Summer is littered with festivals and concerts that help make the Lansing area a vibrant place, even though school isn’t in session.
This summer will feature some of the annual events people have come to know and love, along with a one-night concert experience that is sure to leave people talking.
East Lansing Art Festival
May 21-22
More than 200 artists from across North America head to East Lansing to kick off the summer festival season.
This year will mark the 48th year of the East Lansing Art Festival, and festival coordinator Corinn VanWyck said this year’s event is certain to have something for everyone.
“We have an exhibition and marketplace with over 200 fine art and craft persons,” VanWyck said. “We have two stages, outdoor and live music that are quite eclectic and free (along with) a children’s area and an international-style food court.”
VanWyck also said the success of the festival has a lot to do with the atmosphere surrounding the art as those in attendance have a chance to interact with the artists.
The festival takes place from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Saturday and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Sunday.
East Lansing Summer Concert Series
June 10 to August 6, every Friday and Saturday
The city of East Lansing will host live concerts across seven weekends featuring some of the best musical talent in the area.
“The Summer Concert Series is a smaller event that attracts between 300 and 500 people that come down with their families and go out to eat,” East Lansing’s community events coordinator Ami Van Antwerp said. “A lot of people bring their own chairs or blankets with them for the event, and there’s lots of people that were just in the area and stopped by to hear the music.”
Friday’s concerts will take place at Fountain Square, on the corner of Albert Street and M.A.C. Avenue, from 7-9 p.m. Saturday’s concerts will be held at Ann Street Plaza, located on the corner of Ann and Charles streets, from 7-9 p.m.
Summer Solstice Jazz Festival
June 17-18
The Wharton Center for Performing Arts, the MSU College of Music and the city of East Lansing will team up to offer a two-day ode to jazz in the heart of downtown East Lansing.
Two-time Grammy-nominated pianist and composer Taylor Eigsti and 18-year-old phenom Grace Kelly will headline the festival.
“The Summer Solstice Jazz Festival is a much bigger event (than the summer concert series),” Van Antwerp said. “It’s all under a big tent, and we have multiple performances happening at once.”
Performances will take place from 4:30-10:30 p.m. on both Friday and Saturday.
U2 at Spartan Stadium
June 26
One of the most anticipated events of the summer is the rescheduled U2 concert, 7 p.m. June 26 at Spartan Stadium.
Originally scheduled for last summer, the concert was forced to reschedule due to lead singer Bono’s emergency back surgery.
The Irish rock band is one of the most popular and successful bands of all time, selling more than 145 million albums and winning 22 Grammy Awards.
Common Ground Music Festival
July 11-17
This seven-day festival will bring big-name musicians to East Lansing, including Melissa Etheridge, Lynyrd Skynyrd, Rick Springfield and Trey Songz.
Malinda Barr, media coordinator and spokesperson for the festival, said the location offers a variety of things for people to do while enjoying the music.
“It takes place in the downtown area, so there are lots of things to do,” she said.
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“Shopping, bars, restaurants, the river, there are a lot of different things that play into it, and listening to music is one of the best things to do outside, and we’ve got the corner on that.”
The festival takes place at Adado Riverfront Park, 300 N. Grand Ave., with gates opening at 5:30 p.m. every day.
Great Lakes Folk Festival
Aug. 12-14
This unique festival mixes art, music and workshops in a county fair atmosphere with activities and entertainment for patrons of all ages.
Nearly 100 musicians and dancers are expected to perform across four stages. The festival will also feature a variety of food and craft vendors.
The festival will take place from 6-10:30 p.m. Friday, noon to 10:30 p.m. Saturday, and noon to 6:00 p.m. Sunday.
