World of Winter Festival

More than 20 large-scale, interactive and Instagram-worthy art installations will be on display around downtown 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.

Here’s a look at some of the pieces with links to what they’ve looked like at other sites:

• House of Cards at Calder Plaza – featuring art from 10 local artists
• Angels of Freedom from Israel’s OGE Group at the Blue Bridge
• Roaming Gnomes from Australia’s Amigo & Amigo at Ah-Nab-Awen Park
• Affinity from Amigo & Amigo at 555 Monroe Skate Park
• Starry Night by Serbian artists Ivana Jelić and Pavle Petrović at Ah-Nab-Awen Park
• Talking Heads by Hungarian designer Victor Vicsek at the Gillett Bridge
• Massimals by American designer Jason Scroggins at the Blue Bridge
• Singing Tree from Canada’s Limbic Media – an interactive lighting experience, location TBD
• Giant Lite Brite from Wisconsin’s LiteZilla at various events
• Disco Heart at Pearl St. & Monroe Center
• Rainbow Trees at Sixth St. Park and Canal St. Park
• Manidoo Bawating at Sixth St. Park
• Messie the Grand River Monster – giant tentacles erupting out of DeVos Place  
• Starlight by local artist Valerie Wahna at Lyon Square

There will also be 50+ dazzling ice sculptures and themed window displays spread out over downtown.

World of Winter also brings the fun with events for both families and adults: a Human Hungry Hippos tournament, Snow Moon Snow Snake competition, Circus Wonderland, Ice Piano performances, scavenger hunt, street party, drag show, silent disco, live and DJ concerts, walking tours and more. Details and dates will be published at WorldofWinterGR.com.

Food and drink are an integral part of World of Winter – and this year’s festival includes everything from a food truck rally to a noodle fest competition to a beerfest. (Food and drink are available for purchase.) Much of the festival grounds overlap with our Downtown Refreshment Area, which allows you to stroll around outdoors with an alcoholic (or otherwise) beverage from a participating business. There are nearly 150 restaurants, breweries and cocktail bars downtown, so you can easily refuel with a quick bite, leisurely meal or luscious libation during your WoW experience.

Before you visit, you’ll also want to check out other great ways to celebrate winter in Grand Rapids – including ice skating under the sun and stars in downtown’s Rosa Parks Circle!