New 12,000-Sit Venue Anchors Grand Rapids Riverfront with Spectacular First-Year Lineup

GRAND RAPIDS, MI — The Acrisure Amphitheater in downtown Grand Rapids kicked off its inaugural concert season on Friday, May 15, 2026, with a star-studded lineup that promises to anchor the new riverfront district and showcase the city's growing cultural scene.

Lionel Richie will headline the opening night, joined by local favorites The War and Treaty and Grand Rapids native Brian Vander Ark of The Verve Pipe. This 12,000-seat venue marks a significant milestone for West Michigan, adding another major entertainment destination to the region's already vibrant music scene.

Full Summer Lineup Announced

The amphitheater has already announced an extensive 2026 concert schedule that spans rock, country, pop, hip-hop, and comedy. The lineup features both established legends and contemporary stars, with performances scheduled throughout the summer months.

May Highlights:

• Kid Cudi on Wednesday, May 27
• Russell Dickerson on Saturday, May 30 as part of his RussellMania tour
• Parker McCollum on Saturday, June 6 with special guests Max McNown and Kassi Ashton

June Features:

• Jelly Roll on June 13 with Kashus Culpepper
• Santana and The Doobie Brothers on June 15
• Godsmack on June 16, joined by Stone Temple Pilots and Dorothy
• MGK and Wiz Khalifa on June 17
• Meghan Trainor on June 18 with Icona Pop and Ryan Trainor
• Darius Rucker on June 25
• Pussycat Dolls on June 30 with Mya and Lil Kim

Summer Shows Include Major Acts

The amphitheater continues to draw headliners throughout July and August, including:

• The Guess Who on July 1, featuring Randy Bachman and Burton Cummings
• Weird Al Yankovic on July 3
• Jack Johnson on July 5
• Dave Matthews Band on July 7 and 8
• John Mellencamp on July 10
• Sarah McLachlan on July 17
• Hank Williams Jr. on July 18
• The Black Crowes on July 22
• Lil Wayne on July 25 celebrating the 20th anniversary of Tha Carter album series
• Dirty Heads and 311 on July 28
• 5 Seconds of Summer on July 29
• Chicago and Styx on July 30
• Jimmy Buffett's Coral Reefer Band on July 31
• Lynyrd Skynyrd and Foreigner on August 1
• Jerry Seinfeld on August 8
• Goo Goo Dolls and Neon Trees on August 11
• Five Finger Death Punch on August 15
• Hilary Duff on August 16, her first tour in nearly two decades
• Lindsey Stirling on August 21

Economic Impact and Community Growth

The Acrisure Amphitheater represents a significant investment in Grand Rapids' cultural infrastructure. The venue is part of a larger $1 billion riverfront transformation that includes the Grand River dam removal project, the Amway Soccer Stadium, and various community centers and parks.

Mayor David LaGrand highlighted the amphitheater's role in attracting visitors and showcasing what makes Grand Rapids a great place to live. "Maybe the best thing about the amphitheater and the soccer stadium is that they will invite more people to visit our city, and find out what a great place we are, and maybe join us in living here," LaGrand stated during his recent State of the City address.

Part of Broader City Progress

The amphitheater's opening coincides with other positive developments across the city, including an 18 percent drop in shootings, 481 illegally possessed firearms confiscated, and a 27 percent reduction in auto thefts over the past year. The city has also approved nearly $1 billion in new construction and nearly 1,400 new housing units, with one-third designated as affordable.

The Acrisure Amphitheater's successful debut marks another chapter in Grand Rapids' ongoing transformation, adding a world-class entertainment venue to the city's already impressive collection of new developments including the Martin Luther King Jr. Park Community Center, the HUB community center, and the city's first new fire station in 37 years.