Meijer Gardens is the Place to See Autumn on Full Fall Display
It’s that time of year when cool autumn days start to blow in and fall activities begin to call. But where to begin? While there’s no shortage of options on West Michigan’s Fall Activity List, we’ve got a shortcut for you.
If live music, great food, a magical lighted forest, inviting mums, family fun, and glowing pumpkins sound good, then grab your shacket, pack up the family and head to Meijer Gardens this fall.
Read on to find out how you can enter to WIN four tickets to Meijer Gardens so you can experience fall firsthand.
At just the cost of regular admission, this is the cool fall experience you didn’t know you were missing!
Fall at Frederik Meijer Gardens
Fall Dreams Come True on Tuesday Nights at Meijer Gardens
If you’re in the market for fall fun-tivities, Tuesday Nights in October at Meijer Gardens is the place to be.
Fall treats? Yep
Live music? Check
Pumpkin carving? You bet
Lawn games? Oh yeah
Leaf peeping? Technically you can do this anytime at Meijer Gardens in the fall, but you don’t wanna miss how they look all lit up at night.
Glow Garden in the Forest
Yep, you read that right, the Gwen Frostic Woodland Shade Garden gets a glow-up every Tuesday night in October.
Just as dusk is settling in, warm fantastical lights illuminate the treetops, while carved pumpkins and logs glow below.
This is where Meijer Gardens shines the spotlight on some of its oldest trees, like beech and sugar maple, bathing them in colorful lights.
The pathway, sprinkled with local artists’ intricate hand-etched pumpkins, makes it feel like you’re walking through a page of a storybook.
This experience is too enchanting to miss. Catch Glow Garden every Tuesday night in October from 5 – 9 PM.
Foot-Tapping Live Music
Live bands both at Michigan’s Farm Garden and at the Amphitheater keep the atmosphere buzzing.
With bands like The Jordan Hamilton Trio and Full Chord, expect a musical mix ranging from catchy tunes to a fusion of funk, rock, and blues.
Adult Beverages & Food Pop-Up: Treat Yourself!
Hungry? Thirsty?
At the Amphitheater, choose from local fresh fare, along with West Michigan beers, hot cider and adult cocktails. Because what’s an autumn evening without a glass of something to warm you up?
You’ll also find a variety of local food trucks at the Farm Garden sure to satiate your autumn treat cravings.
WIN Glow Night Tickets
We’re giving one lucky reader four (4) tickets to Frederik Meijer Gardens!
Immerse yourself in a world of wonder and awe. Picture your family strolling through a luminous forest, surrounded by captivating lights and artistry, while enjoying live music and savoring delectable food.
Prize: Family 4-Pack of tickets
Glow Nights are Tuesday, October 1, 8, 15, 22 and 29: 5–8:30 PM.
Tickets do not have to be used on a Tuesday.
Enter Here
FINE PRINT: This giveaway will close on October 9, 2024, at 11PM EST and the winner will be notified via email. The winner will have 24 hours to respond by email accepting the prize. No purchase necessary to enter the contest. These tickets expire on December 31, 2024. This promotion is in no way sponsored, endorsed or administered by, or associated with, Facebook. You are providing your information to grkids.com and not to Facebook. Entrants will release Facebook from all liability. Entrants must be at least 18 years of age and reside in Michigan. Only one entry per household or IP address. GRKIDS’ liability is limited to the value of the prize.
Fall Fun at the Farm
Keep those cozy autumn vibes going at Michigan’s Farm Garden.
The farm plays host to food trucks, live acoustic music, and pumpkin carving demonstrations. Don’t forget to try your hand at one of the lawn games!
While you’re there be sure to seek out the impossibly oversized pumpkins.
Aren’t these pumpkins just begging for your kids to sit on them? Such photogenic gourds.
Don’t miss out on the chance to watch the pumpkin carving demonstration. This isn’t your average Jack-O-Lantern; think of it as pumpkin art, coming alive right before your eyes. More on one of the artists below.
Artist’s Corner: Meet Alynn Guerra
Definitely find time to watch Alynn Guerra showcase her masterful pumpkin carving skills.
You can’t talk about the Glow Garden or the incredible pumpkin carvings at Meijer Gardens without shining a spotlight on the print-making artist behind it all.
Alynn has been hand-etching pumpkins for Meijer Gardens for the past few years. Additionally, she painted a large outdoor mural as part of the 49507 project.
Alynn discovered her passion for art and found her true calling in printmaking after learning about the politics of food in 2002. Her works are both eye-catching and meaningful.
She has an online shop where you can snag some of her prints on t-shirts. (We got a kick out of The Skeleton Bike Team design!) Alynn also has an Etsy Store – it’s a great place to grab some of her work in sticker form. Keep up with her busy event schedule, too.
Aside: We’re pretty excited that FMG has chosen to work with local artists when it comes to events like this. It’s just another way that GR is growing and supporting artists.
Flower Show: An Endless Chrysanthemum Display
As if all this wasn’t enough, the event coincides with FMG’s Mums at Meijer Gardens exhibition. This is the largest display of its kind in Michigan, and gets the entire month of October to shine.
This is where you’ll see walls covered from top to bottom with bright, bushy chrysanthemums, grouped to look like big, flowy tapestries.
And get this: there are even flower “balls” hanging in the air, like floating mini-gardens!
This year’s colors are warm and cozy—perfect for fall.
Deep reds, soft blush pinks, creamy whites, and pops of orange carefully chosen to make the whole place feel connected and harmonious.
This is one flower show that can’t be contained — it’s everywhere you look! There are mums inside climbing walls and making patterns, as well as mums outside greeting friends both old and new.
From the colors to the shapes to the way they’re all arranged, it’s clear that a lot of thought went into making this chrysanthemum display something special.
If you’re a fan of flowers or just want a cozy, colorful place to wander this fall, you won’t want to miss this month-long display of mums.
Children’s Garden Celebrates Autumn
The celebrations continue at Lena Meijer Children’s Garden with stories, activities, and even a parade!
Lena Meijer Children’s Garden activities are included with admission. Registration not required. Please dress for the weather. All activities take place outdoors.
Fall Storytime
Mondays, September 2–October 21: 10:30 AM
Enjoy a special fall-themed storytime in the crisp autumn air.
Fall Family Day
September 28: 1 PM – 4 PM
Expect family-friendly activities and lots of fall fun.
Backpack Adventures
Wednesdays, September 4–October 30: 10:30 AM
Have awesome adventures learning about animals, maps and seeds.
Check their website for suggested supplies to bring along. But don’t worry – if you forget, they’ll have extras.
Hallowee-Ones
October 28: 10 AM –12 PM
Parade begins at 10:30 AM
Dress yourself and your child as a character that highlights the Lena Meijer Children’s Garden.
Come enjoy a host of Halloween-themed activities. Participate in a costume parade, then celebrate Halloween with your wee ones as you listen to Halloween-themed stories and go on a Halloween Hunt.
FMG Autumn Nights Dates & Times
Frederik Meijer Gardens
1000 E Beltline Ave NE, Grand Rapids, MI
Tuesday Night Autumn Celebrations: Tuesday evenings in October
- October 1, 8, 15, 22, & 29
- Glow Garden: 5-9 PM
- Amphitheater: 5-9 PM (Live music and concessions)
- Farm Garden: Food trucks 5-8 PM, Pumpkin carving demonstration 6-7 PM, Live music starts at 6:45
Mums at Meijer Gardens
October 1-31, 2024: An annual celebration of autumn, Mums at Meijer Gardens is the largest of its kind in Michigan, featuring expansive fall foliage and family-friendly activities.
Admission Info
Good news—no special ticket is needed to see the Glow Garden or Mums at Meijer Gardens displays. The events and displays are included with your regular Meijer Gardens admission or membership.
Hours and Pricing
Pro tip: Meijer Gardens is open from 9 AM – 9 PM on Tuesdays. Come early, around 4:30 PM, to get yourself situated before the fun starts.
| 2024 Hours | |
|---|---|
| Monday, Wednesday – Saturday | 9 AM – 5 PM |
| Tuesday | 9 AM – 9 PM |
| Sunday | 11 AM – 5 PM |
| 2024 Pricing | |
|---|---|
| Adults (14 – 64) | $20 |
| Seniors (65+) and students with ID | $15 |
| Children (3 – 13) | $10 |
| Museums for All | $2 |
| Children age 2 and under, members with ID | FREE |
The Whole Garden Experience: Family-Friendly and More!
Whether you’re coming just for Glow Garden or Mums, you should know that the entirety of Frederik Meijer Gardens is open during the event, so be sure to explore the entire expansive property.
And this isn’t a one-time affair—Meijer Gardens hosts seasonal events year-round that stay open late on Tuesday nights. Look forward to Christmas and Holidays Around the World next, and Butterflies in the Spring!
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