2026 Kalamazoo Go Red for Women Gala
2026-02-26 | Radisson Plaza Hotel, 100 W Michigan Avenue, Kalamazoo, MI, 49007, United States
Go Red for Women is the American Heart Association’s signature initiative to raise awareness about cardiovascular disease as the leading cause of death in women. The movement provides resources for women to know their risk, take action to live heart-healthy lives, and find support. Key activities include encouraging people to wear red on National Wear Red Day (the first Friday in February), advocating for inclusive health policies, supporting research, and encouraging community involvement.

Bowl for Kids' Sake
2026-02-28 11:30 - 16:30 (America/Detroit) | Revel & Roll West, 4500 Stadium Drive, Kalamazoo, MI, 49008, United States
Bowl for Kids’ Sake (BFKS) is a signature fundraising and community engagement event benefiting Big Brothers Big Sisters. Teams of friends, coworkers, and families come together to have fun, raise funds, and celebrate the power of mentorship—all while supporting young people in their local communities.

Driving into History: Cameras, Cars & Creativity
2026-03-06 18:00 | Gilmore Car Museum, 6865 Hickory Road, Hickory Corners, MI, 49060, United States
The Merze Tate Explorers, in partnership with the Burns Archives, Gilmore Car Museum, and the Kalamazoo Black Arts and Cultural Center, present a traveling exhibition celebrating the stories of African American women and girls through historic cars and photography.

Art Hop at KZCF!
2026-03-06 17:00 - 20:00 | Kalamazoo Community Foundation, 402 East Michigan Avenue, Kalamazoo, MI, 49007, United States
Join us on Friday, March 6, from 5:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. as we showcase the work of youth artists from across Kalamazoo County in our Winter Garden space at KZCF! Handheld snacks and a complimentary lemonade bar will be available to all guests.

WGVU KidsDay at the Air Zoo 2026
2026-03-08 12:00 - 17:00 | Air Zoo Aerospace & Science Museum, 6151 Portage Road, Portage, MI, 49002, United States
The Kalamazoo Air Zoo features more than 100 rare air and space artifacts, amusement park-style rides, Full-Motion Flight Simulators, newly renovated Missions Theater, historical exhibits, and educational activities.
On Sunday, March 8th, join WGVU for an afternoon of fun for the whole family with admission to the Air Zoo for ONLY $5.00 per person (kids 4 and under are FREE) – a huge discount from regular admission price! The event will include special appearances by PBS Kids characters, live entertainment, giveaways, plus all the Air Zoo has to offer!

YMCA of Greater Kalamazoo 2026 Annual Community Breakfast
2026-04-09 07:00 | Radisson Plaza hotel at Kalamazoo Center, 100 W Michigan Avenue, Kalamazoo, MI, 49007, United States
For sixteen decades, the YMCA of Greater Kalamazoo has been the heartbeat of our community. The 2026 Annual Community Breakfast, presented by R.W. Lapine, is a celebration of this historic milestone and a recommitment to a future without barriers.

Your presence does more than fill a seat — it fuels the YMCA of Greater Kalamazoo’s Annual Campaign, ensuring that “FOR ALL” isn’t just a slogan, but a promise.

The 2026 Youth Soloist Competition with the Kalamazoo Concert Band
2026-04-18 | Chenery Auditorium, 714 S. Westnedge Avenue, Kalmazoo, MI, 49007, United States
The Kalamazoo Concert Band (KCB) was founded in 1961 to provide continued symphonic band experiences beyond high school and college instrumental music programs. The KCB presents four concerts per season (October, December, February, April) and a summer series. All concerts are free and open to the public.

In 1980 the Kalamazoo Concert Band established a scholarship competition for outstanding high school wind and percussion instrumentalists. High school wind and percussion players throughout Michigan are invited to compete for a $2,000 scholarship and the opportunity to appear as a Guest Soloist with the Kalamazoo Concert Band at it’s spring concert.

Supporting the Youth Soloist Concert with the Kalamazoo Concert allows you to associate your brand with a premier musical ensemble that furthers the arts in Southwest Michigan, promotes musical education, and provides FREE and ACCESSIBLE performances to the community. The concert targets high school students who have a desire to pursue musical education beyond high school.

Champs Celebration
2026-04-22 | Radisson Plaza hotel at Kalamazoo Center, 100 W Michigan Avenue, Kalamazoo, MI, 49007, United States
The Champs Celebration is an annual event to highlight those who have gone above and beyond for kids in partnership with Communities In Schools of Kalamazoo. The event offers an opportunity to celebrate our community’s value of education and to honor those who are present for students and empower them to realize their full potential.

There are four awards presented during the evening; Champs Award, Gulnar Husain Volunteer Award, Communities In Schools of Kalamazoo Staff Appreciation, and the Diether Haenicke Promise of Excellence Award. Award recipients are nominated by Communities In Schools staff members, Communities In Schools Board members, Kalamazoo Public Schools’ leadership, and the City of Kalamazoo leadership. The audience for Champs includes leadership from Kalamazoo Public Schools, community partners, Communities In Schools volunteers, event sponsors, Board members, and donors of all kinds.

The Gilmore Piano Festival Film Series
2026-04-30 - 2026-05-10 | Kalamazoo Valley Museum – Stryker Theater, 230 N Rose Street, Kalamazoo, 49007, United States
The Gilmore Film Series offers audiences an inside look at a thoughtful selection of films that highlight the lives of world renowned pianists, the cultural influence of music, and the challenges, triumphs, and influences of artists face around the world.

Portage Street Unit Grand Opening Ribbon Cutting
2026-06-05 12:00 - 13:00 | Portage Street Unit, 847 Portage Street, Kalamazoo, MI, 49001, United States
The Portage Street Unit Grand Opening will be an evening to welcome the community to the Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Kalamazoo’s newest site. This project began in 2019. The Grand Opening will be a celebration of the journey and the community’s dedication to our young people. Community members are welcome to enjoy the Ribbon-Cutting Ceremony and Community Open House.

75th Annual Kalamazoo Institute of Arts Fair
2026-06-05 15:00 - 20:00, 2026-06-06 09:00 - 17:00 | Bronson Park, 200 S Rose Street, Kalamazoo, MI, 49007, United States
The 75th Annual Kalamazoo Institute of Arts Fair is a beloved community event, featuring up to 135 juried fine artists, live entertainment, food trucks, family activities, and art-making demonstrations on the first Friday and Saturday in June. The event is free and open to the public.

Portage Street Unit Grand Opening Community Open House
2026-06-05 17:00 - 19:00 | Portage Street Unit, 847 Portage Street, Kalamazoo, MI, 49001, United States

Success for Every Child: An Evening of Celebration 2026
2026-06-12 17:30 - 22:00 | Sherman Lake YMCA Outdoor Center (Kellogg Hall), 6225 N 39th Street, Augusta, MI, 49012, United States
Success for Every Child: An Evening of Celebration 2026 is an annual fundraiser designed to celebrate the lives that have been changed at Sherman Lake YMCA and the important part community members have played in making it happen. Proceeds from this event are used for scholarships that provide opportunities for area youth to attend summer camp.

Black Voices of Dignity
2026-06-18 16:00 - 2026-06-21 21:00 | Kalamazoo First Congregational Church, 345 West Michigan Avenue, Kalamazoo, MI, 49007, United States
Kalamazoo First Congregational Church will host the exhibit, “Black Voices of Dignity,” from June 16 to 20, 2026. This exhibit, curated by Ms. Edda Williams of Ann Arbor, Michigan, gathers photographs, art and cultural artifacts to celebrate the accomplishments and cultural heritage of Black Americans throughout their 400 years on this continent. The exhibit, which has previously been displayed at the University of Michigan, is intended to help history come alive and to honor the rich history of Black voices in America.

3rd Annual Kalamazoo River Cleanup and Celebration
2026-06-20 10:00 - 14:00 | Mayors’ Riverfront Park, 251 Mills Street, Kalamazoo, MI, 49048, United States
The Rotary Club of Kalamazoo is planning its 3rd Annual Kalamazoo River Cleanup and Celebration event. The goal of the event is to inspire all parts of our community to actively engage with the Kalamazoo River and its tributaries, celebrate it, and learn about it as a wonderful community asset to cherish and enjoy. Guests will clear trash in the river, along the banks and down the adjoining trail.

Rootead Juneteenth Celebration
2026-06-20 13:00 - 19:00 | Bronson Park, 200 S Rose Street, Kalamazoo, MI, 49007, United States
The Juneteenth Celebration at Bronson Park is a community event that honors the history and significance of Juneteenth while bringing people together through culture, education and celebration. The event is designed for families, youth, local businesses, artists, and community organizations throughout Kalamazoo and the surrounding areas. Attendees can enjoy live performances, local vendors, food trucks, music and activities for all ages.

Kalamazoo Community Foundation's Centennial Celebration
2026-07-10 16:00 - 19:00 | Kalamazoo Community Foundation, 402 East Michigan Avenue, Kalamazoo, MI, 49007, United States
To celebrate 100 years of serving our Kalamazoo County neighbors, we’ve commissioned a street mural that we need your help to finish! Join us for an exciting afternoon of painting, delicious food and fun games designed with family and the community we love in mind. It won’t be the same without you, so we hope to see you there!

Thrive Kalamazoo: Synergy Community Wellness Fair
2026-07-18 | Synergy Health Center, 625 Harrison Street, Kalamazoo, MI, 49007, United States
The purpose of this event is to address systemic health disparities and promote equitable access to mental, physical and financial wellness for residents in underserved Kalamazoo neighborhoods by providing free, culturally relevant, community-based health education, resources and preventive care.

This community fair will be an all-day wellness experience bringing together families, community organizations and wellness professionals to address systemic health disparities while fostering accessible and culturally relevant pathways to mental, physical and financial well-being. Participants can look forward to a full day of hands-on workshops, revitalizing mini-fitness classes, delightful healthy cooking demonstrations, crucial health screenings and a resource fair brimming with valuable information.
