Grand Rapids has a pretty good answer to “What should we do this week?” ArtPrize is underway, two big concert nights are headed to the riverfront, and Oktoberfest is bringing a free, all-ages celebration to Riverside Park. Add a makers market and a little friendly competition, and your group chat finally has something to work with.
Here’s your week.
Art in the City
You can wander through town looking at art. Or you can give that wandering a mission.
Art in the City, our City Games and My GR Week collaboration, adds challenges and artist discovery to your Grand Rapids outing. Open City Games, explore the Art in the City collection, and let the challenges give you a reason to look closer.
The Artist Spotlight trivia challenges are live, giving you another way to get to know participating artists and their work. Check each artist’s challenge page for available activities as the on-site QR challenges roll out.
Bring a friend, pick a few stops, and leave time for a snack along the way. You don’t have to see everything in one afternoon to have a good story to bring home.
ArtPrize
Through Saturday, October 3 · Venues across Grand Rapids
ArtPrize’s official lineup includes more than 1,000 entries across more than 150 venues. That is permission to make several small outings instead of one exhausting attempt to see it all.
Our suggestion: choose a handful of entries before you leave, check their venue hours, and build a walk around those. Make room for the unexpected piece you spot on the way. When something sticks with you, take a moment to vote.
Oktoberfest GR
Friday, September 25, 3–10 p.m.
Saturday, September 26, noon–10 p.m.
Riverside Park · 3061 Monroe Ave. NW · Free admission
This one works for the friend who wants live music, the friend who comes for the food, and the family looking for an outing that doesn’t start with buying admission tickets.
Oktoberfest GR brings German food, games, and live music to Riverside Park for two days. It is open to all ages, and you can enjoy the festival without making beer the point of the trip. Food and drinks are purchased separately.
The event runs rain or shine. Pick your day, check the entertainment schedule, and show up hungry.
THE NO FOMO LIST
Eight more reasons to leave the house. All times are local.
Tuesday: Mumford & Sons on the riverfront
September 22 · 7:30 p.m. · Acrisure Amphitheater
The PRIZEFIGHTER Tour arrives with The Marcus King Band. Make it your big midweek night out. One useful detail from the venue: chairs are not permitted for this show, including on the lawn. Check current ticket availability before making plans.
Wednesday: Make a circus cat
September 23 · 5–8 p.m. · Courage & Soar
Artist Carrie Hawkins hosts a free make-and-take circus cat collage ornament activity. A hands-on stop for your art walk.
Thursday: French Paper Stamp Rally
September 24 · 5–8 p.m. · Rebel Nell
A family-friendly, hands-on pop-up listed on the ArtPrize calendar. Add it to your after-work route.
Friday: Brooks & Dunn
September 25 · 7 p.m. · Acrisure Amphitheater
The Neon Moon Tour brings Brooks & Dunn to the riverfront with David Lee Murphy and Willow Avalon. If the group chat has been waiting for a country night, here it is. Ticket prices and availability vary.
Saturday: Shop the makers
September 26 · 10 a.m.–6 p.m. · Rosa Parks Circle
The Merchants and Makers Market adds shopping to your downtown art route. Leave some browsing time between exhibits.
Saturday: A LEGO-filled detour
September 26 · 10 a.m.–5 p.m. · DeVos Place
Brickworld brings original LEGO creations, vendors, and hands-on activities to DeVos Place. It also runs Sunday, September 27, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Check admission details before heading over.
Saturday: Take your art walk Uptown
September 26 · 12:30–2:30 p.m. · Art of the Table
The free Uptown ArtPrize Walking Tour + Wealthy Street Block Party is listed at Art of the Table. Explore beyond the downtown core.
Any day: Keep the art going at Meijer Gardens
CHIHULY outdoor experience through November 1
Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park · 1000 East Beltline Ave. NE
Want another art outing this week? The outdoor CHIHULY experience continues at Meijer Gardens. Pair the sculpture walk with time in the gardens, and check the ticket options and hours for your chosen day.
Start at the makers market, choose a few nearby ArtPrize stops, and open Art in the City to add a challenge or two. Keep the afternoon flexible. If you still have energy, Oktoberfest runs until 10 p.m.
You don’t need to fill the entire weekend. Pick one thing, invite someone, and actually go.
What’s the best piece of art you’ve found so far? Hit reply with the artist or location. We’d love to know what deserves another look.
Know someone who always hears about the good stuff a day late? Forward them this issue. They can join My GR Week here.
See you around town,
Toby
My GR Week
Event schedules can change. Use the linked organizer pages for current details before heading out.