ScrapFest Bringing Wildly Creative Art Back to Old Town Lansing

ScrapFest returns to Lansing's Old Town the weekend of July 11-12, 2025.

What Is ScrapFest?

Back when the festival began, it was just a fun contest that showed off cool sculptures that artists could make out of scrap metal. Now in its 15th year, ScrapFest is a full-on art festival that celebrates turning old stuff into amazing new art.

Make no mistake — ScrapFest still has its big sculpture competition, but there's also way more to check out. The 2025 event will also feature eco-friendly art booths, fun activities for kids, live music, tasty food, a fashion show with clothes made from scrap fabric, and even short films about the artists!

How the Sculptures Are Made

Back in May, each team participating in the contest got an hour to collect up to a quarter ton of scrap metal (or 250 pounds for smaller pieces) from the Friedland Industries recycling center in Lansing's Old Town. They were then given one month to turn what they collected into a creative sculpture.

READ MORE: Check Out All the Sculptures From a Previous ScrapFest

Old Town's Turner Street will be shut down late Friday and all day Saturday (July 11 and 12) from Cesar E. Chavez Boulevard to Beaver Street, and you'll be able to come check out (and even bid on) the artists' work.

Where the Money Goes

When the art gets auctioned off, 70% of the money goes to the artists, 20% goes to help run ScrapFest. and 10% goes to a local charity. This year, that's the Old Town Commercial Association.

Get our free mobile app

Get a closer look at "Scraptus", "RadioHead" and "Howling Wolf" below, and get a sneak peek of all of this year's ScrapFest sculptures here.