Festival of the Arts - 50 Year Celebration

Festival of the Arts is June 7-8-9, 2019 in downtown Grand Rapids and is celebrating 50 years in 2019!

Held annually on the first weekend in June, we host a free, three-day community event that celebrates every discipline of the arts; dance, music, literature & media, visual arts, and design. We welcome everyone to attend and experience the rich artistic talent our region offers. Being a regional arts event, Festival of the Arts, represents eight counties including Kent, Ottawa, Ionia, Allegan, Muskegon, Mountcalm, Barry, and Newago. Every performance, exhibition, and children’s creative activity remains free for all.

In 1969, Alexander Calder’s La Grande Vitesse was installed in front of City Hall in downtown Grand Rapids. The 43-foot-tall, vibrant red stabile, which became known as “The Calder”, inspired a celebration – one that’s grown to encompass most of downtown Grand Rapids.