Grand Rapids is a magical place to celebrate the cold-weather season, with a jam-packed schedule of holiday events and activities through November and December, and America’s largest winter festival in January and February. Come early to get into the holiday spirit and shop for everyone on your gift list. Come back to enjoy the best of the Grand Outdoors, from ice skating and skiing to massive light-filled art installations all over downtown. Come anytime for excellent dining, made-for-the-season craft beverages, pro sports games, and much, much more!
Now in its fourth year, the Christkindl Markt is an authentic European-inspired Christmas market experience at the Grand Rapids Downtown Market. Grab a commemorative mug of glühwein or hot cocoa and stroll through an outdoor Christmas village lined with 60+ artisan gift and food vendors, holiday entertainment and family fun—including festive performances, late-night themed events, Krampus takeovers and more. Reserve a private Alpenglobe or group curling experience with food and beverage pre-orders. Visit the Greenhouse bubbles and eierpunsch bar for elevated beverage offerings. It’s 28 days of Christmas cheer filled with unique holiday experiences illuminated with international flair – right in the heart of downtown Grand Rapids. Open Wednesdays-Sundays Nov 18-Dec 24, with a bonus day Tuesday, Dec 22. Closed Thanksgiving Day.
The Christkindl Markt at the Downtown Market is inspired by the world-famous Christmas street markets that originated in Germany in the late Middle Ages and spread to other countries. The Downtown Market is transforming its outdoor space into a European-style Christmas Village lined with artisan…
Join Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park in celebrating holiday cheer at two annual exhibitions. Christmas & Holiday Traditions (Nov 25, 2026 - Jan 10, 2027) features 40+ displays honoring diverse cultures and holiday traditions plus a miniature railway garden with buildings modeled after local landmarks, visits from Santa and Mrs. Claus, and more. ENLIGHTEN at Meijer Gardens (Nov 23, 2026 - Jan 10, 2027) is an outdoor holiday experience filled with shimmering lights, breathtaking displays and magical moments that will create memories to last a lifetime.
Step into a world of enchantment with ENLIGHTEN, the ultimate winter light show experience. This dazzling display of lights and festive wonder is perfect for families, friends, and anyone looking to celebrate the season in a spectacular…
This exhibition—honoring cultures and holiday traditions from around the world—has grown to 46 unique displays depicting fact and folklore, past and present. November 25, 2025 - January 3, 2027
You’ll find something for everyone on your gift list in Grand Rapids. Shop the Holiday Market at Studio Park (Nov 18 - Dec 23 in downtown GR for handmade goods, artwork, jewelry, home décor, specialty foods and apparel from Michigan artisans, makers and small businesses. Studio Park is a 10-minute walk from the Christkindl Markt (Nov 18 - Dec 24), where you’ll find unique gifts with an international flair. There are 100 or so additional shops downtown, all within an easy walk on streets lined with holiday lights and finery.
You’ll also want to check out Breton Village Shopping Center, RiverTown Crossings Mall , Tanger Outlet Mall and Woodland Mall for famous brand-name merchandise and neighborhood shopping districts like Ada, East Grand Rapids, Lowell, Rockford and Uptown for one-of-a-kind finds. Visit these stores to find something truly unique. There are also dozens of community shopping markets and events through the season – and they’ll be added to the event calendar at the bottom of this page as soon as they’re announced.
The annual downtown GR Santa Parade and Tree Lighting (Nov 21) kicks off a season filled with beloved traditions and magical new experiences. DeVos Performance Hall presents Straight No Chaser: Making Spirits Bright (Nov 28), Love Actually in Concert (Nov 29), Mannheim Steamroller Live (Dec 1), The Muppet Christmas Carol in Concert Live to Film with the Grand Rapids Symphony (Dec 16-17) and Grand Rapids Ballet’s acclaimed production of The Nutcracker (Dec 11-13 & 18-20). Van Andel Arena hosts Christmas Together (Dec 3), featuring CeCe Winans, Michael W. Smith and Amy Grant live in concert, and For King + Country: Drummer Boy Christmas (Dec 13).
Take in the visual splendor of holiday lights in and around downtown. See nostalgic holiday displays at the Grand Rapids Public Museum and a multimedia holiday show in the Museum’s Planetarium. Attend small-town Christmas parades and tree lighting ceremonies. These and many other holiday happenings – including Cirque Dreams Holidaze, Magical Cirque Christmas, Trans-Siberian Orchestra and New Year’s Eve celebrations – will be added to the events calendar at the bottom of this page as soon as we receive confirmation.
It’s such a busy season, be sure to take time to relax and let someone else do the cooking (and brewing and distilling) once in a while. Browse our restaurant,brewery, cidery, coffee shop and distillery lists for something that’s sure to hit the spot.
Speaking of the outdoors, you can stroll the sidewalks of the Downtown Refreshment Area to view holiday lights and decorations while enjoying drinks and food from participating vendors. Other Refreshment Areas around the region offer similar opportunities.
Get the Flights of Flavor pass to find the city’s best food & drink pairings – ideal for sharing with friends and family in this festive season. Check in with the pass to earn t-shirts, caps, cutting boards and more. (They’d make perfect gifts, but you’ll probably want to keep them for yourself).
Need some wine and/or champagne for the holidays (or any day)? Grand Rapids has some great wine shops and wine bars.
Indoor and outdoor dining is available throughout the area.
World of Winter, America’s largest free winter festival, once again transforms Grand Rapids into a vibrant outdoor playground in early 2027. Expect more than 100 art installations – including large-scale, interactive and illuminated pieces – plus outdoor performances and activities for all ages. It all takes place in the city’s walkable downtown, which also features 300+ restaurants, shops, cultural attractions and entertainment venues within a 10-minute walk. More details to come as the event draws closer!
Rosa Parks Circle ice rink in downtown Grand Rapids is one of the city’s most treasured winter destinations. It opens as soon as weather allows, typically late November or early December. Grand Rapids is also a great place for fatbiking, cross-country skiing, snowshoeing and other winter sports. Head to Cannonsburg Ski Area, 20 minutes from downtown Grand Rapids, for downhill skiing, snowboarding, tubing and winter biking.
Receive admission into many attractions around Grand Rapids as well as additional exclusive discounts with our Attraction Pass now with adult, children and senior pricing.
