Events of July 24, 25, and 26, 2026

Friday, July 24

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.

161st Anniversary Concert. The Second Missionary Baptist Church Celestial Voices Choir presents a 161st Anniversary Concert – A Tribute to the Maestro Richard Smallwood. The Second Missionary Baptist Church (SMBC), located at 304 East Prospect Street, Jackson, Michigan 49203, will present an Anniversary Concert at 7:00pm on Friday, July 24, 2026. The concert—A Tribute to the Maestro Richard Smallwood, features the SMBC Celestial Voices Choir. This event commemorates the Second Missionary Baptist Church’s 161st Anniversary. The concert is free and open to the public. Rev. Darius L. Williams, Sr. is the pastor.  304 East Prospect Street, Jackson.  Free and open to the public.

8th Annual Southside Summerfest.  Fun filled weekend at Exchange Park, Jackson.  Today, kick off celebration with Bigman Genesis, Karaoke Kickback and R&B Sing-along.  Vendors, food and more!  6 PM to 9 PM.

Downtown Jackson Cruise In and Concert.  5 PM to 9 PM. Join us every 4th Friday from May through September.  Location: Downtown Jackson (W. Michigan Ave & S. Jackson St).  Classic Car Show: Hundreds of the region’s coolest rides.  Live Music: Free concerts at Horace Blackman Park and TRUE Community City Square.  Food & Drinks: 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.  Learn more at https://jacksondda.org.

The Musical “Annie” at Concord Area Players. 7 PM.  Leapin’ lizards! The popular comic strip heroine takes center stage in one of the world’s best-loved musicals. Annie is a spunky Depression-era orphan determined to find her parents, who abandoned her years ago on the doorstep of a New York City orphanage run by the cruel, embittered Miss Hannigan, the funniest villain this side of a Disney cartoon. In adventure after fun-filled adventure, Annie foils Miss Hannigan’s evil schemes, befriends President Franklin Delano Roosevelt and finds a new family and home in billionaire Oliver Warbucks, his personal secretary Grace Farrell and a lovable mutt named Sandy.  Western High School Performing Arts Center, 1400 S. Dearing Road, Parma.

Saturday, July 25

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.

Grow Jackson Oh Boy! Basil Festival – Redux. 11 AM to 1 PM. Calling all Backyard Basil Growers! It’s the first Grow Jackson  It’s inspired by the original warm and delightful Oh Boy, Basil! Festivals, held in the 1980’s, at Fox Hill Farm in Parma, MI, USA – hugely attended community days hosted by nationally renowned herbalist and author Marilyn Hampstead!  From seed to sauce – grow it, taste it, take it home! Learn from farmers and growers – and from Marilyn herself! – how their basil came to be; hear talk about growing and preserving herbs; and tell about your experiences in growing basil in your yard, balcony, windowsill or wherever you harvest! Just bring your home grown basil and/or plant(s) to the Oh Boy, BASIL! Festival Redux on July 25, 2026 and share your knowledge with all who come. Be serious, be nonchalant, be funny, have fun.  River & Rail Farm Stop, at 137 W. North St., Jackson.

8th Annual Southside Summerfest. 11 AM to 6 PM.  Fun filled weekend at Exchange Park, Jackson.  Today, kids bouncy house and activities, live music, 3-on-3 Southside Basketball Tournament, Car and Bike Show, Vendors, Food, Music, Merchandise, and Community Organizations.

Family Fun Day.  12 PM to 4 PM.  Home of New Vision, 407 West Michigan Avenue, Downtown Jackson.  All free!  Petting zoo, bounce house, dunk tank, water slide, food and more!  Bring the whole family!

Cascades Rotary Bandshell Summer Concert Series.  7 PM.  Spend your summer Saturdays with us at our FREE Concert Series, proudly sponsored by Alro Plastics! Every week brings a new vibe — from local legends and fresh new bands to solo artists and big groups, rocking everything from country and rock to soul and blues. When the concert ends, keep the night going- head over to the Cascade Falls and catch the Grand Light Show — the perfect way to wrap up a summer evening.  Tonight’s concert by Jon Torrence.

The Musical “Annie” at Concord Area Players. 7 PM.  Leapin’ lizards! The popular comic strip heroine takes center stage in one of the world’s best-loved musicals. Annie is a spunky Depression-era orphan determined to find her parents, who abandoned her years ago on the doorstep of a New York City orphanage run by the cruel, embittered Miss Hannigan, the funniest villain this side of a Disney cartoon. In adventure after fun-filled adventure, Annie foils Miss Hannigan’s evil schemes, befriends President Franklin Delano Roosevelt and finds a new family and home in billionaire Oliver Warbucks, his personal secretary Grace Farrell and a lovable mutt named Sandy.  Western High School Performing Arts Center, 1400 S. Dearing Road, Parma.

Sunday, July 26

8th Annual Southside Summerfest. 11 AM to 6 PM.  Fun filled weekend at Exchange Park, Jackson.  Today, Jazz Brunch Live Concert (11AM to 12 PM), kids bouncy house and activities, live music, 3-on-3 Southside Basketball Tournament championship games (2 PM to 5 PM), Fashion Showcase with Greatness (3 PM).  Car and Bike Show (1 PM to 6 PM)  Vendors, Food, Music, Merchandise, and Community Organizations.

Cirque Amongus. Join us for a Cirque Amongus show – a surprising combination of comedy, circus skills, and audience participation. This display of teamwork and perseverance is guaranteed to amaze and delight all ages!  Grass Lake Middle School: July 26, 11 AM, Columbia Upper Elementary School: July 26, 2 PM, Hanover-Horton High School: July 26, 5 PM.  Registration required at https://tinyurl.com/4yrhwwd2  Part of the Summer Discover Series, Jackson District Library.

The Musical “Annie” at Concord Area Players.  3 PM.  Leapin’ lizards! The popular comic strip heroine takes center stage in one of the world’s best-loved musicals. Annie is a spunky Depression-era orphan determined to find her parents, who abandoned her years ago on the doorstep of a New York City orphanage run by the cruel, embittered Miss Hannigan, the funniest villain this side of a Disney cartoon. In adventure after fun-filled adventure, Annie foils Miss Hannigan’s evil schemes, befriends President Franklin Delano Roosevelt and finds a new family and home in billionaire Oliver Warbucks, his personal secretary Grace Farrell and a lovable mutt named Sandy.  Western High School Performing Arts Center, 1400 S. Dearing Road, Parma.

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.