Greater Lansing offers another packed schedule of summer events this year, from free concert series and larger music gatherings to celebrations for holidays such as Juneteenth and Pride Month, food and beverage festivals, county fairs and beyond. Read on to explore all the major festivities in store for this summer, and be sure to check out the Out on the Town section and weekend events e-newsletters as the season continues for updates on even more notable happenings.
May 30-Aug. 22
6 p.m. Fridays
Lake Lansing Park South
1621 Pike St., Haslett
Free
www.pk.ingham.org/parks/friday_night_concert_series.php
May 30: Cooper Johnson (country)
June 6: The Collective (Motown)
June 13: Oxymorons (folk/classic rock)
June 20: The Leaky Tikis (Jimmy Buffett tribute)
June 27: Slick Jimmy (‘80s)
July 4: Meridian Community Band (patriotic)
July 11: Stone Street Revival (harmonies, horn, hits)
July 18: Global Village (rock/funk/R&B)
July 25: Women of Country
Aug. 1: Roadside Attraction (classic party tunes)
Aug. 8: The Insiders (Tom Petty tribute)
Aug. 15: Sea Cruisers (‘50s-’70s)
Aug. 22: Itchycoo Park (‘60s-‘70s)
June 3-July 29
6 p.m. Tuesdays
3003 Preyde Blvd., Lansing
Free
www.facebook.com/EastwoodTowneCenter
June 3: Sea Cruisers (‘50s-’70s)
June 10: Kathy Ford Band (variety)
June 17: Showdown (classic rock)
June 24: Tony Thompson & Friends (funk/Motown/soul)
July 8: Roadside Attraction (classic party tunes)
July 15: Full House Band (‘70s-today’s hits)
July 22: Don Middlebrook & the Pearl Divers (trop rock)
July 29: New Rule (classic rock)
June 4-Sept. 24
6:30 p.m. Wednesdays
Marketplace on the Green
1995 Central Park Drive, Okemos
Free
www.meridian.mi.us/about-us/calendar/summer-concert-series
June 4: Sea Cruisers (‘50s-’70s)
June 11: Be Kind Rewind (‘90s-‘00s alt-rock tribute)
June 18: Stone Street Revival (songs you don’t often hear and ‘70s hits)
June 25: Oxymorons (‘60s-’70s)
July 2: Serita’s Black Rose Duo (funk/rock/blues/Americana)
July 9: Street Angels (Stevie Nicks tribute)
July 16: Atomic Boogaloo (experimental)
July 23: Full House Band (‘70s-today’s hits)
July 30: Last One Out (Motown/blues/country/rock)
Aug. 6: Rear View Mirror (‘60s-’90s pop/classic rock)
Aug. 13: Electric Flower Co. (party band)
Aug. 20: Life Support (variety)
Aug. 27: Universe Band (‘80s-today’s classic rock/pop/new country)
Sept. 3: Don Middlebrook (trop rock)
Sept. 10: Tony Thompson & LaNette Lyn (funk/Motown/R&B/soul)
Sept. 17: Frog & the Beeftones (blues rock)
Sept. 24: Justin Holcomb (singer-songwriter)
June 5-Aug. 21
6:30 p.m. Thursdays
Courthouse Square
100 W. Lawrence Ave., Charlotte
Free
facebook.com/charlottechamberofcommerce
June 5: Sea Cruisers (‘50s-’70s)
June 12: Charlotte Community Band
June 19: Jimmy & the Mortals (‘60s-’70s rock)
June 26: Dewayne Spaw (country)
July 3: Homespun (country/classic rock)
July 10: Whistle Pig Surprise Band
July 17: Lajoye Quintet (jazz)
July 24: Kathleen & the Bridge Street Band (blues/soul/country)
July 31: Charlotte Acoustic Fest
Aug. 7: Detroit Social Club (blues/Motown/country/jazz/funk)
Aug. 14: Universe Band (‘80s-today’s classic rock/pop/new country)
Aug. 21: Blind Ambition (classic rock/country)
Noon-4 p.m. June 7
Old Town, Lansing
Free
Combining creativity and community, the Old Town Commercial Association’s annual Chalk of the Town event invites local artists to create chalk masterpieces on the neighborhood’s sidewalks. The public is invited to watch the artwork come to life as they peruse Old Town businesses and restaurants. A panel of guest judges will award prizes to the standout creations at 4 p.m.
2-8 p.m. June 7
Bailey Park
300 Bailey St., East Lansing
Free
With two stages, nine musical acts and a selection of activities for the family, the 15th annual Pumpstock Festival will be another feather in the local roots scene’s straw hat. The outdoor event will feature barbecue from Krystal’s Kitchen, beverages from Sweet Lee’s Teas, an “instrument petting zoo,” children’s art activities and more. The festival will be free as always, but donations can be made on its Kickstarter page ahead of time.
3-11 p.m. June 7
UrbanBeat
1213 Turner St., Lansing
UrbanBeat will play host to a funk-tastic evening of music and dance during the Michigan Institute for Contemporary Art’s FunkFest, featuring performances by Duke Charelle, Tony Thompson & Friends, Grady Hall & the Disciples of Funk, Mixed Flavors and members of local DJ collective Scratch Pilots. Tickets are $15.
10 a.m.-6 p.m. June 7-8
Eaton County Fairgrounds
1025 Cochran Ave., Charlotte
Magical Realm’s annual Fantasy Faire invites attendees to don their Renaissance garb for a weekend of song, dance, food and fun. This year’s event features live jousting, sword fighting, forging and blacksmithing demonstrations, vendors and even quests for attendees. Admission is $12 ($10 with cash) and supports two nonprofit beneficiaries. Children 6 and under can enter for free.
June 11-Aug. 6
7 p.m. Wednesdays
Lansing parks
Free
www.lansingmi.gov/994/Concerts-in-the-Park
June 11: Root Doctor (blues) - Moores Park
June 18: Black Rock 201 - Wainwright Park
June 25: Kathy Ford Band (variety) - Reutter Park
July 9: Cooper Johnson (country) - Fenner Nature Center
July 16: Sea Cruisers (‘50s-‘70s hits) - Turner-Dodge House
July 24: Frog & the Beeftones (blues rock) - Fulton Park
July 31: Grupo Dezeo (Tejano/conjunto) - Wilson Park
Aug. 7: Lansing Symphony Orchestra - Frances Park
June 11-Aug. 27
7 p.m. Wednesdays
St. Johns City Park
801 W. Park St., St. Johns
Free
www.facebook.com/StJohnsCityParkPerformanceShell
June 11: The 126th Army Band
June 18: General Assembly Big Band (big-band jazz w/ singer)
June 25: Miranda & the M80s (‘80s)
July 2: Lansing Concert Band
July 9: Fly2K (‘90s/2000s)
July 16: Schrock Bros. w/ Madcat (blues)
July 23: Toppermost (Beatles tribute)
July 30: Wilson Thicket (acoustic folk/bluegrass)
Aug. 6: On the Lash (Celtic)
Aug. 13: Detroit Retro Society (Detroit sound)
Aug. 20: Audrey Ray (country)
Aug. 27: Jake Slater/Josh Ramses Band (Elvis tribute)
June 12-Aug. 14
7 p.m. Thursdays
McClintock Park
255 E. McClintock St., Laingsburg
www.laingsburgbusiness.org/music-in-the-park-1
June 12: Jack Clarkson Band (country/gospel)
June 19: Atomic Annie (party band)
June 26: Tad and the Fat Katz (blues/classic rock)
July 10: Electric Flower Co. (party band)
July 17: Mixed Flavors (variety)
July 24: Sudden Impact (variety)
July 31: Madison Olivia Band (country)
Aug. 7: Universe Band (‘80s-today’s classic rock/pop.new country)
Aug. 14: JP & the Energy (pop)
June 12-Sept. 18
Second and fourth Thursdays of the month
6:30 p.m.
Ingham County Courthouse lawn
315 S. Jefferson St., Mason
Free
June 12: Cooper Johnson (country)
June 26: Sea Cruisers (‘50s-’70s)
July 10: The Pocket (classic rock)
July 24: Mixed Flavors (variety)
Aug. 14: Twilight Memories Big Band
Aug. 28: Life Support (variety)
Sept. 18: Mason High School Marching Band
June 12-Aug. 21
7 p.m. Thursdays
McCormick Park
300 N. Putnam St., Williamston
Free
facebook.com/williamstonconcerts
June 12: The Pocket (‘70s-‘80s)
June 19: Itchycoo Park (classic rock tribute)
June 26: Black Barn Band (classic pop)
July 3: Meridian Community Band
July 10: Cold Leather Seats (folk/pop/country)
July 17: Chelsea House Orchestra (Celtic)
July 24: Local talent show
July 31: Lansing Concert Band Big Band
Aug. 7: Tony Thompson & Friends (R&B/funk)
Aug. 14: Oxymorons (classic folk/pop)
Aug. 21: Shades of Blue Jazz Ensemble
4-9 p.m. June 14
Downtown East Lansing
cityofeastlansing.com/2548/East-Lansing-Pride
The city of East Lansing will celebrate Pride Month with its fourth annual Pride festival along Albert Avenue between Abbot Road and M.A.C. Avenue, featuring an open-floor drag show, live music, art activities, vendors, giveaways and more. Interested attendees can stay up to date with all the event’s happenings as they’re announced at www.facebook.com/DowntownEastLansing .
June 14, 18-21
www.lansingjuneteenthcelebration.org
The 32nd annual Lansing Juneteenth Celebration will feature many returning events, including a community softball game honoring Negro league baseball, a 5K run/walk/roll, an awards ceremony for the festival’s essay contest and scholarship program, an African American parade, a job and health fair, a car show and the annual Freedom Festival, offering live entertainment and children’s activities. The festivities will also include a Juneteenth flag-raising ceremony and a talent show. Most events are free, but registration for the 5K is $35.
June 19-Aug. 14
7 p.m. Thursdays
Jaycee Park
525 E. River St., Grand Ledge
Free
grandledgechamber.com/music_in_the_park.php
June 19: Three Men and a Tenor (a cappella pop)
June 26: The Frog King (Neil Diamond tribute)
July 3: Lansing Concert Band Big Band
July 10: Sea Cruisers (‘50s-‘70s)
July 17: Shakedown (Bob Seger tribute)
July 24: Cooper Johnson (country)
July 31: Root Doctor (blues)
August 7: Global Village (rock/funk/R&B)
August 14: Starfarm (‘80s)
June 19-22
Free
The Ourspace Foundation’s annual Juneteenth celebration, aiming to honor the past, celebrate the present and shape the future, will once again feature a seminar centered on empowering Black wellness, followed by a mixer with drinks, light bites and music by DJ Kaels; an ice cream social with free health screenings, yoga, herb and plant potting, science experiments, music, dancing and youth vendors; a music festival with performances by BJ the Chicago Kid, MikeyyAustin, Kira Daffin and more, plus DJ sets, vendors, food trucks, cocktails, a Kidz Zone and community resource booths; and a jazz concert featuring Kevin Brewster & Black Renaissance, plus curated DJ sets and a program highlighting the legacy of jazz and the influence of Black music at large on global culture. All events are free, though RSVPs are required for the seminar and jazz concert. Donations to support 517 Juneteenth Weekend will be accepted.
June 19-21
Eaton County Fairgrounds
1025 S. Cochran Road, Charlotte
www.charlottebluegrassfestival.com
Celebrating 53 years of bluegrass tradition, the three-day Charlotte Bluegrass Festival will feature performances by some of the biggest names in the genre, including Grammy Award winner Billy Strings, the Appalachian Roadshow, the Seldom Scene, Junior Sisk, the Edgar Loudermilk Band and beyond. Tickets are $35 for single-day admission on Friday or Saturday or $95 for the weekend.
4 p.m.-midnight June 19-20
Noon-midnight June 21
Noon-8 p.m. June 22
Adado Riverfront Park
201 E. Shiawassee St., Lansing
The second annual Lansing Fiesta will celebrate Hispanic heritage and culture with a weekend of live music and dancing, authentic Latin American cuisine, carnival rides and vendors, plus a taco-eating contest and a beer tent sponsored by Piazzano’s. Admission is $10 or free for children 12 and under.
5:30 p.m.-midnight June 20
2:30 p.m.-midnight June 21
10:30 a.m.-2 p.m. June 22
Downtown East Lansing
Free
The streets of East Lansing will come alive with the jubilant sound of jazz music during the 29th annual Summer Solstice Jazz Festival, under the guidance of new artistic director Randy Napoleon, associate director of jazz studies at Michigan State University. Much of the schedule is yet to be announced, but a State of the Saxophone Summit, led by Sharel Cassity, Diego Rivera and Greg Tardy, will debut Friday evening, and the Peter Bernstein Quartet is slated for Saturday evening.
Noon-4 p.m. June 21
Downtown St. Johns
Free
The 5th annual St. Johns Pride Festival, taking place at the corner of Higham and Brush streets, will be themed around art and “creating a world in which you belong.” The afternoon will include activities for all ages, including live music, a DJ, dancing, an open mic, mural painting, food trucks, vendors and educational resource tables. Speakers will include Emme Zanotti of Equality Michigan and MC Crystal d’Light.
1-10 p.m. June 28
Turner Street and César E. Chávez Avenue, Old Town
Free
“American Idol” and “RuPaul’s Drag Race” alum Adore Delano will headline this year’s Lansing Pride Festival, which will also feature additional entertainment that has yet to be announced, plus vendors, community resource booths and a family area with drag story times, a bounce house, robotics demonstrations, face painting, chalk art and more.
July 7-12
Eaton County Fairgrounds
1025 S. Cochran Road, Charlotte
The Eaton County fair will offer six days of family-friendly fun, including live music, carnival rides, food, animal sales, agricultural exhibits and grandstand events like rodeos, truck and tractor pulls, a demolition derby and motocross. General admission tickets will be available starting Sunday, June 1. Children 5 and under receive free admission. Tickets for grandstand events range from $5 to $25, and carnival tickets are $20 in advance, $25 at the gate and $55 for a three-day pass.
5-9 p.m. July 11
11 a.m.-7 p.m. July 12
Turner Street, Old Town
Free
ScrapFest, a free art festival focusing on upcycled and repurposed artwork, will feature a scrap-metal sculpture competition, a silent auction of those sculptures, eco-art vendors, food vendors, live music and family activities, as well as the annual Refashion Show Friday evening, a showcase of garments and accessories made primarily of recycled materials.
July 10-Aug. 7
7 p.m. Thursdays
Riverside Park
315 S. Bridge St., DeWitt
Free
dewittareacc.org/event-tag/concert
July 10: Glo (party band)
July 17: Sea Cruisers (‘50s-‘70s)
July 24 – Life Support (variety)
July 31 – Darin Larner Band (variety)
August 7 – Kathy Ford Band (variety)
July 10-Aug. 7
7 p.m. Thursdays
Veterans Memorial Gardens
2074 Aurelius Road, Holt
Free
www.delhitownshipmi.gov/402/Community-Events
July 11: Global Village (funk /R&B)
July 18: Stone Street Revival (harmonies & horns)
July 25: Electric Flower Co. (party band)
Aug. 1: Itchycoo Park (‘60s, ‘70s rock)
Aug. 8: The Classic Women of Country
4-8 p.m. July 12
Washington Avenue, REO Town
The 11th annual Lansing Beer fest will offer an opportunity to sample more than 100 craft beers and ciders from Michigan breweries as well as food vendors, live music and other entertainment. General admission tickets are $35 and include a souvenir glass, a commemorative keychain and 10 sampling tickets. VIP tickets are $45 and include early entry at 3 p.m., a dated glass and 15 sampling tickets. Each sampling ticket will be redeemable for a 3-ounce pour of beer or cider, with additional drink tickets available for $2 each. Non-drinking tickets are free and include a complimentary 20-ounce water or soda.
4-8 p.m. July 26
Adado Riverfront Park
201 E. Shiawassee St., Lansing
www.lansingtacoandtequilafest.com
Lansing Taco and Tequila Fest returns for a third year, offering the chance to sample more than 165 different tequilas, margaritas, beers and ciders. There will also be food trucks, live music, vendors and more. General admission tickets range from $25 to $35, depending on whether attendees would like beverage and food sampling tickets or not, while VIP tickets range from $40 to $55 and include early entry at 3 p.m. and access to a special tequila section. Kids under 10 enter free. Most drink samples will cost one tasting ticket, but margaritas and more expensive liquors will cost multiple tickets. Tacos will cost one to two sampling tickets. Additional tasting tickets will be available at the festival.
July 28-Aug. 2
Ingham County Fairgrounds
700 E. Ash St., Mason
The Ingham County Fair will offer live music, carnival rides and games, animal sales and exhibits, beloved fair food and much more to-be-announced fun during its six-day run. Tickets haven’t been released yet, but information on prices will be available closer to the event.
July 30-Aug. 2
Turner Street, Old Town
www.micharts.org/jazzfest-about
The Michigan Institute for Contemporary Art’s 31st annual JazzFest will offer a slew of to-be-announced performances across four stages. Follow facebook.com/MiJazzFest for updates on the lineup and ticket info.
Noon-6 p.m. Aug. 23
Michigan Avenue
Free
www.517eastside.org/summer-fest
The fifth annual Eastside Summer Fest will celebrate the vibrant culture of Lansing’s east side with local vendors, food trucks, kids’ activities and live music on Michigan Avenue between Foster and Clemens avenues. The event is free and open to all ages.
2-9 p.m. Aug. 30-31
Adado Riverfront Park
201 E. Shiawassee St., Lansing
www.michiganchickenwingfestival.com
Attendees can sample a variety of wings at the Michigan Chicken Wing Festival, which will also offer food trucks with non-wing offerings, live entertainment, open mics, a dunk tank, a cornhole tournament, a wing-eating contest, a kids’ zone with inflatables, non-food vendors, a peoples’ choice wing vendor contest and more. General admission is $10 before 4 p.m. and $15 after 4 p.m. at the gate. Kids 14 and under can enter for free with a paying adult. Cancer survivors, military members and seniors ages 65 and older can also enter for free. VIP tickets range from $45 to $55 and include access to premium beverages, early entry at 1 p.m. and access to the VIP tent and stage area.
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