Summer isn't only a time of crazy, hot weather, but a celebration of food, music, beer and more. What better way to spend the summer than hitting a festival throughout West Michigan? If you don't know which festival to attend or haven't even begun to think about it, we've got you covered. REVUE has compiled a list of festivals going on all summer long in West Michigan and we've got your ticket. All you need to do is enter here and tell us what festival you want to go to. Check out the list below and let us know where you wanna go!
June
Festival of the Arts - June 4-6, Grand Rapids - In its 41st year as Grand Rapids' largest outdoor event, West Michiganders join together to honor the arts. This free festival comes together with the help of more than 20,000 volunteers to stretch food and artist booths from Calder Plaza to Rosa Parks Circle, where local musicians and dancers will perform on four stages.
Blues on the Mall - June 9-Aug 14, Grand Rapids - Keeping the music playing, 97 WLAV set the stage for live blues and classic rock performed by national acts. You can catch these shows every Wednesday night at 6 p.m. for free at Rosa Parks Circle.
Waterfront Film Festival - June 10-13, Saugatuck - In its 12th year, one of the internationally ranked "Top Five Film Festivals", as named by the Screen Actors Guild, the WFF will continue to showcase outstanding independent films. This festival often features well-known actors, producers, directors who host seminars and question-and-answer sessions before debuting their films. Individual tickets are $10; passes are $70-500
Start of Summer Celebration - June 11-13, Rockford - With free admission, crowds line up as Downtown Rockford is transformed into an outdoor celebration of summer with a carnival midway, rides, games, food, live music, shopping, a beer tent, a juried arts & crafts show and more.
Local First Street Party - June 12, Grand Rapids - The celebration of local food, local beer, and local music presented by Founders Brewing returns downtown for a seventh year beginning at 4 p.m. in front of Bistro Bella Vita on Grandville Ave. This free event is sure to attract a crowd, with last year's attendance reaching upwards of 10,000.
Eastown Bizarre Bazaar - June 12, Grand Rapids - A wide variety of hand-made arts and crafts created by local artists, live music and a chance to sample the best of the neighborhood restaurants lines the streets of Eastown, showcasing the unique charm of this section of Grand Rapids. Free admission; runs 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Feast of the Strawberry Moon - June 12-13, Grand Haven - Re-creating life from 1760-1820, when fur trading was West Michigan's primary industry, Harbor Island takes visitors back to the 18th century.. This family event includes games for kids, candle making, a tomahawk throw, military battles and 18th century styled food and entertainment.
Rogue River Blues Series - June 15-Aug. 10, Rockford - Every Tuesday, visitors will be able to enjoy a free mix of blues, jazz, rockabilly, surf or honky tonk from 7-9 p.m.
Spring Lake Heritage Festival - June 15-20, Spring Lake - With a classic car show, library book sale, farmers market, live music in the park, a Bloody Mary mix-off, beer tent, village-wide garage sale, fireworks, Civil War history walk and more, this free event allows visitors to get a bang for their buck.
Lowell Showboat Sizzling Summer Concert Series - June 10-Aug. 19, Lowell - Featuring local musicians from 7 p.m. until 9 p.m. and free admission and parking, the Thursday night concert series is a bargain. Additionally, the nearby Flat River Grill offers a cash bar and food on the Showboat.
West Michigan Chalk Art Festival - June 18-19, Byron Center - Artists and aspiring arts of all ages are invited to bring their chalk to 84th & Byron Center and proudly present their creativity and imagination while competing for the Chalk Awards. Entry fee is free for kids 11 and younger, $12 for individual adults, $20 for a family and $50 for a team. Register by May 24.
Walker Festival - June 19, Walker - This free, family-friendly festival featuring fireworks, a petting zoo, live music & entertainment, food booths and a classic car show.
Reeds Lake Clothesline Art Festival - June 19, East Grand Rapids - The free, annual art festival is sponsored by Grand Valley Artists and features dozens of Michigan and Great Lakes-area artist booths from 9 a.m.- 5 p.m.
B-93 Birthday Bash - June 19-20, Martin - Celebrating their 18th birthday, B-93 moves to the US 131 Motorsports Park for 2010. General admission is free, reserved seats are $39 and parking for everyone is $15. The lineup for the country music festival will be announced.
Founders Festival - June 19, Grand Rapids - Starting at 3 p.m. Founders Brewing Company hosts the 3rd annual party with a full day of live music, art, food and beer.
West Michigan Pride Festival - June 19, Grand Rapids - The 22nd annual GLBT event moves to Riverside Park for free music, bingo, food, a beer tent and fireworks from 11 a.m. until 10 p.m.
Taste of Muskegon - June 19-20, Muskegon - The Taste of Muskegon allows visitors to sample selections from some of the best restaurants and bakeries around Muskegon while raising money for charity. General admission is free, food samples are $1-$5 each and craft beer and wine tastes are $1.
Summer Celebration - June 23-July 4, Muskegon - With headliners like Toby Keith, Styx, O.A.R., Papa Roach, and ZZ Top, Muskegon's largest annual event features food, fun and fireworks. Midway admission is $5 and most concert tickets range from $18-$67.
Water Festival - June 26, Grand Rapids - This free, day-long festival of local bands, vendors, workshops, informational tables, speakers, food and more.
Grand Haven Art Festival - June 26-27, Grand Haven - The festival celebrates its 49th year with more than 200 booths of fine art, drawings, pottery, jewelry, photography and stained glass. The event will also have free, live music and food concessions.
July
Riverwalk Festival - July 8-10, Lowell - The free, annual festival will feature fan-favorites the Brian Mead Memorial Cruise-in, the $1500 rubber ducky race, a BBQ event, food booths, street entertainers, fireworks, children's activity zone and more.
Picnic Pops - July 8-30, Cannonsburg - Enjoy outdoor performances by the Grand Rapids Symphony with a picnic basket in hand. This year's series features fireworks, a collaboration with Big Bad Voodoo Daddy, Motown's Greatest Hits and A Tribute to The Beatles.
Town and Country Days - July 14-19, Sparta - The annual fair will feature a classic car show, kids parade, an entertainment and beer tent, carnival rides, live music, tractor pull, sports tournaments and more.
Muskegon Bike Time - July 16-18, Muskegon - Called "America's fastest growing bike event", this Muskegon favorite has attracted 35,000 bikes and 90,000 spectators. It's three days of free admission to motorcycles, food, vendors, beer tents, stunts and live music.
Berlin Fair - July 19-24, Marne - Located at the Berlin Raceway grounds, one of Michigan's oldest fairs features rides, carnival games, food, live entertainment, a kids show, animal exhibits, 4-H presentations and a special stunt show by World Famous Dockdogs.
Barry County Fair - July 19-24, Hastings - Held at the Barry County Expo Center, a 160-acre site that has six barns, three outdoor arenas and a racetrack, the annual fair has plenty of room for carnival rides, elephant ears, racing events, tractor pulls and 4-H shows.
Ionia Free Fair - July 21-31, Ionia - The "World's Largest Free Fair" stretches for ten days with a carnival midway, live music, drag racing, a demolition derby, motorcross, Ionia Idol, food, games and more.
National Baby Food Festival - July 21-24, Fremont - The Baby Food Capital of the World hosts a kid's expo with free popcorn and snow cones, live music, karaoke, contests, arts & crafts and games. Check out the Adult Baby Food Eating Contest or the Baby Food Cook-Off, they are a must-see.
Taste of Grand Rapids - July 23-24, Grand Rapids - Sample entrees and desserts from more than a dozen Grand Rapids-area restaurants at John Ball Park while catching live music the annual BBQ competition. Admission is free and most samples are $1-$5 each.
Ottawa County Fair - July 26-31, Holland - The annual fair has all of the classic attractions like a carnival midway with rides, food booths, 4-H and livestock shows, a demolition derby, motorcross, harness racing and more. Grandstand admission is $5 for adults and $2 for kids.
Coast Guard Festival - July 30-Aug. 8, Grand Haven - Enjoy ten days of ship tours, parades, fireworks, live music, a carnival midway, kids day and street dance. This annual event attracts 350,000 people to the lakeshore each summer to pay tribute to the men and women of the U.S. Coast Guard.
August
Red Barns Spectacular - Aug. 7, Hickory Corners - Hundreds of antique, classic and special interest vehicles will be on display at the Gilmore Car Museum where you can find collector automobiles for sale, campers & RVs, classic boats, bicycles, car parts, tools, literature and more. $8 admission includes access to all museum exhibits.
Newaygo County Fair - Aug. 7-14, Newaygo - For more than 50 years, the fair and livestock show on M-82 has a petting farm, sheep shearing demonstrations, vendor tents, food, rides, a demolition derby, donkey basketball and more.
Coopersville Summerfest - Aug. 9-14, Coopersville - The free, volunteer-driven festival draws thousands of people each year with the Del Shannon Memorial Car Show (showcasing more than 900 cars), a full week of family-friendly activities, food, museum exhibits and more.
Kent County Youth Fair - Aug 9-14, Lowell - Celebrating more than 75 years, the free, family-friendly event at the Kent County Fairgrounds will have parades, the carnival midway with rides, a farmers market, bluegrass music, livestock, a rodeo, karaoke and more.
Stanton Old Fashioned Days - Aug. 11-15, Stanton - With a classic car show, talent shows, antique tractors, free entertainment, a farmers market, bingo, food, the Grand Parade and more, this free festival draws back a much more simplistic time.
Unity Christian Music Festival - Aug. 12-14, Muskegon - It's the tenth anniversary of the contemporary Christian music festival at Heritage Landing. Headlining acts include Casting Crowns, Third Day, Thousand Foot Krutch, Matthew West, Jeremy Camp and dozens more on three stages. Single day passes are $10 before June 30.
Cowpie Blues Festival - Aug 13-14, Alaska - 3,500 blues fans attended the festival last year at Shagbark Farms, making it the largest Cowpie Blues yet. Eleven bands from around the nation will take the stage at the working cattle farm and attendees can indulge in locally brewed beer and relax overnight in the campground. Weekend passes are $35 in advance and $55 at the gate.
Celtic Festival - Aug 14, Rockford - Join in the celebration of the Celtic lifestyle in downtown Rockford with food, bagpipe and drum performances, a beer tent, demonstrations, and much more. No admission charged.
Danish Festival - Aug. 19-22, Greenville - Last year crowds of more than 80,000 people enjoyed parades, live music, children's activities, hot air balloon rides and more and this year the festival will feature the 1st Annual Cornhole Tournament and the Doggie Fashion Show
Art on the River Front - Aug. 21, Grand Haven - The one-day art fair at the Grand Haven City Marina showcases the work of more than 40 local and regional artists from 10 a.m. until 5 p.m. Free admission.
Hudsonville Community Fair - Aug. 23-28, Hudsonville - With a carnival midway, livestock auction, 4-H shows, tractor pull, off-road derbys and live entertainment under the big tent, this free event offers something for everyone.
28th Street Metro Cruise - Aug. 27-28, Grand Rapids - Now in its 6th year, the event that features 15 miles of cool cars along 28th Street can attract upwards of 15,000 vehicles and 300,000 spectators, with classic car shows, live music, lowrider shows, food booths and special events.
Yassou! Greek Cultural Festival - Aug. 27-28, Grand Rapids - The first annual festival at Holy Trinity Orthodox Church will celebrate Greek culture with locally prepared foods and pastries, live Greek music and dancing, beer and wine and ethnic arts and crafts. Admission: $2.
September
Celebration on the Grand - Sep. 9-11, Grand Rapids - One of Grand Rapids' premier events features fireworks, live music at Ah-Nab-Awen Park and Rosa Parks Circle and a chance to sample the best of local restaurants at the Taste of Downtown. Free admission; food selections are $1-$5 each. The fireworks display is scheduled for Friday, September 10 at dusk.
Allegan County Fair - Sep. 10-18, Allegan - In addition to midway rides, games and food, national musical acts and comedians will perform at the main grandstand during the nine-day fair. The grandstand area will also host tractor pulls and a demolition derby. Special event ticket prices do not include admission or parking.
Middleville Heritage Days - Sep. 12, Middleville - The annual celebration of Middleville will have a parade, an antique car and motorcycle show, food, crafts, games, live entertainment and a tractor pull.
Michigan Irish Music Festival - Sep. 17-19, Muskegon - Irish food, step dancing and music await visitors at Heritage Landing in downtown Muskegon. The cultural village will have Irish-made jewelry, baked goods, gifts, artwork, cedar chests and the Pub will have live entertainment and plenty of beer selections on tap. Three-day passes are available for $25 in advance.
Eastown Street Fair - Sep. 19, Grand Rapids - For more than 30 years, the distinct and original street fair on Wealthy Street SE has brought summer to a close with art, food and music on two stages featuring only local bands. Free.
Salmon Fest - Sep. 19, Grand Haven - The outdoor-waterfront festival features live jazz music, Big King Salmon fishing contest, exhibits, wine tasting and much more.
