Category: Event Round-Up

June Events Round-Up

Published on by Abigail MillerLeave a comment

Summer is right around the corner, which means it is time for June events! This month holds many virtual and in-person opportunities in the Greater Lansing area for you to check out to celebrate the start of the new season. Click the links below to explore future events and register if required.

Pride Month Events:

June 5 and 6 – Kalamazoo Pride 2026: All proceeds from Kalamazoo Pride support OutFront Kalamazoo’s work providing vital programs, services, and resources to the LGBTQIA+ community all year long.

June 6 and 7 – Motor City Pride 2026: Motor City Pride is more than just a festival — it’s a vibrant celebration of music, talent and diversity. With four dynamic stages showcasing both local talent and world-renowned LGBTQIA+ artists, the entertainment lineup is as diverse as the community we represent.

June 13 – East Lansing Pride: Come celebrate PRIDE in the heart of downtown East Lansing! The fifth annual East Lansing PRIDE will take place along Albert Avenue between Abbot Road and M.A.C. Avenue.

June 20 and 21 – Grand Rapids Pride Festival: Celebrate the West Michigan 2-SLGBTQ+ community and support local businesses, organizations, and artists. You’ll find 150+ vendors, a beer garden (including non-alcoholic beverages), activities for all ages, food trucks, a sensory space, and local, statewide, and nationally recognized performers!

June 27 – Lansing Pride 2026: Lansing Pride is Mid-Michigan’s largest LGBTQ+ festival, celebrating visibility, inclusion, and community. The annual event brings together tens-of-thousands of attendees for a free full day of live entertainment, family-friendly activities, local vendors, food and beverage options, and a vibrant showcase of community partners.

Campus Events

June 5 – Copper Beech Tree 80th Birthday Party: The beloved Copper Beech Tree at the heart of the Department of Radiology’s Healing Gardens is turning 80 years old this year! Visit to celebrate this magnificent octogenarian tree while the gardens are in full bloom. There will be live music in the rose garden, family-friendly games and activities, and of course birthday cake! Plus, a special message from Radiology Department Chair, Dr. Mark DeLano.

June 10 – Move in the Garden: Need a midday recharge? This free outdoor movement program combines stretching, strengthening, flow, and relaxation movements to support overall mobility. Sessions meet most Wednesdays from June 10 to September 30, 2026 in the Beal Botanical Garden.

June 13 – Conjuring Kinship: Deciphering Octavia: Join Beal Botanical Garden and Dr. Kinitra Brooks in a community event diving deep into the concepts of hope, Afrofuturism, and conjure through Octavia Butler’s Kindred.

June 15 to 19 – MSU Juneteenth Celebration: This year marks the 6th annual Juneteenth Commemorative Celebration at Michigan State University! This year’s theme, Beyond Freedom: Building Futures, Protecting Our Past and Activating Change, aims to celebrate and recognize the contributions of past and contemporary artists, scientists and advocates who work tirelessly to center Black excellence in the American fabric. The Juneteenth events at MSU will include components focused on voting, entrepreneurship and storytelling. Events will run from June 15 through June 19.

June 28 – Music and the Garden Go Music Trio: The MSU College of Music and Beal Botanical Garden invite you to this year’s Music and the Garden series, an outdoor celebration of music, nature, and community.

Weekends in June – Abrams Planetarium: Chasing the Ghost Particles: At the heart of Antarctica, the IceCube detector uses elusive particles called neutrinos to explore the universe’s most extreme phenomena, including exploding stars and black holes. Through stunning simulations and a journey deep beneath the Antarctic ice, this show at the Abrams Planetarium demonstrates how scientists use these “ghost particles” to uncover secrets of the cosmos from one of the most remote places on Earth.

Learning Opportunities

June 10 – Women Talk Money: Deep dive on HSAs—help make them work for you: This webinar through Fidelity breaks down the ins and outs of how HSAs can be great for health care costs today and help strengthen your long-term financial picture, and show you how to help maximize your account at every stage of life.

June 10 – TIAA: Set Your Retirement Date: Understand your factors to get you to your goal: If you are starting to think seriously about retirement, this course is perfect for insights on how you can create your retirement vision, understand what’s ahead, estimate expenses and income, and complete your plan.

June 10 and 11 – Student Supervision Series: Hiring student employees benefits both the student and the department. This series walks you through student employment policies, required procedures, and online hiring processes while helping you set clear performance expectations and connect students’ academic interests to their work. You’ll also explore effective strategies for leading and motivating student employees.

June 16 and 17 – Crucial Conversations for Accountability: This two-day course helps participants build accountability skills that strengthen trust, improve performance, and increase team effectiveness.

June 18 – The Spartan Experience: This training is grounded in real MSU examples, team activities, and self-reflection. Whether you work in student services, facilities, finance, or academic support, you’ll walk away with tangible strategies to elevate your service mindset and make a positive impact, one interaction at a time.

June 24 – Creating and Sustaining a Positive Workplace: This course provides humorous insight into the seven habits of negativity, including tips to stop gossip, techniques for getting along with others, and strategies to reap the many benefits of a positive and engaged workforce.

June 25 – TIAA: Identity Theft: Safeguarding Your Finances: Whether it is a phishing email, fraudulent phone call, or fake social media profile, identity theft is a growing threat. In this webinar hosted by TIAA, you will learn common tactics used by identity thieves, steps to prevent identity theft, and what to do if your personal information is compromised.

June 25 – Identify and Maximize Your Strengths: Tap into your unique talents and complete the CliftonStrengths Assessment. Learn more about your natural patterns of thinking, feeling, and behaving and how it applies to your role in the workplace. Use your research to express what you do best and grow your overall confidence.

Family-Friendly Events

June 6 – Family Day: SHINE: First Saturday of the month means Family Day at the MSU Broad Art Museum! This month, discover how light moves in art. Join in on making art that invites light to filter, bounce, and shine, inspired by the exhibition: Jan Tichy: Darkness.

Recurring Weekends – Toddler Time at Launch Lansing: Visit Launch Lansing Trampoline Park during select times to enjoy children’s music, visits from Joey the kangaroo, and a special toddler section with your little ones.

Greater Lansing Area Events

Various Dates in June – Lansing Lugnuts Home Game: Head to Jackson Field and “Go Nuts” cheering on the Lansing Lugnuts, where every game brings a fun and lively atmosphere. There’s always something exciting happening at the ballpark for fans of all ages.

June 4, 11, 18 and 25 – Summer Concerts on the Square: Summer is almost here, which means Summer Concerts on the Square in Charlotte! New bands will play recurring weekly on Thursdays until the end of August.

Recurring Tuesdays – DeWitt Farmers Market: The 2026 Downtown DeWitt Farmer’s Market is being held every Tuesday until October! Here you will find the freshest produce, locally farmed meats, fresh eggs, delicious baked goods, and locally produced foods.

Recurring Saturdays – Holt Farmers Market: Visit the Delhi Township Fire Department for one of Michigan’s premiere indoor farmers markets. The Holt Farmers market serves as a space to support local farmers and food growers, local artisans, and provide locals the opportunity to purchase wholesome, locally produced foods.

Saturdays in June – Meridian Farmers’ Market: The summer schedule is here for the Meridian Farmers Market! Stop by every Saturday this month for farm-fresh ingredients, specialty foods, handmade crafts and more.

Recurring Wednesdays – The Allen Farmer’s Market: Visit the Allen Farmers Market in Lansing for seasonal produce, artisan baked goods, gluten-free baked goods, pasture raised eggs, dry beans, fresh, delectable cheeses, hot and ready-to-eat foods, local meat and fish and fun activities.

May Events Round-Up

Published on by Abigail MillerLeave a comment

May Events Round-Up 

It is warming up this spring in East Lansing, and that means it is time for May events! This month holds many virtual and in-person opportunities in the Greater Lansing area for you to check out to celebrate the start of the new season.

Campus Events

Various dates in May: Abrams Planetarium: Black Holes: Discover the fascinating world of black holes and galaxy evolution in this engaging planetarium experience, where cutting-edge science meets stunning visuals. Learn how researchers combine observations, simulations, and innovative tools to explore black hole formation, presented in a way that’s both impressive and easy to understand. 

Various Dates in May: Home Baseball and Softball Games: Come cheer on the Michigan State Spartans Baseball and Softball teams at a home game this May! 

May 16 and 17: Annual Spring Arts & Crafts Show: Join UAB at the Annual Spring Arts and Crafts Show at the MSU Union Grounds (49 Abbot Rd). Enjoy one-of-a-kind, handmade products from hundreds of local artists and small businesses. 

May 27 – Beal Footprints: Beal as a Living Landscape: Join a guided tour of W. J. Beal Botanical Garden and explore its evolving landscape from pre-settlement days to its future vision. Led by Alan Prather, this talk highlights 150 years of changing relationships with the land and the garden’s enduring mission to serve the community. 

Learning Opportunities 

May 7: TIAA More Psychology: Beyond the Numbers: Money decisions are often driven less by logic and more by emotions, habits, and personal experiences. This webinar explores how mindset shapes financial behavior and offers practical insights to help you build confidence, understand spending patterns, and align your choices with long-term goals.

May 7 – Taming the Email Beast: Take control of your inbox in this virtual workshop designed to help professionals manage overwhelming email with a proven system for organization, prioritization, and reducing clutter. Learn strategies that work across platforms like Outlook and Gmail to boost productivity, improve communication, and feel more in control of your daily workflow.

May 12 – The Power of Habit: Learn how habits are created and how to replace undesirable habits with productive ones. You will learn how to spot your habit loop, turn bad days into good data, and create habits that get the results you want.

May 13: Women Talk Money: 6 steps to help maximize your retirement savings: Saving for retirement can be especially important for women due to unique financial challenges and longer life expectancies. This session provides a clear six-step approach to help you understand your options, build confidence, and maximize your retirement savings.

May 19 – Trauma Informed Leadership: Join the Trauma Services Training Network to learn the definitions of trauma, the signs and symptoms of trauma, and the ways that trauma may manifest in the workplace. Review the principles of trauma informed practices, with an emphasis on approaches for leadership, including practical, trauma-informed strategies for supervisors managing difficult situations.

May 19: TIAA Finance for New Grads: Starting your career is exciting, but building a strong financial foundation early is key to long-term success. This session covers essential skills like understanding job benefits, managing spending, choosing between pre-tax and Roth contributions, and building an emergency fund. 

May 19 and 20 – Spartan Excellence Learning Series: This two-day program equips employees with practical skills to improve processes, solve problems, and build a culture of continuous improvement aligned with the university’s mission and strategic goals. Through hands-on modules, learn Lean principles, structured problem-solving, and strategies to implement sustainable, collaborative changes that enhance efficiency and the overall Spartan experience.

(4 Day Program) May 20, May 27 June 3, and June 10 – Breaking Free From Stress: This course explores how thoughts and perceptions shape our experiences of stress, anxiety, and life challenges, both at work and at home. Participants learn practical principles for becoming less reactive, breaking unhelpful thought patterns, and building greater resilience, self-awareness, and steadiness through change.

May 21 – Everything DiSC Behavior Styles at Work: This course introduces Everything DiSC as a simple tool for understanding different behavioral styles and improving communication and working relationships. Participants complete required pre-work before attending the virtual session.

May 27: How a 529 can fit into your education savings strategy: This webinar explains how 529 plans work, who they’re for, and how they can support your education savings goals at any stage. It also covers investment options, contribution strategies, updated qualified expenses, and how a 529 fits into your broader plan for saving and investing for your children’s future.

Family-Friendly Events

Recurring weekly on Sunday, Friday, Saturday – Toddler Time at Launch Lansing: Visit Launch Lansing Trampoline Park during select times to enjoy children’s music, visits from Joey the kangaroo, and a special toddler section with your little ones.

May 2: Family Day: Imagine:  First Saturday means Family Day at the MSU Broad Art Museum! Make creative connections with exhibitions through free hands-on and interactive family fun throughout the museum. 

May 3, 10, 17, 24 and 31 – Abrams Planetarium Family Show: What are Stars? Discover what we’re made of and where it all began in this immersive show at the Abrams Planetarium. Journey through our cosmic origins, from the formation of hydrogen to the creation of carbon and life’s essential molecules, narrated by Andy Serkis.

May 24 – World Turtle Day at the Potter Park Zoo: Celebrate World Turtle Day at Potter Park Zoo with a fun, family-friendly event featuring educational stations, interactive activities, and hands-on learning about turtles. Included with standard admission, this special day highlights the importance of protecting turtles and their role in our ecosystems.

Greater Lansing Area Events

Various Dates in May – Lansing Lugnuts Home Game: Head to Jackson Field and “Go Nuts” cheering on the Lansing Lugnuts, where every game brings a fun and lively atmosphere. There’s always something exciting happening at the ballpark for fans of all ages.

May 16 and 17 – East Lansing Art Festival: The East Lansing Art Festival celebrates over 60 years of bringing high-quality art to the streets of East Lansing. Its mission is to foster community while promoting appreciation for art, culture, and creativity throughout the greater Lansing region.

Recurring Saturdays – Holt Farmers Market: Visit the Delhi Township Fire Department for one of Michigan’s premiere indoor farmers markets. The Holt Farmers market serves as a space to support local farmers and food growers, local artisans, and provide locals the opportunity to purchase wholesome, locally produced foods. 

Saturdays in May – Meridian Farmers’ Market: The summer schedule is here for the Meridian Farmers Market! Stop by every Saturday in May for farm-fresh ingredients, specialty foods ,handmade crafts and more.

Recurring Wednesdays – The Allen Farmer’s Market: Visit the Allen Farmers Market in Lansing for seasonal produce, artisan baked goods, gluten-free baked goods, pasture raised eggs, dry beans, fresh, delectable cheeses, hot and ready-to-eat foods, local meat and fish and fun activities. 

Celebrate Earth Day at MSU!

Published on by Abigail MillerLeave a comment

Earth Day falls on April 22, and is a great reminder to give a little extra care to the planet. While many of us already incorporate sustainable habits into our daily routines, this day is the perfect opportunity to take it a step further. Whether you’re at home or heading into the office, explore these simple tips and resources to live a little greener:

Use the MSU Recycling Center: The MSU Recycling Center always leads the charge for reusable materials at MSU. The center is open seven days a week for drop-off of materials. These materials include books, cardboard, glass, metal, plastics, and more. Read the Public Drop-off Recycling Center Guide to find their hours and what and how to drop things off. 

Join the Waste Warriors: The Surplus Store & Recycling Center’s Waste Warriors program cultivates waste reduction and the utilization of waste as a resource by training and empowering the MSU community to promote these practices among their peers. By becoming a Waste Warrior, you join a group of like-minded staff and faculty from across campus who each pledge to be part of the solution that will lead MSU down the path to zero waste. 

Shop at the MSU Surplus Store: The MSU Surplus Store and Recycling Center rethinks the way the MSU Community disposes of its used materials. Their innovative program allows us to reduce the amount of university material that goes to landfills, keeping MSU green. Shop from a variety of items, including books, electronics, furniture, office equipment, vehicles, and more. Additionally, check out the Community Reuse Program to drop off a wide variety of items for reuse and recycling. 

Join the MSU Arbor Day Annual Tree Planting: On April 24, 2026 at Noon at the northeast patio of Wells Hall by the Red Cedar River, hosted by Infrastructure Planning & Facilities and Landscape Services to support MSU’s sustainability efforts. The first 100 attendees will receive free trees from the campus nursery, and parking is available at Bessey Ramp #2 with access via the footbridges to Wells Hall.

Deep Rooted Tour Series: Join Applied Ethnobotanist and Education Director of the Beal Botanical Gardens, Maeve Bassett, to learn about the social, historical, and political narratives within plants in the garden and artwork in the MSU Broad Art Collection.

Beal Botanical Garden: Earth Day Volunteer Day:  On April 22, get down in the dirt and volunteer with your favorite botanical garden team this Earth Day from 10:00 a.m. to- 2:00 p.m. Beal Botanical Gardens will be hosting an all-hands volunteering extravaganza covering the entire garden, accompanied by music and refreshments! 

Red Cedar Cleanup: On May 1, join fellow Spartans in protecting the iconic Red Cedar River at Michigan State University! Volunteers will help remove litter and debris along the riverbank, supporting local wildlife, improving the campus environment, and making a visible impact on the community.

Use MSU Bikes on Campus: MSU Bikes provides support with commuter resources to help you bike to work with confidence, including a 1-on-1 Bike Commuter Assistance service, which helps you find the safest, lowest-stress route to and from campus to your neighborhood. MSU Bikes also rents bikes to departments for staff to use during the work day through their Department Fleet Services.

Use Sustainable Transportation Methods on Campus: The MSU Office of Sustainability shares many convenient and sustainable transportation options for all, including MSU Bikes or CATA buses to limit emissions from your vehicle. No destination in mind? Explore these campus walking maps to find your new favorite trail!

While Earth Day is just one day out of the year, it can serve as a reminder to jumpstart your sustainability efforts and connection with our planet. Go Green!

April Events Round-Up

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It is officially spring in East Lansing, and that means it is time for April events! This month holds many virtual and in-person opportunities on campus and in the Greater Lansing area to celebrate the start of the new season.

Campus Events

Various Dates in April – Pride Month Events at MSU: Pride Month is dedicated to celebrating lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, questioning and/or queer, intersex, asexual and two-spirit, or LGBTQIA2S+, communities and histories. It is nationally recognized each year in June, a time when most Spartans have returned home for the summer. Michigan State University celebrates Pride Month in April, allowing Spartans to connect and celebrate pride with one another while they are still on campus.

Various Dates in April –MSU Men’s Baseball Home Game: Come visit the Jeff Ishbia Field at McLane Stadium and cheer on the Michigan State Spartans Men’s Baseball Team at a home game this April!

Various Dates in April – MSU Women’s Softball Home Game: Come visit the Secchia Stadium at MSU to cheer on the Michigan State Spartans Women’s Softball Team at a home game this April!

April 7 – 12 – Clue: Based on the fan-favorite 1985 Paramount Pictures movie and inspired by the classic Hasbro board game, Clue is the ultimate whodunit that will leave you dying of laughter and keep you guessing until the final twist at the Wharton Center this April.

April 9 – Beal Botanical Garden Tour: Spring into Conservation: Visit the Beal Botanical Garden for a spring tour exploring our diverse conservation efforts. This tour will focus primarily on Michigan’s rare plants, including our work preserving the state’s only fertile population of the Michigan Monkeyflower.

April 17 – 2026 RCPD Awards Reception: The Resource Center for Persons with Disabilities (RCPD) Awards and Appreciation Reception, held at the MSU Multicultural Center, will celebrate the recipients of 10 scholarships and three Spartans (students, faculty/staff, and alumni) who have shown exceptional dedication to advancing belonging and inclusion on our campus.

April 26 – 2026 Izzo Legacy Race: The Izzo family has partnered with Playmakers to host this premium experience on MSU’s campus. The mission is to connect alumni, MSU, and Mid-Michigan communities in a positive celebration of Coach Izzo’s legacy. The events include a 5K Run/Walk, 5K Roll, 1/2 K Walk/Roll, Kids’ Races and a Virtual 5K; all events will focus on fitness, fun, family, Spartan spirit, and charitable giving!

Learning Opportunities

April 2, 9, 16, 23, and 30 – Desk Decompress (Upper Body): Gentle movements can help counter the effects of sitting at a desk and leave you feeling more relaxed. Take a few minutes to decompress while stretching and strengthening the neck, shoulders, wrists, and spine. Movements can be done sitting or standing.

April 6, 13, 20, and 27 – Desk Decompress (Full Body): Gentle movements can help counter the effects of sitting at a desk and leave you feeling more relaxed. Take a few minutes to decompress while stretching and strengthening from head to toe. Most movements can be done sitting or standing. Balance exercises may be included.

April 7 – Building Awareness and Understanding the Intercultural Conflict Style Inventory (ICS): This April workshop introduces the Intercultural Conflict Style Inventory (ICS) to help participants understand their own and others’ communication and conflict resolution styles, improving cross-cultural interactions and problem-solving. Attendance is required for both sessions, with the second part taking place on June 2 to deepen understanding and apply strategies for navigating and resolving conflicts effectively.

April 7, 14, 21, and 28 – Navigating Hard Times with Empathy and Self Compassion: Spartan Resilience Education is offering a free, open session on practicing self-care and self-compassion, focusing on how to support ourselves and others during challenging times. Participants will learn key concepts like empathy vs. sympathy, core elements of self-compassion, and practical strategies to improve emotional support, avoid common mistakes, and enhance overall well-being and work effectiveness.

April 8 – WorkLife Wellbeing- Neurodivergence in the Workplace 2: Supporting Yourself and Others: The neurodivergence umbrella includes many common but often misunderstood disabilities. In this session, dive into how to support yourself and others and build a community inclusive of neurodivergent experiences.

April 12 – Out of the Darkness Walk: Hosted by UHW’s Counseling and Psychiatric Services (CAPS) in partnership with the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention (AFSP), the Out of the Darkness Walk is an annual event that brings Spartans together to support suicide prevention and promote mental health awareness.

April 15 – A Guide to Names and Pronouns: This in-person course allows participants to learn appropriate and respectful ways to use names and pronouns to promote gender inclusivity in the workplace. Understand why safety and privacy around gender, names, and pronouns matter, as well as how to recover when mistakes happen.

April 16 – Five Behaviors: Personal Development: This program helps individual contributors become more effective teammates by exploring the Five Behaviors of a Cohesive Team model through activities, videos, and discussions. Participants complete a pre-assessment and learn key behaviors that strengthen collaboration, trust, and team effectiveness.

April 16 – Roadmap to Retirement: If you are an MSU faculty or staff member, and you have decided to retire within a year or two, this half-day workshop covers a range of topics critical to your successful retirement.

April 20 – Relaxing Under the Stars: Visit the Abrams Planetarium for Relaxing Under the Stars, a peaceful in-person experience held once a month. Each 50-minute session features a guided constellation tour using the Digistar projection system – perfect for stress relief and mindful relaxation.

April 22 and 23 – Strategic Business Analysis: Turning Requirements into Results: This two-day course builds skills in strategic business analysis, helping participants create clear, actionable requirements that align with organizational goals and deliver meaningful results. Through frameworks, hands-on practice, and stakeholder engagement techniques, learners gain confidence in eliciting, writing, prioritizing, and evaluating requirements for maximum business value.

April 24 – Midday Moves (Hybrid): Take a break from end of the semester stress with a Finals Flex stretch, mobility, and mindful movement routine, designed to leave you feeling more relaxed. Exercises will mostly be standing and on the ground, with seated options provided. Bring an exercise mat or a towel. Join in-person at the MSU Library or over Zoom!

April 29 and 30 – Crucial Conversations for Mastering Dialogue: This program teaches techniques that allow you to make room for different opinions and perspectives, find mutual respect and common purpose, and dialogue openly. With these skills, you’ll not only work with others more effectively, but you can also help foster psychological safety and inclusion.

April 30 – Cultural Competency I: This course focuses on building cultural competence and inclusivity skills aligned with MSU’s commitment to fostering a safe, respectful, and welcoming workplace for all employees. Participants will develop self-awareness, challenge biases and stereotypes, and practice communication strategies like the CARES model to improve interactions and effectively address workplace concerns.

Family-Friendly Events

April 1 – 30 – MSU Science Festival: The MSU Science Festival is a free annual celebration of science, fueled by some of the basic elements essential to scientific inquiry: curiosity, wonder, and discovery. The festival is free and for lifelong learners of all ages!

April 4 – Family Day: PLAY: First Saturday means Family Day at the MSU Broad Art Museum! This month, find out why artists play with ideas as we celebrate the young artists in the Saturday Morning Art (SmART) pop-up exhibition, in collaboration with the MSU Department of Art, Art History, and Design.

April 5, 12, 19, and 26 – Abrams Planetarium Family Show: The Little Star that Could: Come see the story about an average yellow star on a search for planets of his own to warm and protect. Along his way, he encounters other stars, learns what makes each star special, and discovers that stars can combine to form clusters and galaxies.

Recurring weekly on Sunday, Friday, Saturday – Toddler Time at Launch Lansing: Visit Launch Lansing Trampoline Park during select times to enjoy children’s music, visits from Joey the kangaroo, and a special toddler section with your little ones.

Greater Lansing Area Events

April 10 – Night at a Living Museum: Visit the Potter Park Zoo to Unlock a world of wonder and discovery at the Living Museum! These hands-on activities are designed for guests of all ages to learn about the care of animals at the zoo and our conservation efforts both locally and globally.

Recurring Saturdays – Holt Farmers Market: Visit the Delhi Township Fire Department for one of Michigan’s premiere indoor farmers markets. The Holt Farmers market serves as a space to support local farmers and food growers, local artisans, and provide locals the opportunity to purchase wholesome, locally produced foods.

April 4, and 25 – Meridian Indoor Farmers’ Market: Farmers’ Market Moves Indoors! The Market will move indoors to the JCPenney corridor of the Meridian Mall Starting on Saturday, November 29 and will run through April.

Recurring Wednesdays – The Allen Farmer’s Market: Visit the Allen Farmers Market in Lansing for seasonal produce, artisan baked goods, gluten-free baked goods, pasture raised eggs, dry beans, fresh, delectable cheeses, hot and ready-to-eat foods, local meat and fish and fun activities.

March Events Round-Up

Published on by Abigail MillerLeave a comment

Spring is right around the corner, and that means it is time for March events! This month holds many virtual and in-person opportunities in the Greater Lansing area for you to check out to celebrate the start of the new season. Click the links below to explore future events and register if required. 

Campus Events

Women’s History Month events at MSU coming soon!

Various Dates in March – MSU Women’s Softball Games: Come visit the Secchia Stadium and cheer on the MSU Women’s Softball Team at a home game this March!

Various Dates in March – MSU Men’s Baseball Home Games: Come visit the Jeff Ishbia Field at McLane Stadium and cheer on the MSU Men’s Baseball Team at a home game this March! 

March 10 – Give Green Day: Join Spartans near and far on Tuesday, March 10, 2026, when we come together to make a better tomorrow. Give Green Day is a chance to make a difference to impact current and future Spartans.

March 11 and 12 – Uncommon Impact Begins Here Events: Join colleagues across campus March 11–12 — the two days following Give Green Day — for a series of drop-in activations including the Beaumont Tower Climb, an Ice Cream Giveaway, Historic Printing Press Experience, celebrating the faculty and staff who power MSU. 

March 15 – Jazz Orchestra with Harvey Mason: Legendary drummer Harvey Mason returns to MSU for the first time since his 2017 residency. Known for his genre-defining work with Herbie Hancock’s Head Hunters and countless jazz, funk, and fusion icons, Mason brings decades of innovation and groove to the stage in this powerful concert with the MSU Jazz Orchestras.

March 15 – Museum Tour: Deep-Rooted with Beal Botanical Garden: As spring enters the air, take the opportunity to join Applied Ethnobotanist and Education Director of the Beal Botanical Gardens, Maeve Bassett, to learn about the social, historical, and political narratives within plants in the garden and artwork in the MSU Broad Art Collection.

March 18 – Create and Connect: An Upcycling Workshop: Recharge and reconnect at ‘Create & Connect’, a spring upcycling workshop for MSU employees and graduate students at the MSU Surplus Store and Recycling Center. Through creative activity and informal connection, this event supports wellbeing, belonging, and cross-campus relationships. 

March 26 – 2026 MSU César Chávez & Dolores Huerta Commemorative Celebration: Michigan State University is celebrating its 16th Commemorative Celebration on Thursday, March 26, 2026, honoring the legacies of local and national community leaders and organizers with a special on-campus dinner for MSU students, faculty, staff and local community leaders.

March 26-27 – Fate of the Earth Symposium: Engage with the complexity of sustainability and the messy, collaborative work of turning vision into action. Designed to spark collaboration and build momentum around shared goals, the event aims to strengthen networks and empower participants to take meaningful action toward a sustainable future in uncertain times.

Learning Opportunities 

March 3, 4, 24, and 25 – Spartan Excellence Learning Series: Through a sequence of skill-building modules, participants will learn how to define problems, analyze processes, design improvements, and implement sustainable solutions. By integrating Lean methods within the broader Operational Excellence framework, the series helps create lasting practices that enhance efficiency, transparency, and the overall Spartan Experience. 

March 11 – Engaging and Empowering Teams: Listening, Learning, Leading. Understand employee success by learning evidence-based strategies to engage and empower employees, understanding employees’ perspectives about what matters most to them at work, reflecting on and assessing your own supervisory practices to identify opportunities for growth.

March 12 – Identify and Maximize Your Strengths: Tap into your unique talents and complete the CliftonStrengths Assessment. Learn more about your natural patterns of thinking, feeling, and behaving, and how they apply to your role in the workplace.

March 13 – Midday Moves: Get into the March Madness action with some midday movement. Between school spirit and good luck, we’ll have to find out where the next round takes us. This session will ensure everyone leaves a winner. Two ways to join: in-person at the MSU Library, or via Zoom link provided.

March 18 – Mental Health First Aid: Higher Education: Developed by people with lived experiences of mental health challenges and professionals, this course teaches early intervention techniques and improves mental health literacy to help you understand, identify, and respond to signs and symptoms of mental health and substance use challenges.

March 25 – Writing Policies and Procedures: It can be challenging to write policies and procedures in clear terms that can be understood by all. This virtual course will share proven strategies to successfully take on this task and provide methods for creating easy-to-understand resources. 

March 30 – Cultural Competency II: Building Respect in the Workplace: This in-person class allows you to engage in deep dialogue around power and privilege, positionality, intersectionality, and how these dynamics impact relationships in the workplace. Participants will learn ways to improve communication and treatment of team members and learn actionable practices and strategies.

Family-Friendly Events

March 1 – LEGOpalooza: Visit the Impression 5 Science Center for LEGO®Palooza 2026, an annual fundraising extravaganza packed with LEGO®-themed activities for all your friends and family!

March 7 – Family Day: SPEAK: First Saturday means Family Day at the MSU Broad Art Museum! Make creative connections with our exhibitions through free hands-on and interactive family fun throughout the museum. All ages are welcome. Join us as we make art that shares ideas in surprisingly creative ways, presented in celebration of Youth Art Month.

March 8, 15, 22, and 29 – Abrams Planetarium Family Show: Dinosaurs: Bring your family and friends to the Abrams Planetarium to learn about Celeste: a child fascinated by dinosaurs. Watch her exciting adventure to learn about the start of earth and travel back in time to learn all about dinosaurs and their extinction. 

March 14 – Pi Day 5k: Join us for a Pi Day 5k at Hawk Island Park.

Greater Lansing Area Events

March 1 – Lighthouse Lookout Paint and Sip: Grab your friends or a date and join us as we paint and sip during brunch at Lansing Brewing Company! Local artists inspire and instruct Wine and Canvas classes with step-by-step instructions to create your finished masterpiece on a 16×20 canvas. Everyone leaves with a personal masterpiece.

Recurring Weekly on Wednesdays – Live Trivia Night at HopCat: Join us at HopCat East Lansing every Wednesday for Sporcle Live Trivia! Two rounds, two chances to score prizes. 

March 6 – An Evening With The Erly: Formed in 2018, The Erly features an ensemble of musicians that all contribute to lead vocals and solos. Trading in platform shoes for cowboy boots, OH10 reveals The Erly’s roots with a stripped back, rambunctious arrangement, and portrays a story about how they were once stranded in Ohio. Visit Horrock’s Tavern to hear them live for yourselves! 

March 19 – March Madness Trivia: Visit High Caliber Karting & Entertainment for March Madness Trivia Night, where college basketball history, legendary teams, and unforgettable tournament moments take center stage.

Farmers Markets

Recurring Saturdays – Holt Farmers Market: Visit the Delhi Township Fire Department for one of Michigan’s premiere indoor farmers markets. The Holt Farmers market serves as a space to support local farmers and food growers, local artisans, and provide locals the opportunity to purchase wholesome, locally produced foods. 

March 7 and 21 – Meridian Indoor Farmers’ Market: Farmers’ Market Moves Indoors! The Market will move indoors to the JCPenney corridor of the Meridian Mall Starting on Saturday, November 29 and will run through April. 

Recurring Wednesdays – The Allen Farmer’s Market: Visit the Allen Farmers Market in Lansing for seasonal produce, artisan baked goods, gluten-free baked goods, pasture raised eggs, dry beans, fresh, delectable cheeses, hot and ready-to-eat foods, local meat and fish and fun activities. 

February Events Round-Up

Published on by Abigail MillerLeave a comment

It’s almost February, which means it is time to share February events! This month holds many virtual and in-person opportunities in the Greater Lansing area for you to check out. Click the links below to explore future events and register if required. 

Campus Events

Black History Month Events at MSU: Michigan State University celebrates Black History Month each year in February and, this year, recognizes its 50th anniversary as a federal designation. This month is dedicated to highlighting the U.S. history of Black and African American people and their contributions to society. Across campus this month, colleges, units and student organizations will commemorate Black and African American history, culture and community.

February 7, 17, and 22 – MSU Men’s Home Basketball Games: Come visit the Breslin Center and cheer on the Michigan State Spartans Men’s Basketball Team at a home game this February! 

February 15 and 21 – MSU Women’s Gymnastics Home Meets: Jenison Field in MSU’s campus is home of the MSU Women’s Gymnastics Team! Come watch a home meet this February to support the team.

February 19, 20, 27, and 28 – MSU Men’s Hockey Home Games: Visit the Munn Ice Arena to support the MSU Men’s Hockey Team this season!

February 20 – Broad Underground: Latinx Experimental Moving Image: This Broad Underground screening is part of the MSU Latinx Film Festival (LxFF), a biennial, curated film festival that serves the Great Lake State of Michigan with a special focus on the Latino/a/x communities of Michigan State University, the greater Lansing area, and the mid-Michigan region.

February 14-22 – Echoes From The Banks of the Red Cedar: Discover the hidden potential beneath the surface through an innovative collaboration involving Alexandria Davis, Kevin Jones, MSU Dance Minors, College of Music students, and MFA candidate Niloufar Fallahfar. With elements of dance, dialogue, music, and sculpture, it celebrates our collective ability to grow and transform, even after long periods of dormancy. 

February 22 – Lunar New Year Celebration Concert: Now in its fifth year, this annual event celebrates the Lunar New Year with a special guest performance by renowned Chinese musician Dr. Haiqiong Deng. Through a program titled Nature, Music, and Convergence, Deng presents a musical journey highlighting the expressive traditions of the zheng and qin, offering a rich reflection on cultural identity, memory, and innovation.

Learning Opportunities 

HR’s Organization and Professional Development Courses:

February 10, 11 and 12 – Getting Things Done: This course teaches skills to manage the constant flow of requests, tasks, and interruptions that face employees at all levels of an organization. By learning how to capture, clarify, and organize incoming requests, participants are more likely to make strategic decisions about where to invest their time and energy in ways that improve results and decrease missed deadlines, mistakes, and stress.

February 19 – Cultural Competency I: One of MSU’s guiding principles is to lead inclusively, actively, and intentionally to promote full participation and a sense of safety and belonging for all employees and staff. Join us in building cultural awareness and inclusiveness skills that strengthen cultural competence!

February 19 – Roadmap to Retirement: If you are an MSU faculty or staff member, and you have decided to retire within a year or two, this half-day workshop covers a range of topics critical to your successful retirement.

February 26 – The Spartan Experience: This training is grounded in real MSU examples, team activities, and self-reflection. Whether you work in student services, facilities, finance, or academic support, you’ll walk away with tangible strategies to elevate your service mindset and make a positive impact, one interaction at a time.

MSU University Health and Wellbeing Options:

February 2, 9 and 16  – Informal Mindfulness:  Spartan Resilience Education invites you to learn informal mindfulness skills to help you find a sense of balance in your life.This class will teach you some basic, informal mindfulness skills that can help you center and find a sense of balance while you move through your busy days.

February 3, 10, 17, and 24 – Developing Emotional Resilience: This course gives you the opportunity to explore the difference between emotional literacy, emotional intelligence and emotional resilience, identify the difference between clean pain and dirty pain, explore the connection between emotional resilience and value guided living, and more. 

February 11 – WorkLife Wellbeing: Navigating Change in the Workplace: This session explores practical strategies for navigating change, both personally and within your team. Participants will learn how to build resilience, support others, and lead through uncertainty with clarity and confidence.

February 16 – Relaxing Under the Stars: Visit Abrams Planetarium for a peaceful experience of a guided constellation tour using the Digistar projection system, followed by calming music under a starry sky—perfect for stress relief and mindful relaxation.

Every Monday through April 27 – Desk Decompress: Gentle movements can help counter the effects of sitting at a desk and leave you feeling more relaxed. Take a few minutes to decompress while stretching and strengthening from head to toe. Most movements can be done sitting or standing. Balance exercises may be included.

MSU Retirement Plan Administrator Resources:

Fidelity Black History Month Toolkit: For Black History Month, Fidelity put together some tips, tools, and resources to help you save more, plan better, and create a financial legacy.

February 12 – TIAA: Yours, mine, ours: Finances for blended families: Figuring out how to handle the finances when bringing different families together is not always easy. In this webinar you’ll get insights on budgeting and cash flow management, Estate planning and legal considerations, retirement planning and long-term goals, and managing differing financial priorities. 

February 24 – TIAA: Managing your finances during and after a divorce: Divorce can bring significant financial changes. From splitting assets to updating beneficiaries and creating a new financial plan, this webinar provides tools to help you take control with clarity and confidence.

Family-Friendly Events

February 7 – Family Day: SEE: First Saturday means Family Day at the MSU Broad Art Museum! Make creative connections with our exhibitions through free hands-on and interactive family fun throughout the museum, and explore creative possibilities of light and darkness in connection with Jan Tichy: Darkness. 

Recurring weekly on Sunday, Friday, Saturday – Toddler Time at Launch Lansing: Visit Launch Lansing Trampoline Park during select times to enjoy children’s music, visits from Joey the kangaroo, and a special toddler section with your little ones.

February 20 – Night Out in Nature for Kids:  At Harris Nature, the kids will explore the trails with flashlights, enjoy nature activities, and meet live animals. Pizza dinner is included.

February 28 – LEGOpalooza: Visit the Impression 5 Science Center for LEGO®Palooza 2026, an annual fundraising extravaganza packed with LEGO®-themed activities for all your friends and family!

Greater Lansing Area Events

February 4 – FIERCE Women in Sports: FIERCE Women in Sports, created on the principle that Females Ignite Empower Respect Collaborate and Engage with one another to expand our networks and strengthen relationships, is honoring National Girls & Women in Sports Day by inviting women from across the Greater Lansing region to come together and celebrate the power of sport. Whether you’re an athlete, coach, mentor, supporter, or leader — this event is for all!

February 7 – Old Town Lansing Chocolate Walk: At the Old Town Chocolate Walk, you will travel the neighborhood and collect chocolates at each location to support the Old Town Commercial Association and contribute to keeping Lansing’s Old Town revitalized. With your ticket you receive a custom box, punch card, map, and chocolates at every stop!    

February 8 – Super Bowl Lansing 5k: Start this year’s Super Bowl Sunday with a fun and fast 5K run/walk through beautiful Downtown Lansing, right in front of the State Capitol! Get in a healthy, fun race—then head off to enjoy your Super Bowl party feeling great!  

February 15 – Chinese New Year Celebration: The Greater Lansing Chinese Association and Meridian Township will co-host the annual Chinese New Year Celebration at the Meridian Mall, providing an afternoon of cultural activities and fun for the community. 2026 welcomes the Year of the Horse!

Farmers Markets

1st, 3rd, and 5th Saturdays (January-April) – Meridian Farmers’ Indoor Market: The Market will move indoors to the JCPenney corridor of the Meridian Mall Starting on Saturday, November 29 and will run through April.

Recurring Saturdays – Holt Farmers Market: Visit the Delhi Township Fire Department for one of Michigan’s premiere indoor farmers markets. The Holt Farmers market serves as a space to support local farmers and food growers, local artisans, and provide locals the opportunity to purchase wholesome, locally produced foods.

January Events Round-Up

Published on by Abigail MillerLeave a comment

The new year is here! If you and your family are looking for upcoming events to ring in the new year, you have come to the right place! January holds many virtual and in-person opportunities in the Greater Lansing area for you to check out. Click the links below to explore future events and register if required.

Campus Events

January 4, 15 and 22 – MSU Women’s Home Basketball Games: Come visit the Breslin Center and cheer on the Michigan State Spartans Women’s Basketball at a home game this January! 

January 4, 11, 18 and 25 – The Great Solar System Adventure:  Join showman extraordinaire “The Great Schiaparelli” as he takes the audience on a death-defying space-time adventure within his wondrous Observatorium. prepare to be subjected to the myriad dangers and wonders of our Solar System, on a breathtaking tour that reveals just how precious our home planet really is.

January 15 – Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Community Unity Dinner: Please join us for a wonderful buffet dinner and program honoring Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. and his legacy! 

January 18 – Spirituals, Prayer, and Protest Concert: In honor of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s legacy, this powerful annual concert blends music and message through the lens of jazz. Featuring the MSU Jazz Orchestras and jazz vocalist Carmen Bradford, joined by MSU jazz voice students, the performance offers a stirring tribute through spirituals, reflective works, and bold expressions of hope and justice.

January 20 – Finding Your Voice with Your Vote (Panel Discussion): Get inspired to honor a legacy with the power of the vote.Join the conversation as a panel of experts explore featured clips from the PBS program John Lewis: Get in the Way, and discuss the history behind voting rights, breakdown how your vote is counted, and share how you can harness this essential tool of democracy to honor the legacy of advocates that came before us.

January 24 – Virtual Workshop: Cultural Mapping with Sao Sreymao: How many ways can we map a place? In this online workshop, artist Sao Sreymao will teach us about cultural mapping, a method that uses alternative practices such as art and local stories to understand how communities perceive places. 

January 30 – Winter Opening Party at the MSU Broad Art Museum: Kick off 2026 with us at MSU Broad Art Museum’s Winter Opening Party! Check out the newest exhibitions while enjoying music, art-making activities, and more. All ages are welcome to this museum-wide party! 

January 21 – Why We March: From the Civil Rights Movement to Black Lives Matter: Join MSU Libraries for a pop-up exhibition to highlight historical marches and commemorate the anniversary of the March on Washington. The exhibition showcases a collection of 40 protest posters compiled at the 57th anniversary of the March on Washington in 1963.

Through February 28 – MLK Commemorative Celebration Stuff the Library Event: The MSU Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Commemorative Celebration Planning Committee is hosting another Stuff the Library event as a component of this year’s celebration to benefit East Lansing Public Schools. The event aims to fill school libraries with books on social justice topics and characters representing diverse backgrounds.

Learning Opportunities

January 14 – Women Talk Money: Your money routine, your rules: Turn your monthly financial to-do list into a routine you’ll actually enjoy—and even want to keep. Discover simple steps and mindset shifts that can help you stay consistent, save more, and stress less.

January 21 – Ask Fidelity Anything: Trading individual bonds & CDs: Don’t miss this live “Ask Fidelity Anything” (AFA) on trading individual bonds & CDs in both the new issue & secondary markets.

January 22 – Bystander Intervention Training: This one-hour interactive course is designed to provide participants with strategies designed to prevent and interrupt problematic behavior associated with gender-based discrimination or harassment in the workplace. Session attendees should leave the program with a better understanding of and increased confidence in Bystander Intervention skills, including knowledge of various MSU-specific support resources.

January 27, 28 and 29 – Crucial Influence:  Leaders must be able to influence behavior to achieve team goals and organizational objectives, and the Crucial Influence Model reveals why people do what they do and how leaders at every level can influence behavior for lasting results. If you are a mid to high-level leader who is responsible for directing change and improving efforts, this is a great course for you! 

January 27 and 28 – Spartan Excellence Learning Series: This two day series equips learners with the knowledge, skills, and mindset to improve processes, strengthen accountability, and build a culture of continuous improvement. Grounded in the principles of Operational Excellence, the program emphasizes aligning improvements with MSU’s mission, values, and the 2030 Strategic Plan.  

Family Friendly Events

January 3 – Sensory Friendly Showtime: Developed in partnership with Family Hope Foundation, Sensory Showtimes make movies extra welcoming to guests with special needs, including autism. January’s movie is David! 

January 3, 17 and 31 – Meridian Farmers’ Indoor Market: Farmers’ Market Moves Indoors! The Market will move indoors to the JCPenney corridor of the Meridian Mall Starting on Saturday, November 29 and will run through April.

January 9 – Sensory Friendly Night: Harris Nature Center invites families with members who have sensory processing needs to a special after hours evening. Their friendly and welcoming staff will have the building open and exhibits will be altered to reduce sounds and lighting. HNC will also provide a quiet room and sensory kits will be on hand.This event is open to all ages and abilities!

January 11 – Storytime at the Michigan History Museum: Join Ms. Cassie from Capital Area District Libraries for a Pop-Up Storytime at the Michigan History Museum!

Greater Lansing Area Events

January 8 – Zoso: The Ultimate Led Zeppelin Experience: Visit Grewal Hall  to see Zosom which has become one of the most iconic and respected Led Zeppelin tribute experiences in the world.

January 22 – Lansing Symphony Orchestra: Visit the Robin Theatre in Lansing for the unique, intimate concerts of contemporary chamber music from the Lansing Symphony Orchestra. 

January 23 — 26 – Michigan’s 189th Birthday Bash: Visit Mason to celebrate Michigan’s 189th Birthday! All things Michigan and shop over 100 Michigan small businesses. More details to follow soon. Be sure to follow along our event calendars.

Winter Events and Holiday Shopping

Published on by Abigail MillerLeave a comment

If you and your family are looking for upcoming winter events and holiday shopping, you’ve come to the right place! November and December hold many opportunities in the Greater Lansing area for you and your family. Click the links below to explore future events and register if required! 

Holiday Shopping

Online – Student-Made Michigan State: This holiday season, give back to the MSU student community by purchasing gifts from the Student Marketplace!

November 14 – Holiday Shopping Night at Impressions 5: Kick off this holiday season at this annual event and find unique STEM-related gifts, toys, books, and more for your loved ones! Enjoy festive drinks, music, and gift wrapping, as proceeds go 100% to a mission-based non-profit organization, Impressions 5. 

November 29 – South Lansing Holiday Market: Shop local this holiday season at the South Lansing Farmers Market. With over 60 vendors offering handmade gifts, foods, decor and more, visit the former TJ Maxx storefront to see it all. There will be live music, activities for the whole family, raffles and more!

December 6 – DeWitt Holiday Showcase: A fun time to make and take holiday craft projects, stroll through a Festival of Trees, or take pictures with Santa. 

December 6 and 7 – Winter Arts & Crafts Show: The Annual Arts and Crafts Show is a beloved event here at MSU, and also serves as a fundraiser for the University Activities Board (UAB). All vendor booth proceeds go directly to UAB, and this event will be held in the MSU Union. 

Campus Events

Throughout November and December – Spartans Supporting Spartans Campus-wide Food Drive: MSU is coming together to support our community through a campus-wide food drive. In partnership with the MSU Food Bank and Basic Needs Program, units are joining forces to combat food insecurity and uphold our shared commitment to social responsibility. Anybody can donate!

November 1 – Family Day: FLOW:  First Saturday means Family Day at the MSU Broad Art Museum! Make creative connections with our exhibitions through free hands-on and interactive family fun throughout the museum. All ages are welcome to learn about how ideas move in art. 

November 19 – Native American Heritage Month Events and Educational Programs: Join the MSU Native American Institute for Echoes of the Earth: Native American Drumming Traditions followed by a hand drum building workshop.

November 28 – December 21 – Season of Light Show: Visit the Abrams Planetarium for a viewing of the Season of Light show! Learn about how many customs we observe during the holiday season have an astronomical connection. 

December 6 – Symphony Orchestra and Choirs: Alegría Navideña: Celebrate the season with one of MSU’s most treasured musical traditions. Lee R. Kesselman’s Festival of Lights offers a vibrant setting of English and Hebrew texts, and the evening concludes with a joyful audience sing-along. Conducted by Sandra Snow and Octavio Más-Arocas. 

December 17 and 18 – World Ballet Company: Nutcracker: Visit the Wharton Center and celebrate the season with The Nutcracker, a heartwarming ballet that brings dreams into reality for audiences of all ages. 

December 13 – Cocoa and Collection at the Broad Art Museum: Bring the whole family to the Broad Art Museum to enjoy hot chocolate and create wintry works of art inspired by collections! 

Learning Opportunities

November 13 – Cultural Competency I: One of MSU’s guiding principles is to lead inclusively, actively, and intentionally to promote full participation and a sense of safety and belonging for all employees and staff.

November 20 – Cultural Competency II: Participants will engage in deep dialogue around power and privilege, positionality, intersectionality, and how these dynamics impact relationships in the workplace. Participants will learn ways to improve communication and treatment of team members and learn actionable practices and strategies.

December 2 – Business Writing for Results: Writing skills can make a big difference to your efficiency, productivity, and career success.  Learn to apply proven guidelines to get the attention of your readers and say more with fewer words. 

December 3 – A Guide to Names and Pronouns: Learn appropriate and respectful ways to use names and pronouns to promote gender inclusivity in the workplace. Participants will understand why safety and privacy around gender, names, and pronouns matter, as well as how to recover when mistakes happen.

December 18 – Everything DiSC: Productive Conflict: Prior to the course, you will take an assessment that will help you better understand your own personal responses in conflict. During the course, you will learn techniques to improve self-awareness around conflict behaviors so conflict can become more productive, improving workplace results and relationships.

Greater Lansing Area Events

November 15 – Pie Making Class: Learn the first key technique in pie baking – creating a tender, flaky crust. Each student takes home one ‘ready-to-bake’ apple lattice topped pie!

November 21– Silver Bells in the City: Are you ready to see the entire city shine? Visit Downtown Lansing for a tradition of lights, music, and more to celebrate the city and the start of the holiday season.

November 22 – December 23 – Wonderland of Lights at Potter Park Zoo: Take a leisurely stroll through the zoo’s festively illuminated pathways, where you’ll be surrounded by the warm, inviting glow of twinkling light. Santa will be available for photos on zoo grounds during the Wonderland of Lights event on Fridays and Saturdays only.

December 5 – Night Lights Christmas Parade & Festivities: The Annual Night Lights Christmas Parade is a spectacular night time parade packed full of lots of lights and music! 

DATES POSTED SOON – East Lansing Winter Fest: Come by the Hannah Community Center for a celebration of all things winter. This free event will have indoor and outdoor activities, ice carving, crafts, and more!

Arial view of campus in autumn, with Spartan Helment.

October Events Round-Up

Published on by Abigail MillerLeave a comment

October Events Blog 

If you and your family are looking for activities this October,  you’ve come to the right place! Check out upcoming events to celebrate fall in the Greater Lansing area! Visit the links below to explore upcoming events and register if required. 

Campus Events

October 1-31– MSU Benefits Open Enrollment: Open Enrollment is your annual opportunity to review your coverage options and ensure you have the benefits that are best for you and your family as you head into the new year. Learn more on the HR Website and plan to visit the Benefits Fair on October 21 or one of the several Site Labs available throughout October.

October 1 – Artist Talk: Pao Houa Her: Think of a favorite picture of yours. What story does it tell? Join artist Pao Houa Her for a conversation on artistic practice and legacies of landscape, portraiture, and documentary photography.

October 2 – The Great Gatsby Ballet: Dance into the Roaring Twenties with this dazzling Broadway-style ballet presented by the World Ballet Company at the Wharton Center. Dress to impress, raise a glass, and immerse yourself in a night of elegance and dance. 

October 3 – MSU’s 2nd Annual Disability Summit Keynote Speaker: This year’s summit will be a half-day event featuring keynote speaker Haben Girma, a disability advocate and author. In-person attendance is full, but you can watch the keynote virtually by registering for the Disability Summit!

October 3, 10, 17, 24, and 31 – Disability Summit Virtual Sessions: Register for webinars by 8 a.m. on the day of the presentations.

October 4 – Fall Fest: Stop by the MSU Surplus Store and Recycling Center for pumpkin carving, thrifting, tours, upcycle crafts, music, and more!  

October 11 and 25 – MSU Home Football Games: Let’s cheer on the Spartans as they take the field at Spartan Stadium. Whether you’re in the stands, attending a tailgate, or watching the game nearby from a local sports bar. There are two home games in October. 

October 14 – Film Screening and Discussion: Join your fellow Spartans to watch “Change, Not Charity: The Americans with Disabilities Act,” a documentary that explores the history, impact, and ongoing significance of the ADA and the disability rights movement.

October 21 – MSU Benefits Fair: MSU benefit providers and MSU HR staff will be available to answer questions and help employees and retirees enroll in or change their benefits on-site at the Breslin Student Events Center. During the fair, Humana and Personify Health will be offering presentations about their health care plans for current and future (within the 2026 plan year) MSU retirees. 

October 22 – Beal Footprints Walking Tour Series: Join Beal Botanical Garden and Campus Arboretum for lunchtime guided tours beginning at the Beal Pond. October’s tour is Riverbank restoration and clean-up; Carolyn Miller, Arboretum & Invasive Species Coordinator. 

October 24-25 – Alex’s Great State Race: Mark your calendars! Alex’s Great State Race returns— uniting two rival universities, MSU and U-M, as ROTC cadets run 64 miles through the night, honoring the legacy of Alex Powell, while supporting individuals with disabilities, celebrating a Great Race and Greater Purpose.

October 26 – ArachnoBROADia: The MSU Broad Art Museum is hosting a spooky afternoon of eight-legged fun for all ages, inspired by artwork from the MSU Broad Art Museum’s collection! Get creative with creepy crafts at the museum, then visit your favorite crawly creatures at the MSU Bug House. All ages are welcome.

October 30 – Accessibility Work-a-thon: A walk-in event will take place in the Main Library Beaumont Instruction Room, where faculty and staff can work on improving the digital accessibility of their videos, documents, and other materials. Accessibility team members from OCR, IT, Ed Tech, and the Libraries will be available to assist, answer questions, and provide consultation.

Learning Opportunities

October 8 – TIAA Webinar: Quarterly Economic and Market Update: Hear from the experts in our Wealth Chief Investment Office about key drivers of the markets and economy that are impacting investors.

October 9 – Facilitated Dialogue on Cultural Competency: This participant-led course invites participants to engage in further discussion around topics related to cultural competency. While facilitators will share prepared prompts to start dialogue, participants are also welcome and encouraged to bring topics, questions, and ideas for dialogue. 

October 9 – Roadmap to Retirement: If you are an MSU faculty or staff member and you have decided to retire within a year or two, this half-day workshop covers a range of topics critical to your successful retirement.

October 15 – TIAA Webinar: Avoiding Cybersecurity Threats and Fraud: The frequency and format of scams are increasing. Learn how to protect your information and your financial future.

October 16 – Strengths-Based Leadership: Looking to maximize your strengths and become a stronger leader? Understand manager-specific strengths using the CliftonStrengths for Managers Report in this in-person course. 

October 17 – Broad Underground: Black Experimental Moving Image: How can Black experiences be represented in experimental film, video, and new media? Join Emily Martin, distribution manager at the Video Data Bank, School of the Art Institute of Chicago, for a curated screening and discussion. This event is in partnership with the MSU Department of African American and African Studies. 

October 23 – Bystander Intervention Training: This course is designed to provide participants with strategies to prevent and help in problematic behavior associated with workplace harassment or discrimination. 

October 30 – TIAA Webinar: Planning and Managing Healthcare Expenses: Healthcare costs can really add up in retirement. That’s why it pays to be prepared. In this webinar, we’ll help you separate myth from reality when it comes to managing costs for a healthy financial future.

Family-Friendly Events

October 4 – Family Day: The First Saturday of the month means Family Day at the MSU Broad Art Museum, and this October, you have the chance to connect through materials and ideas in celebration of Africa Past, Present, and Future. 

Select Dates in October – Fall Family Film Fest: Bring the whole family to NCG Cinemas this fall for all of your favorite fall movies! 

October 18 – Spooky Sprint: You and your whole family have the chance to run the annual Spooky Sprint this October! This fun Halloween-themed event offers great swag, free photos, delicious treats, and plenty of fun. There is also a kids’ dash option for those under 10, so everyone can participate. 

October 20 and 27 – Sensory Friendly Hour at Bath Township Library: On the third and fourth Mondays of each month, visit the Bath Township Library for sensory-friendly hours. Staff will dim the lights, provide sensory-friendly toys, fidgets, and noise-canceling headphones for those seeking a calming environment in which to explore books. 

October 31 – Trick or Treat: Join us on the last night of Jack O’ Lanterns Unleashed on Halloween night for a time of free trick or treating at the Ingham County Fairgrounds.

Greater Lansing Area Events

October 3 – The Best of The Best: Jazz From Detroit: Jazz from Detroit Documentary Film is a landmark double portrait of Detroit’s extraordinary jazz legacy and the dynamic city that produced it. Film starts at 6:30 p.m. with doors opening at 6:00 p.m.

October 4 – Horrocks Biergarten Oktoberfest:  Visit Horrocks Biergarten to celebrate this year’s Oktoberfest! There will be beverages, food, and the Katzenjammer German Band will also be performing. 

October 15 – Vintage Tuck Fall Bounty Paint Class: Visit Grand Ledge for a pre-traced canvas painting event with themed trivia, prizes, and more!

October 15 – Harvest Festival: Count on the Allen Farmers Market for fresh produce from mid-Michigan farms, the highest quality meat, artisan baked breads, gluten-free goods, eggs, and more at this year’s Harvest Festival at the Allen Neighborhood Center. 

October 17 – Howloween: Dog Trick-or-Treating: For over 25 years, Dog Trick-or-Treating at Preuss Pets has been the howl-o-ween event you don’t want to miss, and it’s back! The fun starts at Preuss Pets, where participants will receive a bag full of goodies!

October 18 – Old Town Fall Clean Up: Help keep Old Town looking its best! Join neighbors, volunteers, and friends as we come together to beautify the Old Town neighborhood before winter sets in. Tools will be provided, but feel free to bring your own gloves, rakes, or equipment that you find helpful. All ages are welcome to volunteer! 

Select Weekends in October – Boo at the Zoo: This Halloween season, see the Potter Park Zoo transform into a fall wonderland that will leave you and your family spellbound. Grab your treat bags and get ready to make memories that will last this fall. 

Farmers Markets

Beginning October 5 – The East Lansing Farmers Market: Visit Valley Court Park from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. every Sunday in October for some shopping and fresh air at the East Lansing Farmers Market (ELFM). Here, you can purchase a variety of fresh goods, farm-grown in Michigan, including vegetables, fruits, bread, cheese, honey, flowers, and more. 

Beginning October 6 – Downtown Dewitt Farmers Market: Come to the Downtown Dewitt Farmers Market for an evening of exploring small businesses, home-grown foods, treats, and more! Every Tuesday in October, join from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. for some shopping, food trucks, and fun in Downtown Dewitt.

Beginning October 2 – South Lansing Farmers Market: The South Lansing Farmers Market is open on Thursdays and located at the corner of Jolly and S. MLK in Lansing. Stop by for farm-fresh fruits and veggies, fresh-cut flowers, arts and crafts, natural body and household products, and a food court featuring Mexican, Chinese, Lebanese, and Southern Soul cuisine – a little something for everyone! 

Beginning October 2– Dimondale Farmers Market: The Dimondale Farmers Market will run every Thursday in the Village Square. The Market is celebrating their 18th season and hosts over 15 vendors providing locally produced products, including fruits, vegetables, chicken, fish, jams, honey, flowers, and more!

All programs and activities are open to all without restriction or preference based on race, sex, color, ethnicity, national origin, or other protected identity.

Autumn Leaves

September Events Round-Up

Published on by Abigail MillerLeave a comment

If you and your family are looking for activities in September,  you’ve come to the right place! Check out upcoming events to celebrate the start of fall! Visit the links below to explore upcoming events and register if required. 

Campus Events

September 3, 10 and 17 – Move in the Garden:  Need a midday recharge? Stop by under the gingko tree at the Beal Botanical Garden with a yoga mat or towel, and refresh your body and mind through this stretching and strengthening class. This free session is designed for all ability levels. 

September 7 – Curator Tour: Unbecoming: Join Assistant Curator Dr. Rachel Winter at the MSU Broad Art Museum to learn more about what an artist’s process teaches us about transformation in our personal lives. 

Opening September 14 – Mekong Voices: Transnational River Justice in Mainland Southeast Asia: Open until February at the MSU Broad Art Museum, the Mekong Voices exhibit displays the Mekong River, which is revered as the “Mother River” across Mainland Southeast Asia. Mekong Voices celebrates the necessary and innovative work of traditional craft and art in translating the river’s voices, both human and more-than-human, across national and linguistic boundaries.

September 16-21 – A Beautiful Noise: The Neil Diamond Musical: Coming to the Wharton Center, A Beautiful Noise is the uplifting true story of the life of Neil Diamond shining on Broadway. 

September 28 – Shape Shift: The Art of Coming Undone: This three-part studio series at the MSU Broad Art Museum invites you to explore transformation through art. No previous art experience required – just a willingness to explore, reflect, and reimagine! 

Learning Opportunities

September 2 and 9 – Desk Decompress: This virtual 15-minute class offers the perfect mid-day reset. Stretch and strengthen your wrists, neck, spine, and shoulders, all from the comfort of your own desk. 

September 9, 10, and 11 – Getting Things Done: This course teaches skills to manage the constant flow of requests, tasks, and interruptions that face employees at all levels of an organization. Learn how to organize incoming requests, manage stress in the workplace, prevent missed deadlines, and enhance your personal development at work. 

September 10 – Promapp, Interactive Process Creation: Continue your process improvement journey and build upon the knowledge and skills learned in Introduction to Process Mapping. 

September 10 – Hunger Free and Basic Needs: MSU Meets the Food and Nutrition Needs of Students and Staff:  Join MSU Nutrition Services and MSU Food Bank and Basic Needs Program staff to explore the resources available to support food and nutrition needs on campus. Learn how you can access help and help others. Register for Hunger Free and Basic Needs via Learning Stream.  

September 10 – Women Talk Money: How to balance saving and tackling debt: Join this webinar with MSU retirement vendor, Fidelity, for a step-by-step guide that will help you learn how to organize your financial priorities. 

September 10 – Fidelity Front Row 2025: Join Fidelity to listen to the Active Trader Pro beta team, a live Q&A, a special giveaway, and timely insights. 

September 11 – Tips for working with a financial professional: Having a financial professional supporting you on every step of your journey is key to creating a secure financial future. In this webinar, learn about how a financial professional can help you and how to find a financial professional and prepare for your first meeting.

September 17 – Women Talk Money: What you should know about investing: Investing may help you reach your short- and long-term goals, but sometimes it’s hard to know where to start, what questions to ask, or what step to take next. Join Fidelity to learn more about different investment options and management styles that can help you decide how to keep your goals on track.

September 17 – Maximize Your Concur and Travel Skills: Recommended for new employees, learn how to understand the Concur system, create a travel request, book travel, reconcile travel expenses, and more. 

September 18 – The Power of Habit: Learn how habits are created and how to replace undesirable habits with productive ones. You will learn how to spot your habit loop, turn bad days into good data, and create habits that get the results you want.

September 25 – How to get the most from your employee retirement plan: Your workplace retirement plan is one of your most important employee benefits. In this webinar we’ll show you how to take advantage of all your plan has to offer so you can save and invest with confidence and get the most from your money.     

Family-Friendly Events

September 12-14 – 2025 MSU Family Weekend: Visit Michigan State University’s campus this weekend in September to enjoy a football game, visit your Spartans and the beautiful campus, and explore the Greater Lansing area! Check out the Choose Lansing website for help with lodging, tickets for the game, and parking information. 

September 11 – Chipmunk Story Time: Storytime comes alive at the Harris Nature Center Chipmunk Story Time event. Meet Chicory Chipmunk and his animal friends. 

Recurring Fridays and Saturdays – Toddler Time at Launch Lansing: Visit Launch Lansing Trampoline Park during select times to enjoy children’s music, visits from Joey the kangaroo, and a special toddler section with your little ones. 

September 20 and 21 – Capital City River Run: This year marks the 32nd anniversary of the Capital City River Run, a two-day event that includes a half-marathon, 5k walk/run, and the Sohn Kid’s Race. All proceeds will support the Impression 5 Science Center and its mission to provide families with hands-on science exhibits and learning opportunities. 

Greater Lansing Area Events 

Wednesdays in September – Meridian Township Summer Concert Series: Savor the last bit of summer weather and visit Marketplace on the Green for the Meridian Township Summer Concert Series! Visit the website to see who is playing and when, every Wednesday in September.

September 17-20 – 2025 Michigan BluesFest: Michigan BluesFest is an annual event held in Old Town Lansing, bringing people of all ages together through the shared love of Blues Music. 

September 19-21 – Lansing LIT:  Join the city of Lansing for the second annual Lansing LIT book festival! Explore local bookstores, author events, a bookstore crawl, and more at Michigan’s capital city. 

Farmers Markets

Beginning September 7 – The East Lansing Farmers Market: Visit Valley Court Park from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. every Sunday in September for some shopping and fresh air at the East Lansing Farmers Market (ELFM). Here, you can purchase a variety of fresh goods, farm-grown in Michigan, including vegetables, fruits, bread, cheese, honey, flowers, and more. 

Beginning September 2 – Downtown Dewitt Farmers Market: Come to the Downtown Dewitt Farmers Market for an evening of exploring small businesses, home-grown foods, treats, and more! Every Tuesday in September, join from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. for some shopping, food trucks, and fun in Downtown Dewitt on a warm summer night. 

Beginning September 4 – South Lansing Farmers Market: The South Lansing Farmers Market is open on Thursdays and located at the corner of Jolly and S. MLK in Lansing. Stop by for farm fresh fruits and veggies, fresh cut flowers, arts and crafts, natural body and household products, and a food court featuring Mexican, Chinese, Lebanese, and Southern Soul food – a little something for everyone! 

Beginning September 4 – Dimondale Farmers Market: The Dimondale Farmers Market will run every Thursday in September in the Village Square. The Market is celebrating their 18th season and hosts over 15 vendors providing locally produced products, including fruits, vegetables, chicken, fish, jams, honey, flowers, and more!