Celebrate Meridian | Meridian Township

Make the most of your summer with live music from Starfarm and GEECH, food trucks, children’s activities, a beer garden, a drone show, and more!

Teen Night will be held on Friday, July 24, from 6:00 pm to 10:00 pm, with our main event on Saturday, July 25, from 4:00 pm to 11:00 pm. Head out to Marketplace on the Green (1995 Central Park Drive, Okemos) and Central Park (5151 Marsh Road, Okemos) to celebrate with friends and family at our biggest event of the year.

For questions, please contact the Parks and Recreation Department at parks@meridian.mi.us or 517.853.4600.

*Central Park Drive will be closed between Okemos Road and Marsh Road on Saturday, July 25, from 11:00 am to 11:00 pm. Trails in Central Park, Central Park South, and Nancy Moore Park will also be closed to allow staging of the drones. Free parking, including handicap parking, will be available at the Meridian Mall. A map of the event will be posted at a later date.

Parking and Volunteer Info:

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Where do I park? Is parking free?
- Guests can find free festival parking in the Meridian Mall parking lot. Because Central Park Drive will be closed during the Block Party, motorists must enter the parking lot from Marsh Road or Grand River Avenue. Disability parking will be available near the Marketplace on the Green Pavilion.

Are pets allowed at the festival?
- Yes, pets are allowed at the festival. However, pets must be on a non-retractable leash that is under 6 feet long. Pets must also be under their owner’s control at all times.

What events are inside versus outside? Can pets be inside venues?
- Most festival events take place outdoors. Inside activities include tours at the Meridian Historical Village and Nokomis Cultural Heritage Center. Only service animals will be permitted inside these facilities.

Are there accessible bathrooms?
- Accessible restrooms are available at the Marketplace on the Green and the Meridian Historical Village. Portable restrooms are available at multiple locations for festival guests.

What events are free?
- Guests can enjoy live entertainment (feat. GEECH, Starfarm, and regional entertainment groups), learn about our community’s heritage and history, and view our drone show finale - all for free!

Will the festival be a family-friendly event after dark?
- Yes! Children’s activities will end at dusk (9:30 pm). After dusk, families can gather at the Marketplace on the Green to watch our drone show! The drone show will end the event.

Is there an event map?
- Yes, you can find the Celebrate Meridian map at the following link: Celebrate Meridian Festival Map

Food Truck and Vendors

Capital City Sweets
Five Dog Starr
From Scratch Mediterranean Cuisine
From Scratch by Demi
Gator's Grill
Get Loaded Food Truck
Heaven on a Roll
Holy Hydration Co.
Howdy Doodle Ice Cream
Kona Ice East Lansing/Okemos/Lansing
Koyo Teas
Lone Star Lemonade
Mumbai 28 LLC
Nothing Bundt Cakes
Primal Pizza
Snow Stars
Superior Kettle Corn
The Smoke N Pig BBQ
The Sweet Spot
ThirstyOlive Boba
VEG-N

Parking Information

Attendees can park at the Meridian Mall parking lot near the Marketplace on the Green Pavilion and High Caliber Karting. Since Central Park Drive will be closed for the event, motorists will need to enter the Meridian Mall from Marsh Road.

Handicapped parking will be available at the Marketplace on the Green Pavilion (1995 Central Park Drive, Okemos).

Volunteer Opportunities

Interested in volunteering at the 2026 Celebrate Meridian Festival?

We're using SignUp to organize our volunteers! Here's how it works in three easy steps:

Select the following link to access our sign-up form on SignUp:
1. https://signup.com/go/GSiOZVz
Review the options listed and choose the spot(s) you like.
Sign up! You will NOT need to create an account or keep a password on SignUp.

SignUp does not share your email address with anyone. If you prefer not to use your email address, please contact Hannah Pachucki at pachucki@meridian.mi.us or 517.853.4608 to be signed up manually.

Schedule of Events:

Friday, July 24 - Teen Night

6:00 pm to 10:00 pm at Marketplace on the Green
- Music, laser tag, crafts with Capital Area District Libraries, video game trailer, gaga ball, and food trucks.

Saturday, July 25 - Celebrate Meridian Festival (4:00 pm to 11:00 pm)

2026 Celebrate Meridian Event Map
Farmers' Market
- 8:00 am to 1:00 pm at Marketplace on the Green
  - *July 25 hours shortened due to Celebrate Meridian
Live Music at Marketplace on the Green
- 4:00 pm to 6:30 pm - GEECH
- 7:00 pm to 10:00 pm - Starfarm
Beer Garden
- 4:00 pm to 10:15 pm at Marketplace on the Green
  - Credit cards accepted.
Food Trucks/Vendors
- 4:00 pm to 10:15 pm - Central Park Drive between Marketplace on the Green and Central Park
Children's Activities
- 4:00 pm to 9:30 pm - Central Park
  - Inflatables, rides, games, and more
  - Unlimited play with a $5 wristband. Credit cards accepted.
Central Park Performance Area
- 5:00 pm - 5:30 pm Native American Drummers
- 6:00 pm - 6:45 pm Indian Performers
- 7:00 pm - 7:30 pm Irish Dancers
- 7:45 pm - 8:15 pm Okemos Music Academy Singers
Meridian Historical Village
- 4:00 pm to 8:00 pm - Meridian Historical Village (5151 Marsh Road, Okemos)
  - Building tours and an ice cream social fundraiser for $3
  - Denning & Johnson will perform traditional Michigan fiddle and dance music from 5:00 pm to 6:30 pm
  - 102nd United States Colored Troops Company C will have an encampment
Nokomis Cultural Heritage Center
- 1:00 pm to 7:00 pm - Nokomis Cultural Heritage Center (5153 Marsh Road, Okemos)
- Native American Jingle Dancers and Drummers
- Arts and crafts
Art and Business Vendors
- 4:00 pm to 9:00 pm - Municipal Parking Lot (5151 Marsh Road, Okemos)
Information Booth
- 2:30 pm to 9:30 pm - Ingham County Command Post in Meridian Mall parking lot
Drone Show Finale
- 10:15 pm at Marketplace on the Green