Events in Jackson today

BREW coffee bar is the setting for a monthly SHOP419 gathering that highlights local vendors and community organizations. Browse unique goods, sample seasonal drinks, and spend time supporting the community in a welcoming setting. All are welcome. Vendors and organizations interested in taking part can complete an interest form and will receive follow-up by email.

Explore eerie legends from Michigan’s extensive lighthouse heritage at Jackson District Library. With more than 120 lights lining the Great Lakes, the state has the largest collection in the country, and many come with ghostly lore. Hear about the cigar-scented presence of former keeper Captain Townshend at Seul Choix Point, the playful tricks linked to John Herman at Waugoshance Shoal near Mackinaw City, Sarah Robinson’s tidy touch at White River Light Station in Whitehall, and the young girl said to seek out children and women at Marquette Harbor Lighthouse. The treacherous stretch from Whitefish Point to Point Iroquois, marked by numerous shipwrecks, also figures prominently in these tales. Drawing from Michigan’s Haunted Lighthouses, published by The History Press and Arcadia Publishing, author Dianna Stampfler highlights stories from 13 sites around the state. After the presentation, a book sale and signing will be available. Copies are $22 by cash or check, with credit accepted. Online ordering is also available.

Fresh Food Distribution provides fresh food to community members at Jackson First United Methodist Church. Offered monthly while supplies last, this outreach reflects a commitment to caring for neighbors with love and compassion. Services are provided on an equal opportunity basis.

Get moving with a lively Zumba session led by Michelle. This dance-forward workout blends aerobic exercise with easy, follow-along steps set to energetic music from around the world. Expect routines influenced by hip hop, salsa, merengue, samba, and more that help burn calories, lift your mood, and improve coordination while you have fun. Drop-ins are welcome, and no registration is required. Pricing is $6 per class or $45 for a 10-class pack.

The Village of Brooklyn council meets each month at the Jackson District Library's Brooklyn Branch.

Experience an exhilarating night of modern blues as Vanessa Collier brings her award-winning blend of sax mastery and powerhouse vocals to Blues at the Bohm. Renowned for her command of the alto sax, she weaves blues, soul, and funk into a high-energy set that has earned multiple Blues Music Awards. Blazing solos, gritty and heartfelt singing, and unstoppable momentum come together for a magnetic performance that affirms her place as a leading voice in contemporary blues.

Enjoy a lively evening that blends classic bingo with a music theme. There is no cost to participate, and beginners are just as likely to win as anyone else.

Pick up food through a convenient drive-through distribution that takes place on the second, third, and fourth Tuesdays each month. To register, provide your name and the number of people in your household. Community Table of Albion runs this program, which is funded and managed by Albion Health Care Alliance.

Enjoy food and drink specials paired with live entertainment from Bobby and Frankie May.

Presented by Innovation Concerts, this live show at The Ottawa Tavern features Curtis Salgado with special guest Pat Lewandowski. Tickets cost $15 in advance and $20 on the day of the show, with an additional $5 charge for attendees under 21.

Montrie Auction Gallery presents an evening auction with tables filled with antiques, collectibles, and unique finds, including rare pieces. A preview period is available before bidding begins, giving time to look over the offerings. The varied selection aims to appeal to many interests.

JRSC holds its general meetings on the second Tuesday of each month at Jolly Roger Sailing Club. The focus is on welcoming new members, signing up for volunteer opportunities at events, and spending time connecting with fellow members.

Train in traditional Okinawan karate with Sensei Steve in a welcoming, focused setting. Open to ages 12 and up and suitable for beginners through experienced practitioners, these adult classes build confidence, strength, and skill through structured practice. Sessions develop core fundamentals such as punches, kicks, blocks, and solid footwork, and include kata to refine precision and flow. Participants also work with traditional weapons, including the bo and sai, practice practical self-defense that blends methods from multiple martial arts, and improve timing and strategy through controlled sparring. The program encourages personal growth, discipline, and respect, with guidance designed to help each student progress at a comfortable pace.

Create festive Christmas ornaments to give as gifts or keep for yourself. The workshop is arranged in stations with all cutting prepared ahead of time. Some designs call for glass nipping and painting, and this session is dedicated to ornaments only. The workshop fee is $15, and each ornament you make is $8. Spend up to three hours crafting and make as many pieces as you wish. Thirteen spaces are available. Register through messenger to reserve a spot or request a different date, and please note that your place is confirmed only after you receive a confirmation.

This free intermediate line dancing class is for adults 55 and older who already know basic step names and have some prior experience. Each session introduces one new routine and reviews three from earlier weeks, then the final portion of class is set aside for open dancing and practice. Instruction is led by Melanie Kempton of LinedUP Line Dancing. No registration is required. Wear comfortable clothing and shoes that allow easy turning on the dance floor. Line dancing supports fitness, mental sharpness, and social connection. New to line dance? A separate Absolute Beginner class is available for those with little or no experience. For questions, text Melanie at 419-419-9785.

Crochet Club meets at Stirling Books & Brew on the second and fourth Wednesday of each month. All experience levels are welcome, from beginners to seasoned crocheters. Take part in a recurring gathering dedicated to crochet.

The Toledo Game Room Play! Pokémon League offers a relaxed community setting where fans enjoy the Trading Card Game, video games, Pokémon GO, Pocket, and more. Activities include Pokémon GO raids, TCG raids, special-format tournaments, and competitive events such as League Challenge and League Cup, along with holiday parties. Participants can earn a Prize Pack by taking part in league play and related events.

Dragon's Roost hosts casual Warhammer gaming featuring Warhammer 40K, Age of Sigmar, Horus Heresy, Warcry, and Necromunda. Admission is free.

Psychic Night at the Roadhouse brings an evening of one-on-one card readings in a relaxed setting. Sign up in person when you arrive. Each session lasts 20 minutes and costs $25.

Enjoy a weekly Disney Lorcana league in Jackson, MI, where players can gather to play the game together. Participation is free, and everyone receives prizes and promotional items.

Allskate Fun Center presents a special skate night celebrating National Roller Skating Month and honoring firefighters, police officers, EMTs, paramedics, dispatchers, and other first responders. First responders and their families receive free admission for up to five people with a service ID, provided everyone enters together. Skate rental is $5, laser tag is $6, and door prizes are offered.

The Jackson County Chamber of Commerce brings back the JAXPO Business Showcase at the American 1 Event Center in downtown Jackson. This expo spotlights local companies, encourages new connections, and helps organizations build partnerships and share what makes them unique. Member 2 Member Power Hours focus on member-to-member networking, then the showcase opens to the public to meet businesses, explore products and services, and discover resources available across Jackson County. An Economic Summit features insights and updates from community leaders, though the summit is sold out and applicable purchases include food vouchers only. Exhibitor registration is paused while the exhibitor lineup is finalized, with limited booth space potentially available on a first come, first served basis. For details or to ask about booth availability, call 517-782-8221.

Family Night at Urban Air Toledo offers a lively outing of shared fun, with unlimited access to the park’s attractions and extra activities and games suitable for all ages. A Platinum Family Night package is available for $74.99, making it an affordable way for families to experience the park together. Expect an upbeat atmosphere filled with energy, laughter, and moments to remember.

Gather for a weekly board game night led by Travis Rhoades and the T Town Board Gamers. Everyone is welcome to take part, whether you are new to tabletop games or a longtime player. There is no fee to participate.

ADL’s chess club, known as the Library Chess Camp, meets every two weeks and is designed for teens and adults. For more information, call 517-629-3993.

Enjoy Marvel Crisis Protocol in a friendly setting that encourages tossing cars and buildings and plenty of tabletop action. As Toledo’s longest running Marvel Crisis Protocol night, it welcomes both seasoned players and first-timers. Newcomers can get a demo to learn the game. Entry is free.

This free, monthly craft club at Handmade Toledo offers a welcoming space to create with others. Attendees can bring a work in progress, start a long-planned idea, share a cool concept, or simply arrive ready to make something in good company. Bring your own beverages and snacks, along with any project materials you would like, and enjoy relaxed, community-focused crafting with friendly faces.

Enjoy a warm autumn painting session at Gogh & Create Studio centered on a charming fall gnome. The class is beginner friendly with canvases pre-sketched, and participants are encouraged to choose their own colors and details to make the design unique. It is open to all ages and costs $30 per person. Light refreshments are provided while you paint. The studio is located in the Secor Business Center.

Art 634 hosts a welcoming open mic inside the Michael Palmer Gallery that invites creatives to share their latest work. Performances can include stand up comedy, live music, poetry, storytelling, theater, and other forms of expression. The microphone stays open and continues until it naturally winds down. Coffee, tea, cocoa, and water are available. Participants and guests may bring their own food and preferred beverages, and inviting friends is encouraged.

At The Prestige Eatery & Entertainment, Damon Terrell leads a lively Latin night built around his compositions that have earned awards. The evening opens with stand-up from comedian Horace H.B Sanders. Seating is limited, so arriving early is recommended.

The UToledo High School Choral Festival brings together high school singers from the region to rehearse and perform in a select ensemble, building skills through collaboration and guidance from an accompanist, a clinician and adjudicator, and a vocalist. Serving as clinician and conductor is Karen Miskell, DMA, Director of Choral Activities at The University of Toledo. Her background includes nine years as professor and music department chair at Victor Valley College in Victorville, California. She holds degrees from the University of Southern California, Northern Arizona University, and the University of Miami. Her performance experience includes appearances with Elton John at the Grammy Awards, with Simon Carrington of The King’s Singers, and with Barry Manilow, along with stages such as the World Symposium on Choral Music in Seoul, the Chinese International Choral Festival in Beijing, and regional and national conferences of the American Choral Directors Association.

At Boys, Brew & Brats, award-winning Toledo historian and author Tedd Long shares compelling stories from his forthcoming book, The Toledo Files: 101 Mysteries, Secrets and Stories of the Glass City. Explore intriguing mysteries and lesser known chapters from Toledo’s past. Reservations are required.

At Bella Brown Beauty in Jackson, Dr. O’Neill presents a dedicated session in medical aesthetics that blends clinical expertise with an artist’s eye. A physician with a deep understanding of facial anatomy, she is recognized for a caring, patient-first approach and for making precise, subtle refinements that enhance overall facial harmony. The focus is on thoughtful, individualized work and the trust that underpins it, with attention to balanced lift, luminous softness, and refined structure. Special pricing is available for this visit.

A weekly tabletop meetup centers on Star Wars Shatterpoint, Legions, X-Wing, and Armada. New and curious players can chat with the community Guild master, who is available to answer questions and share guidance. There is no cost to attend.

At Toledo Game Room, Battletech players and newcomers gather for relaxed games with friendly guidance for anyone learning the basics. There is no fee to participate, but please bring your own mechs. Alpha Strike players are welcome as well.

Compete in a Pauper format event with an entry fee of 11 dollars, subject to change. The prize pool includes two play booster packs per player, with more added based on attendance. All participants receive a promo pack, and the winner earns a foil promo card while supplies last.

Eerie Excursions presents a public paranormal investigation at Mortuary Manor in Toledo, a former funeral home where decades of emotion, history, and unexplained activity are said to linger. Once known as the Urbanski Funeral Home, the building remains much as it was, with viewing rooms, preparation areas, and quiet corridors that investigators now explore after dark. Reports from previous visits include shadows that drift along the walls, abrupt temperature shifts, footsteps in empty hallways, and the unsettling sensation of being watched. As a relatively new site for the paranormal community, it has seen limited documentation, which makes this an uncommon chance to examine the location. Options include a guided flashlight tour focused on the building’s past and its reported phenomena, a 4 hour public investigation that begins with a brief introduction and walkthrough followed by time to roam the building, and an 8 hour overnight investigation for extended exploration, limited to 20 participants for a quieter, more immersive experience. The experience is designed for both newcomers and seasoned investigators. No prior experience is required, the team explains techniques and equipment at the outset, and experienced attendees may bring their own gear. Recognized as one of Ohio’s newest haunted investigation sites, early offerings are expected to fill quickly. Discover what unfolds when the halls fall silent.

This event features relaxed Commander play with no entry fee. Participants are entered into a raffle for four Wizard's promo packs.

The Toledo Center for Live Arts is physically connected to the Stranahan Theater, placing it within the same complex. Guests can find it right alongside the theater.

A high-energy night awaits with live music, lots of dancing, and ice-cold drinks. Expect an upbeat atmosphere and a soundtrack that keeps the good times going.