🧑‍🤝‍🧑Relax at Rosa
2026-06-25 12:00 - 13:30, 2026-07-02 12:00 - 13:30, 2026-07-09 12:00 - 13:30 (America/Detroit) | Rosa Parks Circle, 135 Monroe Street Northwest, Grand Rapids, MI, 49503, United States
Event Description

Free lunchtime concerts return to Rosa Parks Circle every Thursday throughout the summer starting May 7th through September 24th, 2026!

Each week features a rotating lineup of live music and food trucks.

Here’s your 2026 Relax at Rosa Lineup
May 7 – Clarke, Reed, and Meadows
May 14 – MexiCuba
May 21 – The Temperances
May 28 – Hot Like Mars
Jun 4 – Na Bonsai
Jun 11 – Remnose
Jun 18 – Bleau Otis
Jun 25 – Tuvergen Band
Jul 2 – Mar In Color
Jul 9 – Morgan Haner
Jul 16 – SoSoHiFi
Jul 23 – Ark Laci
Jul 30 – Chris Bota Band
Aug 6 – Jennifer Westwood & the Handsome Devils
Aug 13 – Sabbatical Bob
Aug 20 – Tent
Aug 27 – Loren J. Clarke
Sept 3 – Hip Hop Showcase
Sept 10 – Pajamas
Sept 17 – Cabildo
Sept 24 – Aurora & Antheia

🧑‍🤝‍🧑5th Annual “Health & Unity in the Community” Resource and Family Fun Fair
2026-06-26 11:00 - 16:00 | Campau Park, 51 Delaware Street Southwest, Grand Rapids, MI, 49507
Grand Rapids Housing Commission Resident Services presents the 5th Annual Health and Unity in the Community Resource and Family Fun Fair, “The Key to a Healthy Heart,” Friday, June 26, 2026, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Campau Park, 51 Delaware Street Southwest.
Health screening opportunities, health information and community resource tables, music, food, games, children’s activities and more. Sponsored by Grand Rapids Housing Commission and supported by dozens of partner organizations.
FREE and open to all.

🧑‍🤝‍🧑Kent City Freedom Festival
2026-06-26 18:00 | Main St Kent City
This year’s celebration is especially significant as we join communities across the nation in honoring America’s 250th Birthday. This year’s festivities will include all the family-friendly activities you’ve come to know and love. The festival kicks off at 6:00 PM with family-friendly games and activities, live music, food trucks, and artisan vendors. The evening will conclude with a fireworks show at dusk.
KENT CITY FREEDOM FESITVAL – FOOD. MUSIC. FRIENDS. FAMILY. COMMUNITY. FIREWORKS. FUN.

🧑‍🤝‍🧑⭐Bethany's Annual Hands Connected Community Baby Shower and Early Childhood Resource Fair
2026-06-27 10:30 - 13:30 | Veterans Memorial Park, 355 48th St SE, Grand Rapids, MI, 49548
Hosted by Bethany Christian Services!
View Flyer Here: Hands Connected June 27 Event
3rd Annual Bethany Hands Connected Community Baby Shower and Family Resource Fair
This community baby shower is dedicated to supporting expectant parents and those caring for children under age 5 in our refugee communities. Our goal is to provideessential resources and to connect families with Kent County agencies supporting young children and their families.
Now, more than ever, we want to ensure refugee families feel welcomed and have access to all the resources our community has to offer. A special thank you to our program funders, Early Childhood Investment Corporation (ECIC) and Ready by Five, and our incredible community partners!

📚Grand Rapids Public Museum Summer Saturdays
2026-06-27 11:00 - 15:00 | Grand Rapids Public Museum, 272 Pearl St NW, Grand Rapids, MI, 49504
Summer Saturdays
at the GRPM

Join us on Saturdays at the Museum this Summer for special themed days full of hands-on activities, dynamic demonstrations, guided tours, and more!

The Grand Rapids Public Museum is continuing Summer Saturdays for a second year, expanding engagement opportunities to beat the heat inside the Museum or to embrace the heat by exploring the downtown corridor with us. In addition to the Unseen Oceans exhibit, visitors can explore special themed activities almost every Saturday from June 13 to August 15.
Summer Saturdays will focus on specific areas of science, history, and culture. Each Saturday will bring a different theme and perspective to Museum guests, including celebrations of the new Riverfront space, Unseen Oceans, and the Grand River. Mark your calendars to join us for summer fun!

Summer Saturday Themes

Full descriptions of each day are listed on the GRPM’s Digital Calendar. Click any day to see the full description.

June 13 – Riverfront Grand Opening
June 20 – Unseen Oceans
June 27- Celebrating the Grand River Watershed and USA at 250!
July 11 – Birds of the Great Lakes
July 18 – Exploring the Deep
July 25 – A Celebration of Music and Dance
August 1 – Riverside Art
August 8 – STEAM Day
August 15 – Grand River Adventure

📚Recycling Center Open Hours
2026-06-29 09:00 - 12:00, 2026-07-06 09:00 - 12:00 | Kent County Public Works, 1045 Wealthy Street SW, Grand Rapids, MI, 49504
These free, open-house style events are great for any age and meant for smaller groups or individuals wishing to check out the Kent County Recycling and Education Center! So what is there to see and do during Recycling Center Open Hours?

Self-guided tours of the space and recycling sorting line

If you’d like a formal, guided tour please request your recycling center tour.

– Self-guided tours of the space and recycling sorting line
– Create upcycled crafts
– Play with our recycling toys and games!
– Explore our recycling and waste exhibits throughout the Recycling & Education Center
– Have your recycling and disposal questions answered in-person by our Waste Reduction Educators
– And more!
Spend as much time as you’d like learning, creating, or interacting with staff to learn more about recycling and waste.
Please drop in during the designated hours of the scheduled event according to the schedule.
This event is perfect for:

Individuals that are curious as to how Kent County’s recycling program works and want to know what can be recycled
Families and parents with young children looking for a casual experience
Childcare providers or babysitters looking for fun activities to engage in
Other small groups (around 12 or less) looking to explore the world of recycling such as homeschool groups

Let Them Play
2026-06-29 09:30 - 11:30, 2026-07-01 16:30 - 18:30, 2026-07-06 09:30 - 11:30, 2026-07-08 16:30 - 18:30 | Plainsong Farm, 6677 12 Mile Rd NE, Rockford, MI, 49341
Let Them Play

This weekly drop-in time is designed for children of all ages along with their caregivers to explore the farm and deepen their connection to nature. The education garden, pine grove and mud kitchen will be open for child-led, self-guided, unstructured play. Come engage all your senses – taste what’s ripe each week, search for bugs and birds, build a fort, or cook up a mudpie. Staff will be available to answer questions as needed. Stop in the Welcome Shed for a map and instructions, including our Visitor’s Guide.
‍
Dates/Times: Mondays 9:30-11:30am April 13-Nov 23
‍Wednesdays 4:30-6:30pm June 3-Oct 14
Cost: Free
At Plainsong Farm we are seeking to gather a community around good food, good work, and care for the earth and each other. Whether you’re looking to learn sustainable home economics, looking for community, or a place for your child to explore, there is something for you.

Pajama Time/ Hora de Pijamas
2026-06-29 18:30 - 19:30, 2026-07-06 18:30 - 19:30 | grand rapids public library – Seymour Branch, 2350 Eastern Ave SE, Grand Rapids, MI 49507, Grand Rapids, MI, 49507, United States

🎁Food Distribution
2026-06-30 16:00 - 18:00 | Hispanic Center of West Michigan, 1204 Cesar Chavez Ave SW, Grand Rapids, MI, 49503
Food Distribution event happening on set dates each month.
*Please have your trunks open and do not block any driveways!

🧑‍🤝‍🧑⭐Storytime in the Park/Hora de Cuento al Aire Libre
2026-06-30 18:30 - 20:00, 2026-07-07 18:30 - 20:00 | Garfield Park, 250 Burton St SE, Grand Rapids, MI, 49507, United States
Storytime in the Park
Join us this summer for stories, free books and ice cream, special guests, and a whole lot of fun! For all ages of kids and teens. StorytimeGR is a partnership of Read GR, Grand Valley State University, John Ball Area Neighbors (JBAN) and the City of Grand Rapids Office of Special Events.

Upcoming Events
Tuesdays, June 2, 9, 16, 23, 30 July 7, 14, 21, 28 August 4, 11, 18, 25
6:30 pm | Garfield Park – 2111 Madison SE
Tuesday, June 9, 16, 23, 30, July 7, 14, 21, 28, August 4, 11
6:30 pm | Lincoln Park –1120 Bridge St NW

Libros Gratis
Helado
Los niños 0-17

🧑‍🤝‍🧑Decorate Your Bike and Celebrate the Fourth of July
2026-07-01 10:00 - 11:00 | KDL- Kentwood/ Richard L. Root Branch, 4950 Breton SE, Kentwood, MI, 49508
Bring your bike and decorate it for the Fourth of July! We will have many patriotic decorations on hand to help you festoon your ride.

Monster Truck Mayhem
2026-07-01 10:00 - 11:00 | KDL- Cascade Branch, 2882 Jacksmith SE, Grand Rapids, MI, 49546
Supercharge your library visit with monster trucks. This program will provide preschoolers with monster truck-themed crafts and activities. Zoom over to our event for a Wheelie great time.

🧑‍🤝‍🧑📚Safety Day at Plainfield Head Start
2026-07-01 13:00 - 16:00 | Plainfield Head Start, 1710 Woodworth St NE, Grand Rapids, MI, 49525
SAFETY DAY IS COMING TO HEAD START!
Get ready for an afternoon of fun, learning, and hands-on activities as we focus on keeping our families safe and healthy!

Children and families will have the opportunity to meet local community safety heroes, participate in interactive activities, and take home resources to help keep their families safe.

PLAINFIELD HEAD START
Wednesday, July 1, 2026
1:00 PM – 4:00 PM
1710 Woodworth St NE, Grand Rapids, MI 49525

Please note: Activities will be held in the front of the building. Parking will be in the back of the building.

Here’s what we have planned:
• Meet members of the Fire Department
• Explore an EMS vehicle and learn about emergency services
• Build Your Own First Aid Kit to take home
• Safety-Themed Activities and Crafts
• Family Safety Resources and Information
• Lite Snacks Provided

This event is a great opportunity for children to learn about safety through play while meeting the first responders who help keep our community safe every day.
Bring the whole family and join us for an afternoon of learning, exploring, and fun. We can’t wait to see you there!

Stay connected with the latest weekly summer event updates on our website:
https://hs4kc.org/summer-family-engagement-event-list/

🧑‍🤝‍🧑Sparta Summer Concert Series
2026-07-01 18:30 - 20:00, 2026-07-08 18:30 - 20:00 | SPARTA TOWN SQUARE, 177 E Division St, Sparta, MI, 49345
Bring the whole family for music and fun in Downtown Sparta! Bring your own chairs and blankets and relax in the wonderful summer weather with your family and friends!
Concerts in the Park are scheduled for Wednesdays at 6:30pm, May 13 through August 12.
*Dates and times are subject to change, check the Facebook page for up-to-date event information.
PLEASE NOTE THAT THERE ARE TWO POSSIBLE VENUES FOR THIS EVENT.

🎆Happy 4th of July!- Family-Friendly Activities around West MI
2026-07-04 | MI
2026 Fourth of July Events around Kent County
Visit our blog for a Round-up of Activities: https://familyfutures.org/other/2026-fourth-of-july-events-around-kent-county/

KDL Foam Party
2026-07-06 10:30 - 11:30 | KDL-Wyoming branch, 3350 Michael Ave SW, Wyoming, MI, 49509
Frolic in foam bubbles and listen to child-friendly tunes, all while having a bubbly blast.
Swimwear and a towel for each child is helpful. Footwear that can get wet is also recommended.
For families with children.
At the KDL Wyoming Branch

Bilingual Storytime / Hora de Cuentos Bilingües
2026-07-08 10:00 - 11:00 | KDL- Comstock Park branch, 3943 W River Dr NE, Comstock Park, MI, 49321
Enjoy stories, songs and rhymes with your child in Spanish and English.
Disfrute cuentos, canciones, y rimas con su hijo/a en español e inglés.

🧑‍🤝‍🧑Chalk the Park
2026-07-08 10:00 - 11:00 | MI
Step into summer and help us celebrate the Power of Community and Play during Parks and Recreation month!
On Wednesday, July 22 (10-11:00am) at Alpine Estates Park, Walker Parks and Rec is hosting, with Walker Police, Walker Fire and Walker DPW co-hosting our annual Chalk the Park event! Unleash your creativity and help us turn our parks into colorful wonderlands as we celebrate Parks and Recreation Month.
We will supply the chalk to use, all you need is your imagination. All ages are welcome and there’s no charge for the event, but we do require registration for each participant. If you are planning to attend both sessions, please be sure to register for both. Each registration will be entered into a prize drawing to win a prize!
Please note that parents must stay at the park for the duration of the event.
Registration begins on June 15.Register at walker.city/register

🧑‍🤝‍🧑Bookmobile Storytime | Millennium Park
2026-07-09 10:30 - 11:30 | Millennium Park, 1415 Maynard Ave SW, Walker, MI, 49534
Enjoy favorite books, rhymes, music and all the fun of a library storytime in the great outdoors with the Bookmobile librarians. Afterward, play in the park and stop by the Bookmobile to register for a library card, pick up program information and check out the latest library materials.
Please note: Bookmobile events may be canceled due to weather conditions. Check kdl.org/events or call 616.784.2007 for the latest updates before attending. Your safety is our priority!
Thursdays this summer!

Townsend Park: Nature Sensory Experience
2026-07-10 09:30 - 10:30 | Townsend Park, 8260 6 Mile Road, Cannonsburg, MI, 49317
Townsend Park: Nature Sensory Experience

Come join us with your little one for a walk on the park trails where we’ll be using all of our senses to explore nature. We’ll listen for birds and smell various plants, we’ll touch soft furs, and we’ll search for the colors of the rainbow all around us.
Cost:
Adults: $5
Children 2 and Up: $5
Children Under 2: Free
Location and Directions: This program begins at the Enclosed Shelter at Townsend Park located at 8280 6 Mile Road, Cannonsburg, MI 49317. To reach the Enclosed Shelter, from Ramsdell Dr turn east onto 6 Mile Road. Immediately after turning, there is parking on either side of 6 Mile Road with the Enclosed Shelter easily visible from the road. Follow signs for Blandford Nature Center programs. There is a park map and link to directions available on this page of the Kent County Parks website.
Age Recommendation: This program is designed for children ages 2-6 and their caregivers. Older and younger children are welcome to attend but must be registered. This is NOT a drop-off program. All registered children must have a registered adult supervising at all times throughout the program.
Important Notes (please read): All programs will begin promptly at the start time listed, so please plan to arrive a few minutes early. If you arrive late, we cannot guarantee that the group will still be at the listed starting location, as most programs involve at least a walk out in the park. Pre-registration is recommended for for this program as space is limited. Online registration will remain open until 1hr before the start of the program, unless it is sold out. We will accept walk-in attendees only if the program is not sold out. All programs take place at least partially, if not fully, outdoors and will likely include at least a walk, even if it is raining. Please be prepared for the weather, including coats and proper footwear for unpaved paths. We plan most programs to walk along the park trails, so please let us know ahead of time if you or anyone in your party has mobility challenges so we can make adjustments accordingly.
Cancellation Policy: Nature Neighbors programs are non-refundable. If Blandford cancels a program due to severe weather, you will be offered the option to transfer your registration to another similar Nature Neighbors program in Kent County Parks.
By attending our Nature Neighbors programs, you are supporting BNC’s mission of connecting the community to our natural world. We look forward to getting outside with you!

Bumblebee Nature Walk at Townsend Park
2026-07-10 11:00 - 12:00 | Townsend Park, 8260 6 Mile Road, Cannonsburg, MI, 49317
Townsend Park: Bumblebee Nature Walk

This program is designed to get young children out in nature and exploring their local parks. A backpack will be provided for the duration of the walk, filled with tools to explore the outdoor world more deeply. A Blandford Educator will guide the walk and activities for children and their caregivers. We will provide the tools to explore while encouraging curiosity-based learning.
Cost:
Adults: $5
Children 2 and Up: $5
Children Under 2: Free
Location and Directions: This program begins at the Enclosed Shelter at Townsend Park located at 8280 6 Mile Road, Cannonsburg, MI 49317. To reach the Enclosed Shelter, from Ramsdell Dr turn east onto 6 Mile Road. Immediately after turning, there is parking on either side of 6 Mile Road with the Enclosed Shelter easily visible from the road. Follow signs for Blandford Nature Center programs. There is a park map and link to directions available on this page of the Kent County Parks website
Age Recommendation: This program is designed for children ages 5-12 and their caregivers. Older and younger children are welcome to attend but must be registered. This is NOT a drop-off program. All registered children must have a registered adult supervising at all times throughout the program.
Important Notes (please read): All programs will begin promptly at the start time listed, so please plan to arrive a few minutes early. If you arrive late, we cannot guarantee that the group will still be at the listed starting location, as most programs involve at least a walk out in the park. Pre-registration is recommended for for this program as space is limited. Online registration will remain open until 1hr before the start of the program, unless it is sold out. We will accept walk-in attendees only if the program is not sold out. All programs take place at least partially, if not fully, outdoors and will likely include at least a walk, even if it is raining. Please be prepared for the weather, including coats and proper footwear for unpaved paths. We plan most programs to walk along the park trails, so please let us know ahead of time if you or anyone in your party has mobility challenges so we can make adjustments accordingly.
Cancellation Policy: Nature Neighbors programs are non-refundable. If Blandford cancels a program due to severe weather, you will be offered the option to transfer your registration to another similar Nature Neighbors program in Kent County Parks.
By attending our Nature Neighbors programs, you are supporting BNC’s mission of connecting the community to our natural world. We look forward to getting outside with you!
