In the mood for a concert? You don’t need to buy a ticket to enjoy great live music in Grand Rapids – various venues around town host free performances throughout the year. From no-cover-charge bars to outdoor summer festivals, from one-time concert events to continuing concert series, our free music offerings cross virtually all genres … at a price that can’t be beat.
You’ll encounter free live music at many of our cultural celebrations and festivals, from World of Winter (January-March) and the Grand Rapids Asian-Pacific Festival (June) to the Return to the River Festival (August) and Pulaski Days (October). Come summer, free live music is a component of Food Truck Fridays at Riverside Park and the Relax at Rosa lunchtime series in the heart of downtown GR. Grand Rapids suburbs – including Ada, Byron Center, Caledonia, East Grand Rapids, Grandville, Greenville, Kentwood, Jenison, Lowell, Rockford, Sparta, Walker and Wyoming – host their own free summer concert series in picturesque parks.
You may know about the Summer Concert Series at Meijer Gardens, which brings the country’s biggest touring superstars to town. But did you know that Meijer Gardens also hosts a summer Tuesday Evening Music Club that lets you enjoy a free concert with the purchase of a regular admission ticket?
In addition to free concerts in restaurants, bars, breweries and coffee shops, there are free performances in art galleries and markets, on farms and bridges, next to rivers and lakes, and just about anywhere else an audience of music-lovers can gather. If you love music and you love saving money, check out the calendar below and plan your trip to Grand Rapids.