Cereal City Buzz: Event Guide (Feb 18 – Mar 4)

Your bi-weekly roundup of restaurant weeks, cheesy festivals, and legendary comedy in Battle Creek, Marshall, and Albion.

We are closing out February with a massive lineup.

The next two weeks feature everything from a city-wide culinary celebration in Marshall to the return of Lewis Black at FireKeepers.

Plus, Kellogg Arena gets taken over, first by gymnasts, then by BBQ and Mac & Cheese.

Here is your guide to the next two weeks.

Week 1: Gymnastics, Blues & Lunar New Year (Feb 18 – 24)

The weekend kicks off with one of the largest youth sports events of the year and a cultural celebration in Albion.

• HDI Federal Center Food Truck Parking

  • When: Wednesday, Feb 18 | 11:00 AM – 1:00 PM

  • Where: Champion Street Parking Lot

  • The Scoop: Grab a hot lunch mid-week.

• Neighborhood Planning Council 4 Meeting

  • When: Wednesday, Feb 18 | 7:00 PM

  • Where: First Congregational Church

  • The Scoop: Residents of the Northeast neighborhood can discuss local issues and improvements.

• Cereal City Classic 2026

  • When: Friday, Feb 20 – Sunday, Feb 22

  • Where: Kellogg Arena

  • The Scoop: Hosted by Branch Gymnastics, this massive meet brings hundreds of athletes to downtown Battle Creek. It’s a great chance to see high-level competition.

• Lunar New Year 2026 Celebration

  • When: Friday, Feb 20 | 6:00 PM – 8:00 PM

  • Where: Albion College

  • The Scoop: Celebrate the Year of the Horse with a Mongolian-themed party featuring traditional music, a fashion show, and Asian cuisine.

• Movies at The Bohm: "Wuthering Heights" & "Goat"

  • When: Feb 20 – 22 | Fri/Sat 7:00 PM, Sun 7:00 PM

  • Where: Bohm Theatre (Albion)

  • The Scoop: A double-feature weekend. Catch the classic romance Wuthering Heights or the family-friendly film Goat. Tickets are just $5.00 before 5 PM.

• Concert: Tinsley Ellis

  • When: Saturday, Feb 21 | 8:00 PM

  • Where: The Franke Center for the Arts (Marshall)

  • The Scoop: Part of the Franke's famous "Blues Series," this concert features the high-energy guitar work of blues-rock legend Tinsley Ellis.

• Marshall Restaurant Week

  • When: Begins Monday, Feb 23 (Runs through March 1)

  • Where: Downtown Marshall

  • The Scoop: The best week to eat out! Participating local restaurants offer special menus and pricing all week long.

Week 2: Comedy, Cheese & Screams (Feb 25 – Mar 4)

Prepare for a busy weekend. You have a major comedy show, a horror movie premiere, and a food festival all happening within 24 hours.

• Lewis Black: Live

  • When: Friday, Feb 27 | 8:00 PM

  • Where: FireKeepers Casino Hotel

  • The Scoop: The King of Rant returns! Catch the two-time Grammy winner and legendary comedian for a night of sharp wit and hilarity.

• Bourbon BINGO

  • When: Friday, Feb 27

  • Where: Battle Creek (Check Chamber for venue)

  • The Scoop: A fun twist on the classic game hosted by the Chamber of Commerce. Prizes often include high-end spirits.

• Movie Premiere: "Scream 7"

  • When: Opens Friday, Feb 27

  • Where: Bohm Theatre (Albion)

  • The Scoop: Ghostface is back. Be among the first to see the latest installment of the iconic slasher franchise.

• Que The Cheese: BBQ + Mac & Cheese Festival

  • When: Saturday, Feb 28 | 3:00 PM – 7:00 PM

  • Where: Kellogg Arena

  • The Scoop: A foodie's dream. Sample smoky BBQ and ooey-gooey mac & cheese creations from vendors across the state.

• Michigan ProStart Competition

  • When: Monday, Mar 2 | 8:00 AM

  • Where: Kellogg Arena

  • The Scoop: Watch the future top chefs of Michigan compete in this high-stakes culinary and management showdown.

Save the Date

• MARVAC RV & Camping Show: Setting up camp at Kellogg Arena on March 6.

• Casino Night in the Shops: Coming to downtown Marshall on March 14.

• George Thorogood & The Destroyers: Rocking FireKeepers on March 27.