May

Tulip Time - May 4-11, Holland - The annual celebration of Dutch culture and heritage in West Michigan features more than 6 million tulips on display, three parades, a carnival midway, local and national musical acts including The Oak Ridge Boys, plus Tulipalooza and plenty of Dutch dancing. General admission is free; concerts are extra.

Arts in Ada Festival - May 10, Ada - Join the Ada Council for the Arts under the trees on Bronson Street for a day of local artwork, food, live music, children's activities and dance. Free admission; opens at 9 a.m.

Grand Rapids Film Festival - May 15-19, Grand Rapids - The family-friendly film festival returns to a number of locations in downtown Grand Rapids, including the UICA and Rosa Parks Circle. Check out a wide range of local and national films and documentaries, along with workshops, networking opportunities and more.

Great Lakes Kite Festival - May 17-19, Grand Haven - Mackinaw Kites & Toys' hosts the annual event on the beaches of Grand Haven State Park that features giant kites and world-famous stunt kite fliers. Visitors can be bring their own kites or test-fly the newest kites on the manufacturers' fields, plus there are plenty of extra activities for kids. Free admission.

Fruitport Old Fashioned Days - May 22-27, Fruitport - Enjoy six days of carnival games, midway rides, music, fireworks, entertainment and food, just east of Muskegon. This year, check out a wild animals petting zoo, Corvette car show, a horseshoe tournament and more. Admission to most activities is free, with midway wristbands priced at $15 in advance.

Kidz Fun Fest at The Ballpark - May 24-26, Comstock Park - KIDZ BOP Kids will headline the all-new family fun festival at Fifth Third Ballpark. The pay-one-price admission of $12.00 includes live entertainment, rides, games, activities, food and fun.

Memorial Day Rib Fest - May 24-25, Grand Haven - Returning for an 8th year, the outdoor event in downtown Grand Haven will have two days of live entertainment, music and ribs.

June

Local First Street Party - June 1, Grand Rapids - It's the 10th anniversary of the celebration of local food, local beer, and local music held in front of Bistro Bella Vita downtown. Starting at 3 p.m., bands like Step Dad, Crane Wives and The Concussions will take the stage, plus local vendors and food trucks will provide the street cuisine. Free general admission.

Local First Street Party - June 1, Grand Rapids - It's the 10th anniversary of the celebration of local food, local beer, and local music held in front of Bistro Bella Vita downtown. Starting at 3 p.m., bands like Step Dad, Crane Wives and The Concussions will take the stage, plus local vendors and food trucks will provide the street cuisine. Free general admission.

Feast of the Strawberry Moon - June 7-8, Grand Haven - Harbor Island in Grand Haven hosts the annual 18th Century living history event that re-creates life from 1760-1820, when fur trading was West Michigan's primary industry. This family event includes games for kids, candle making, a tomahawk throw, military battles and 18th c. food and entertainment.

Festival of the Arts - June 7-9, Grand Rapids - GR's largest annual outdoor event is back for a 44th year to honor the arts in West Michigan. Dozens of food and artist booths stretch from Calder Plaza to Rosa Parks Circle and local musicians and dancers perform on six outdoor stages. This year, the Regional Arts Competition makes the move to the UICA. The completely free community festival is supported by the efforts of more than 20,000 local volunteers.

Three Fires Traditional Pow Wow - June 7-9, Grand Rapids - Celebrate Native American heritage at Riverside Park with traditional dancing, craft vendors and food booths. Admission is free to the family-friendly and alcohol-free festival.

Hatter Days Street Party - June 8, Holland - New Holland Brewing's annual street party on College between 8th & 9th in downtown Holland will have live music, food specials, beer demos, a daredevil circus and plenty of high-jinx and hilarity.

B-93 Birthday Bash - June 8-9, Martin - B-93.7's annual two-day outdoor concert returns to the US 131 Motorsports Park in Martin. Headliners include Billy Currington, Gary Allen, Hunter Hayes, Uncle Kracker and Lee Brice. Free general admission tickets are available for pick-up at participating locations.

Rogue River Blues Series - June 11-Aug. 13, Rockford - The Garden Club Park Stage in downtown Rockford hosts the local live music series on Tuesday evenings during the summer, beginning at 7 p.m. Admission is free.

Spring Lake Heritage Festival - June 12-16, Spring Lake - The nearly week-long festival hosted by Grand Haven's eastern neighbor will have a classic car show, library book sale, farmers market, live music at the point, flea market, beer tent, village-wide garage sale, fireworks, Civil War Cemetery walk and more. Admission to most events is free.

Waterfront Film Festival - June 13-16, South Haven - Making the move to South Haven this year, one of the nation's biggest film festivals will showcase outstanding independent films from around Michigan and the U.S. The casual and volunteer-run festival routinely attracts well-known actors, producers and directors from L.A., who often host seminars and question-and-answer sessions and debut films. Weekend passes and individual screening tickets available.

Lowell Showboat Sizzling Summer Concert Series - June 13-Aug. 22, Lowell - The ten-week Thursday evening summer concert series at the Riverwalk Plaza in downtown Lowell features local musicians from 7 p.m. until 9 p.m., along wiith free admission and parking. Concessions located nearby.

Muskegon Heights Festival - June 13-15, Muskegon Heights - The community event at Rowan Park kicks off with "Gospel Celebration Day" on Thursday, followed by a parade, food vendors, arts and crafts, the carnival midway and Blues and R & B concerts during the rest of the weekend.

Start of Summer Celebration - June 14-16, Rockford - Downtown Rockford is transformed into an outdoor celebration of summer with a carnival midway, rides, games, food, live music, shopping, a beer tent, a juried arts & crafts show and more. The annual fireworks display always attracts a large crowd. Free admission.

Buttermilk Jamboree - June 14-16, Delton - The music festival returns to Circle Pines Center in Delton near Gun Lake and will celebrate traditional and progressive arts with an emphasis on social justice, cooperation and sustainability. Rusted Root will headline with local performers including The Crane Wives, Drew Nelson and Ralston Bowles. Ticket prices vary.

Taste of Muskegon - June 14-15, Muskegon - Sample selections from some of the best restaurants and bakeries around Muskegon while raising money for Downtown Muskegon Now. General admission is free, food samples are $1-$5 each and craft beer and wine tastes are $1.

West Michigan Chalk Art Festival - June 14-15, Byron Center - Artists of all ages are invited to bring their chalk to 84th & Byron Center and showcase their creativity and imagination while competing for the Chalk Awards. Registration cost is $30 and participants have the opportunity to walk away with $1,000 in cash for winning 1st place.

Rock the Block - June 15, Grand Rapids - The Madison Square neighborhood on GR's SE side will feature local food, live entertainment on the main stage, community resources, giveaways and activities for families and children of all ages. Free.

Reeds Lake Art Festival - June 15, East Grand Rapids - The popular annual festival on Wealthy Street and Lakeside Drive is sponsored by Grand Valley Artists and features dozens of Michigan and Great Lakes-area artist booths from 9 a.m.- 5 p.m. Admission is free; open rain or shine.

West Michigan Pride Festival - June 15, Grand Rapids - Now in its 25th year, Pride Festival has moved to Calder Plaza and will have local vendors, food, a beer tent and live music from 1 p.m. to 11 p.m. Admission is $1 for adults, free for kids. The all-new Parade of Pride will follow on Sunday.

BizBaz (Eastown Bizarre Bazaar) - June 22, Grand Rapids - The quirky annual Eastown event will have a wide variety of hand-made arts and crafts created by local artists, plus live music and a chance to sample the best of the neighborhood restaurants. Free admission; runs 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Founders Fest - June 22, Grand Rapids - G. Love & Special Sauce will headline Founders' Celebration of Beer and Music. Eight other bands will also perform throughout the afternoon and evening. Tickets are $20 in advance, $25 at the door.

Beach Survival Challenge - June 22, Grand Haven - Participants in this team-driven event spend a day at the Grand Haven State Park playing sand soccer, ultimate frisbee and tug-of-war and running through the Ultimate Beach Survival Obstacle Course, all while learning beach and pier safety. Middle school through adult divisions offered; fee charged per team.

Electric Forest Festival - June 27-30, Rothbury - The evolution of Rothbury returns for a third year to the Double JJ Ranch with headlining musical acts like The String Cheese Incident, Pretty Lights and Krewella, plus state-of-the-art light displays, The Sherwood Forest, a pop-up restaurant, artful touches and more. Weekend passes are $259.

Grand Haven Art Festival - June 29, Grand Haven - The annual juried show lines Washington Avenue with 150 artist booths displaying fine art, drawings, pottery, jewelry, photography and stained glass and more. The event will also have live music and food concessions. Admission is free.