GRAND RAPIDS — The first Friday of the month is upon us once again, and in downtown Grand Rapids, that means celebrating the arts.
Here's what's happening 4-7 p.m. Friday, Dec. 1.
'Jingle and Mingle' 2nd Annual Night Makers Market
The event will take place on First Avenue Northwest with local makers, food and hot beverages, visits with Santa, and fun for people of all ages.
Giinawind Creative Space
Wreaths and more from the Macrostie Art Center’s annual Wreath + Art Auction fundraiser will be on display along with artwork by Indigenous artists and a collection of books by local authors and illustrators.
MacRostie Art Center
The annual Northern Spirit Shop holiday marketplace will feature handmade original art and one-of-a-kind gifts. Plus M’lou Brubaker’s jewelry trunk show, wine, and food by Timberlake Restaurant.
Benders Shoes & Gifts
Benders hosts local jeweler Lily Winter who works out of her home studio to cut, solder, etch, enamel and set stones. This year she is working to bring wild color to her jewelry through glass and plating.
Old Central School
Studio 001
Stop by the Garden Level to see Lea Friesen’s painting and printmaking.
Artists in the Attic
Visit the third floor artists in residence: Nelia Harper, Krista Rogers and Leah Yellowbird. Guest artist Serenity Barden from Hibbing will display her abstract paintings.
Move It Real Estate Group
Join Move It Real Estate Group with fresh-popped popcorn, beverages and other refreshments with live holiday piano music from Cathy Shields and Nora Wick, local artisans, and a “Gnomes for Pet Homes” fundraiser. Featured artists include Cydney Gibeau with functional ceramics, Sondra Grover with walnut cooking utensils, Sarah Mell from M Design Studio with jewelry, and Gail O’Gorman with wreaths and more.
Wings ‘N Willows Art Gallery and Custom Framing
Featuring wood-turned vases by Mike Weedman.
The Evergreen
The Evergreen hosts Tricia from Rustic Willow Designs, showcasing her new Rustic Dippings, handcrafted in Pengilly. Denise’s Designs will also display permanent jewelry options.
Rapids Brewing Co.
Presenting Glitterati with live music 7-10 p.m. at the brewery.
VFW Post No. 1720
Live jazz with Tom Schaefer and the Clearwater Hot Club 7-10 p.m.
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Events this week include "The Sound of Music" in Mountain Iron, the grand opening of a Deer River dog park and a mural unveiling in Bemidji. -
Contributed/Nathan BrayNathan Bray’s new exhibit, “We Are All Human,” is at the Ripple River Gallery in Deerwood. Bray joins “Area Voices” to talk about this journey with art. -
Contributed/Chad KaddatzJonathan Schilling, a mycologist with the U of MN, discusses wood-eating fungi. The dead and dying trees series is produced by Mark Jacobs. -
Contributed/D-Feet Walk CommitteeMinnesota Lions Hearing Foundation's annual Walk to D-Feet Hearing Loss returns to Bemidji on Saturday, June 6, 2026, beginning at Diamond Point Park. -
Contributed/Steve Patterson via the KAXE-KBXE Season Watch Facebook groupPam Perry, retired DNR non-game wildlife biologist, joined KAXE staff phenologist John Latimer and Heidi Holtan to talk about warblers, pelicans, and the Merlin birding app. -
Events this week include a Norwegian celebration in Bemidji and a unique exercise class in Grand Rapids.
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Contributed/Bemidji Contra DanceDanish folk musician Kristian Bugge will join WB Reid to perform at the next Bemidji Contra Dance on May 16, 2026, in Solway. -
Andrew Dziengel/KAXEThe College of St. Scholastica, Bemidji State University and the Bemidji Long-Term Storm Recovery Group are launching a community-based research study to learn about how the 2025 derecho affected people. -
Lorie ShaullMinnesota Secretary of State Steve Simon was a recent guest on the "KAXE Morning Show" to talk about preparations and security for the upcoming midterm elections. -
Lorie Shaull/Special to KAXEThe Grand Rapids chapter of the National Alliance on Mental Illness is offering webinars on May 13 and May 20, 2026. Learn when to seek mental health support and how to find it.
