30 Things To Do in
West Michigan This Fall
Fall in West Michigan is picture-perfect—colorful leaves, crisp air, and plenty of community celebrations. Whether you’re searching for a pumpkin patch adventure, live music, or a spooky night out, this guide has something for everyone. Grab your calendar and get ready to make the most of the season!
Table of Contents
Seasonal Festivals
Fallasburg Arts Festival
Set against the scenic beauty of Fallasburg Park, this juried arts festival is a favorite for lovers of fine art, handmade goods, and live music. Stroll the riverside paths, shop unique artisan booths, and enjoy a weekend that blends culture with the crisp charm of autumn.
Details + Dates:
- September 20: 10am-5pm
- September 21: 10am-4pm
- Fallasburg Park
Rockford Harvest Festival
Rockford’s beloved Harvest Fest returns for its 49th year with a slightly new layout due to downtown construction. Expect the same small-town charm, delicious treats, and fun activities—just spread between Memorial Park and RAM Stadium. From hayrides to live music, it’s the perfect excuse to soak in cozy fall vibes with family and friends.
Details + Dates:
- September 26: 12pm-11pm
- September 27: 8:30am-11pm
- September 28: 10am-3pm
- Downtown Rockford
Pulaski Days
The Polish heritage celebration that West Michigan loves! From parades to pierogis, Pulaski Days is filled with cultural pride and good cheer. Wear your red and white, join the citywide party, and be ready for a week of food, dancing, and festive fun.
Details + Dates:
- September 28-October 5
- Various Locations
Holland Fall Fest
Downtown Holland transforms into a fall wonderland with pumpkin carving, hayrides, and cozy shopping opportunities along 8th Street. The streets come alive with twinkling lights, festive displays, and enough autumn charm to make you want to sip cider all day long.
Details + Dates:
- October 3: 10:30am-10pm
- October 4: 8am-7pm
- Downtown Holland
Grand Rapids Tattoo Festival
Ink enthusiasts gather at DeVos Place for a weekend of artistry, music, and a showcase of tattoo culture from around the country. Meet world-class tattoo artists, watch live designs come to life, and maybe even leave with a little ink of your own!
Details + Dates:
- October 24: 12pm-10pm
- October 25: 11am-10pm
- October 26: 11am-7pm
- Tickets Required
- DeVos Place
Grand Rapids Comic Con
From cosplay competitions to celebrity panels, Comic Con is back with plenty of geeky fun for all ages. Whether you’re a die-hard fan or just curious, this event is packed with comic books, gaming, collectibles, and enough fandom to keep you buzzing all weekend.
Details + Dates:
- November 14: 12pm-7pm
- November 15: 10am-7pm
- November 16: 10am-5pm
- Tickets Required
- DeVos Place
Family Friendly Events
ArtPrize Closing Ceremony
Wrap up ArtPrize season at Studio Park with live entertainment and a night of celebration as winners are announced. Expect lively performances, community pride, and the kind of energy only ArtPrize can bring.
Details + Dates:
- October 3
- 6:30pm-10:30pm
- Studio Park Celebration Cinema
Movies in the Park: Goosebumps
Bring a blanket and enjoy a spooky night under the stars with a screening of Goosebumps. With the lakefront setting, crisp evening air, and plenty of thrills, this movie night is the perfect mix of cozy and creepy.
Details + Dates:
- October 4 : 12pm-6pm
- John Collins Park
Zoo Goes Boo
John Ball Zoo transforms into a Halloween-themed adventure with costumes, candy, and kid-friendly spooks. Kids can trick-or-treat at themed stations while families enjoy fall décor, pumpkin displays, and animal encounters.
Details + Dates:
- October 10-12
- October 17-19
- October 24-26
- 10am-5pm
- Tickets Required
- John Ball Zoo
Spring Lake Spooktacular
Celebrate Halloween village-style! Spring Lake transforms into a spooky stroll of merchant trick-or-treating, neighborhood candy runs, and festive deals. Put on your costume, hit the sidewalks, and enjoy treats and surprises all around town.
Details + Dates:
- October 31
- All Day
- Downtown Spring Lake
Michigan Farm Garden
Spend your Tuesday evenings wandering through beautifully lit autumn gardens at Frederik Meijer Gardens with live music. Lantern-lit paths and golden foliage create a magical backdrop perfect for date nights or family strolls.
Details + Dates:
- Every Tuesday in October
- 9am-9pm
- Tickets Required
- Frederik Meijer Gardens
Pumpkin Train
Climb aboard the Pumpkin Train for a festive fall ride and a free pumpkin for each child! This cozy ride through colorful scenery is a West Michigan family tradition that feels straight out of a storybook.
Details + Dates:
- Weekends in October
- Tickets Required
- Coopersville & Harne Railway
Pop-Ups & Markets
Art! at the Market
Stroll through the colorful stalls of the Fulton Street Farmers Market, brimming with one-of-a-kind pieces from one of the 100+ talented vendors. This art market is bursting with creativity, showcasing unique handmade artwork, exquisite crafts, locally grown flowers, and more!
Details + Dates:
- Septemeber 14
- October 12
- 11am-4pm
- Fulton Street Farmers Market
Fall Flea Market
The Hudsonville Fairgrounds host a fall shopping extravaganza with vintage finds, antiques, and plenty of farmhouse charm. Hunt for unique treasures while enjoying food trucks, live music, and the cheerful buzz of fall.
Details + Dates:
- September 26: 4pm-8pm
- September 27: 9am-4pm
- Tickets Required
- Hudsonville Fairgrounds
Vintage in the Zoo
West Michigan has become a hub for vintage fashion in the past couple of years. If you’re in the mood for a shopping spree, hunting down a specific piece, or just like to look, this is a great festival to attend with over 60 vendors selling clothes, accessories, decor, and more!
Details + Dates:
- September 28
- 10am-5pm
- Grand Rapids Downtown Market
Merchants of the Macabre Oddities Market
Step into a world of the extraordinary at this Oddities Market, where the bizarre and the beautiful collide! A captivating collection of vendors awaits, showcasing an eclectic mix of taxidermy, skeletal specimens, tarot cards, art prints, and true crime memorabilia.
Details + Dates:
- October 26
- 10am-7pm
- Grand Rapids Downtown Market
Food & Drink Events
Poutine Week on Michigan
For two weeks, Michigan Street restaurants serve up their take on the Canadian comfort food classic: fries, cheese curds, and gravy (yum!). Try one, try them all, and maybe crown your own “best poutine in town.”
Details + Dates:
- September 18-October 4
- Multiple Locations
Dumpling Fest
This one-of-a-kind festival gathers dumplings from around the world — think gyoza, pierogi, empanadas, ravioli, and more — all in a riverside setting. Whether you’re a savory-seeker or have a sweet tooth, this event is a fun excuse to eat your way around the globe.
Details + Dates:
- September 20
- 11am-8pm
- 555 Monroe Ave
Uptown GR Walking Food Tours
Embark on a mouthwatering Walking Food Tour through the Uptown neighborhood of Grand Rapids! Experience the area’s vibrant culinary scene while exploring the ArtPrize installations in Uptown Grand Rapids with plenty of photo ops and stories behind the art. This is a casual and fun way to see world-class creativity right in your own backyard.
Details + Dates:
- September 20 & 27
- 12:30am-3:30pm
- Tickets Required
- Brewery Vivant
Oktoberfest Grand Rapids 2025
Celebrate Oktoberfest right here in Grand Rapids! This family-friendly, free event features German beer, delicious food, and live music for all ages. Enjoy games, Dachshund racing, keg rolling, and a Trachten outfit contest!
Details + Dates:
- September 27: 3pm-10pm
- September 28: 12pm-10pm
- Until July 26
- Riverside Park
Halloween Bar Crawl
Throw on a costume and hit the town with themed drinks, DJs, and spooky fun across downtown bars. It’s the ultimate grown-up Halloween bash where every stop keeps the party going.
Details + Dates:
- October 31 & November 1
- Check in from 4pm-6pm
- Start at Social House or Tin Can
Music & Entertainment
Murder Mystery Co’s Dinner Theatre
Enjoy dinner with a side of suspense as professional actors stage interactive whodunits at Pietro’s. With a mix of comedy, intrigue, and audience participation, it’s a night you won’t forget — just don’t trust the person sitting next to you!
Details + Dates:
- September 27 & November 15 at 7pm
- October 3 & October 24 at 7:30pm
- Tickets Required
- Pietro’s Italian Restaurant
Country Night at the Grand
Break out your boots & bolos for Country Night, where an evening of delicious dinner, lively music, and fun dancing awaits! Enjoy a great meal starting at 5pm, then dive into dance lessons starting at 6:30. Whether you’re a beginner or a seasoned pro, come and enjoy!
Details + Dates:
- Every third Friday at Social Dance Studio
- 6pm-12am
- Registration Required for groups 4+
- Social Dance Studio
Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring in Concert
The Grand Rapids Symphony performs Howard Shore’s iconic score live while the epic film plays on the big screen. Get ready to relive Frodo’s journey in a way that will give you goosebumps from the very first note.
Details + Dates:
- October 31 & November 1
- 7pm
- Tickets Required
- DeVos Performance Hall
The Book of Mormon
The hit Broadway musical comedy makes its way to Grand Rapids for a week of unforgettable performances. Known for its clever humor and catchy songs, this show is a can’t-miss theatrical event.
Details + Dates:
- November 4-9
- Performance times vary by day
- Tickets Required
- DeVos Performance Hall
Music on the Farm
Sit back and enjoy live music at Ed Dunneback & Girls Farm Market. It’s the best treat after going out for their produce U-Pick. Just be sure to bring your own fold-out chair or your favorite picnic blanket!
Details + Dates:
- Fridays: 6pm-9pm
- Saturdays & Sundays: 1pm-4pm
- Free admission
Active Events
Spooky Sprint
Join the fun at the annual Spooky Sprint 5k/10k & Half Marathon, perfect for the whole family! Be sure to stick around after the race for the after party with trick-or-treat stations, a costume contest, live DJ, and plenty of food and drinks!
Details + Dates:
- October 5
- Packet Pickup starts at 7:30am
- Race Starts at 9am
- Registration Required
- LMCU Ballpark
Heritage Hill Hauntings Walk
Explore spooky stories and historic charm on this guided tour of one of Grand Rapids’ most haunted neighborhoods. Cobblestone streets, lantern light, and chilling tales set the stage for a truly eerie evening.
Details + Dates:
- October 13
- 6pm
- Tickets Required
- Heritage Hill
Tuesday Swing Dancing
Get your dancing shoes on and join in on Swing Dancing at Rosa Parks Circle! This weekly event is a great way to get moving and practice your moves with a lively community brought together by the Grand Rapids Swing Society. All ages are welcome, no partner needed!
Details + Dates:
- Tuesdays
- 7:00pm–9:30pm
- Until October 14
- Rosa Parks Circle
Grand Rapids Turkey Trot
Lace up for the 33rd Annual Grand Rapids Turkey Trot, on the morning of Thanksgiving Day! Pack in your workout for the day before packing in that Thanksgiving feast! Proceeds from the race go to Grand Rapids Public Schools athletics.
Details + Dates:
- November 27
- 8am
- Van Andel Arena
- Registration Required
More Fall Things To Do in West Michigan
Looking for more of the classic Michigan fall experience outside of just events? We can’t blame you — one of the perks of living in West Michigan is getting to celebrate each distinct season to the fullest. Lucky for you, we have some guides that may help!
We’ve compiled a list of our favorite orchards in West Michigan, along with some fall activities in Grand Rapids. This includes local farmers markets, Halloween-themed events, and nearby vineyards, wine tastings, and taprooms!
Looking for even more things to do?
Get ready for an autumn full of fun activities!
