Community Events and Activities

The following list shows activities and events around Grand Rapids that are free to attend and open to the public. Click on the links for more information on specific events.

Grand Rapids Art Museum

• Meijer Free Thursday Nights
  A gift by The Meijer Foundation which supports free general admission for the public every Thursday night from 5:00pm to 8:00pm.
   
• Museums for All
  Free general admission for Michigan Bridge/EBT cardholders and up to 3 guests. Present your card at the front desk to receive this offer.
   
• Sunset on the Terrace
  Thursday, June 11, 2026, from 5:00pm to 9:00pm. Kick off the summer season with live music, food trucks, drinks, and free museum admission.
   
• Thursdays on the Terrace: Art Show & Share
  Thursday, June 18, 2026, from 5:00pm to 9:00pm. Registration is required.
   
• Thursdays on the Terrace: Chalk Party!
  Thursday, June 25, 2026, from 5:00pm to 9:00pm.

Grand Rapids Public Library    

• Dungeons & Dragons for Adults (West Side Branch)
  Thursday, June 11, 2026, from 4:00pm to 6:00pm. For ages 18 and up.
   
• Ask a Doctor (Main Branch)
  Friday, June 12, 2026, from 2:00pm to 4:00pm.
   
• Popular Pages Book Club (Seymour Branch)
  Saturday, June 13, 2026, from 12:00pm to 1:00pm. They will be discussing Paved Paradise, by Henry Grabar.
   
• 58th Annual Dyer-Ives Poetry Competition Reception (Main Branch)
  Saturday, June 13, 2026, from 2:00pm to 3:00pm.
   
• Introduction to Waste Management (West Leonard Branch)
  Tuesday, June 16, 2026, from 6:30pm to 7:30pm. Learn about building better habits around reusing, recycling, and composting.
   
• Black History 101 Museum (Main Branch)
  Wednesday, June 17, 2026, from 12:00pm to 5:00pm.
   
• Introduction to Civic Engagement (Main Branch)
  Wednesday, June 17, 2026, from 6:00pm to 7:00pm. Learn about how collective leadership drives change and how to get involved in local efforts.
   
• Conversation Circle (Main Branch)
  Wednesday, June 17, 2026, from 7:00pm to 8:00pm. Designed for adult English Language Learners.

Kent District Library       

• Walker Book Discussion [Off -Site]
  Thursday, June 11, 2026, from 11:00am to 12:00pm. They will be discussing Murder & Mayhem in Grand Rapids, by Tobin T. Buhk. This event will be held at Panera Bread at Standale Crossings, 4400 Lake Michigan Dr NW, Walker, MI 49534.
   
• Plainfield Branch Book Discussion (Plainfield Township Branch)
  Thursday, June 11, 2026, from 1:00pm to 2:00pm. They will be discussing Bless Me, Ultima, by Rudolfo A. Anaya (1994).
   
• Craft & Create (Gaines Township Branch)
  Thursday, June 11, 2026, from 6:00pm to 7:00pm.
   
• Silent Book Club (Wyoming Branch)
  Thursday, June 11, 2026, from 6:00pm to 8:00pm. Bring whatever you're reading and connect over a beverage.
   
• True Crime Analysis (Cascade Township Branch)
  Thursday, June 11, 2026, from 6:30pm to 7:30pm.
   
• Krause Afternoon Book Club [Off-Site]
  Friday, June 12, 2026, from 1:30pm to 2:30pm. They will be discussing The Guncle, by Steven Rowley (2021). This event will be held at City of Rockford - City Hall in the Chamber Room, 7 South Monroe St, Rockford, MI 49341.
   
• Tiny Gardens Succulent Workshop (Spencer Township Branch)
  Monday, June 15, 2026, from 3:30pm to 4:30pm. Registration is required.
   
• Krause Evening Book Club [Off-Site]
  Monday, June 15, 2026, from 6:30pm to 7:30pm. They will be hosting an author study of Ken Follett. Bring any title to share. This event will be held at City of Rockford - City Hall in the Chamber Room, 7 South Monroe St, Rockford, MI 49341.
   
• Bingo Hour (East Grand Rapids Branch)
  Tuesday, June 16, 2026, from 10:00am to 11:00am.
   
• Common Reader Book Discussion (Gaines Township Branch)
  Tuesday, June 16, 2026, from 1:00pm to 2:00pm. They will be discussing Murder at Gulls Nest, by Jess Kidd (2025).
   
• Nelson Twp. Book Club (Nelson Township Branch)
  Tuesday, June 16, 2026, from 1:30pm to 2:30pm. They will be discussing The Second Story Bookshop, by Denise Hunter (2025).
   
• Bingo Hour (Wyoming Branch)
  Tuesday, June 16, 2026, from 1:30pm to 2:30pm.
   
• Home Buyer 101 (Wyoming Branch)
  Tuesday, June 16, 2026, from 6:30pm to 7:30pm. Financial literacy program designed to help make homeownership achievable.
   
• Open Craft Lab (Kentwood (Richard L. Root) Branch)
  Wednesday, June 17, 2026, from 6:00pm to 7:30pm.

Friends of Grand Rapids Parks 

• June Ring Race at Bike Park
  Saturday, June 27, 2026, from 6:00pm to 9:00pm. Registration is required.
   

• July Ring Race at Bike Park
  Saturday, July 25, 2026, from 6:00pm to 9:00pm. Registration is required.

   

Creston Neighborhood Association 

• Creston Night Out
  Tuesday, August 4, 2026, from 4:00pm to 7:00pm.

Ada Arts Council

• Ada Arts Festival
  Saturday, June 13, 2026, from 10:00am to 5:00pm. Enjoy food trucks, visit artisan vendors, and watch local performers at Ada Township Park (Buttrick Ave & Grand River Dr SE).