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

 

Winter 2024-5 Events near Kalamazoo

 While it feels like Kalamazoo is deep into Winter, with plenty of snow and Thanksgiving long over, we still have a few days before its official start.  It's the season for skiing and sledding, and skating, as well as local festivities to celebrate.

Winter Events near Kalamazoo

December 31, 2024 New Year's Eve Fest Kalamazoo

January 31- February 2, 2025  Icebreaker  South Haven

February 1-8 2025 Kalamazoo Beer Week Kalamazoo

February 15-16, 2025 Free Fishing Winter Weekend throughout Michigan

February 22, 2025 Winter Beer Festival Grand Rapids

March 1, 2025 Quiet Adventures Symposium East Lansing

Ongoing events
          Kerstmarkt Fridays and Saturdays (11/23 to 12/21/2024) Holland

          Christkindl Markt Wednesday-Sunday (11/15 to 12/23/2024) Grand Rapids

          Christmas Bird Count


See also

Kzoo Kids: Christmas Activities in Downtown Kalamazoo

Discover Kalamazoo's event listing
 
Gazelle Sports Races and running calendar

11 Unforgettable Winter Places in Michigan

West Michigan Winter Weekends

Events calendar from Pure Michigan

Sarrett Nature Center's Event calendar  Benton Harbor

 

Fall Events around Kalamazoo 2024

 

Labor Day marks the end of summer, even if the official season lasts a few more weeks.  September and October still have great weather for outdoor activities-- for camping, paddling, or a walk or bike ride.  Seasonal festivals celebrate Art, Sandhill Cranes, and harvest time.

Fall events around Kalamazoo

September Summer Time Live concerts continue through September Kalamazoo

September 6-8  Paw Paw Wine and Harvest Festival Paw Paw

September 7 Kalamazoo Scottish Festival Parchment

September 7-8 Grand Valley American Indian Pow Wow  Grand Rapids

September 13 - 28  Art Prize Grand Rapids

September 21 Fall Festival St. Joseph

September 29 Harvest Fest Vicksburg

September 27-28 Oktoberfest Grand Rapids

October 12-13 Cranefest Bellevue

October 10-13 Fennville Goose Festival Fennville

October  19-20 Arts and Eats Tour  Allegan, Barry, Calhoun, Kalamazoo, and Van Buren counties



Also consider:

SW Michigan Fall Festivals Guide from Kzoo Kids

8 Spots to Sip Cider, Pick Pumpkins, and Soak up Fall from Discover Kalamazoo

Fall Scenic Drives from Pure Michigan

Fall recommendations from 52 Michigan Weekends

Fresh apple cider from VerHages Cider Mill.

Fall walks and rides on the Kalamazoo River Valley Trail

Event listings from Discover Kalamazoo

Gazelle Sports' calendar of West Michigan Races and Events

League of Michigan Bicyclist's Michigan Ride Calendar

Sarrett Nature Center's Event calendar  Benton Harbor

         Events calendar from Pure Michigan

 

 

Summer Events 2024

 

With the fading crackle of fireworks, Kalamazoo is 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 1- September 25 Summer Time Live 118 free concerts Kalamazoo and surroundings

July 3-7 Field of Flight: Air Show and Balloon Festival Battle Creek

July 26- August 4  Coast Guard Festival  Grand Haven

August 8-11  National Blueberry Festival South Haven

August 23-25 Hastings Summerfest Hastings

August 30- September 3 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 

Sarrett Nature Center's Event list Benton Harbor

Best Beach Umbrellas from the Wirecutter

 

 

Early wildflowers

Wildflower season in Kalamazoo has begun!  I visited the Kalamazoo Nature Center this afternoon and was surprised by the number of species in flower.  Most of these weren't at their peak, with just a few individual plants in bloom and many more almost ready.  Hepatica may be at its peak and Harbinger of Spring has been blooming for a few weeks and may be past its peak, but the rest of these have plenty of season remaining.

Blue-eyed Mary

Dutchman's Breeches

Spring Beauty

Harbinger of Spring

Dutchman's Breeches

Yellow Trout Lily

I did see a few other flowering species.  Marsh Marigold was just getting started.  Rue anenome and Toothwort had plenty of flowers.  Skunk cabbage were mostly done blooming but a few plants still showed their mottled maroon buds (or spathes.)

The most exciting thing I saw was an otter swimming across the Kalamazoo River, but I had the wrong lens for a decent photo.

Spring Events 2024

Spring in Kalamazoo is a great time for hiking, biking, or bird watching.  Warmer temperatures bring wildflowers, morels and Spring events.

Spring events near Kalamazoo

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

March 25 Oberon Release Day, Bells Brewery, Kalamazoo

April 7-22  Kalamazoo Earth Day events

April 20  free admission to the Kalamazoo Nature Center for Earth Day

April 21 free admission to the Kellogg Biological Station for Earth Day 

April 20-28, National Park Week

May 11 Blossomtime Grand Floral Parade 1pm St Joseph - Benton Harbor

May 4-12 Tulip Time festival Holland 

May 11-18 Kalamazoo Bike Week Kalamazoo

May 18-19 The Kite Festival at Grand Haven Grand Haven

June 2 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

Sarrett Nature Center's Event list Benton Harbor

Spring weekend getaways 

Events calendar from Pure Michigan