Special Events

Free Music Nights in Livonia

Join us for another fun summer of free music on the east lawn of the Kirksey Recreation Center with 16 free concerts. Make sure to bring a blanket or lawn chair and enjoy the shows.

We'll be hosting children's concerts 6:30 p.m. Tuesdays, July 5-Aug. 16. This project is funded in part by Michigan Humanities, an affiliate of the National Endowment for the Humanities.

And the more adult-focused shows (still family friendly) will take place with Music From the Heart 7 p.m. Thursdays, July 7-Sept. 1. Funded by the Livonia Arts Commission.

Events are subject to change and are weather dependent. Weather hotline: (734) 466-2299.

6:30 p.m. Tue.	Children's Concerts	7 p.m. Thu.	Music From the Heart
July 5	Randy Kaplan	July 7	Rod Stewart Tribute
July 12	Zippity 2 Dads	July 14	Leave Those Kids Alone
July 19	Guy Louis	July 21	Toppermost
July 25	Funny Dumplings	July 28	Dueling Pianos
Aug. 2	Miss Paula and the Candy Bandits	Aug. 4	Steve King and the Dittilies
Aug. 9	Gemini	Aug. 11	Devin Scillian and Arizona Son
Aug. 16	Beverly the Music Lady	Aug. 18	Denise Davis and the Motor City Sensations
		Aug. 25	Packin Heat Band
		Sept. 1	The Luddites

Healthy Livonia's Farm Stand

Healthy Livonia is partnering with the MSU Tollgate Farm and Education Center in Novi to hold an indoor Farm Stand on eight upcoming Thursdays 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. every other week July 7-Oct. 20 at the Kirksey Recreation Center, featuring locally grown produce from Tollgate Farm. Make sure to stop by July 7, 21; Aug. 11, 25; Sept. 8, 22; Oct. 6 and 20.

The BIG Picnic

Bring the family over to Greenmead Historical Park 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, July 9, for The BIG Picnic. We'll have live music, tours, fitness classes, story times, archery, lawn games and face painting available, just bring your own picnic food and a blanket to enjoy in between events! There is no cost to attend or pre-registration required.

Presented by the Friends for the Development of Greenmead and sponsored by Ram Construction.

Gatsby Garden Party

Get ready for a bee’s knees day of 1920s fun! Greenmead’s beautiful historic Simmons-Hill House and gardens will serve as our Gatsby Garden Party site from 11 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Saturday, July 16. Play 1920s lawn games, dance to Jazz music, take your picture at the paper moon and immerse yourself in times gone by. Historic apparel is encouraged! You can bring your own food, or purchase from our vendor's food truck. Register today for $18/resident, $22/non-resident.

EVERYBODY'S BIRTHDAY

If your birthday is in June, this party is for YOU! Bring your friends for a fun afternoon of swimming, gym time and more from noon-4:30 p.m. Saturday, July 16, at the Kirksey Recreation Center. It’s Everybody’s Birthday, at least for those born in June, so come celebrate. The party rooms will be decorated for the occasion with cake, beverages, trinket bags, birthday crowns, games and a photo backdrop to capture the moment.

Click here for additional details and to register. Ages 2-99 must purchase a ticket. Check-in times run from noon-3 p.m.

Family Food Truck Rallies

Last year's inaugural Family Food Truck Rally was such a hit that we're bringing it back for TWO dates. Stop by the Kirksey Recreation Center's East Lawn from 4-8 p.m. Saturdays, July 23 and Aug. 20, to enjoy a variety of food trucks, live music, face painting and henna tattoos, water slide bounce house, arts and crafts, lawn games and more!

The food trucks, face painting and tattoos have a separate cost, but everything else is free!

This all-ages drop-in event will feature tunes from Detroit Soul Revue July 23 and The Pulse Aug. 20.

Shakespeare in the Park's 'ROMEO AND JULIET'

Livonia Parks and Recreation is working with Livonia Community Theatre to present a Shakespeare in the Park production of "Romeo and Juliet" this summer. Presented by Hardies Family Trust, the show will feature actors and actresses ages 14-99 bringing the William Shakespeare love story to life.

The three FREE performances will take place 7 p.m. Friday-Saturday, July 29-30, and 2 p.m. Sunday, July 31, all at Stymelski Veterans Park. Sponsored by Community Financial Credit Union.

Lamplighter 5K

If you're a fan of 5K walks/runs, but are not a morning person, we may have the answer for you! Join us 11:30 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 20, for the Lamplighter 5K at Livonia's Ford Field.

Participants on this well-lit, flat, three-loop course will be bib-timed and the top overall male and female runners will receive medals. Register by Aug. 1 to guarantee yourself a shirt and the lowest registration price.

Packet pick-up will take place Aug. 17-18, and by noon Aug. 19, at Gazelle Sports (39737 Traditions Drive, Northville) in the complex on the SW corner of Seven Mile and Haggerty Roads.

Sponsored by Gazelle Sports, Livonia Parks and Recreation, Stevenson High School Cross Country, City of Livonia and Livonia Public Schools. Contact Chris Inch at chrisinch@ymail.com for more information.

17th Annual Cardboard Boat Race

Join us 4-6 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 21, at Botsford Pool for our 17th Annual Cardboard Boat Race. Participants will build boats at home using only cardboard and duct tape. An approved materials list will be supplied at time of registration.

Awards for Most Creative Design and Fastest Boat will be given. No more than four people per boat. Life jacket will be required to be worn by those racing.

Cost is $20 per boat. Register here starting June 1 to join the fun!

Dog Swim

The pool has gone to the dogs! Bring your furry friends and join us from 5-7 p.m. Monday, Aug. 22, at Botsford Pool for a fun evening full of wet dogs!

Cost is $4 per Livonia resident dog and $7 per non-resident dog, but there is no cost for Kirksey Recreation Center members or outdoor pool pass holders. Pay at the gate. No pre-registration required.

Touch-a-truck

Come get hands on with tons of vehicles from local and State agencies Saturday, Aug. 27, from 8:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. (quiet hour from 8:30-10:30 a.m.) at Greenmead Historical Park. This FREE hands-on family event provides a unique opportunity for children and adults alike to explore vehicles of all types, including public service, emergency, utility, construction, landscaping, transportation and delivery all in one place.

There is a $1 parking donation to support local organizations. The quiet hour is for children sensitive to loud noises. Hosted by the Churchill Rotary Interact Club and Rotary Club of Livonia AM.

Fall Flea Market

The Fall Flea Market is coming to Greenmead Historical Park 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 11.

Bring your wagon or cart to shop from 170 vendors offering a wide variety of items for sale. No dogs permitted at the event. $3 adult admission paid at the gate; free for ages 11 and younger.

Stay tuned for vendor registration information later this summer.

Tour de Livonia

Get ready for the inaugural Tour de Livonia Sunday, Sept. 18, at Bicentennial Park. Cycling enthusiasts can choose from the 17-mile course (ages 16+) at 8 a.m. or the 7-mile course (all ages) at 8:30 a.m. as they cycle through parks, golf courses, neighborhoods and past notable Livonia landmarks. Helmets are highly recommended for all participants.

Proceeds will benefit Livonia Kids and Families. Register by Aug. 31 to secure your t-shirt. Cost is $30 per person for the 17-mile course and $20 for the 7-mile course. Visit TourdeLivonia.org for details.

Sponsored by AlphaUSA, Healthy Livonia, Livonia Parks and Recreation, Livonia Police, and Livonia Kids and Families. Interested in becoming a sponsor? Click here.