Downtown Grand Rapids transforms into a dazzling winter wonderland every winter. Our World of Winter Festival is the largest winter festival in the Midwest – and one of the 10 Most Epic U.S. Winter Festivals Worth Braving the Cold For, according to TheTravel website.
Now in its seventh year, the two-month festival features stunning light-based art from around the world, live performances and activities for all ages, all designed to bring people outside for fun and community during the cold-weather months. Everything takes place in our easily walkable downtown, and all events and activities are FREE to attend. World of Winter is the perfect cure for cabin fever – so plan your family outings, friend meetups and romantic getaways today!
Dates: Friday, January 9 through Sunday, March 1
Times: Art installations are usually open daily from 8 am to 11 pm, though some light-based pieces are only illuminated after dark.
Special Events:
- Fire & Ice Ice Breaker in Rosa Parks Circle Jan. 10
- Luminary Bike Ride on Jan. 15
- Sound Bath in Ah-Nab-Awen Park Jan. 16
- Silent Disco in Calder Plaza Jan. 17
- Ice Piano performance in Ah-Nab-Awen Park Jan. 23
- Circus Wonderland in Calder Plaza Jan. 24
- Snowga on Jan. 25
- Rapid Art Movement, a mobile art experience, Jan. 30 & 31
- Winter’s a Drag performance in Calder Plaza Jan. 31
- Sound Bath in Calder Square, Feb. 1
- Luv’N Lunch and Love on Ice, two Valentine’s Day celebrations in Rosa Parks Circle on Feb. 14
- Drag Storybook Hour on Feb. 15
- Paint the Park, a street partly inviting you to paint the ice at Rosa Parks Circle, enjoy food trucks & more, on Feb. 21
- Great Lakes Snow Snake Competition at Sixth Street Park, featuring a traditional northern Native American game, Feb. 28
- Human Hungry Hippo Tournament in Rosa Parks Circle Feb. 28 (free to watch, fee to enter)
- Noodle Fest in Calder Plaza, featuring noodle bowls for purchase and free live entertainment, March 1
Photo provided by Experience Grand Rapids
