Today the beach is coming to the Zoo! Catch your favorite ocean characters, Moana, Ariel & Friends, as they help us celebrate and learn about the water and the many animals that live in it. Keep an eye out for educational activities, animal programs, keeper chats, and more!
Sip. Shop. Stroll. Third Thursdays is a multi-venue showcase of locally owned art galleries, retail spaces, restaurants, and cultural institutions along the free DASH shuttle route. It spans the neighborhoods of downtown Grand Rapids including Heartside, the Hotel District, Studio Park, and North Monroe. Each month over 25 participating venues will host special 3rd Thursday-only art […]
Spend your summer nights at John Ball Zoo's 21 and up concert series, Roaring Nights! Guests can stroll through the Zoo to see animal activities, while enjoying live music, craft beer and wines, specialty food, and no kids! Each Roaring Nights will feature a different live band. Earth Radio will be joining us on Thursday, […]
2 Million Diapers Donated CelebrationJune 23, 2023 * 6-9pmGrand Rapids Children's Museum Celebrate with the Great Start Parent Coalition of Kent County at GRCM! With the help of pantry partners, 2 MILLION DIAPERS have been donated to families in Kent County! Join us at the Grand Rapids Children's Museum for a FREE night of family-friendly […]
The Grand Rapids Children’s Museum invites you to the 4th Annual Let’s Play! Golf Outing. Please join us Monday, June 26th at Thornapple Pointe Golf Course. This fundraiser will help the Grand Rapids Children’s Museum continually provide funding by supporting our efforts to bring play to ALL children in our community through open-ended programs, exhibits, […]
These classes are for the community living in Heritage Hill, but everyone is welcome! KINSTRETCH is a body control practice. You'll learn how to move your body in new ways, improving strength, range of motion, and overall health and fitness. Bring a mat, water bottle, and yoga block if you have one. This class is […]
Spend your summer nights at John Ball Zoo's 21 and up concert series, Roaring Nights! Guests can stroll through the Zoo to see animal activities, while enjoying live music, craft beer and wines, specialty food, and no kids! Each Roaring Nights will feature a different live band. Mama's Hot Sauce will be joining us on […]
TWO ways to play & ONE grand prize. Indie Month celebrates the indie local businesses that make our community unique, vibrant and resilient. Celebrate the businesses you love for a chance to win!
Come beat the summer heat with our animals at John Ball Zoo! Our animals will cool down with ice treat enrichment, Anna, Elsa and friends will make an appearance, and we'll have some other frozen activities to help get through the hot summer days!
These classes are for the community living in Heritage Hill, but everyone is welcome! KINSTRETCH is a body control practice. You'll learn how to move your body in new ways, improving strength, range of motion, and overall health and fitness. Bring a mat, water bottle, and yoga block if you have one. This class is […]
Spend your summer nights at John Ball Zoo's 21 and up concert series, Roaring Nights! Guests can stroll through the Zoo to see animal activities, while enjoying live music, craft beer and wines, specialty food, and no kids! Each Roaring Nights will feature a different live band. Main Street Dueling Pianos will be joining us […]
The Local First Coffee Hour events are a casual opportunity to connect with member businesses, hear about our upcoming programs, and learn how to build an economy that puts people first. We host them monthly with the support of Bloom Credit Union. Host highlight: Hello Homes GR are a lot of things, such as Grand Rapids […]
Start your day off right having Breakfast with the Animals at John Ball Zoo! Breakfast will be served on the South American Boardwalk, followed by a guided tour to two animal exhibits of your choosing. One group will take a stroll through Natural Treasures and Spider Monkeys, while the other goes to hang out with […]
Sip. Shop. Stroll. Third Thursdays is a multi-venue showcase of locally owned art galleries, retail spaces, restaurants, and cultural institutions along the free DASH shuttle route. It spans the neighborhoods of downtown Grand Rapids including Heartside, the Hotel District, Studio Park, and North Monroe. Each month over 25 participating venues will host special 3rd Thursday-only art […]
Spend your summer nights at John Ball Zoo's 21 and up concert series, Roaring Nights! Guests can stroll through the Zoo to see animal activities, while enjoying live music, craft beer and wines, specialty food, and no kids! Each Roaring Nights will feature a different live band. Project 90 will be joining us on Thursday, […]
Join us for the 6th Annual “Day of Play” Celebration on July 30, 2023 from noon-4pm at the Grand Rapids Children's Museum in downtown Grand Rapids. This community outreach initiative began with a proclamation by Grand Rapids Mayor Rosalynn Bliss, and is designed to encourage children and families to celebrate PLAY! This year, we are closing […]
WGVU’s KidsDay at the Zoo is back on Thursday, August 3rd! Join WGVU Public Media, John Ball Zoo, and all of our supporting partners for a fantastic day at the […]
Spend your summer nights at John Ball Zoo’s 21 and up concert series, Roaring Nights! Guests can stroll through the Zoo to see animal activities, while enjoying live music, craft […]
John Ball Zoo is celebrating our Lions and other felines, you could even say it’s a feline festival! Check out all of the educational activities by your favorite felines. Authentic […]
Celebrate short films with the Open Projector Night series, a recurring cinematic event presenting the work of local, regional, and national filmmakers with a Michigan connection. Enjoy a diverse range […]
Amaze & Amuse is a modern day magic show that features comedy, mind blowing magic and lots of audience participation held in the 60 seat intimate Koning Micro Cinema at […]
The Local First Coffee Hour events are a casual opportunity to connect with member businesses, hear about our upcoming programs, and learn how to build an economy that puts people first. We host them monthly with the support of Bloom Credit Union. Host highlight: Cocoon Art Space, the artful, cozy, wondrous place, is a working a […]
On Sunday, August 13th, from 10 AM to 3 PM, 100+ vendors will feature art, crafts, and locally grown flowers at Fulton Street Market! During your visit, eat among concessions […]