Free Things To Do in Grand Rapids, Michigan

If you're anything like me, you consider yourself as "cheap". Luckily, Grand Rapids has many things to offer for every budget type. So, for all the cheapskates out there, here's a list of FREE things to do in Grand Rapids, Michigan.

Festival of the Arts

If you enjoy music, food and art then Festival of the Arts is perfect for you. Every year , since 1970, the Grand Rapids community comes together and puts on one of the best FREE three day events that the city has to offer. Your can't help but fall in love with the creativity, culture and community that fills this event. Over 20,000 community volunteers play host to over half a million people.

When & Where: June @ Calder Plaza

ArtPize & Project 1

ArtPrize is an international art competition where artists compete for $250,000 in prizes all determined by a public vote. Contestants can place their art all over the city which gives many options to enhance the creativity of their project. Each year, there are over 1000 works created and 500,000 visitors, making it the most attended public art event in the world. ArtPrize and Project 1 take turns, alternating years for the event to take place.

When & Where: September - October @ various locations

​GRPL FREE Passes

The Grand Rapids Public Library or GRPL offers incentives to its members. Once you become a member, you have the opportunity to get FREE passes to popular venues and events in the city such as:

• Frederik Meijer Gardens and Sculpture Park
• Grand Rapids Griffins
• Grand Rapids Drive
• Gerald R. Ford Presidential Museum
• Grand Rapids Art Museum
• Grand Rapids Children's Museum
• Grand Rapids Public Museum
• John Ball Zoo
• Grand Rapids Symphony

World of Winter

At the beginning of each year, downtown Grand Rapids transforms into a winter wonderland for World of Winter. The festival takes advantage of Michigans cold climate to provide ways for people to enjoy the Winter season. All of the World of Winter events are free or low-cost and cater to both families and adults. Some of the more popular events are as follows:

• Ice Sculpture Walking Tour
• Downtown Market Ice Bar
• Love on Ice
• Valent-ICE
• Human Hungry Hungry Hippo Tournment
• Snowga

When & Where: February @ various locations

Movies in the Park

Every summer, Movies in the Park hosts 2 movies per weekend that are played at a venue in downtown Grand Rapids. The 2 movies and played back to back and always free to the public. Ah Nab Awen Park was the first home of Movies in the Park and later came a new renovated area with a riverfront. Some of the movies played in the past were Space Jam, Matilda, A Star is Born, Star Wars, Bohemian Rhapsody and more...

When & Where: June - August @ 555 Monroe Ave NW

Christmas Tree Lighting & Celebration

Rosa parks Circle is the home of the annual Christmas Tree Lighting and Celebration. Every year at the beginning of December, people gather around a massive tree and countdown until the tree lights up. Beforehand, there are performances as well as giveaways and food options. This is great event to bring the family to.

​When & Where: December @ Rosa Parks Circle

Explore The Outdoors

Exploring the outdoors is an active way to explore the city without breaking the bank. Here are a few options:

• Fish Ladder Park
• Kent Trails
• Lookout Park
• Blue Bridge & Sixth Street Bridge
• Calder Plaza

Meyer May House

​The Meyer May House is an architectural property that was purchased, restored by Steelcase then released to the public in 1987. Today, complete with original furnishings, the Meyer May House provides a glimpse into a Prairie house exactly a Frank Lloyd Wright intended. Schedule a FREE tour today!

When & Where: All Year @ 450 Madison Ave SE

Other Yearly Events

Some other events put on in the city are as follows:

• Grand Rapids Pride Festival @ Calder Plaza
• Walk for Autism @ Blue Bridge
• Asian Pacific Festival @ Calder Plaza
• African American Festival @ Martin Luther King Jr. Park
• Relax at Rosa @ Rosa Parks Festival
• Cars & Coffee @ Downtown Market
• Memorial Day Parade
• Hispanic Festival @ Calder Plaza
• Polish Festival 2 Calder Plaza

Grand Rapids, Michigan has so much to offer. As many of the events can break the bank there are still plenty of fun things to do for us cheapskates. Let me know if I left something off the list... We Are GR!

Interested in more articles about Grand Rapids? Read 9 date Ideas in Grand Rapids, MI or Exploring Grand Rapids, MI