After 55 Years, Grand Rapids' Festival of the Arts is No More

Many in the Grand Rapids art scene were shocked Saturday morning to receive a release from Festival of the Arts.

The festival was set to take place June 6-8, 2025.

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Unfortunately, Saturday morning's release announced that the festival will not be happening this year. And it won't be happening in the future, either.

Per the release, Festival of the Arts is "sunsetting and ceasing operations effective immediately."

The History of Festival of the Arts in Grand Rapids, Michigan

Festival of the Arts has been a long-standing tradition in downtown Grand Rapids, considered by some to be the official kickoff to summer.

The first Festival was held in 1970, and was the first ever festival to be held in downtown Grand Rapids. Since then, many other festivals have followed in its footsteps including the Grand Rapids Pride Festival, the Grand Rapids Asian Pacific Festival, the Grand Rapids Hispanic Festival, and more.

It's due to that growth, and more, that Festival has decided to cease operations. In the release, organizers said,

Festival sunsets to new horizons being created each year in Grand Rapids.

With the vibrant art scene in Grand Rapids, it wouldn't be surprising if another festival popped up in Festival of the Arts' place. But, that will take time and manpower, so it may be a few years before an art festival the caliber of Festival of the Arts takes place in downtown Grand Rapids again.