Free events in Kent County, MI

Fulton Street Market’s Wednesday Market offers a laid-back midweek shopping experience compared to the lively pace of Saturdays. Browse seasonal fruits and vegetables, mushrooms, herbs, flowers and microgreens, along with farm staples like eggs, meat, milk, cheese, honey and maple syrup. Bakeries bring fresh bread, cookies and croissants, and emerging food makers often debut here so it is easy to discover and support small start-ups. Artisan Alley features a rotating selection of local makers with handmade pottery, jewelry, soaps, candles and crochet. Concessions and coffee are available, including a cup from Runyon House Roasts. Families will find creative kids activities in the headhouse on Wednesdays, with coloring pages, collages and more, and grown-ups stay to share the fun. Most vendors accept cards and popular digital payments, while cash is welcome and an LMCU ATM is on site. All farms accept SNAP and EBT with Double Up Food Bucks, and most other vendors do as well except those selling hot or prepared food. Swipe a Bridge Card at the front desk to receive tokens for vendor purchases, and receive up to an additional 50 dollars per day in fresh produce through Double Up Food Bucks, with details available at the front desk.

The pantry is open during its scheduled hours.

Sing your favorite songs with Double E at Mulligan's Pub during a karaoke night that welcomes everyone. It is free for all attendees, and drink specials are available. Pick a track, grab the mic, and enjoy an evening of music.

Connect with a big MTG Commander community at Galactic Toys & Games - Alpine. Entry is free, and players who sign in receive a complimentary raffle ticket for the nightly raffle. New players are welcome, with community members available to teach the game.

Open Reiki Sessions offers a monthly energy healing experience at Unity Spiritual Community of Grand Rapids. The gathering welcomes anyone interested in receiving calming, restorative care, as well as Reiki practitioners who wish to offer their practice. New participants are fully welcome, and no prior experience or belief system is required. The setting is peaceful and supportive, creating room to rest, reset, and reconnect with a compassionate community. A love offering is appreciated. Reiki, pronounced ray-key, refers to universal life energy. This Japanese practice involves placing hands lightly on or just above the body to encourage a soothing flow of energy. Many people experience deep relaxation, reduced stress, and a sense of overall well-being, with a gentle warmth that can feel especially nourishing to the nervous system.

Enjoy open Commander games in a free-play setting.

Pokémon fans can drop in at Galactic Toys & Games - Alpine on Fridays for casual open play. Participation is free, with space to battle, trade, and enjoy the game with fellow trainers. Tournaments are also offered during these sessions for anyone interested in putting their skills to the test.

Saturday is the biggest day at Fulton Street Market, with more than 100 vendors set up across outdoor stalls, the plaza, and the historic market shed. Shoppers can explore seasonal produce including fruits, vegetables, mushrooms, herbs, flowers, and microgreens, along with farm staples such as meat, eggs, cheese, milk, honey, and maple syrup. Freshly baked breads, cookies, and croissants are also on offer. Locally roasted coffee is served by Runyon House Roasts or Last Mile Cafe, and rotating hot food vendors add even more choices, with weekly updates shared in Saturday Roll Call posts on Facebook and Instagram. Most vendors accept cards, Venmo, Apple Pay, and other cashless options, while cash helps reduce fees and an LMCU ATM is available on site. Shoppers using a Bridge Card or SNAP can swipe at the front desk to receive tokens. All farms accept SNAP and Double Up Food Bucks, and most other vendors do as well except those selling hot or prepared food. Using a Bridge Card at the market can provide up to an additional $50 per day for fresh produce, and the front desk can provide details about Double Up Food Bucks.

Area sellers present fresh produce along with a variety of goods at this market. Browse the stalls and stock up on ingredients and other items to take home.

Participants collaborate with the Franciscan Sisters on hands-on work that may include grounds upkeep, gathering crops, preserving produce, routine farm duties, and other seasonally appropriate projects. Families and friends are welcome to take part together. Lunch will be served for those who choose to stay afterward.

Feeding America West Michigan will distribute 5,000 pounds of food at Unity Bible Church - North Campus Ministry Center for people in need. The mobile pantry features fresh fruits and vegetables, dairy products, and baked goods. Anyone in need in Kent City and the surrounding area is welcome, and no identification or proof of income is required. Attendees are encouraged to bring their own bags or boxes. Organizers are seeking as many volunteers as possible to help with distribution. This effort supports a region where food insecurity affects 1 in 8 people in West Michigan and the Upper Peninsula, and in 2015 the Mobile Pantry program provided 10.7 million pounds of food, the equivalent of nearly 9 million meals.

In Grand Rapids, MI, this community day highlights local artisans and the goods they create. Attendees can talk with creators, hear the stories behind their work, and explore a range of one-of-a-kind handcrafted items all in one place. Admission is free, the atmosphere is suitable for families, and the event is open to everyone, offering a welcoming way to support independent local businesses.

A trail marked by pumpkins winds through the woods in a not-scary setting suitable for all ages. Complimentary donuts and cider are available, along with playful photo opportunities and activities for children. Music centered on Jesus sets the atmosphere. The entire experience is free for families at Algoma Baptist Church.

A free Magic: The Gathering Commander event at Galactic Toys & Games - Alpine brings the community together for games and learning. Participants who sign in receive a ticket for the nightly raffle. Community members are available to teach newcomers how to play.

Shop from local vendors at Godwin Mercado, where you can find a variety of fresh, locally grown food. The market takes place on Sundays and pauses on select holiday weekends.

This free barre3 Signature 45 class offers a total-body session that is gentle on the joints, combining strength work, cardio, and mindful movement to build practical fitness for everyday life. The sequence centers on moves that translate to daily activities, helping you feel balanced and strong from within. Please bring a yoga mat and water. A limited number of mats will be available from Godwin Mercado if needed.

Explore a selection of baby carriers in a free, hands-on session where you can try on different options and compare what feels comfortable. This session is focused on exploration and does not include personal fit assessments. Please RSVP through the ticket link to help plan for attendance.

A free Connect & Play Group at Stomping Grounds welcomes home school families to a supportive space for meeting others and building connections. The play area is designed for children ages 0 to 6, and older siblings are welcome as long as they are respectful and careful around younger children. After the group, families can stay for the remainder of the play session for $5 per child or $10 per family. Advance reservations are recommended to secure a spot, with capacity limited to 20 children. This gathering is sponsored by Dr. Carrie DeWolfe at Fresh Coast Optical.

Celebrate the completion of major improvements at Rondo Station Park and the Paul Henry Thornapple Trail with a community ribbon cutting ceremony hosted by the City of Kentwood. Upgrades at the park include new playground equipment, paved ADA-accessible parking, improved lighting, and new pathways, along with a bike repair station, a trail kiosk, a shaded shelter, expanded seating areas, and updated waste and recycling bins. These enhancements were supported by a 50% matching grant from the Michigan Natural Resources Trust Fund and the voter-approved City of Kentwood Parks, Trails & Recreation millage. City of Kentwood leadership will share remarks during the ceremony, and refreshments will be available afterward. Street parking is available along Gerda Street and at the end of Rondo Street, adjacent to the park.

Find a calm reset with a gentle yoga class held each week at Seymour Church in Grand Rapids. Suitable for newcomers and longtime practitioners, the session blends breathing, mindful movement, and relaxation to support overall wellness for body, mind, and spirit. Instruction is led by Jeff Brown, a Yoga Alliance RYT 200 certified teacher. The class operates on a donation basis with a suggested contribution of $5 to $10. Wear comfortable clothing you can move in, and bring a yoga mat, water, and any props you prefer, such as a block or strap. No advance sign-up is needed, and first-time attendees complete a quick registration upon arrival. Participants are encouraged to honor personal limits and follow the instructor’s cues and modifications. Please park in the lot on the south side of the church rather than the Alger Heights Business Association lot. For safety and to respect the flow of the practice, late arrivals cannot be accommodated.

The Lit Lounge Book Club celebrates Ominous October with a discussion of The Marsh King’s Daughter by Karen Dionne. Hosted by Kelly Hook Reads Books, the gathering begins with a casual arrival period, then moves into a focused conversation for adults. During the discussion, children spend time in a separate space with a Child Minder, enjoying play, reading, and their own monthly kid selection. Inkwell Archives will host a book fair offering copies of upcoming adult and kid picks for purchase. Admission details include complimentary entry for adults and infants in arms with no registration required. There is a $10 fee per child, and advance registration is needed to ensure Child Minder availability.

North Kent Connect's Fresh Connect food truck delivers free fresh and shelf-stable food along with onsite support to neighborhoods throughout northern Kent County. In collaboration with KDL, it reaches residents of Nelson, Spencer, and Tyrone Townships with a focus on dignity, warmth, and care. Built with families, older adults, and rural communities in mind, Fresh Connect goes beyond food access by linking people to mentoring, housing assistance, and other helpful resources. Everyone is welcome, whether stopping by for the first time or returning. Free.

Gazelle Sports welcomes Urban Herd to the 28th Street store for a lively, community-centered run and walk in Grand Rapids. Participants can choose a 3-mile run or a 1.5-mile walk along routes suited to all experience levels. The gathering is free and open to every pace and every person. Reconnect with fellow movers, enjoy the miles, and move with purpose as the herd comes together.

Galactic Toys Kentwood hosts a free Commander event. Attendees are asked to sign in using the MTG Companion app. Those interested in CEDH can be matched with a pod on request.

An in-person trivia game night at Main Event - Grand Rapids in Kentwood features an interactive format with a mix of rounds in every show, including image questions and a music segment, spanning topics from pop culture to history. Teams or individual players submit answers on their phones through a game link to earn points while a live Game Host keeps things moving. It is free to play, and prizes are awarded to top performers. Powered by Leaderboard Games, the atmosphere centers on friendly competition and plenty of laughs.