Downtown Grand Rapids Inc.

06/11/2026

Sunset Cinema is officially back! 🎬

We kicked off the season this past weekend, and the movie magic continues all summer long.

Join us every Saturday at 8 PM in the Studio Park Piazza for free outdoor movies under the stars.

No tickets. No reservations. Just bring a chair, grab some friends and enjoy the show

Learn more at https://bit.ly/4ocSkdD

06/09/2026

Yesterday, we celebrated the grand opening of the new Early Childhood Center at Rapid Central Station. 🎉

Opening this fall, the center will help address one of Kent County's most pressing needs: access to affordable, high-quality childcare.

The project is led by the WK Kellogg Foundation in partnership with the YMCA, The Rapid, Grand Rapids Public Schools, Head Start for Kent County, and many other community partners. The Grand Rapids Downtown Development Authority (DDA) was proud to contribute to help make it happen.

With more than 7,300 additional childcare spaces needed in the City of Grand Rapids alone, investments like this support working families, strengthen our workforce, and help make Downtown a place where people can live, work and thrive.

Located at Rapid Central Station, the center also helps reduce transportation barriers while bringing new life to an existing public space.

Congratulations to everyone who helped bring this project to life. 👏

06/08/2026

EDIT: Youth Chorus not Symphony

Grand Rapids is joining the global celebration for the first time! 🎶

We’re excited to support the city’s inaugural Make Music Day on June 21.
Part of a worldwide event taking place in more than 1,000 cities, Make Music Day transforms streets, parks, plazas, and public spaces into stages for free, live music performed by anyone and enjoyed by everyone.

Check out the lineup and event details at the link in our bio.

Supported through an Activate Grant.

📅 June 21

06/08/2026

06/08/2026

Reports of unusual activity along the river have increased dramatically. 👀 👽

Witnesses describe glowing artifacts, unfamiliar lifeforms, and visitors from places unknown.

Coincidentally, these two installations will be appearing at Return to the River this August:

✦ POP! by Gentilhomme
✦ Astral Relics by FuzzPop Workshop

🛸 August 22 + 23, 2026

More transmissions regarding this year's theme will be released soon. Stay tuned. ✨

Credits:

POP! by Gentilhomme, a production of Quartier des Spectacles Partnership in partnership with Jack World, distributed by QDSinternational.

Astral Relics by FuzzPop Workshop, a Milwaukee-based art studio creating immersive experiences that explore technological and ecological futures through surreal worlds filled with wonder, curiosity, and imagination.

06/05/2026

Progress Update 🚧

Canal Park is on track for completion this fall.

When finished, the park will feature enhanced flood protection and ecological resiliency, trail improvements, a renovated universally accessible playground, improved access to the Grand River and flexible spaces for community programming.

Project Lead: City of Grand Rapids
Contractor: Owen-Ames-Kimball Co.

Plus, the Monroe Avenue street construction project is expected to wrap up in June!

06/02/2026

A big day for the Grand River. 🌊

Yesterday marked the groundbreaking of the Grand River Restoration’s Lower Reach Project — a major step toward restoring the river through Downtown Grand Rapids.

Over the next two years, this phase of the project will remove four low-head dams, improve river safety, restore aquatic habitat and create better conditions for native fish and wildlife.

This milestone is the result of years of collaboration between tribal partners, nonprofits, public agencies, community advocates and organizations working toward a shared vision for the river.

We're grateful to be one of many organizations supporting this effort through the Grand River Network, a coalition working to align partners around a more accessible Grand River.

📍 Lower Reach Project (I-196 to Fulton Street)

Learn more at https://bit.ly/3RHXZMt

Project Leads: Grand Rapids WhiteWater + City of Grand Rapids

06/01/2026

The Grand Rapids Pride Festival returns to Calder Plaza for two days of community, entertainment, local vendors, food and celebration.

📅 Saturday, June 20 | 12:00 PM – 10:00 PM
📅 Sunday, June 21 | 12:00 PM – 8:00 PM

Hosted by The Grand Rapids Pride Center, this annual event brings together thousands of people from across West Michigan to celebrate love.

We look forward to seeing you there!