Events through the year
- Chocolate StrollFebruary
- Art HopMarch
- Spring SoireeApril
- Memorial Day ParadeMemorial Day
- Concerts at the BandshellSummer
- Summer Sidewalk SaleAugust
- Scarecrow and Harvest StrollFall
- Ladies, Leaves and LaughterNovember
- Cards in the ParkLight Up the Night, December
- Holiday ParadeFirst Saturday in December
Dates and times
Every event is on the city calendar.
Also see the farmers market and the downtown district.
Want to help? See volunteer opportunities.
Art Hop
Local artists display their work in our downtown shops. Fun for the entire family. All artists are welcome to participate at no charge, and artists are welcome to sell their items. Plainwell Schools display their artwork at the Ransom District Library.
Art Hop 2025: Friday, March 7, 2025, 5 to 7:30 PM. 2025 Art Hop details
To confirm with the City: the next Art Hop date. The old page still shows 2025.
Want to help? Email the Art Hop Committee.
Cards in the Park
Any group, organization, business or family is welcome to display a card in the designated area to coincide with the tree lighting at the Light Up the Night event. Thanks to all the community members, businesses and organizations that placed cards in Hicks Park last year. We had a wonderful display of holiday wishes. Start planning now for your holiday card.
The card rules are simple
- Place cards in the designated area only, in the southwest part of the park.
- Cards can be no larger than 32 square feet (4 x 8 boards work great).
- Cards must be up the week of November 27, before 3 PM on Friday, December 1, 2023, for the Light Up the Night event.
- Remove cards by January 3, 2024.
- Lighting: you must provide your own lights and outdoor extension cord. Cords should be coiled behind the card.
Contact the City of Plainwell at 269-685-6821 for card placement.
To confirm with the City: this year's dates. The old page still shows the 2023 season.
The Chocolate Stroll
It's the weekend before Valentine's Day. Treat yourself, friends or a special someone to a special gift, and while shopping, enjoy a day of sweet treats and sweet deals at the shops and restaurants in downtown Plainwell. Each shop or restaurant will be offering a chocolate treat and/or a sweet deal.
When: Saturday, February 8, 2025
Where: Downtown Plainwell
Time: During regular store hours
Chocolate Stroll event details
To confirm with the City: the next Chocolate Stroll date. The old page still shows 2025.
Concerts at the Bandshell
Concerts are sponsored by the Plainwell Music Society and held at the Bandshell, 250 N. Anderson. Concerts start at 7:00 PM. Bring your own chair. Rain-out notification is on WQXC by 4 PM.
2025 concert schedule
| Date | Performer | Style |
|---|---|---|
| May 21 | Carrie McFerrin | MI Country Sweet |
| May 28 | River Cities Concert Band | |
| June 4 | Zion Lion Reggae Band | |
| June 11 | Schrock Bros | Americana and blues |
| June 18 | Williams Family Mountain Music | |
| June 25 | Bird Seed Salesmen String Band | Jazz |
| July 2 | Otsego Jazz Ensemble | |
| July 9 | Lunar Octet | Latin jazz |
| July 16 | Planned Obsessions | 60's and 70's pop rock |
| July 23 | LaJoye Quintet | American songbook |
| July 30 | Schlitz Creek | Biting bluegrass |
2025 season sponsors: Anna R. Pipp Foundation; Modern Woodmen Fraternal Financial; Thomas R. Holmes, FICF, LUTCF.
To confirm with the City: the 2026 schedule, and the Bandshell's address (this page says 250 N. Anderson; the Parks page says 205 Anderson Street).
Parades
Memorial Day Parade
Held on Memorial Day at 11 AM. The parade route starts at Anderson and E. Bridge St. and travels east on M-89 to the cemetery. To participate, contact Cheryl Parente-Roggow at 269-685-3413.
Holiday Parade
Held on the first Saturday in December at 1 PM, and open to anyone who would like to participate. The parade route starts at 1st St. and goes south on Main St. to Grant St., turns west on Grant and ends at Park St. To participate, contact Tracey Robrahn at 269-207-6409.
Island City Summer Sidewalk Sale
During August, shops offer sidewalk sales during their normal business hours. Stroll the downtown mile and shop sales at several of our downtown shops: Friday, August 2 and Saturday, August 3. Spend time shopping and eating in downtown Plainwell, and enjoy our social district to sip and shop!
To confirm with the City: the year and this year's dates. The old page gives August 2 and 3 with no year.
Ladies, Leaves and Laughter
Ladies Night in downtown Plainwell: Friday, November 7, 2025, 3 to 7 PM.
What to expect
Grab a swag bag at Plainwell Flowers: 250 bags are handed out, 50 bags at the top of each hour, while supplies last. Grab a cocktail from one of two bars in our Island City Social District while shopping. There will be DIY projects, lots of in-store specials, and music on the plaza. The downtown restaurants and bars will all have specialty cocktails and food specials that continue after 7 PM.
Pop-up giveaways
A super fun part of the night: you never know where we will show up. Listen for the cow bell and be ready to pull something out of your pockets, purse or bags, such as a Band-Aid, a nail file or a thimble. You just never know! You may want to brush up on your history, as we have been known to ask questions about the history of Plainwell too. The pop-up giveaways are gift cards from local businesses, ranging from $5 to $30.
Three grand prizes
Entering is easy: spend $10 at any of the participating retail shops to be entered in the drawing. The more shops you spend $10 or more in, the more chances you have to win.
- 1st place: $500 gift card to Stafford's Historic Lodging & Waterfront Dining
- 2nd place: $225 Plainwell Pamper You Package, with gift cards from Hart's Jewelry, River Bend Yoga Studio, Healing Hands Massage and Prevalent Salon
- 3rd place: two $50 gift cards to Dog & The Bank Restaurant
Sponsors
Sponsorship opportunities are available. Contact psoper@plainwell.org to learn how your business can support one of the biggest events in downtown Plainwell.
2024 sponsors: main sponsor Honor Credit Union; Amy Hamilton, Jaqua Realty, and Holly Babb, Arbor Credit Union; Plainwell Kayak Company; Jaqua Realtors; Meijer; Dragonfly Quilting & Art; The Rabbits Boutique; Hart's Jewelry.
Been to Ladies Night? Please take a moment to fill out our survey.
Scarecrow and Harvest Stroll
Businesses and groups build scarecrows for display downtown.
A few entries from past years
To confirm with the City: this year's stroll dates. The old page has only the registration form.
Spring Soiree
A fun-filled event in downtown Plainwell: spring sales, tips, workshops, and the indoor spring farmers market. Meet and greet local children's authors, and enjoy spring cocktails, a flower bouquet bar, in-store specials, breakfast, brunch and/or lunch specials, and much more.
Saturday, April 20, 2024, 10 AM to 3 PM. Follow our event page for all the details.
To confirm with the City: the next Spring Soiree date. The old page still shows 2024.