GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. (ABC 4)- Festivals, fall attractions and family fun! We’re heading into the first weekend of October, and West Michigan is filled with countless activities and events to make the most of it.
Refer to Maranda’s Weekend Fun Guide to find things to do in Grand Rapids, Holland, Kalamazoo, Muskegon, and Lansing from Friday, Oct. 4, through Sunday, Oct. 6.
Holland Fall Fest
The city of Holland is embracing Autumn at its “Fall Fest,” which occurs this Friday and Saturday! Embrace the season by enjoying professional pumpkin carvers and street performers, painting pumpkins, planting tulip bulbs, and purchasing items from a Farm Artisan Market.
Find the complete schedule of events here.
Trick-or-Treat Trail at Lamar Park
Halloween may be weeks away, but it’s never too early to celebrate this spooktacular time of year! From 4-6 p.m. this Saturday, head to Wyoming’s Lamar Park & Splashpad for candy and treats, bounce houses and surprises for kids! Learn more here.
Red Flannel Festival
One of the “longest-running festivals in Michigan,” the Red Flannel Festival, returns Saturday! During the 85th celebration, there will be a flag-raising ceremony, red flannel car show, book sale, live music, arts and crafts fair, carnival, marching band competition, grand parade, and more. View the schedule of 2024 events here.
Free admission to local family-friendly attractions
Throughout October the Southwest Cultural Exchange Program is offering its members free access to several family-friendly attractions, including the Air Zoo, Binder Park Zoo, Gilmore Car Museum, Kalamazoo Institute of Arts, Kalamazoo Nature Center, and W.K. Kellogg Bird Sanctuary & W.K. Kellogg Manor House.
Become a member and learn more here.
Pulaski Days
Grand Rapids’ annual Pulaski Days celebration returns to the West Side this Friday through Sunday! The community is invited to enjoy live music, authentic Polish cuisine, a parade, polka mass eating contests and much more. See details.
Jack O’ Lanterns Unleashed
This time of year, we enjoy finding the perfect pumpkins in local patches, but Ingham County Fairgrounds in Mason, MI, invites visitors of all ages to see spectacular hand-carved Jack-O-Lanterns!
Jack-O-Lanterns Unleased, an annual event, begins Friday and features over 5,000 Jack-O-Lanterns coming to life with 30 various scenes and themes. Learn more.
Hike The Lights at Muskegon Luge
Stroll through the beautiful sights of Autumn at the Muskegon Luge Adventure Sports Park. Hike The Lights offers three illuminated trails to explore from dusk until 10 p.m. Learn more.
Food Prize 2024 in Battle Creek
Battle Creek is kicking off its Restaurant Week with “Food Prize,” a “food event and pitch competition highlighting regional new food entrepreneurs.”
From 3-7 p.m. on Saturday, guests can enjoy food samples from regional up-and-coming vendors, and cast their votes for their favorite.
Tickets are $5 and children 12 and under get in free. Learn more.
Disney’s Descendants: The Musical
On Thursday, Oct. 3 through Saturday, Oct. 12, What A Do Theatre in Battle Creek will present “Disney’s Descendants: The Musical” at the Binda Performing Arts Center.
Experience the adventure of a lifetime by purchasing tickets ( $12 for adults and $10 for children). Learn more.
Boo Bash 2024
Pediatric Dental Specialists of West Michigan is hosting its annual Boo Bash from 10 a.m. to noon this Saturday. Bring the family along to meet princesses and superheroes, receive face paint, and enjoy donuts, cider, balloons and much more. Details.
Fall attractions and activities in West Michigan
Embrace fall with seasonal activities and attractions! Visit a cider mill, go apple picking, find the perfect pumpkin at a local patch, or get lost in a corn maze! This guide features local places across West Michigan to explore.
