2023 Summer Guide

More events and happenings in Great Lansing this summer

Posted

There are even more events throughout Greater Lansing to enjoy this summer. This isn’t an exhaustive list, so make sure to look out for highlights in the Out on the Town section as the season continues.

 

ArtPath 6

May 29-Sept. 4

Lansing River Trail

lansingartpath.org

ArtPath 6 will open with a kickoff event 5 to 9 p.m. June 2, featuring live music, vendors, activities and more. There will be an opportunity for attendees to add words of positivity to a mural by two ArtPath artists, Jessica and Zach Kovan, from 4 to 6 p.m.

20 local artists, selected by a panel of jurors, will create murals, sculptures and installations along the River Trail that will be viewable all summer.

For a list of contributing artists, visit the ArtPath website.

 

Capital Area District Libraries Summer Reading Challenge

June 1- Aug. 5

cadl.org

Registration is open for CADL’s Summer Reading Challenge, which begins June 1. There are four age categories: babies and toddlers (ages 0-3), kids (ages 4-12), teens (ages 10-18) and adults (18+). 

This year’s theme is “All Together Now,” celebrating friendship, community and kindness.

Participants will read books throughout the summer, accumulating points to redeem for prizes, including gift cards, Impression 5 family memberships and more. Those who complete all levels of the challenge will be entered to win grand prizes, including a Raising Readers backpack for toddlers, gift cards to Launch Trampoline park at the Meridian Mall for kids and gift cards to Meijer, Schuler Books and Roblox for teens.

To register, visit cadl.org.

 

Charlotte Summer Concerts on the Square

June 1-Aug. 18

6:30 p.m. Thursdays

Historic Courthouse Lawn

100 W. Lawrence Ave., Charlotte

Charlotte’s Summer Concerts on the Square series includes an eclectic lineup of performers throughout the season.

  • June 1: Sea Cruisers
  • June 8: Friendz
  • June 15: Claim Jumpers
  • June 22: Detroit Social Club
  • June 28: Jimmy & the Mortals
  • July 6: Frog & the Beeftones
  • July 13: Dwayne Spaw
  • July 20: Laurie & the Lefties
  • July 27: Soul Town
  • Aug. 3: Whistle Pig Surprise Band
  • Aug. 10: Parted Waters
  • Aug. 18: Blind Ambition

 

Sounds of Summer 2023

June 2-Aug. 25, 7-9 p.m. Fridays

Lake Lansing Park South Bandshell

1621 Pike St., Haslett

facebook.com/lakelansingbandshell

The 21st annual Lake Lansing Bandshell concert series will feature children’s activities such as inflatables, a tricycle track and a playground; 50/50 raffles; ice cream from Ashley’s Ice Cream Extravaganza; and food trucks, a new addition this year.

  • June 2: Don Middlebrook and the Pearl Divers
  • June 9: Oxymoron’s
  • June 16: Universe Band
  • June 23: Capital City Chordsmen
  • June 30: Meridian Community Band
  • July 7: Roadside Attraction
  • July 14: Sea Cruisers
  • July 21: Tony Thompson & Friends
  • July 28: Stone Street Revival
  • Aug. 4: Global Village
  • Aug. 11: Frog King
  • Aug. 18: Jeff Baldori
  • Aug. 25: Showdown

 

St. Johns Pride Festival

June 3, Noon-4 p.m.

Clinton Avenue, St. Johns

The 3rd annual St. Johns Pride Festival, presented by the SJ Call-In Coalition, will feature food trucks, speakers, live music, a family-friendly drag show, raffles and giveaways, a kids’ corner and more.

 

Chalk of the Town

June 3, Noon-4 p.m.

Turner Street, Old Town

iloveoldtown.org

Visit Turner Street in Old Town June 3 to view a variety of chalk art by local artists. The art will be completed by 2:30 p.m., and judges will determine the top three pieces.

 

Magical Realm Fantasy Faire

June 3-4, 10 a.m.-6 p.m.

Eaton County Fairgrounds

1025 Cochran Ave., Charlotte

themagicalrealm.com

Magical Realm’s annual Fantasy Faire will feature live jousting, sword fighting, fire spinning, live music, more than 80 vendors, a mead hall and more. Attendees are encouraged to dress up in costumes.

All proceeds benefit Magical Realm, a nonprofit organization. It will use the funds to support the Crosswalk Teen Center of Charlotte and the Knights of the New Order joust troupe, helping pay medical expenses for its joust horses.

Tickets are $10 per person, and children 6 and under can enter for free.

 

East Lansing Public Library Summer Reading Program

Beginning June 5

elpl.org

The East Lansing Public Library’s Summer Reading Program features the same theme as CADL’s, “All Together Now,” and is open to people of all ages. Registration is open, and participants can start tracking their reading June 5.

The program will kick off with an event from 5 to 8 p.m. June 5, featuring performances by the Striped Circus and a Maker Studio open house with local science educators. 

 

Concerts in the Park

June 14-Aug. 9, 7-9 p.m. Wednesdays

lansingmi.gov/994/concerts-in-the-park

Throughout the summer, Lansing Parks & Recreation is hosting concerts at various local parks, featuring an array of genres.

  • June 14: Tejano Sound - Moores Park
  • June 21: The Kathy Ford Band - Durant Park
  • June 28: Frog & the Beeftones - Fulton Park
  • July 12: Sea Cruisers - Turner-Dodge House
  • July 19: Mixed Flavors - Benjamin Davis Park
  • July 26: Shelby & Jake - Bancroft Park
  • Aug. 2: Global Village - Sycamore Park
  • Aug. 9: Aldaco - Frances Park

 

Lansing Pride

June 17, Noon-10 p.m.

Turner Street, Old Town

lansingpride.org

Lansing Pride is free, family-friendly and welcomes LGBTQ+ people and allies of all ages. The 2nd-annual event will feature a main stage with entertainment, vendors, food, a beer tent, a family area and more. Check the website and the event’s Facebook page, facebook.com/lansingpride, for schedule and lineup updates.

 

Music in the Park

June 20-Aug. 15, 7 p.m. Tuesdays

Sharp Park

1401 Elmwood Road, Lansing

deltami.gov

Venture to Sharp Park on select Tuesdays during the summer for concerts on the big stage or in the amphitheater. There will be food trucks at big stage events.

  • June 20: Brotha Earth, opener Tony Thompson, The Smoke N’ Pig BBQ food truck - big stage
  • June 27: Mixed Flavors, opener Kanin Wren - amphitheater
  • July 18: Sea Cruisers, opener Jen Sygit, Jay’s Dogs food truck - big stage
  • July 25: Wild Honey Collective, opener School of Rock - amphitheater
  • Aug. 15: Three Men and a Tenor, opener Oxymorons, Jay’s Dogs food truck - big stage

 

Grand Ledge Music in the Park

June 22-Aug. 17, 7 p.m. Thursdays

Jaycee Park

525 E. River St., Grand Ledge

grandledgechamber.com

The outdoor concerts just keep coming! Grand Ledge’s Chamber of Commerce will host performances Thursdays throughout the summer at Jaycee Park, featuring two acts each night.

  • June 22: Three Men and a Tenor, opener Oxymorons
  • June 29: Tony Thompson & Friends, opener Wild Honey Collective
  • July 6: The Usual Suspects, opener Brian Bristol
  • July 13: The Frog King, opener Taylor Taylor
  • July 20: Global Village, opener School of Rock
  • July 27: Mixed Flavors, opener Kanin Wren
  • Aug. 3: Sea Cruisers, opener Dean Madonia
  • Aug. 10: Stone Street Revival, opener Donny Brown
  • Aug. 17: The Insiders, opener Nicholas James Thomasma

 

Olive Burger Festival

June 24, Noon-7 p.m.

Jackson Field

505 E. Michigan Ave., Lansing

lansingfoodies.com/about-obf

The first-ever Olive Burger Festival, sponsored by Lansing Foodies, will feature more than a dozen olive burgers from local restaurants and food trucks, beer and wine, live music, games and activities for all ages, including bounce houses and face painting for kids.

Attendees will be able to try different burgers and vote for their favorites. Lansing Foodies will also collect signatures to encourage Gov. Gretchen Whitmer to designate Lansing the “Olive Burger Capital of the World.”

 

FrankenFest

June 24, 11 a.m.-7 p.m.

Turner-Dodge House

100 E. North St,. Lansing

frankenfest.com

The annual FrankenFest, summer’s spookiest event, will feature artwork, food trucks, a cash bar, evening ghost tours, DJs, a photo booth, horror actors, a replica of the “Scooby Doo” Mystery Machine and more. The festival is free, and all ages are welcome.

 

Eaton County Fair

July 9-15

Eaton County Fairgrounds

1025 S. Cochran Ave., Charlotte

eatoncountyfair.com

Fairs are a beloved part of the summer season. The Eaton County fair will include horse races, live entertainment, animal shows and sales, carnival rides and games, truck and tractor pulls, contests, rodeos and much more. For a full list of events and times, visit the website.

 

ScrapFest

July 14-15

Old Town Lansing

scrapfest.com

ScrapFest, an art festival focusing on upcycled and repurposed artwork, returns for its 13th year July 14-15. There will be a scrap-metal sculpture competition, art vendors, family activities, live music, food, a Great Scrap Run 8K run/walk, a Kids’ Fun Run and a “Refashion Show.”

To sign up for the fashion show and runs, visit the festival’s website. Check back for a schedule and more information coming soon.

 

Ingham County Fair

July 31-Aug. 5

Ingham County Fairgrounds

700 E. Ash St., Mason

inghamfair.org

Whether you enjoy monster trucks, demolition derbies, motocross, live music, rides, games, or animals, the Ingham County Fair has something for everyone. For a full list of events, visit the website.

 

Eastside Summer Fest

Aug. 26, 11 a.m.-10 p.m.

Frandor Sears parking lot

3131 E. Michigan Ave., Lansing

This year’s free Eastside Summer Fest promises activities for kids, live entertainment, a car show, food trucks, vendors and more. Join in the fun while celebrating local businesses and the eastside community. For more information, visit the festival’s Facebook page.

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