Celebrate Local Craft Beer at Beer City Brewers Festival 2026 Near Waters House

Grand Rapids is celebrating 14 years as Beer City USA with an afternoon dedicated to local breweries, creative collaborations, food, music, and community. The Beer City Brewers Festival returns to Calder Plaza on Saturday, October 3, 2026.

Admission is free, making this family-friendly event an easy addition to your fall plans. Waters House residents are conveniently located near downtown Grand Rapids and all the festival excitement.

Beer City Brewers Festival Event Details

• Date: Saturday, October 3, 2026

• Time: 3:00–8:00 p.m.

• Location: Calder Plaza, 300 Monroe Avenue NW

• Admission: Free and open to the public

• Host: Beer City Brewers Guild

Visit the official Beer City Brewers Festival website for event updates and the complete list of participating breweries.

Sample Local Craft Beer

More than 20 breweries from throughout the Grand Rapids area will participate in the festival. The lineup includes popular local names such as Founders Brewing Company, Brewery Vivant, Harmony Brewing Company, Perrin Brewing Company, Rockford Brewing Company, Speciation Cellars, The Mitten Brewing Company, and many more.

Festival admission is free, but beer samples will be available for purchase. Guests must be at least 21 years old and present a valid photo ID to sample alcoholic beverages.

Remember to plan ahead by selecting a designated driver or arranging a safe ride home.

Discover the ProAm Competition

One of the festival’s biggest highlights is the Beer City Brewers Guild ProAm competition. The competition pairs professional local breweries with homebrewers to create original beers that festivalgoers may not find anywhere else.

Attendees can sample the ProAm entries and use the Beer City Brewsader app to vote for their favorite. A People’s Choice Award will be presented to the collaboration that receives the most votes.

The competition is a fun opportunity to experience the creativity and collaboration that helped Grand Rapids earn its Beer City USA reputation.

Food, Music, and Local Vendors

Beer City Brewers Festival offers more than craft beverages. Attendees can enjoy food from local food trucks, live music, and a community bazaar featuring local vendors and organizations.

Free caricature drawings and entertainment for all ages will also be available during the event. Whether you are interested in discovering a new favorite brewery, supporting local vendors, or simply enjoying an afternoon downtown, there will be plenty to explore.

A Family-Friendly Community Celebration

Although the festival celebrates Grand Rapids’ craft beer scene, it is designed as a family-friendly community event. Guests who are not drinking can still enjoy the food, live entertainment, vendors, and activities at Calder Plaza.

Only guests age 21 and older will be permitted to purchase or sample alcoholic beverages.

Experience Downtown Grand Rapids From Waters House

Living at Waters House means enjoying the historic charm of Heritage Hill while remaining close to downtown festivals, local restaurants, entertainment, colleges, and the Medical Mile.

After spending the afternoon at Calder Plaza, residents can return home to a community offering renovated studio, one-, two-, and three-bedroom apartments. Waters House amenities include a swimming pool and sun deck, on-site fitness studio, community coffee bar, dedicated resident parking, and a fenced pet park.

Ready to experience Heritage Hill living near the best of Grand Rapids? Explore Waters House online and schedule a tour today.