Events of August 28, 29, and 30, 2026

Friday, August 28

Grand River Farmers Market at the Downtown Pavilion. 9 AM to 2 PM.  On Fridays, you can visit the Grand River Farmer’s Market at the downtown pavilion, located in the parking lot of Grand River Brewery. The Friday market is open from 9 am until 2 pm.  With familiar faces, seasonal produce, and local makers, the market is a vibrant place to shop, connect, and support our local farmers. As we look ahead, Grow Jackson is focused on expanding access to local food, creating year-round opportunities, and making every market visit a fun and meaningful experience for all.

American 1 Summer Sale.  11 AM to 8 PM.  Over 300 vehicles to choose from!  Chance to win your first month’s payment.  American 1 Event Center at Keeley Park.

Downtown Jackson Cruise Night. 5 PM to 9 PM.  Join the Jackson Downtown Development Authority for our monthly Classic Car Show featuring hundreds of the region’s coolest rides.  Enjoy local food trucks and grab a drink to go within our Social District.  Grab your lawn chairs, invite your friends, and let’s make the 2026 season the best one yet.

JSO Summer Pops Concert.   7 PM.  The Jackson Symphony Orchestra is proud to announce patriotic pops, a FREE concert to take place on Friday, August 28 at 7:00 PM, at Horace Blackman Park with a secondary performance in Albion at the Victory Park Bandshell in honor of America 250 on Sunday. This summer we’ll pay tribute to America and its steadfast strength in the face of hardship with a mixture of marches, film scores, and iconic works. These pieces are all composed by American composers including music by Aaron Copland, John Philip Sousa and John Williams. The concert is free but you can purchase VIP tickets for $30 (Horace Blackman Park only) which includes a pre-concert reception, special seating and one drink ticket. General Admission: FREE. VIP: $30 Adults, $15 Students. VIP available for the Jackson performance only.  VIP tickets include access to a pre-concert reception at 6:00 PM in Weatherwax Hall with hors d’oeuvres, and a selection of beer, wine, and soft drinks. VIP guests will also enjoy reserved seating in the park and access to the JSO’s indoor restrooms during the event. Doors Open at 6:00 PM.  Weatherwax Hall (215 W. Michigan Ave. Jackson, MI 49201).  VIP Tickets here.

The Trio – Live Jazz at Ironbark. 7 PM to 10 PM.  Join us for a special evening of jazz and original music from The Trio! Expect top notch talent, epic performances, and unique improvisation!  2610 Kibby Road, Jackson.

2026 Textile Exhibit. Presented by the Albion Arts Center.  Doors open 11 AM to 2 PM.  Exhibit runs through August 29th with showings on Thursday and Fridays from 4 to 7 PM and Saturdays from 11 AM to 2 PM.  Located at 107 East Cass Street, Albion.

Saturday, August 29

Grand River Farmers Market at River & Rail. 9 AM to 2 PM.  The Grand River Farmer’s Market is now open on Saturdays from 9 am until 2 pm at the NEW River & Rail Farm Stop, at 137 W. North St., Jackson, MI 49202 (located inside the walls of the Historic State Prison near Art 634). Plenty of parking! Entertainment and multiple vendors.  With familiar faces, seasonal produce, and local makers, the market is a vibrant place to shop, connect, and support our local farmers. As we look ahead, Grow Jackson is focused on expanding access to local food, creating year-round opportunities, and making every market visit a fun and meaningful experience for all.

ARTPOP ’26. 11 AM to 9 PM.  Get ready for ARTPOP ’26 in the Ogma Beer Garden THE HOLLOW – an incredible event filled with art, music, and good vibes!  Join us on August 29, 2026 at Ogma Brewing Co. for a day filled with Art, Music, and Community! Come sip some Ogma beer, enjoy live music, and immerse yourself in the vibrant art scene we have curated for Jackson. Don’t miss out on one of our favorite days of the year!  Tickets, vendor and entertainment lineup on the event page here.

Renaissance Faire at Sandhill Crane Vineyards.  12 PM to 8 PM.  Join us in costume for a Ren Faire at the winery! We’ll have vendors, live music, and lots of wine, mead, and beer to add to the spirit of Faire season! Both days there will be sword fights, a stockade, fortune tellers, trinket trading, live music and more! Don’t forget your ren faire garb!  4724 Walz Road, Jackson.  Event page here.

Pride Family Picnic. 11 AM to 2 PM.  Horace Blackman Park in Downtown Jackson. This picnic is designed to be completely free, low-barrier, and focused purely on joy, connection, and peer support for our LGBTQ+ community and allies. Come join your neighbors, family, and friends for a beautiful, fun-filled afternoon in the park! This free community event is all about bringing us together to relax, connect, and celebrate who we are. Please RSVP at mijacksonpride.org/events.   A complimentary meal will be provided to the first 150 to RSVP. Please RSVP at mijacksonpride.org/events.  Enjoy uplifting music in the park while you eat and socialize. Community Vibes: A welcoming, inclusive space where LGBTQ+ people and our allies are supported and connected.

Mann House Historical Designation Ceremony.  2 PM.  The Jackson County Michigan Historical Society invites the public to the dedication of the new Michigan Historical Marker honoring the historic Mann House on Saturday, August 29, 2026, at 2:00 p.m. at 205 Hanover Street in Concord. Join us as we celebrate this important piece of Michigan’s heritage. The ceremony is free and open to the public, and all are welcome to attend.

Sunday, August 30

Renaissance Faire at Sandhill Crane Vineyards.  12 PM to 6 PM.  Join us in costume for a Ren Faire at the winery! We’ll have vendors, live music, and lots of wine, mead, and beer to add to the spirit of Faire season! Both days there will be sword fights, a stockade, fortune tellers, trinket trading, live music and more! Don’t forget your ren faire garb!  4724 Walz Road, Jackson.  Event page here.

Swingin’ at the Shell Summer Concert Series.  6 PM.    For more than two decades, the Swingin’ at the Shell concert series has brought families, friends, and music lovers together at Albion’s historic Victory Park Bandshell. What began as a community initiative supported by Caster Concepts has grown into one of Southern Michigan’s longest-running free outdoor concert traditions. Tonight, Jackson Symphony Orchestra, *An Evening of Symphonic Music Under the Stars*. All performances begin at 6:00 p.m. at the historic Victory Park Bandshell, Veterans Way, Albion, Michigan.  Free!  Bring a lawn chair!

Concord Farmers Market. Sundays, 11am-2pm, June – October.  Gottschalk Park, 420 Homer Rd, Concord.  The Concord Farmers’ Market exists to cultivate community, support local growers and makers, and increase access to fresh food and meaningful goods.