Grand Rapids Weekend Guide
The best things to do in GR this weekend
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⭐ This Weekend’s Top Picks
(Update this section every Sunday when the newsletter goes out.)
Christkindl Markt (Downtown Market)
When: Fri–Sun (plus weekdays) • Times vary by day
Where: Downtown Market, Grand Rapids
Cost: Free entry (pay as you go for food/drinks/gifts)
Holiday market energy without the chaos: local vendors, festive food + drinks, lights everywhere, and plenty to wander. Easy “grab a hot drink and do a lap” outing—works for families, low-key dates, or knocking out gift shopping.
Christmas Lite Show at LMCU Ballpark
When: Nightly • Sun–Thu 5:30–9:00pm • Fri–Sat 5:30–10:00pm
Where: LMCU Ballpark, Comstock Park
Cost: Ticketed per vehicle (pricing varies by date)
Load everyone into the car, turn up the music, and cruise through West Michigan’s biggest drive-thru light show. Zero walking, zero cold—just animated lights, synchronized music, and a guaranteed back-seat reaction.
Trisha Yearwood with the Grand Rapids Symphony
When: Wednesday evening • Show time varies (check ticket page)
Where: DeVos Performance Hall, Downtown Grand Rapids
Cost: Ticketed (pricing varies by seat)
A legit “make-a-night-of-it” concert. Trisha Yearwood backed by a full symphony, holiday-adjacent energy, and one of the best venues downtown. Perfect if you’re looking for something festive without being cheesy.
🌤 Daytime Picks
Not every weekend win has to be a big event. These are the low-lift daytime moves that always hit.
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Downtown Market Grand Rapids – Indoor, warm, and always buzzing.
Grab a coffee, lunch, or local goods and call it a chill afternoon.
downtownmarketgr.com -
Blue Bridge & Riverwalk – A classic GR move. Walk the Blue Bridge, wander the riverfront,
and people-watch downtown. Easy, free, and low-commitment.
Blue Bridge info -
Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park – Year-round beauty with rotating exhibits and
miles of paths. A solid reset button kind of outing.
meijergardens.org -
Grand Rapids Public Museum – Local history, hands-on exhibits, and a great riverside setting.
Easy win for a family morning or rainy afternoon.
grpm.org -
Fulton Street Market (seasonal) – Fresh food, local vendors, and a mellow Saturday or
weekday market vibe depending on the time of year.
fultonstreetmarket.org -
Brewery Daytime Hang – Lots of GR breweries are family-friendly earlier in the day.
Grab food and a beer without the late-night chaos.
Beer City info
🌙 Evening & Date-Night Picks
When you actually line up a sitter or just want to get out of the house, these are solid go-to moves.
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Live Music & Listening Rooms – From intimate listening rooms to bar stages,
Grand Rapids always has something going on at night.
Live music listings -
East Hills / Wealthy Street Dinner – Pack a dinner + drinks combo into one neighborhood:
think The Green Well, Maru, Hancock, or Electric Cheetah on Wealthy.
Uptown neighborhood guide -
Studio Park or Celebration! North – Dinner and a movie, or just a clean, comfy
theater experience right downtown or on the Beltline.
celebrationcinema.com -
Cocktails & Nightcaps – Spots like Sidebar, Less Traveled, and other downtown bars
are solid options when you just want to sit and talk.
Cocktail bar ideas
👨👩👧👦 Family-Friendly Ideas
If you’ve got kids, the weekend hits different. These are easy wins that don’t require a huge production.
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Grand Rapids Children’s Museum – Hands-on play and rotating exhibits,
perfect for younger kids who need to move and touch everything.
grcm.org -
Blandford Nature Center – Trails, wildlife, and nature programs.
A great way to get outside without a long drive.
blandfordnaturecenter.org -
John Ball Zoo (seasonal hours) – Animals, playgrounds, and food options
make it a full outing when weather cooperates.
jbzoo.org -
GRPL Story Time & Kids Programs – Grand Rapids Public Library branches
run kid-focused events that are free and low-commitment.
grpl.org/events -
Indoor Play & Rec Centers – From YMCA locations to local play cafés
and trampoline parks, there’s always somewhere for kids to burn energy.
Family fun ideas
🧊 Free Things To Do This Weekend
When you want to get out but don’t want to burn through the budget, these are solid free options.
-
Walk Downtown & Explore Murals – GR has a ton of street art,
especially after ArtPrize seasons. Just walk, look, and enjoy.
Outdoor art guide -
Stroll Riverside Park or Millennium Park – Easy, open spaces to walk, bike, or just sit
and hang out by the water.
Millennium Park | Riverside Park -
Calvin Ecosystem Preserve & Native Gardens – A peaceful set of trails and
natural spaces right in the city.
calvin.edu/ecosystem-preserve -
Window-Shop in Uptown / Eastown – Browse boutiques, record stores, and cafés
without having to commit to a big spend.
Uptown neighborhood -
Check Out Free Gallery & Studio Events – Local galleries and studios often run
free openings or events on weekends.
Arts & culture in GR
🍽 Where to Eat & Drink This Weekend
You don’t need a 50-restaurant list. Here are a few dependable moves when you just want “somewhere good” without overthinking it.
Brunch
- Terra GR – Seasonal, local ingredients and a polished but relaxed vibe.
terra-gr.com - Littlebird – Cozy downtown brunch and lunch spot with consistently good food.
littlebirdgr.com - Lucy’s – Neighborhood spot with comfort-forward brunch plates.
lucysgr.com - Wolfgang’s – Classic Eastown diner energy, big portions, and a very GR feel.
wolfgangsgr.com
Casual Lunch / Dinner
- The Mitten Brewing Co. – Baseball-themed brewery in a historic firehouse, great pizza,
very kid-friendly.
mittenbrewing.com - Two Beards Deli – Huge sandwich menu, easy lunch downtown.
twobeardsdeli.com - Hancock – Fried chicken, outdoor seating when it’s nice, strong casual vibes.
hancockgr.com
Dinner & Drinks
- Butcher’s Union – Meat-forward menu, strong cocktails, and one of GR’s most consistently
recommended spots.
butchersuniongr.com - Maru Sushi – Quality sushi with a polished atmosphere, good for dates and small groups.
marurestaurant.com - Real Seafood Co. – Reliable downtown seafood option with a more classic feel.
realseafoodgr.com
🔍 More GR Guides
Looking for something more specific? Dive deeper into Grand Rapids with these focused guides.
✨ Don’t Miss Next Weekend’s Picks
We send the curated rundown every Sunday so you don’t have to dig through endless event calendars.
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