The IN List 2025: May 12 - May 18
The IN List is a free weekly newsletter that shares the top events going on this week in Rockford, Ada, East Grand Rapids, Downtown Grand Rapids, and NE Grand Rapids.
If you want to be the first to hear about what's happening in the North Indy area every week, be sure to subscribe to this free newsletter here.
These events are all accurate at the time of posting, but be sure to call ahead or check vendor websites/socials before heading out.
Monday, May 12
Krause Memorial Library Events:
Evening Book Club: 6:30-7:30. Join a fun, informal discussion of great books. This month, we'll discuss titles by Kristin Hannah.
FREE Zumba at Rosa Parks Circle: 6:30-7:15pm. Drop-in, no registration required! No equipment required. Please bring a water. Our Free Outdoor Summer Fitness Series is back for its tenth year! Join us for a jam-packed summer of 16 different classes happening weekly at parks and public spaces around Grand Rapids. FULL SCHEDULE: https://grparks.info/2025freefitness
Tuesday, May 13
Trail Tuesdays @ Third Nature Brewing Company: 5-8pm. Every Tuesday stop by between 5 and close and run, walk, bike on the White Pine Trail and receive $2 off your first post workout pint. Be sure to check-in at the host stand. Dogs are welcome in our Biergarten.
Perrin Run Club Training Runs: 6-9pm. No pace too slow, no runner too new. Just good people, good beer, and good times.
FREE Barre at the Blue Bridge: 5:30-6:15pm. The Free Outdoor Summer Fitness Series is back for its tenth year! Join us for a jam-packed summer of 16 different classes happening weekly at parks and public spaces around Grand Rapids. The Blue Bridge spans the Grand River between Fulton St. and Pearl St. bridges. Paid parking at the Public Museum Ramp and Louis-Campau Ramp. FULL SCHEDULE: https://grparks.info/2025freefitness
Toddler Time at Grand Rapids Children’s Museum: 9am-11am. Special programming designed specifically for the littler hands (ages 3 and under). Make music, enjoy sensory play, create art and more! Location: 11 Sheldon Ave NE, Grand Rapids, MI.
Grand Rapids Art Museum Free Tuesdays: 12-6pm. Free admission all day made possible by The Meijer Foundation.
Wednesday, May 14
Krause Memorial Library Events:
Rock the Uke: 5:30-7:30pm. Play ukulele at the library! Beginners and newcomers welcome. Learn with ukulele enthusiasts followed by a group strum along.
Women’s Wedges & Wine: 6-9pm at Pickle & Pin. Ladies, it’s time to sip, swing, and socialize! Join us for a fun midweek escape filled with great company, exciting activities, and wine specials. Whether you're here to practice your game or just enjoy a night out, they’ve got you covered!
May Fiction Book Club at Epilogue Books: 6:30-7:30pm. Join for our discussion of Freida McFadden's "The Housemaid." All are welcome! If the weather is nice, they are hoping to sit on the deck behind the store - bring a portable chair if you are able. If the weather doesn't cooperate, we will meet inside the store. And bring a drink if you would like!
Thursday, May 15
New Girl Trivia at Rockford Brewing Company: 7:30pm. Are you the Nick to someone’s Jess? Or maybe you're just here for the Schmidt quotes? Either way, it’s time to rally your loft crew and prove who knows New Girl best! Join them for New Girl Trivia Night—a night filled with laughs, weird quirks, and maybe even a game of True American. Costumes and themed outfits are highly encouraged!
Relax at Rosa - Elisabeth Pixley-Fink: 12-1:30pm. Relax at Rosa is back! This free lunchtime concert series feat. a variety of local bands and performers every Thursday from May 1 to September 11 (minus May 29). Plus, enjoy a variety of food trucks each week!
Perfect Pairing Michigan: 5:30-6:30pm. Rendezvous and Right Bank Wine Selections present Perfect Pairing, a wine tasting event at the Amway Grand Plaza. Sample wines from Michigan paired with the perfect complementing bites in the relaxed, yet refined, atmosphere of Rendezvous. Location: Rendezvous, main lobby of the Amway Grand Plaza. Purchase tickets online!
Grand Rapids Art Museum Free Thursday Nights: 5-9pm. Free admission made possible by The Meijer Foundation.
Sparta Town & Country Days: Sparta Town and Country Days are full of family-friendly fun! Compete in the hay bale toss competition, watch the parade, and enjoy the carnival! It's a great way to celebrate our history while bringing our community together! Come check it out and participate in one of Sparta's favorite traditions! Click HERE for the full schedule.
Friday, May 16
Krause Memorial Library Events:
Krause Afternoon Book Club: 1:30-2:30pm. Join a fun, informal discussion of great books. This month, we'll discuss I'm Glad My Mom Died by Jennette McCurdy.
Grand Rapids Lantern Festival: 7:30-11:30pm at John Ball Zoo. The Grand Rapids Lantern Festival is a truly breathtaking experience for all ages. John Ball Zoo is the first and only place you can see these incredible works of art in Michigan. The lantern festival will feature handcrafted Asian lantern displays that will illuminate the Zoo and tell the intersecting story of wildlife and Asian culture. Timed tickets sold every 30 minutes. Last entry at 10:30pm. Advanced tickets required. Please arrive to the Zoo no more than 15 minutes before ticket entry time. Event will happen rain or shine. Purchase tickets here!
Tulip Time Festival: 8am-5pm. Annual eight-day festival celebrating springtime beauty, Dutch charm, and the city of Holland. Visit it their website for more info!
Country Nights at the Grand (925 4 Mile Rd NW, Grand Rapids): 6-11pm. Dance to a wide variety of Country AND Top 40 hits! From Watermelon Crawl to Shivers, Flex, Church Clap and many more! The D.J takes requests all night! This is a FAMILY FRIENDLY event where all ages are welcome and we do I.D at the door. We have a full bar and restaurant so this is the perfect place to come enjoy a night out with friends & family. You do not need to already know how to dance or need a partner to attend, this is open to the public and to anyone interested! There is a $10 cover, 10 years and under get in free.
West Fest GR at John Ball Park: 12-10pm and continues all weekend! The Midwest’s finest carnival presented by Skerbeck Entertainment will occupy the green space at the beautiful John Ball Park with great rides, games, and concessions. Location: John Ball Park, 1300 Fulton St W, Grand Rapids, MI.
Sparta Town & Country Days: Sparta Town and Country Days are full of family-friendly fun! Compete in the hay bale toss competition, watch the parade, and enjoy the carnival! It's a great way to celebrate our history while bringing our community together! Come check it out and participate in one of Sparta's favorite traditions! Click HERE for the full schedule.
Asparagus Festival at Ed Dunneback & Girls Fruit Farm: 12:00pm - 6:00pm. Food Specials, U-pick Asparagus, Live Music, Yard Games, Baby Animals, and Food Sampling.
Farmgirl Flea Spring Market 2025: 4-8pm. This 2-day event welcomes you to shop 200+ vendors who will bring you amazing vintage and handmade goods from across the USA. Our vendors are carefully juried to bring you the best shopping experience over the course of 2 days. Farmhouse decor, antique & vintage finds, handmade items, jewelry, boutique clothing, Michigan products, baked goods, live music, drinks & food trucks. Grab your junkin' pals & make those plans today for a one-of-a-kind shopping experience like no other! Location: Hudsonville Fairgrounds (5235 Park Avenue, Hudsonville, MI).
Food Truck Fridays at Riverside Park: 5-9pm. Grand Rapids favorite family friendly event of the summer is back and better than every. Join us each week as we have around 20 food trucks, merchant vendors and live music each and every week May 16th - Aug 8th. Location: North Riverside Park, 2900 Monroe Ave NE, Grand Rapids, MI.
Mocktails for Summer Parties: 7-8:15pm. Join Mixologist, Katy of Mitten Girl, at Spruced Studio to shake up some tasty mocktails! Get ready for summer entertaining with delicious mocktail recipes, including your own signature drink! Shake up a bright and refreshing blackberry vanilla mocktail while learning the ins and outs of crafting a delicious mocktail. Then grab some blank recipe cards and head to our mocktail bar to experiment and create your own signature mocktail recipe for summer! This beginner-level class will teach you how to use bar tools and learn the basics of crafting delicious mocktails at home. Sign up online!
Saturday, May 17
Saturday Farmer’s Market @ Fulton Street Market: 10am-1pm. 1145 Fulton St E, Grand Rapids, MI. Second Season starts on November 2nd and goes through April 26th. We are open on Saturdays from 10 AM - 1 PM.
Rockford Farmers Market: The Rockford Farmers Market is open every Saturday from 8am-1pm May 3, 2025 through October 25, 2025. The Farmers Market is located in the newest city lot behind the Post Office with an entrance off Main St across the street from Rocky's.
Yoga on Tap with Aptitude Fitness + Yoga at Archival Brewery: 10am-11am. Whether you're a seasoned yogi or just looking for a unique night out, this event is the perfect mix of movement, relaxation, and community. Bring your mat and your friends—cheers to balance on and off the mat! Spots are limited—reserve yours now online.
Michigan Cider Fest at Rosa Parks Circle (135 Monroe Center St NW, Grand Rapids) 3-7pm. Gather in the heart of beautiful downtown Grand Rapids and celebrate the flavors of the Great Cider State as you taste from 50+ Michigan hard ciders and enjoy live music and games. Food from delicious local food trucks will be available for purchase. Find tickets here.
Heritage Hill Annual Weekend Tour of Homes 2025: 11am-6pm. Since 1969 the Heritage Hill Annual Weekend Tour of Homes has welcomed visitors to some of our neighborhood’s most beautiful and well-cared-for homes. We are proud to welcome you once again! Purchase tickets online.
Sparta Town & Country Days: Sparta Town and Country Days are full of family-friendly fun! Compete in the hay bale toss competition, watch the parade, and enjoy the carnival! It's a great way to celebrate our history while bringing our community together! Come check it out and participate in one of Sparta's favorite traditions! Click HERE for the full schedule.
Farmgirl Flea Spring Market 2025: 9am-4pm. This 2-day event welcomes you to shop 200+ vendors who will bring you amazing vintage and handmade goods from across the USA. Our vendors are carefully juried to bring you the best shopping experience over the course of 2 days. Farmhouse decor, antique & vintage finds, handmade items, jewelry, boutique clothing, Michigan products, baked goods, live music, drinks & food trucks. Grab your junkin' pals & make those plans today for a one-of-a-kind shopping experience like no other! Location: Hudsonville Fairgrounds (5235 Park Avenue, Hudsonville, MI).
Sunday, May 18
Rainbow Kitten Surprise at 20 Monroe: 7pm. All Ages Welcome. Doors open 7:00pm. Show begins 8:00pm. Will Call opens two hours prior to door time. All support acts are subject to change without notice. Get tickets online!
Walk for Autism at LMCU Ballpark: 12-3pm. LMCU Ballpark is pleased to be the home of Autism Support of Kent County’s Walk for Autism—an uplifting day of unity and family fun. Explore the Resource Fair, enjoy family-friendly activities, and witness teams competing to raise the most funds for ASK. The highlight? A heartwarming walk around the ballpark and baseball field, symbolizing our journey toward a more inclusive world. Every step and donation directly supports ASK’s crucial programs. Lace up and step with us toward a brighter future for the autism community. Purchase tickets HERE.
