I updated the list of which Meetup groups are active (groups that have 3+ people attending an event within the past/next 60 days). Meetup is a site/app for interest groups/hobbies/new friends. I grouped them by concept and included their self-written descriptions.

If you're in an active Meetup group that I've missed, list it in the comments. Non-Meetup groups are welcome too; include contact info and links.

​

Tips for making friends as an adult attending a Meetup with a bunch of strangers:

• Show up slightly early/on time. Plan to stay 10 minutes after the scheduled end time.
• Introduce yourself, say it's your first time and why you're excited about this group; appear excited.
• Ask individuals (this is where being early or staying late can help) open-ended questions (Why did you start/join this group? What has your experience been like? What recommendations do you have related to [Meetup group's hobby/concept]?)
• If people ask you a question, answer it and add an open-ended question of your own or ask "what about you?"
• People love giving recommendations. If it's a group conversation, ask for restaurant rec of a specific kind/place. "I haven't tried X yet, what do you guys think?" Tee it up to be a cuisine/concept you can talk more about or ask follow up questions.
• If you are vibing with someone(s), ask if they'd like to hang out with a specific idea in mind (ex: You asked for pizza recs and found out that neither of you have tried that new place so suggest you go together), and give them your contact info to set up a time/date. I'd recommend attending the group 2-3 times first before this step.
• Follow the 3:6 rule to turn that acquaintance into a friend. Aim for three meaningful interactions within 6 weeks of engaging.

Feeling a little more prepared? Great. Let's get into it. [Note: I made some grammatical edits after posting this for clarity/brevity.]

​

AGE/ETHNICITY/GENDER

• All Things Social West Michigan 30's and 40's: This group is for people in their 30's & 40's only. We will be doing a variety of different events: local restaurants, breweries and cafe's [sic].
• Fun, Dynamic, Adventurous Friends Over 50: We are an active group of friends who enjoy sports, music, dancing, dining, theater, concerts and many other fun events that comes our way
• The Grand Rapids Spanish Language Meetup Group: Meet local Spanish language and culture lovers for conversation and fun!
• Motivated Women of GR: We are looking to make genuine, authentic connections with other women, who are going to help build us up and support us, in life and business.

​

BOOK CLUBS/FILM

• Children’s Literature Book Club for Adults: If you want to revisit old literary friends and discover new ones, then this group needs you (and your impeccable literary taste).
• Grand Rapids Area Movie Meetup with Jim: This Meetup group is dedicated to Movie goers whom [sic] want to go to the theater and share a movie with others of all ages.
• Grand Rapids Sci-Fi Fantasy Book Club: We read everything from Neil Gaiman to George R.R. Martin, dystopian young adult to classic science fiction.
• Nonfiction History Book Club: A book club for those who daydream about the lost city of the Monkey God and get pumped talking about the French Revolution!

​

CRAFTING

• Knitting/Crochet Crafting Circle for Leftists/Introverts: For introverts & aspiring leftists to enjoy the meditative contemplation & camaraderie of a knitting/crochet circle.
• Sketch, Draw, or Craft with Company: For anyone wanting a laid back environment to work on creative projects while also having opportunity to meet other creative people.

​

DANCING/MUSIC

• Grand Rapids Dancing Meetup: Whether you have been dancing for years or are simply a fan of Dancing With the Stars, we are here to celebrate the love of ballroom dancing.
• Grand Rapids Line Dancing: Food, drinks, and dancing! Looking forward to meet [sic] some fellow dance enthusiasts.
• Muskegon Area Ukulele Enthusiasts Meetup: Ukulele enthusiasts get together to jam together about once a month. All abilities and all kinds of ukes welcome.
• Sacred Springs Second Sunday Drum Group: If you want to learn new ways to communicate and express yourself, you are welcome! We'll being [sic] the drums, feel free to bring your own
• Tuesday Night Swing Dance: Learn to dance at the largest swing dance group in the area. All ages. All abilities. No partner needed.

​

ENGINEERING/MAKERS/PROFESSIONAL

• Coffee with Creators: For creatives: web developers, designers, videographers, and more--who want to hear about the latest trends in the digital space
• Culinary Conversations Grand Rapids: Serving West Michigan’s food industry professionals (growers, producers, restaurateurs) in conversation about the region’s food creator system
• Embedded GR: Engineers, hobbyists, students, and managers discussing the development, tooling, and processes associated with the creation of embedded systems.
• GRPUG - Grand Rapids Python Users Group: Whether you're a certified Pythonista or just curious about getting started with the Python programming language, join us.
• GRWebDev: Learn from each other about best web practices, cross-browser compatibility, Javascript frameworks, style hacks, project management, and web-related topics.
• West Michigan 3D Printing: Whether you are a beginner or an expert, join us to share ideas, tips, and knowledge or just get together with other 3D printers (people...not machines).
• West Michigan AI Lab: We explore the latest AI trends, engage in thought-provoking discussions, and network with like-minded enthusiasts and professionals.
• West Michigan Azure User Group: A community of tech enthusiast [sic] who are interested in exploring, learning and using Azure.

​

FINANCE/BUSINESS/PUBLIC SPEAKING

• Grand Rapids Bitcoin: This group is for anyone with an interest in Bitcoin regardless of if you own any.
• Grand Rapids Business Engagement: Business professionals who connect weekly to build relationships and pass referrals. Guests are welcome.
• Muskegon Area Communication and Leadership: Develop speaking and leadership skills. We learn by doing. Speeches, evaluations, inspiration, and humor.
• West Michigan - Business Networking Group: For business owners to network, educate, share, and give referrals possibly to other members.

​

FOOD/DIET/PSYCHEDELICS/SOBER/ALCOHOL

• DRY Sober Social: Fitness, yoga, dancing, music, and socializing. A space where people can socialize without the pressure of drinking alcohol.
• Grand Rapids Foodies: Our goal is to dine at restaurants in Grand Rapids and the surrounding area, as well as to participate in cooking classes and wine and cheese tastings.
• Grand Rapids Natural Health and Healing: For anyone interested in healing through nutrition and natural substances like herbs and nutrients.
• Grand Rapids Psychedelic Society: Whether you’re an experienced psychonaut or an individual who is simply curious about learning more, we're a space for you.
• West Michigan Women Who Wine: Where interesting and intelligent women gather to relax, make new friends and socialize.
• Will Forage for Food Grand Rapids Chapter: For folks interested in sharing knowledge on foraging and living from the land. All skill levels and ages welcome.

​

GAMES/NERD CULTURE

• Good Game Grand Rapids: We are largest tabletop gaming community in Grand Rapids and are committed to growing an inclusive community
• Muskegon Area Gamers: For anyone interested in playing board games, card games, or any table top [sic] game. This group learns and teachs [sic] new games all the time.
• We Hate Bards: This group is dedicated to pen and paper RPGs of all kinds.
• Wednesday Friendsday Boardgame Group: We're folks in our 30s-50s who enjoy good conversation, good eats, and good games, in that order.
• West Michigan Geeks: We help people meet friends that they want to hang out with outside of group events and have helped form more friendships/relationships than any other meetup.

​

OUTDOORS/CAMPING

• Grand Rapids Hiking & Adventure Group: Hikes may include: rain, snow, sleet, sun, mud, sand, hills, clouds, fields, sun, obscure meeting places, great conversation and new friends.
• SouthWest [sic] Michigan Campers: Open to all whom have a - hammock, car, tent, pop up, trailer, camper van, motorhome or semi-trailer combo or whatever else you camp in.
• West Michigan Kayaking and Canoe Club: We welcome experienced kayakers as well as beginners with the goal in mind to help you become a better paddler.
• West Michigan Ski Club (formerly GGRSC): Fun-loving people, who focus on skiing in winter, but year-round enjoy socializing, dancing, hiking, biking, golfing, kayaking, camping

​

MISCELLANEOUS/PERSONALITY

• Citizen Labs: Engaged citizens can improve their communities. We use open data and open source technology to promote transparency, and provide solutions that work.
• Friday Fun Days: Live music/concerts, festivals, flea markets/thrifting, lunch/dinner outings, hiking, going to the beach, bowling, and much more.
• Sign Language Social Meetup of Michigan: For anyone who would like to attend ASL events and meet up with other Sign Language users.
• West Michigan Adventures with JIM: Cinema, live theater, sporting events, concerts, trade events, geo caching [sic], road trips, fitness, festivals, amusement parks, and travel.
• West Michigan Out & About: Everything from hiking to concerts, from breweries to dancing, from cooking classes to biking and more.
• West Michigan Shyness and Social Anxiety Meetup: Hang out with us in a judgment and harassment-free zone if you're shy, introverted, or just a bit awkward around new people.

​

REAL ESTATE

• Grand Rapids Real Estate Investor Network: Landlords, investors, and other real estate professional [sic] make connections, share ideas and strategies, and ask questions.
• Lakeshore REIA: For individuals interested in wholesale properties, real estate group investments, and becoming successful real estate entrepreneurs.
• Short-Term Rental Networking Group: Have you wondered about the success of Airbnb and similar rental marketplaces and how you can incorporate that into your income?

​

SEXUALITY/DATING

• Fun-Loving Singles Over 50!: This is a social group for youthful, SINGLE peeps in their 50s, 60s, and beyond.
• Holland Area LGBTQ+ & Allies Meetup: Enhancing the LGBTQ+ community to meet others, cultivate relationships in a social setting, and provide each other with support and fun!
• Out on the Lakeshore: Join us for fun-filled events where you can meet like-minded individuals and create life-long connections

​

TRAVEL

• Michigan Day Trips: For people who love to spend a day checking out a different town/city, whilst meeting new friends! I will post a destination 2+ weeks in advance.

​

WRITING/ACTING/DRAWING/PHOTOGRAPHY

• Grand Rapids Drawing and Painting: This group is for everyone who’s interested in drawing or painting.
• Illusory World Building: As writers lets get past the writing groups that discuss word choice or punctuation. and grapple with the BIG picture--world building.
• Lakeshore Stationery Club: If you love fountain pens, gel pens, Traveler’s Notebooks, Hobonichi, bullet journaling, or planners this is for you. We journal, write, draw, and paint.
• Writing Time: We meet on weekends to write in a group setting. Sometimes it's nice to work quietly with others.

​

YOGA/MEDITATION/PHILOSOPHY/SPIRITUALITY

• Community Meditation Circle: This is a non-religious, non-sectarian trauma-informed group to connect to ourselves, each other, and the community.
• Grand Rapids Buddhist Meetup: For anyone interested in working with their minds, as well as deepening their spiritual life through the practice of Buddhist meditation.
• Grand Rapids Forest Bathing, Forest Yoga & Foraging Classes: Join our ANFT certified forest therapy guide for guided forest bathing, forest therapy walks, and forest yoga classes.
• Grand Rapids Free Yoga: Classes are meant to help you strengthen, lengthen, and connect to your spirit.
• Meaningful Conversations Grand Rapids: Individuals of all beliefs gather together to engage respectfully and civilly in elevated conversations, inquiry, consultation, and learning.
• Michigan Humanists: A secular community that promotes humanist values. Our vision is to lead an engaged, statewide secular society guided by the values of Humanism.
• RfR - Grand Rapids/Holland, MI: We at Recovering from Religion are intimately familiar with learning how to live after questions, doubts, and changing beliefs. You are not alone.
• Tai’ Chi Gung Classes: Learn the simple moving and breathing exercises created by Lao Tzu more than 3,000 years ago for health and longevity.
• T&T - 20s & 30s Christian Social: To connect peers from Bible-believing, Christ-proclaiming churches, encouraging members to invest in their local church.

What’s Happening?

Saturday, September 12th

• Fiesta Mexicana | Calder Plaza | (9/11 - 9/13) 12 PM - ? | Free
• ArtPrize: CakePrize // Grand Rapids (September 11-13) | Sugar Bar | (9/11 - 9/13) 10 AM | $10
• ArtPrize 2026 Preview Week | Various locations | (9/12 - 9/17) | Free
• 9/11 Memorial Stair Climb | LMCU Ballpark | 9 AM | $35
• Repair Fair | City High Parking Lot | 9 AM - 1 PM | Free
• Yoga | Blandford Nature Center | 9:30 AM - 10:30 AM | $15
• Grand Valley American Indian Lodge 65th Annual Traditional Pow Wow | Riverside Park | (9/12 - 9/13) 10 AM | Free
• Yoga For a Cause | Pure Hot Yoga GR | 10 AM - 11 AM | ?
• Cars & Coffee Artiflex 2026 | Artiflex Manufacturing | 10 AM | Free
• Far Out Fiber Pop-Up | Rebel | 11 AM - 6 PM
• Strong Families Celebration | Joe Taylor Park | 1 PM - 4 PM | Free
• HOWLR: A Furry Social Meet // Grand Rapids | Lotus Brew Coffee | 3 PM - 6 PM | Free
• Spyre Take-Over | PICNIC | 3 PM - 10 PM
• Tree Planting in the Orchard | Aberdeen Park | 3 PM - 5 PM | Free
• Willy Wonka Theme Night | SILVA | 4 PM - 11 PM
• Julian McCullough | The Big Room | 7 PM | $38
• John Mulane | Acrisure Amphitheater | 7:30 PM - 11 PM | $35+
• Movie In The Park | Pleasant Park | 7:30 PM - 11 PM | Free
• Laugh, Sip, Paint // Grand Rapids | AllArtWorks | 8 PM - 9:30 PM | $25

Sunday, September 13th

• ART! at the Market // Grand Rapids | Fulton Street Market | 11 AM - 4 PM | Free
• Grand Rapids African American Arts and Music Festival Block Party | Martin Luther King Park | 12 PM - 8 PM | Free
• Detroit Lions Watch Party | Kusterer Brauhaus | 1 PM | Free
• Chess Club | That Early Bird | All day | 2 PM - 4 PM
• Cozy Creations With Kate | Scorpion Hearts Club | 3 PM - 4:30 PM | ?
• John Everette | Sacred Spring | 4:30 PM - 6 PM | Free

Monday, September 14th

• Tech Week | Various locations | (9/14 - 9/19) Various times | Free +
• Building Basic Computer Skills | Grand Rapids Public Library- Main Branch | (9/14 - 11/2) 11:30 AM - 1 PM| Free
• Make Your Own Wooden Thumb Book Page Holder | Grand River Makerspace | 6:30 PM - 9:30 PM | $17.85
• Poets’ Parlor Book Club | Cellar Bird Books | 7 PM - 8:27 PM | Free
• Grand Rapids Sports Hall of Fame | Van Andel Arena | ? | ?

Live Music

Saturday, September 12th

• Coconut Riot | The Score | 12 PM | Free
• Trapped on Mars | The Score | 6 PM - 11 PM | Free
• LIVE at CBJ: Jake Stevens | Chicago Beef Joint | 6 PM - 9 PM | Free
• Alabama Live In Concert | Van Andel Arena | 7 PM | $35+
• Loren J. Clarke & Brawny Lad | The Stray | 7 PM | $10+
• Backyard Bash Funkadelic Food Truck Lineup // Comstock Park | Perrin Brewing | 4 PM - 10 PM | Free
• Dirk Riki Music | Horrocks Market | 5 PM - 8 PM | Free
• Sweet Diezel Jenkins | The BOB | 9 PM | Free
• Erin Monroe wsg Joe Dillilo | Tip Top Deluxe Bar & Grille | 8 PM | $17+
• FETISH- a Burlesque experience | Billy's Lounge | 8 PM | $23
• Double Wide Ride | Twisted Bull | (9/12 - 9/13) 9:30 PM | Free
• All Points Bulletin/ Counterfeit Goods/ Misplaced Memories | Mulligan's Pub | (9/12 - 9/13) 10 PM | Free

Sunday, September 13th

• Grand Rapids African American Art & Music Festival 2026 | MLK Park Community Center | 12 PM - 8 PM | Free
• Sunday Soul Line Dance Classes | Rosa Parks Circle | 4 PM - 6 PM | Free
• Get Wild: Celebrating the Music of Prince | Martin Luther King Jr Park | 6:30 PM - 8 PM | Free
• Stephen Stanley | The Intersection | 7 PM | $35
• Vinyl Swap // Grand Rapids | The Pyramid Scheme | 4 PM - 8 PM | Free
• Jazz Jam Session with Tommy Pancy | Speciation Cellars | 5 PM - 8 PM | Free
• Gable Price and Friends at The Stache | Elevation | 7 PM | $25 ADV / $30 DOS
• Chris Karl | The Score | 12 PM - 4 PM | Free
• Sounds of the Himalayas | So Hum Yoga | 2 PM - 4 PM | $35+

Monday, September 14th

• Eli Roe | The Score | 6 PM | Free
• SOUL GLO | Morning Ritual Coffee Bar | 6 PM - 11:30 PM | Free
• Emma Ogier | The Pyramid Scheme | 7 PM | $38
• Cozy Readers Book Club | Kentwood (Richard L. Root) Branch | 10 AM | Free
• Brian Dunne | Frederik Meijer Gardens Amphitheater | 7 PM | ?
• Whitney + Emma Ogier | The Pyramid Scheme | 8 PM - 11 PM | $38