Warm weather means a hot music lineup in Grand Rapids - with lots of opportunities for listening outdoors!

Concert Venues

Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park presents its annual Summer Concert Series - 29 top-name talents appearing in a beautiful outdoor amphitheatre from June to September. The Gardens also hosts a Tuesday Evening Music Club featuring local musicians throughout July and August.

Toby Love headlines the Bachata & Salsa Festival at Van Andel Arena June 21. Bring your dance shoes!

Fresh off their induction to the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame, Rush brings its Clockwork Angels Tour to Van Andel Arena, June 30.

Outdoor Concert Series

Gun Lake Live 2013 celebrates local music with concerts and dancing at Bay Pointe Inn's Lakefront Event Pavilion. Free admission, Wednesdays, May 29 - August 29.

Jazz at the Zoo presents free live jazz concerts at John Ball Park every Monday from June 3 to August 12. Bring a chair or blanket, or come early to get a picnic table.

The Lamar Park Concert Series serves up such longtime local favorites as Mid-Life Crisis (rock), Jimmie Stagger (blues) and the Ray Watkoski Family Band (Polka). Free admission, Tuesday evenings from June 4 - August 6.

Blues on the Mall is a free live blues concert in Rosa Parks Circle, downtown's outdoor amphitheatre, every Wednesday from June 12 to August 21.

Picnic Pops features the Grand Rapids Symphony and select guest artists playing for you on the grassy slopes of Cannonsburg Ski Area. Pack up your friends, family and favorite picnic foods!

• Classical Fireworks, July 11-12
• Celtic Fiddle with Natalie MacMaster, July 18-19
• Gotta Dance!, July 25-26
• ABBA - The Concert, August 1-2

Lowell Showboat Sizzlin' Summer Concerts feature popular local acts in a variety of genres. Sit in the grandstand or bring your own chair or blanket to sit on the Riverwalk Green. Free, Thursday nights from June 13 - August 22.

The Rogue River Blues Series presents live music along the banks of the beautiful Rogue River in downtown Rockford. Local jazz, blues and folk music artists perform for free, every Tuesday from June 11 - August 13.

GRAM on the Green offers local bands, dancing, music, games and activities right outside downtown's Grand Rapids Art Museum. It's free every Friday from July 12 - August 23.

Festivals

The 10th Annual Local First Street Party features local music, beer, wine and food. Come join 10,000 of your soon-to-be closest friends in front of downtown's Bella Vita Restaurant, June 1.

Founders Fest 2013is a celebration of local beer and lively music held on the streets outside Founders Brewing Company. Musical acts include G. Love & Special Sauce and Ivan Neville's Dumpstafunk, plus a host of hometown favorites. June 22.

Cheap Trick, Josh Turner, Leann Rimes, Chicago and O.A.R. are just a few of the acts appearing at the Coast West Music Festival in Muskegon, July 1-6.

The City Lights Music Festival takes over downtown's Calder Plaza for two days of electronic dance music, art and culture. July 19-20.

Electric Forest Festival is a four-day event emphasizing electronic and jam band music. Nearly 100 musical acts appear at this "party in the woods" located one hour from Grand Rapids. June 27-30.

The Cowpie Music Festival turns a working cattle farm into a musical mecca with food, beverages and crafts - 43 bands, two stages, two nights of camping and a mud run! August 9-10.

GRandJazzFest presents a diverse lineup of notable and up-and-coming jazz talent, outdoors in downtown's Rosa Parks Circle. Free, fresh and family-friendly! August 17-18.

Rock The Rapids, Grand Rapids' Original Musical Festival, brings big-name talent to Fifth Third Ballpark for three days of summer fun. August 20-22.

Nightlife

The Intersection, downtown's most enduring nightclub, hosts a wide variety of acts every week - from Jamey Johnson to Aaron Carter to Mastodon and Machine Head.

The Pyramid Scheme is another hip downtown club that books multiple acts each week - check their calendar, new acts are added all the time. 

Founders Brewing Company offers live rock, rockabilly, roots music and more on Thursday and Saturday nights.

Rockwell-Republic presents Monday night jazz performances accompanied by luscious drink specials.

Performing Arts - Great Music, Great Stories

Changing Minds at Grand Rapids Civic Theatre is a laugh-out-loud children's musical about life in high school. July 26 - August 4.

The Marvelous Wonderettes: Caps & Gowns at Circle Theatre is a "jukebox musical comedy" featuring your favorite tunes from the ‘50s and ‘60s. July 11 - July 27.

For a complete list of music in Grand Rapids, see our music calendar.