World of Winter Festival

World of Winter 2025 starts Friday, January 10 at 6pm and runs through Sunday, March 2 at 11pm. Art installations are open daily from 8am-11pm. 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 5pm Mondays-Thursdays to avoid the heaviest crowds.

More than 20 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: 555 Monroe Skate Park

• Bon{d}fire is a bonfire-like LED structure inviting visitors to share their stories into surrounding microphones. As participants share their stories, their voices are transformed into vibrant rhythms and colors that illuminate the LED bonfire.
• The WoW Selfie Spot is the perfect place to snap a photo to remember your World of Winter experience.

Where: Ah-Nab-Awen Park

• Soloveiko Songbirds are inflatable songbirds from different regions of Ukraine that share their distinctive melodies at the press of a button. A celebration of the beauty and resilience of Ukraine.
• The Hive is an immersive light installation featuring a towering honeycomb structure made of custom high-density LEDs that pulse with color and movement, perfectly synced to an original 10-minute music competition.
• The Singing Tree is an interactive lighting installation that transforms singing, clapping, yelling and speaking into vibrant visual experiences. The tree lights up in colorful patterns based on the sounds you make.

Where: The Blue Bridge

• Kinetic Perspective is a row of 18 illusions, each composed of two circles spinning in sync, which gives the impression of a vanishing point at the eye level of visitors. The audience must move around to uncover the patterns, glimmers and distortion, in which a hidden geometry will be revealed.
• Snail Trail is a group of over-size snails made of steel and sound-activated light.
• Sturgeon is a colorful, illuminated sculpture raising awareness for a threatened species in our watersheds – the Lake Sturgeon. Located just east off the Blue Bridge.

Where: Calder Plaza

• Chronoharp is an intricate, triangular form of light and color that responds to human touch, cascading with luminous animations that dance through its structure.

Where: Canal Park

• Apogee is a 23 ft. wide x 12 ft. tall aluminum structure that comes to life with dynamic, space-themed visuals mapped onto its surface. Two swings and integrated benches invite visitors to relax and engage with the art.
• Doodle Benches are a series of playful, robot-inspired benches that come to life with simple lines, vibrant colors and creative lighting.
• Messie the Grand River Monster is a purple monster whose 14-ft. tentacles emerge from the Grand River to explore the city.
• Rainbow Willow Tree is a vibrant display of lights around a willow tree.
• Stargaze is a an astral-inspired steel sculpture that bathes visitors in light and as they walk around it. 

Where: Celebration Cinema Studio Park

• Arctic Friends is a large-scale papier-mâché sculpture depicting four animals ice fishing, drinking hot cocoa with marshmallows and warming up over a bonfire.
• Disco Heart is adorned with golden ornaments that resemble shimmering disco balls.

Where: DeVos Place

• Frosty Fotos is a large panorama of cutout figures – two people standing by a light post, three on a sled and two snow persons – that provide a fascinating frosty photo op.
• Life is But a Dream is a set of three oversized steel sculptures resembling folded paper boats, lit from within to create a playful atmosphere. Located at the rear of the building along the Grand River.

Where: Downtown Grand Rapids, Inc. (29 Pearl St. NW)

• Mabuhay Philippines is a window-art exhibition of Filipino culture, showcasing colorful lanterns, traditional attire, rich history, and local heritage. 

Where: Gerald R. Ford Presidential Museum

• Waves captures the abstract beauty of ocean waves through fluid, intertwining shapes and dramatic lighting.

Where: Gillett Bridge

• Alarum, meaning “wing” in Latin, is an immersive light and sound installation shaped like the wingspan of a Bald Eagle. An Attraction Mode and Performance Mode present two different levels of interaction.
• Grand Legacy honors the rich history of the Grand River through vibrant projections, stunning artwork and interactive elements.

Where: Grand Rapids Art Museum

• Land of the Living consist of everyday objects collected from local residents arranged into an altar-like throne that invites visitors to sit.

Where: Lyon Square

• Fireflies features lights moving  within a vibrant yellow structure topped with a grass roof to evoke a magical atmosphere.
• Starlight is a gorgeous steel structure with cut-outs of celestial patterns that glow from within.

Where: Sixth Street Park

• Birdhouse comes to life with lighted birds and bird sounds when cranked.
• Manidoo Bawating, which means “Spirit of the Rapids” in indigenous Anishinaabemowin language, is an 11-ft. tall sculpture representing and honoring important symbols and unique traditions of the Native American community that thrived along the Grand River and throughout the Great Lakes region.
• Skeleton Lighting Crew is a ragtag group of holiday-hearted skeletons attempting to create a lighting display (and encountering a few tangles along the way).
• STORM is an abstract geometric lightning bolt that crackles, sparkles and pulsates in a synthesized display of static electrical discharge.

World of Winter brings the fun with events for both families and adults. Get into the spirt of the festival at the Opening Celebration (Jan. 11), featuring a giant interactive LiteBrite board, an interactive LED bonfire, yard games, cozy fire pits and drinks, food trucks and a high-energy DJ set.

Additional events include:

• WoW Scavenger Hunt offering a chance to earn points and win prizes
• Guided Walking Tour: The Chilly Challenge, Jan. 19, 16, 23 & 30 and Feb. 6, 13 & 20
• Guided Walking Tour of Art Installations, Feb. 5, 19
• Photo Walk with local photographer Bryan Esler, Jan. 12 & Feb. 9
• Fashion Show on the Gillett Bridge, Jan. 17
• Silent Disco at Calder Plaza, Jan. 18
• Snowga at 555 Monroe Skatepark, Jan. 19
• Sound Bath & Meditation at Calder Plaza, Jan. 19, Feb. 15
• BONIMGET Native Hoop Dancing on the Gillett Bridge, Jan. 24
• Ice Breaker live ice carving in Rosa Parks Circle, Jan. 25
• Fire & Ice, with fire performers gliding and jumping on the ice at Rosa Parks Circle, Jan. 25
• Ice Park & Food Truck Rally at 555 Monroe Skatepark, Jan. 26
• Guided Walking Tour of African American History, Jan. 29, Feb. 12 & 26
• Disco on Ice at Rosa Parks Circle, Jan. 31, Feb. 12 ($2 - $4 for skating rink admission)
• Winter’s a DRAG drag show at Calder Plaza, Feb. 1
• Ice Piano Performance in Canal Park, Feb. 7
• Jashin: Celebration of Life showcase the culture of India at Calder Plaza, Feb. 7
• Circus Wonderland features thrilling circus acts in Calder Plaza, Feb. 8
• Paint the Park, a street partly inviting you to paint the ice at Rosa Parks Circle, enjoy food trucks & more, Feb. 17
• Great Lakes Snow Snake Competition at Sixth Street Park, featuring a traditional northern Native American game, Feb. 22
• HipOpera at Calder Plaza, with live performances fusing hip hop and opera, Feb. 22
• Human Hungry Hippo Tournament in Rosa Parks Circle, Feb. 23 (free to watch, fee to enter)
• Noodle Fest @ Calder Plaza, featuring $6 noodle bowls and free live entertainment, March 1

Celebrate love – romantic, familial and otherwise – at two special WoW events on Feb. 14 in Rosa Parks Circle:

• Luv’N Lunch offers free roses pop-up performances, food trucks and 2-for-1 skating ($2-$4)
• Love on Ice is an evening of ice skating, free photos, sweet treats and 2-for-1 skating

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.

Michigan winters generally call for heavy coats, hats, gloves and boots. But Grand Rapids can experience fairly substantial swings in temperature and snow cover, so you should check the weather reports and dress accordingly.

Consider timing your World of Winter to coincide with other downtown GR events, including:

• Brick by Brick: The Creative Art of LEGO at the Grand Rapids Art Museum
• Ford at 50: Decisions that Defined a Presidency at Gerald R. Ford Presidential Museum
• The Nature of Color at the Grand Rapids Public Museum
• The Winter Wheat Music Festival at The Intersection, Jan. 11
• Grand Rapids Rise pro volleyball at Van Andel Arena, Jan. 12 & 30 and Feb. 2, 13 & 20
• Grand Rapids Gold pro basketball at Van Andel Arena, Jan. 14 & 16 and Feb. 22, 24, 25 & 28
• Grand Rapids Griffins pro hockey at Vand Andel Arena, Jan. 10, 11, 15, 17, 18, 29 & 31; Feb. 1, 12, 19, 21 & 23; March 1
• Disney in Concert at DeVos Performance Hall, Jan. 17-18          
• Winter Jam Christian music concert at Van Andel Arena, Jan. 19
• Kelsea Ballerini at Van Andel Arena, Jan. 21
• Moulin Rouge! a touring Broadway musical at DeVos Performance Hall, Jan 21-Feb. 5
• Professional Bull Riders Association Pendelton Whiskey Velocity Tour at Van Andel Arena, Jan. 24-25                                                                                                                                                
• Winter Bridal Show of West Michigan at DeVos Place, Jan. 25
• Harlem Globetrotters at Van Andel Arena, Jan. 28
• Disney on Ice at Van Andel Arena, Feb. 6-9
• Rascal Flatts at Van Andel Arena, Feb. 15
• Symphony with Soul featuring special guest Common at DeVos Performance Hall, Feb. 15
• Dancing with the Stars LIVE at DeVos Performance Hall, Feb. 16
• Justin Timberlake at Van Andel Arena, Feb. 18
• Peter Pan: the Ballet at DeVos Performance Hall, Feb. 21-23
• Tchaikovksy’s Violin Concerto at DeVos Performance Hall, Feb. 27 - March 1
• Grand Rapids Bourbon Fest at New Vintage Place, March 1
• TobyMac at Van Andel Arena, March 2