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, inviting mums, family fun, pumpkins and Chihuly sculptures sounds good, then grab your jacket, pack up the family and head to Frederik Meijer Gardens and Sculpture Park this fall.
At just the cost of regular admission, this is the cool fall experience you didn’t know you were missing!
fall at meijer gardens
Fall Dreams Come True on Autumn Weekends at Meijer Gardens
If you’re in the market for fall fun-tivities, weekends in October at Meijer Gardens is the place to be.
Fall treats? Yep
Live music? Check
Pumpkin display? You bet
Lawn games? Oh yeah
Chihuly glass sculptures? Definitely
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.
Foot-Tapping Live Music
Live bands at the Amphitheater keep the atmosphere buzzing.
Expect a musical mix ranging from catchy tunes to a fusion of funk, rock, and blues.
Here’s the 2026 lineup:
Oct. 3 | Zondo
Oct. 4 | Trillium with Special Guest Ben Traverse
Oct. 10 | Whorled with Special Guest bagpiper Paul Greinke
Oct. 11 | Peter & the Wee Beasties
Oct. 17 | Bahar Ensemble
Oct. 18 | The Music Medicine Collective
Oct. 24 | Selkie
Oct. 25 | The Fall Upwards Duo
Oct. 31 | The Morning Yells
Nov. 1 | The Dede Alder Duo with Special Guest Trumpet
Adult Beverages & Food Pop-Up: Treat Yourself!
Hungry? Thirsty?
Find a food bike throughout the gardens (including the Japanese Garden and Amphitheater) to grab a seasonal bite or tasty autumnal drink.
You’ll also find a variety of local food trucks at the Farm Garden sure to satiate your autumn treat cravings.
Stop by the cafe for more seasonal delights including Apple Nachos, Apple Orchard Turkey Melt, Chai Cider, Pumpkin Spice Latte and Maple Cinnamon Latte.
Fall Fun at the Farm
Keep those cozy autumn vibes going at Michigan’s Farm Garden.
Stop by Friday – Sunday for fun games and fall vibes. Join in on the Harvest Relay or play at the Little Farmers Produce Stand.
Be sure to go into the barn to see the display of carved pumpkins and other harvest artistry.
Don’t forget to try your hand at one of the lawn games in the piazza!
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.
Chihuly at Meijer Gardens
This spring’s epic Chihuly exhibit continues this fall. Enjoy the vibrant glass sculptures spread among the 158 acres outdoors through November 1.
Track down pieces in ponds, tucked into planting beds, and in spots that make you stop mid-step and go, wait…what is that?
The outdoor pieces are big and wow-worthy, but the indoor gallery is captivating. The indoor Chihuly: Radiant Forms exhibition runs all winter, ending on January 10. (Extra fee)
Be sure to visit on one of the season’s late nights to see the sculptures really glow.
Late nights run: Oct 6, 13, 14, 20, 22 & 29.
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 as all activities take place outdoors.
Hallowee-Ones
October 24 & 31: 10 AM – 2 PM
Parade at 10 AM & 1 PM
Twice the fun at Hallowee-Ones this year – and twice as long!
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 and Sculpture Park
1000 E Beltline Ave NE, Grand Rapids, MI 49525
Autumn Weekends: Every weekend in October
- Family Fun at the Farm: Fri & Sat 10 AM – 2 PM, Sun 11 AM – 2 PM
- Harvest Beer Garden & Live Music: Sat & Sun: 2 – 4 PM
- Harvest Display, lawn games: Sat & Sun all day
- Food bikes: Sat & Sun: 12 – 5 PM
- Food trucks: Sat & Sun all day
- Fall bonsai show: Sat Oct 3, 10 AM – 5 PM and Sun Oct 4, 11 AM – 5 PM
- Gather Around the Fire: Sat & Sun: 12 – 5 PM
Late Nights: Oct 6, 13, 14, 20, 22, 29: closing at 7 PM
Mums at Meijer Gardens
October 1-31, 2026: 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. The events and displays are included with your regular Meijer Gardens admission or membership. (Chihuly: Radiant Forms requires an add-on ticket.)
Hours and Pricing
Visit their website for current hours. Typical hours are:
| 2026 Hours | |
|---|---|
| Monday – Saturday | 9 AM – 5 PM |
| Sunday | 11 AM – 5 PM |
| 2026 Pricing | |
|---|---|
| Adults (14 – 64) | $25 |
| Seniors (65+) | $20 |
| Students with ID | $19 |
| Children (3 – 13) | $14 |
| 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 Autumn Weekends or Mums, you should know that the entirety of Frederik Meijer Gardens and Sculpture Park 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 select nights. Look forward to Christmas and Holidays Around the World next, and Butterflies in the Spring!
