and budding amateurs showcase their masterpieces, vying for the esteemed $450,000 in public and juried prizes.
With more than 1,000 captivating artworks adorning various venues throughout the city, ArtPrize promises to ignite your imagination and stir your soul. Mark your calendars for the upcoming installment from September 14th to October 1st, 2023, and be part of this unparalleled celebration of creativity and expression. What sets ArtPrize apart is its democratic approach to selecting winners, allowing the public to cast their votes through the ArtPrize app. Additionally, a distinguished panel of international art experts bestows the remaining prize funds, ensuring a diverse range of perspectives and tastes are represented in this prestigious event.
You can find artwork throughout the city at various venues that chose to host artwork. See the full list of venues-here!
Find other Artsy things to do in Grand Rapids-here!
Fallasburg Art Festival– Lowell- Sept. 14-15
The Fallasburg Art Festival presented by LowellArts takes place each September in Fallasburg park. The event features over 100 unique fine art and craft booths, food booths, a children’s craft area, craft demonstrations and so much more! The event is totally free to attend!
Other West Michigan Festivals in September:
- Grand Valley American Indian Lodge Pow Wow- Grand Rapids- Sep 7-8
- Allegan County Fair- Allegan- September 6-14
- Michigan Irish Music Festival – Muskegon – September 12-15
- Mexican Heritage Association Fiesta Mexicana– Grand Rapids- Sep 8-10
- Tulipanes Latino Art & Film Festival– Holland- *moved to FEB 15-18
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Logan Imber
Logan Imber is a self taught Freelance Digital Marketer & Copywriter currently located in Ohio, but works remotely for clients all over the world. She also dabbles in Graphic Design, Web Design and Music. She doesn't like to pin herself down, as there is always something to learn, a culture to take in or new food to eat. In her free time, Logan likes reading, yoga, and spending time with her beloved cat. She also loves playing and sharing music with others. Essentially, most of her time is either spent writing, contemplating, or creating something - and she wouldn't have it any other way.
