Events of May 1, 2, and 3, 2026

Friday, May 1

Opening Day – Grand River Farmers Market Downtown Market. 9 AM to 2 PM. Grow Jackson invites you to OPENING DAY of the Grand River Farmers Market at the downtown pavilion. Come on down and reconnect… We’ve got dozens of your favorite vendors ready to go with seasonal fruits & veggies, flowers, beef, chicken, eggs, pork, cheeses, honey, syrup, pasta, dairy, artisan breads, mushrooms, granola, microgreens, tea, jams, pestos, sweets, coffee, soups, ready-to-eat hot foods, sandwiches, snacks, natural home, plants, health and beauty products, even pet treats – plus a few true artisans for a little retail therapy! The Jackson District Library returns – they’ll be with us each Friday, so bring your library card, and if you don’t have one – they can get you one! 10:00 – 1:00, The Velascos, featuring Lanni, make their musical debut. Cookin’ with Beans will be bringing the breakfast burritos and tacos for lunch – a small truck with huge flavor! We can’t wait to be back – hope to see you downtown Friday, May 1!

Shredded Party. 10:30 AM to 1:30 PM. Now that tax season is over, bring your documents for secure shredding! Drop by Richmond Brothers anytime during these hours. Whiskey Jack’s BBQ food truck will be on-site 11 am-1:30 pm if you’d like to grab a delicious lunch, too! Richmond Brothers, 3568 Wildwood Avenue, Jackson.

Jackson County Student Art Show. Join us for the 11th Annual Jackson County Student Art Show! This inspiring showcase features artwork from over 20 schools, with students in grades K–12 displaying their incredible creativity. The show spans the entirety of the mall, so be sure to take a stroll and soak it all in. We’ll also have light entertainment and refreshments on select days, making it the perfect time to come out, explore, and support local students and their beautiful art. During mall hours at Jackson Crossing Mall.

Artisans & Fleas Spring Market. 10 AM to 5 PM. Join us for Artisans & Fleas, a two-day outdoor market at the Jackson County Animal Shelter on May 1 & 2. Artisan, craft, flea, food, and pet-themed vendors are welcome. Affordable spaces, great exposure, and a great cause! 3370 Spring Arbor Road, Jackson.

Late Night Fridays at Sandhill Crane Vineyards. 6 PM to 9 PM. Join us in the vineyard, on the porch, and at our family-owned winery for live music every Friday from May through October! Music plays on the porch (weather permitting) 6-9pm every Friday, with last call at 9:30 and close at 10pm! May 1st- JP Peters. 4724 Walz Road, Jackson.

Kevin Krieger Live at Ironbark. 7 PM to 10 PM. The local sax legend returns to Ironbark with his jazzy takes on classic hits, with healthy a healthy dose of funk too! 2610 Kibby Road, Jackson.

Honky Tonk House Band at the Honky Tonk. Get ready for a night built to keep the dance floor moving and the drinks flowing. The Honky Tonk House Band is bringing a high-energy mix of country, rock, classic rock, and Top 40 hits with a rotating lineup of killer musicians every other Friday. No two shows are exactly the same, which is more than can be said for most people’s playlists. 151 West Michigan Avenue, Downtown Jackson.

Saturday, May 2

Career Center Annual Plant Sale. Get your gardens ready! The Jackson Area Career Center will be opening its greenhouses for the 18th annual Agriscience/FFA Plant and Flower Sale on Saturday, May 2 and Saturday, May 9, from 8am – 12pm. A variety of annuals, perennials, herbs, vegetables and hanging baskets will be available for purchase. The complete variety list and pricing can be found at www.jacc-mi.net. Customers will follow a new traffic flow due to ongoing construction on campus to help limit the amount of people entering the sale. Students will be available to help people grab baskets, carry plants and load purchases in vehicles. The Career Center greenhouses are located at 6800 Browns Lake Road in Jackson, across from Jackson College. Cash and credit/debit will be accepted. For more information on the plant sale, contact 517-768-5107.

Grand River Farmers Market Ribbon Cutting. Join us for a special summer kickoff as we celebrate the Grand River Farmers Market in its new location at River & Rail Farm Stop, 137 W. North Street (old prison). Festivities begin at 9 AM followed by a special ribbon cutting at 11 AM. Enjoy more than 60 vendors, live music, food trucks, kids crafts and more!

MLK-CIA Community Clean Up Day. 8 AM to 12 PM. The Martin Luther King Corridor Improvement Authority presents Neighbors Helping Neighbors Event #6. 2-hour shifts between 8 AM and 12 PM. Meeting at Prospect Street and Cooper Street. Don’t hide, show your pride! Register here.

Free Comic Book Day. 10 AM to 4 PM. Every year on the first Saturday in May, comic shops across North America throw open their doors and give away FREE comics to anyone who walks in. Kids, longtime readers, first-timers, casual dabblers — if you’ve got hands, we’ve got comics. Founded on a simple truth — there’s a comic out there for everyone — Free Comic Book Day is all about discovery. New stories. New characters. New obsessions. And yes… walking out with free stuff. What to expect: FREE comic books (while supplies last), titles for all ages and interests, and a celebration of local comic shops as community hubs. Comics. Community. Free stuff. Come early. Bring friends. Leave with comics. Nostagia Ink, 139 S. Mechanic St., Jackson.

City of Jackson Spring Cleanup. 7:30 AM to 11:30 AM. It’s time for spring cleaning. The City of Jackson is hosting our annual Spring Cleanup Day, giving residents a free opportunity to dispose of unwanted household items and yard waste while helping keep our community clean. Join us Saturday, May 2, from 7:00–11:30 a.m. at one of two convenient drop-off locations. Department of Public Works (DPW) Operations Center, 521 Water St., and Nixon Park, 400 E. North Street. This event is free and open to City of Jackson residents only. Event page and details here.

Free Event and Lunch by Trail Life. 9 AM to 2 PM. This is a free community event for youth to experience outdoor activities (BB gun, duck ID, archery tag, RC flying, hiking, hunter safety, Michigan DNR, Fire/Police/Ambulance tours and more.) Plan for 1.5 hours to see all the exhibitors. Gifts, T shirts, and an entry prize are given to the first 150 youth attending. A free lunch is also provided. A grand prize drawing takes place at 1 PM, you must be present to win. Rod Mills Park, 3300 West Parnall Road, Jackson. Troop is charted through Jackson First Church of the Nazarene.

Detroit Breakdown – J. Geils Experience. 8 PM. Get ready for a high-energy night of classic rock as Detroit Breakdown – The J. Geils Band Experience brings the sound, swagger, and excitement of a vintage J. Geils Band concert to the historic Michigan Theatre of Jackson. This electrifying tribute recreates the raw, party-atmosphere that made J. Geils Band concerts legendary. From driving grooves and blistering guitar riffs to wailing harmonica and a pounding rhythm section, every moment captures the spirit of one of rock’s most exciting live bands. Fans will hear the classic hits they know and love, including “Centerfold,” “Love Stinks,” “Must of Got Lost,” “Give It to Me,” “Freeze Frame,” and more. The band delivers the blues-soaked rock, high-energy performances, and crowd-pumping moments that defined the J. Geils Band’s unforgettable live shows. Tickets and info here.

Sunday, May 3

Best of Belles Concert. 3 PM. The Music Ministry of Jackson First United Methodist Church invites the community to a special afternoon of music and celebration at the “Best of Belles” 20th Anniversary Concert on Sunday, May 3 at 3:00 PM. Originally formed in 2006 as an eight-voice women’s ensemble, Belle Canto—meaning “Beautiful Song”—has spent two decades enriching worship through powerful, moving vocal music. Now a nine-voice ensemble, Belle Canto continues to be a cornerstone of the church’s music ministry, known for its excellence, harmony, and heartfelt expression of faith. This milestone concert will feature a curated collection of the ensemble’s most beloved anthems from the past 20 years—pieces that have shaped worship experiences and left a lasting impact on the congregation and community alike. The celebration will also include performances by the Journeymen vocal ensemble, as well as selections from the church’s Chancel Choir. In a special highlight, the ensembles will join for collaborative pieces, creating a rich and dynamic musical experience that reflects the depth and unity of the church’s music ministry. The “Best of Belles” concert is free and open to the public, and all are invited to attend. Following the performance, guests are encouraged to stay for refreshments and fellowship in the Fellowship Hall. 275 West Michigan Avenue, Downtown Jackson.