2025 is Grand Rapids' third year of Christkindl Markt.  I'd thought about going last year, but I wasn't free on the days it was open, so this was my first visit.  The Detroit News wrote about the growth of Christmas markets in Michigan.

The Grand Rapids market is much more lively than Holland's Kerstmarkt, with many more booths and many more people.

Seasonal drinks seemed to be the best-seller on a Saturday afternoon when I visited.  A good percentage of the crowd was either drinking from souvenir mugs or waiting in line to buy some.

There were a good variety of food choices... sausages, melted Raclette cheese on bread, pirogi, schnitzel on a stick, Bosnian pastries, and churros.

 

Other huts offered Christmas ornaments, cutting boards, and assorted gifts.

The weather was overcast and cool when I visited, but not really cold.  The middle aisle of the market is a covered drinking hall, for those looking to escape the weather.  The Christkindl Markt is connected to the Grand Rapids Downtown Market, which offered more food and drinks inside its heated building, as well as restrooms.

 

Christkindl Markt
435 Ionia Ave. SW
Grand Rapids, MI
49503 

Summer Events 2025

Although the solstice just passed, it feels like Kalamazoo is already fully into Summer.  West Michigan is a great place for biking, canoeing, hiking, and camping, or beachtime at Lake Michigan.  

  

Summer events near Kalamazoo

May 7- October 15 Summer Time Live 125 free concerts Kalamazoo and surroundings

July 2-6 Field of Flight: Air Show and Balloon Festival Battle Creek

July 25- August 3  Coast Guard Festival  Grand Haven

August 7-10  National Blueberry Festival South Haven

August 22-24 Hastings Summerfest Hastings

August 29- September 1 Lawrence Ox Roast Lawrence

Also consider:

50 fun things to do in Michigan this summer

West Michigan Summer Weekends

Kalamazoo Farmers Market

Michigan Fireworks Displays a comprehensive list of fireworks throughout the state

Kzoo Kids: 101 Summer fun ideas for families.

Gazelle Sports Events page (running and races)

Bike Friendly Kalamazoo's  Event listings

Event listings from Discover Kalamazoo

Events from West Michigan Tourist Association

Cleveland.com promotes Lake Michigan beach towns.

Beach Freaks guide to Michigan's Best Beaches

League of Michigan Bicyclist's Michigan Ride Calendar

West Michigan Coastal Kayaker's Association Event Calendar

Events calendar from Pure Michigan 

Best Beach Umbrellas from the Wirecutter

 

Peak wildflowers 2025?

 

 

 

Spring wildflowers are near their peak in Kalamazoo.  Both Dicentra species are in bloom (Squirrel Corn, show here, and Dutchman's breeches.)

Spring Beauty seemed a little later than most years, but they always live up to their name.

Trillium are just starting to bloom.  I saw more plants with only buds or just leaves than in full flower, but that will certainly change in the next few days.

I don't see Blue-eyed Mary as frequently, but it is really eye-catching where it does get established.

Spring 2025 Events near Kalamazoo

This Spring in Kalamazoo has alternated warm sunny days with snow and freezing temperature.  Soon it should be consistently warm enough for hiking, biking, or bird watching. Despite the cold a handful of early wildflowers are already blooming, but it will be a couple of weeks before they are in full display.  Even later morels will spring up.

Spring events near Kalamazoo

March 1- April 30 Butterflies are Blooming at Meijer Gardens Grand Rapids

April 7-22  Kalamazoo Earth Day events

April 26  free admission to the Kalamazoo Nature Center for Earth Day

April 19-27 National Park Week

May 10 Blossomtime Grand Floral Parade 1pm St Joseph - Benton Harbor

May 2-11 Tulip Time festival Holland 

May 10-17 Kalamazoo Bike Week Kalamazoo

May 17-18 The Kite Festival at Grand Haven Grand Haven

June 1 Kalamazoo Area Wild Ones Spring Plant Exchange Kalamazoo 

Also consider:

Vegetable planting dates

Bike Friendly Kalamazoo's  Event listings

Discover Kalamazoo's event listing
 
Gazelle Sports' calendar of West Michigan Races and Events

League of Michigan Bicyclists Michigan Bicycling Calendar  

Spring weekend getaways 

Events calendar from Pure Michigan