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World of Winter Festival

January 9 - Mar 1, 2026

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 sixth year, the two-month festival features more than 100 art installations, 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!

When to Visit

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World of Winter 2025 starts Friday, January 9, and runs through Sunday, March 1. Art installations are usually open daily from 8 am to 11 pm. Many of the installations are light-based and night-based, so it gets busier after dark and on weekends, when most events and performances are scheduled. There’s still plenty to enjoy during the day, so visit before 5 pm Mondays-Thursdays to avoid the heaviest crowds.

What to See

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Many large-scale, interactive and Instagram-worthy art installations from local and international artists will be on display throughout the event. You can easily walk from one to the other – but you might want to plan for several days of sightseeing just to take it all in.

Where to Stay

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With so much to see and do at World of Winter, you may want to stay a few days to experience it all. Choose from 13 downtown hotels to be steps from the action, or find your ideal mix of budget, amenities and location at 100+ outlying hotels.

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Where to Park

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If you’re coming to Grand Rapids by car, check the City of Grand Rapids Parking Map for locations and rates. You can park at Area 9 Parking Lot (250 Seward NW) for just $3 a day and use the DASH Shuttle to get around – this FREE service circulates around downtown, hitting every stop every 15 minutes. If you’d prefer not to drive into downtown, consider riding The Rapid, our award-winning bus system. Download the Transit app to plan your trip.

What to Wear

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Michigan winters typically require heavy coats, hats, gloves, and boots. However, Grand Rapids can experience fairly substantial swings in temperature and snow cover, so it's best to check the weather reports and dress accordingly.

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