This summer, there are over 200 free concerts in parks and squares across West Michigan.  (See our free concert list compiled from local government and chamber of commerce websites.)  They occur on all days of the week with start times usually between 6 and 7 pm. Concerts last for about 90 minutes.  Musical styles range from alt country to zydeco. Venues are family-friendly with guests bringing their own chairs and food.  Most also have food trucks on site and some allow or serve wine and beer. 

These concerts present an opportunity for us to mingle with each other and introduce our family and friends to colleagues.

Would you, as an individual, department, or group, like to invite your CECI colleagues to visit one of these concerts in the park?  If so, please pick one and investigate the venue a bit (e.g., food choices, alcohol policy, ease of access for baby strollers and wheelchairs).  Every venue is a little different.  For example, Kentwood concerts are next to a farmers’ market, allow outside food and alcohol, and are easily navigated by baby carriages.  Hastings concerts allow outside food, but alcohol must be purchased on-site, and tiered landscaping is challenging for baby carriages.  Send your invitation and venue information to [email protected].  Also, please suggest where we might meet before the venue.  We will post the invitation and information to our web page and share it on our social media platforms. 

Free Concert List

Mondays

Mondays at 6:30 pm
Grand Rapids Jazz in the Park, Currie Amphitheater in Millennium Park, 1400 Maynard Ave SW (15 minutes southwest)
July 22 – Bill & Laurie Sears/Sears & Sears Quintet
July 29 – Jeff Shoup Group feat. Freddie Cunningham
Aug. 12 – Mary Rademacher Quartet feat. Paul Keller
Aug. 19 – Grand Rapids Jazz Orchestra
Aug. 26 – Rain Date

Mondays at 7:00 pm
East Grand Rapids Concerts in the Park, John Collins Park, 650 Lakeside Dr. SE (15 minutes east)
July 22 – Deerfield Run (blues rock)

Mondays at 6:00 pm
Georgetown Township Farmers Market, 1525 Baldwin St., Jenison (16 minutes)
August 5 – The “Hit” Man
August 12 – Dale Dixon (singer / songwriter)

Mondays at 6:00 pm 
Caledonia Concert Series, Caledonia Community Green Park, 9300 Dobber Wenger, 49316 (30 minutes south)
July 22 – Ashes and Arrows (country)
August 12 – King Solomon Hicks (blues, jazz guitarist)

Mondays at 7:00 pm
Onekama Concerts in the Park, Onekama Village Park, Portage Lake 5283 Main St, 49675 (120 minutes north)
July 22 – Jim Hawley (singer-songwriter)
July 29 – BVO (60s-80s dance band)
Aug 5 –Jake Slater (Elvis Tribute Artist)
Aug 12 – Fifth Gear (60s-90s classic rock)

Tuesdays

Tuesdays at 6:00 pm
Wyoming Concerts in the Park, Lamar Park, 2561 Porter St SW. 49519 (15 minutes south)
July 23 – LVRS (indie rock)
July 30 –Music That Raised Us (celebrating Black female artists)

Tuesdays at 7:00 pm
Rockford Rogue River Blues Series, Garden Club Park along White Pine Trail, 49341 (20 minutes north)
July 23 – Big Daddy Fox (R&B, blues)
After the Blues series
July 30 – Nathan Walton and the Remedy (eclectic rock)
August 6 – Kari Lynch Band (alternative country rock)
August 13 – Soul Syndicate (soul/R&B/funk)

Tuesdays at 6:00 pm
Allendale Concerts in the Park. Allendale Community Park Bandshell, 11069 68th Ave. 49401 (25 minutes west)
July 23 – The Langford Lads (Irish, roots, folk)
July 30 – Simply in Time (classic rock, R&B)

Tuesdays at 6:30 pm
Zeeland Soundz of Summer, Lawrence Street Park, 100 W Lawrence Ave, 49464 (25 minutes southwest)
July 23 – Funkle Jesse (party band)
July 30 – Joe Johnson and the Bluebacks (blues)

Tuesdays at 6:00 pm (also some Mondays, Fridays and Sundays)
Caledonia Concert Series, Caledonia Community Green Park, 9300 Dobber Wenger, 49316 (30 minutes south)
August 20 – Magnolia Boulevard (blues, soul, rock ‘n’ roll)

Tuesdays at 7:00 pm
Muskegon McGraft Park Summer Concert Series, McGraft Park, 2240 Wickham Drive,49441 (40 minutes northeast)
July 23 – The Cold Leather Seats (indie country)
July 30 – Silverado (50s – 60s rock, country)
August 8 (Thursday) – Drew Nelson (Americana, folk)
August 13 – Post Fontaine (soft rock)
August 20 – Síomha (Irish folk)

Tuesdays at 7:00 pm
Montague-Whitehall Free Summer Concert Series, Rotary Bandshell, 8636 Water St., 49437 (60 minutes northwest)
July 23 – Schrock Bros Band (roots, blues, folk, rock)
July 30 – Blue Water Ramblers (folk, bluegrass)-Jamie Langlois
August 6 – Westside Soul Surfers (horn-based rock, soul, & R&B)
August 13 – Brena (party band)

Wednesdays

Wednesdays at 6:30 pm
Sparta Summer Concert Series in Roger's Park, Rogers Park, 75 N. Union, 49345 (20 minutes north)
July 24 – The Steeple Hill Band (country)
July 31 – Trillium Irish Band (Celtic music) Pulled Pork dinner served at the Civic Center (75 N. Union) for $12
August 7 – City Church Band (Christian worship music)

Wednesdays at 6:30 pm
Coopersville Music on Main, 323 Main St., 49404 (20 minutes west)
July 24 – Onager (classic rock)
August 7 – Two Dudes in Flip Flops (light rock)
August 14 – PS Dump Your Boyfriend (party band)
August 21 – The Kari Lynch Band (alternative country rock)
September 5 – Great Scott (party band)

Wednesdays at 7:00 pm
Cedar Springs Music in the Heart, Heart of Cedar Springs Park, 37 W. Maple St. 49319
July 24 – Sea Cruisers (50s through 70s pop rock)
July 31 – Klay Fennema (rock)
August 7 – Clean Cuts (roots)
August 14 – Rain Date

Wednesdays at 7:00 pm
Grand Haven Music on the Grand, 1 North Harbor, 49417 (40 minutes west)
July 24 – The 6-Pak Band (60s all-female band)

Wednesdays at 7:00 pm
Saugatuck/Douglas Music in the Park, Wicks Park Gazebo 502 Water St, 49453 (40 minutes southwest)
July 31 – Sea Cruisers (50s through 70s pop rock)
August 7 – Jake Stevens (pop rock)
August 14 – The Niche and Lineage (70s & 80s pop rock)
August 21 – Wealthy Soul (pop rock)
August 28 – Pretzel Logic (Steely Dan tribute band)
September 4 – 10 Years Later (pop rock)

Wednesdays at 7:00 pm
Plainwell Summer Concerts, Bandshell, 250 N. Anderson St. (40 minutes south)
July 24 – Lighting Matches (alternative rock)
July 31 – Schlitz Creek (bluegrass)

Wednesdays 7:00 pm
Big Rapids Bandshell Summer Concert Series, Hemlock Park, 398 Hemlock St, 49307 (50 minutes north)
July 31 – Blue Water Ramblers (folk)
August 7 – Darcy Wilkin (singer-songrwriter)
August 14 – Free Flight (70s rock)

Thursdays

Thursdays at 6:30 pm
Walker Standale Summer Concert Series, Walker Community Park, 700 Cummings Ave. 49534 (10 minutes west)
August 8 – Westside Soul Surfers (horn-based rock, soul, & R&B)

Thursdays at 7:00 pm
Cutlerville Sounds of Summer, Cutler Park, 6701 Cutler Park Drive, 49548 (15 minutes south)
July 25 – Brena (party band)

Thursdays at 7:00 pm
Kentwood Summer Concert Series, Behind Kentwood City Hall, 4900 Breton Ave. SE (20 minutes south)
July 25 – The Soul Syndicate (soul/R&B/funk)
August 1– The Bootstrap Boys (country, roots)
August 8 – MexiCuba (Latin)
August 15 – Sarena Rae Band (R&B) – Mark Hoffman

Thursdays at 7:00 pm
Byron Center Sounds of Summer, Bicentennial Park, 8085 Byron Center Ave, 49315 (20 minutes south)
August 1 – Prior Noon (pop country)
August 8 – Project 90 (90s hits)
August 15 – Brena (party band)

Thursdays at 6:00 pm
Sparta Thursdays on the Square, Sparta Town Square, 201 Marketplace, 49345 (20 minutes north)
July 25 – Mike Talbot (singer/acoustic guitarist)
August 1 – Melissa Dylan (singer-songwriter)
August 8 – Kevin Schaffer (singer/acoustic guitarist)
August 15 – 17 Degrees South (country, blues)
August 22 – Gabrial James (singer/acoustic guitarist)
August 29 – Drew Behringer (singer/acoustic guitarist)
September 5 – Jack Leaver (singer/acoustic guitarist)
September 12 – Lynn Thompson (bluegrass)
September 19 – Dylan Tolbert (multi instrumentalist singer-songwriter)
September 26 – Wyatt & Shari Knapp (singers/acoustic guitarist)
October 24 – Kevin Schaffer (singer/acoustic guitarist)

Thursdays at 6:00 pm
Zeeland Music on Main Street, Downtown, Main St & Elm St, 49464 (25 minutes Southwest)
July 25 – Kay N' the Mud (dance band)
August 8 – Rock Shop (classic rock dance band)
August 22 – Dunegrass (bluegrass)

Thursdays at 7:00 pm
Lowell Showboat Sizzlin’ Summer Concert, Riverwalk Plaza, 113 Riverwalk Plaza (30 minutes east)
July 25 – Roosevelt Diggs (roots music)
August 8 – Joe Hertler & The Rainbow Seekers (Motown, folk, roots)
August 15 – The Insiders (Tom Petty tribute Band)

Thursdays at 7:00 pm
Spring Lake Music at the Point Mill Point Park, 210 School St, 49456 (35 minutes west)
July 25 – Wyatt & Shari Knapp (singers/acoustic guitarist)
August 8 – Homemade Jam Band (blues, rock, soul)
August 15 – TBA
August 22 – TBA

Thursdays at 6:00 pm
Holland Felt Mansion Summer Concerts, Felt Mansion, 6597 138th Ave, 49423 (40 minutes southwest)
July 25 – Bernadette Kathryn and The Lonely Days (country)
August 1 – Lighting Matches (alternative rock)

Thursdays at 6:30 pm
Fennville City Hall Music Series, Downtown Fennville, Main St & Maple, 49408 (45 minutes southwest)
July 25 – Rollie Tussing Trio (folk)
August 1 – Grupo Viento de Los Hermanos Valdez (Mexican)
August 8 – The Schrock Bros (roots, blues, folk, rock)
August 15 – Annie and Rod Capps (singer-songwriters)
August 22 – The Lunar Octet (Latin jazz)
August 29 – Charlie Millard Band (original jazz and pop songs

Thursdays at 7:00 pm
Fremont Summer Concerts, Veterans Memorial Park, 119 W Main St, 49412 (55 minutes north)
July 25 – The 6-Pak (60s all-female band)

Thursdays at 7:00 pm
Grand Ledge Music in the Park, Jaycee Park, 525 E. River St. 48837 (55 minutes east)
July 25 – Sea Cruisers (50s through 70s pop rock)
August 1 – Cooper Johnson (party band)
August 8 – Global Village (three horn party band)
August 15 –Starfarm (80s pop rock)

Thursdays at 6:00 pm
Hart Music on the Commons, Hart Commons, 206 E Main St, 49420 (60 minutes north)
July 25 – The Mickeys (indie folk, roots)
August 1 – Ravon Rhoden (reggae)
August 8 – Northern Ground (country)
August 15 – Serita’s Black Rose (funk, blues, roots)
August 22 – Plain Jane Glory (roots)
August 29 – Cold Leather Seats (indie folk, roots)

Thursdays at 6:00 pm
Ludington Live in the Alley, behind Timbers Prime, 103 W. Ludington Ave, 49431 (90 minutes north)
July 25 – Jason Hargreaves (singer/acoustic guitarist)
August 1 – Jimmy Dodson (singer/acoustic guitarist)
August 8 – Harv & Sons
August 15 – Cheryl Wolfram (singer/acoustic guitarist)
August 22 – Mike Lenich (guitar, banjo, mandolin, and ukulele)
August 29 – Gabrial James (singer/acoustic guitarist)

Fridays

Fridays at 6:15 pm
Grand Haven Courtyard Concerts' Free Friday Night Summer Concerts, Lynne Sherwood Waterfront Stadium, 1 N Harbor Dr, 49417 (40 minutes west)
August 9 – Luke Winslow King (vintage blues and jazz) wsg Garrison
August 16 – Jesse Ray and the Carolina Catfish (rock n roll, blues) wsg Money Soup (jazz)
August 23 – Loren Johnson (singer-songwriter) wsg Gabi June (singer-songwriter)

Fridays at 5:00 pm
Muskegon Parties in the Park, Hackley Park, 350 W Webster Ave, 49440 (40 minutes northwest)
July 28 – Ronnie Baker Brooks (Chicago blues and soul guitarist)
August 2 – The Rhythm Method Band (jazz)
August 16 – Magic Bus (Tribute to Woodstock)
August 23 –That Beatles Thing (Beatles tribute band)

Fridays at 7:30 pm
Hastings Live, Thornapple Plaza, 301 E State St, 49058 (45 minutes southeast)
July 26 — Jake Kershaw (rock guitarist)
August 2 — The Blue Catz (blues)
August 9 — Kanin Wren (Taylor Swift tribute band)
August 16 — Roosevelt Diggs (roots music)

Fridays at 6:30 pm
Allegan Rollin’ On the River, Riverfront Stage, 49010 (45 minutes south)
July 26 — The American Hotel System
August 2 — Celeste Allison (indie pop)
August 9 — Prior Noon (pop country)
August 16 — Spike the Media (rock)
August 23 — Sage Castleberry (pop country)
August 30 — Patty PerShayla & The Mayhaps (singer-songwriter)

Fridays at 5:30 pm
Kalamazoo State on the Street, Kalamazoo State Theatre, 404 S Burdick St., (50 minutes south)
August 9 – Celeste Allison (indie pop)
September 6 – Out of Favor Boys (blues, funk, soul)

Fridays at 7:00 pm
Whitehall Evenings at the Light Station Concert Series, White River Light Station, 6199 Murray Rd, MI 49461 (60 minutes north)
July 26 – Dave Martin (vocalist, multi-instrumentalist)
August 9 – Wyatt & Shari Knapp (singers/acoustic guitarist)
August 23 – Ruth & Max Bloomquist (folk)

​​​​​​​Fridays at 7:00 pm
Ingham County (Haslett) Friday Night Concerts, Lake Lansing Park South Band Shell, 1621 Pike, 48840 (70 minutes east)
July 26 – Stone Street Revival (8-piece horn band)
August 2 – Mixed Flavors (blues, R&B, funk)
August 9 – Shakedown (Bob Seger tribute band)
August 16 – Black Barn Band (party band)
August 23 – Global Village (three horn party band)
August 30 – Showdown (classic rock)

​​​​​​​Fridays at 5:00 pm
​​​​​​​Battle Creek Vibe @ Five, Friendship Park, Capital Ave NE, 49017 (70 minutes southeast)
July 26 – Leave Those Kids Alone – (Classic rock)
August 2 – Magic Bus (Tribute to Woodstock)
August 9 – Moonshot – (hits from the 60s through 90s)

Fridays at 6:00 pm
Ludington Live in Legacy Plaza, Legacy Plaza, 112 N. James St, 49431 (90 minutes north)
July 26 – Rocket Fuel Haulers (country, country rock)
August 2 – Nick Veine (acoustic blues, jazz, country)
August 9 – Meg Gunia (singer/acoustic guitarist)
August 16 – 80 Cows (acoustic folk, bluegrass)
August 23 – Twyce the Band (oldies featuring tight harmonies)
August 30 – Benny Hill Band (jazz)
September 6 – Benjamin Paetz (ukulele)
September 13 – Joe Irelan (blues rock guitarist)
September 20 – Two Dudes in Flip Flops (light rock)

Saturdays

Saturdays at 6:00 pm
Ludington Rhythm & Dunes Summer Concert Series, Waterfront Park, 391 S William St, 49431 (90 minutes north)
July 27 – Young Guns (country)
August 3 – The Mega 80’s (multimedia 80s covers)