Grand Rapids Fall Activities

Family Fun

Visit Blandford Nature Center to meet wildlife and explore natural trails, and John Ball Zoo to wander through the zoo exhibits. Check out the area’s best playgrounds, bowling centers and education experiences. Discover even more opportunities for kids to play their way in GR.

ArtPrize 2025

September 18 - October 4

Grand Rapids will host ArtPrize September 18- October 4, 2025, the world’s most attended art event. More than 1,600 artists from 42 states and 53 countries will be displaying their work all over downtown Grand Rapids last year – where visitors decide which artist gets the $125,000 grand prize for their work. ArtPrize 2024 kicked off with a spectacular Opening Celebration featuring three parades, music, mascots, food trucks and an enormous fireworks show. Plan ahead to visit so you can view the art, vote for your favorites and enjoy all sorts of related activities – all FREE. Book your hotel for the event today!

Fall Festivals

ArtPrize isn’t the only big event on our autumn agenda – check out these crowd pleasers:

• GVAIL Traditional Pow Wow, Sept.
• Fiesta Mexicana, Sept.
• African American Arts & Music Festival, Sep.
• Fallasburg Arts Festival, Sept.
• Confluence Tech & Innovation Festival, Sept.
• Oktoberfest GR, Sept.
• Pulaski Days, Oct.
• Red Flannel Festival, Oct.
• Día de los Muertos Festival, Oct

Fall Colors

Take a self-guided fall color tour or scenic drive that showcases the region’s lush forest canopy, abundant apple orchards and charming covered bridges. Visit local parks for a late-season picnic beneath an umbrella of red, yellow and orange leaves. Wander the trails at Blandford Nature Center, Calvin College Ecosystem Preserve and Wittenbach/Wege Agriscience & Environmental Education Center to see fall’s effect on all manner of native plants.

Fall Harvest

‘Tis the season for apples in West Michigan – pick your own or shop the selection at farm markets, and enjoy some fresh-pressed apple cider while you’re at it. Robinette’s Apple Haus & Winery and the markets of Fruit Ridge, a world-class agricultural region 10-20 minutes northwest of Grand Rapids, offer a wide range of family-friendly activities and attractions in addition to fresh fall produce. Get in the spirit of the season at Pumpkin Palooza Weekends and the Pumpkin Smash Bash at Ed Dunneback & Girls Farm, a Fruit Ridge attraction that also features a restaurant, craft brewery, live music and more.

Halloween

Celebrate Halloween in Grand Rapids with haunted houses, a pumpkin train, corn mazes, trunk & treats and more  – including the area’s premier fear-filled attraction, The Haunt. 

Food & Drink

Savor the flavors of fall at local restaurants and craft beverage destinations. Get the Flights of Flavor digital pass to find the city’s best food & drink pairings – and earn prizes for trying them. Treat your taste buds to fall’s fuller-bodied beers – including pumpkin-infused brews –  at 40+ local breweries. Sample unique beers from many of our breweries at the outdoor Beer City Brewers Pro-Am Festival (Sept.). Taste the city with Restaurant Week GR (Nov.) with special meals and surprises. Attend the International Wine, Beer & Food Festival (Nov.) for a taste of 1,200 wines, beers, ciders and spirits from around the world, as well as the best food from local restaurants.

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