World of Winter Festival

World of Winter 2027 starts Friday, January 8 at 6pm and runs through Sunday, February 28 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. All installations are open Jan 8-Feb 28, except for The Tunnel, which opens a week later on Jan 15. Click here for a map of World of Winter art installations, parking spaces, public bathrooms and free DASH bus stops around downtown.

Where: 555 Monroe Skate Park

• Curiosity features six whimsical seesaws inspired by the surrealist style of Joan Miro. Ride the seesaws to activate a symphony of light and sound. From Australia-based Amigo & Amigo. Best time to see: Anytime.

Where: 56 Front Ave NW

• Conservation Way is a collection of 21 separate murals from 21 international artists, each celebrating a different threatened or endangered species native to Michigan. See all 21 along the US-131 underpass near the Blue Bridge and the GVSU Eberhard Center. Best time to see: Anytime.

Where: Ah-Nab-Awen Park

• Grand Legacy tells the history of the Grand River through an immersive light and art installation. A collaboration between local artists Edwin Anderson and Valerie Wahna, Downtown Grand Rapids Inc. and national event producer LiveSpace. Best time to see: Anytime.

Where: The Blue Bridge

• Continuum is made up of 25 mirrored columns arranged in a geometric maze. As visitors move through the installation, lights respond to their presence and activate an evolving soundscape. From the UK’s Illumaphonium. Best time to see: Anytime.
• Slow Motion features four giant-sized abstract snails made from painted steel, from local artists Valerie Wahna. Best time to see: Anytime.

Where: Calder Plaza

• Airship Orchestra is a mystical crew of inflatable otherworldly creatures with galaxy-inspired skin, glowing eyes and a soundscape straight from another universe. From Australia-based ENESS studio. Best time to see: Anytime.

Where: Canal Park

• A Birthday to Remember! is a large-scale papier mache piece featuring anthropomorphic birthday cakes celebrating a kid’s birthday and singing “Happy Birthday.” From local artist Potato Papier Mache. Best time to see: Anytime.
• Frog Wizard is a whimsical outdoor sculpture of an 8-foot-tall standing frog holding a magical staff that lights up at night. From West Michigan artist Craig Rhyan. Best time to see: Anytime.
• Manidoo Bawating is an 11-foot tall steel sculpture honoring symbols and traditions of the area’s Native American community. Designed by the Grand River Bands of Ottawa Indians and local artist Alan Compo in collaboration with California’s HYBYCOZO art initiative based. Best time to see: Anytime.
• Swans features two giant swans taking flight, from France-based artist Jon Voss and Amsterdam’s Light Art Collective. Best time to see: 5-11pm

Where: DeVos Place

• Life is But a Dream is a permanent art installation featuring three oversized steel sculptures of folded paper boasts. From local artist Valerie Wahna. Best time to see: Anytime.

Where: Downtown Businesses

• Keep your eyes peeled for unique, colorful and light-based window exhibits across downtown retail and business storefronts.

Where: Fish Ladder Park

• Living Relatives is a nightly projection that transforms the concrete surfaces of Fish Ladder Park into an immersive winter tapestry of imagery and light. From local artist Two Eagles Marcus. Best time to see: 5-11pm.

Where: Gerald R. Ford Presidential Museum

• Sign transforms bamboo poles covered in reflective aluminum into a towering illusion of flickering fire, complete with shimmering sparks. From Amsterdam-based Light Art Collection. Best time to see: 5-11pm.

Where: Gillett Bridge

• The Tunnel is a journey through an immersive passageway of light and sound where visitors can change the speed, color and patterns of lights for a one-of-a-kind experience. From Canada’s Big Art. Best time to see: 5-11pm.

Where: Grand Rapids Public Museum

• Messie, the Grand River Monster, is an inflatable installation known for her swaying 14-foot-long tentacles. From Downtown Grand Rapids Inc. Best time to see: Anytime.

Where: Lyon Square

• It’s a Breeze is a colorful overhead canopy that moves with the winter wind. From Portugal’s ImpactPlan Art Productions. Best time to see: Anytime.
• Seasonal Wonders and So Close, So Far are projection shows displayed on the façade of the Civic Auditorium at Lyon Square. The shows explore the four seasons of Grand Rapids and the magic of the cosmos, respectively, and run back to back each night. Seasonal Wonders is from LiveSpace, DropDrop Studio and Downtown Grand Rapids, and So Close, So Far from Boston’s Masary Studios. Best time to see: 5-11pm.
• Starlight is a captivating steel structure illuminated by dynamic lighting and the words “The sights of the stars make me wanna dream.” From local artist Valerie Wahna. Best times to see: Anytime.

Where: McKay Tower (146 Monroe Center St NW)

• WoW Selfie Spot, a perfect backdrop for your #WorldofWinter selfie, is a beautiful sculpture that glows at night. From local artist Valerie Wahna. Best time to see: Anytime.

Where: Monroe Center

• Seasonal Illuminations combine whimsical illustrations with local landscape and nature photography in 16 double-sided lightboxes installed across four light polls near 58 Monroe Center St NW. From local artists Bryan Esler and Nick Nortier. Best time to see: 5-11pm.

Where: Sixth Street Park

• Among the Seals invites viewers to experience what it might feel like to be surrounded by life-size harbor seals. From Michigan artists Tanya and Xaver Szucs. Best time to see: Anytime.
• Faith and Credit is a found-object monument made from everyday metal items contributed by Grand Rapids residents. From Grand Rapids-based artist Mandy Cano Villalobos. Best time to see: Anytime.
• Follow the Light features glowing spheres racing through twists, turns and an infinite metal loop on a giant metal marble track. From The Netherlands-based creative studios Light Art Collection and Roll Ateliers. Best time to see: 5-11pm.
• WAZAAKONE Deer is a 3-D sculpture of two deer with LEDs for night-time illumination. From Canadian artists Adam Monture and Jeremy Freiburger. Best time to see: Anytime.

World of Winter brings the fun with events for both families and adults. Stay tuned for dates on these events:

• WoW Scavenger Hunt offering a chance to earn points and win prizes
• Guided Walking Tours on select dates
• Circus Wonderland features thrilling circus acts at Calder Plaza, Jan 9
• Sound Bath at Calder Plaza, Jan 10 & Feb 7
• Silent Disco at Calder Plaza, Jan 16
• Rapid Art Movement, a mobile art experience aboard a DASH bus, Jan 22 & 23
• Fire & Ice, with fire performers gliding and jumping on the ice at Rosa Parks Circle, Jan 23
• Drag Story Hour at Cellar Bird Books, Jan 24 & Feb 21
• Winter’s a Drag show at Calder Plaza, Jan 30
• Snowga (snow yoga) at 555 Monroe Skatepark, Jan 31
• Fireside Family Sing-Along at 555 Monroe Skatepark, Feb 5
• DJ Event at Calder Plaza, Feb 6
• Great Lakes Snow Snake Competition at Sixth Street Park, Feb 13 (tentative date)
• Luminary Bike Ride, Feb 13 (tentative date)
• Paint the Park, inviting you to paint the ice at Rosa Parks Circle, enjoy food trucks & more, Feb. 20
• Noodle Fest at Calder Plaza, featuring delectable noodle bowls and free live entertainment, Feb 27
• Human Hungry Hippo Tournament at Rosa Parks Circle, Feb 28

Valentine’s Day at WoW

Celebrate love – romantic, familial and otherwise – at two special Valentine’s Day events in Rosa Parks Circle:

• Luv’N Lunch (Feb 12) offers pop-up performances, food trucks and skating discounts
• Love on Ice (Feb 14) is an evening of ice skating, free photos, sweet treats and 2-for-1 skating

Food trucks will be available at many World of Winter events and will be stationed at 555 Monroe Skatepark every Friday night during the festival. You can also duck into 180+ downtown restaurants for a bite and/or refreshments. Most of World of Winter is contained with the outdoor Downtown Refreshment Area, so you can purchase adult beverages from 60+ downtown businesses and enjoy them as you stroll around enjoying the sights. 

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.

If you’re coming to Grand Rapids by car, check the City of Grand Rapids Parking Map for locations and rates. You can park in downtown’s Area 7 Parking Lot (301 Mt Vernon Ave NW) Area 8 Parking Lot (325 Winter Ave NW), Area 9 Parking Lot (250 Seward NW) or Scribner Lot (309 Scribner Ave NW) for just $3 -$5 a day, and use the free DASH bus to get around. The DASH bus circulates around downtown seven days a week, hitting every stop every 8 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:

• Happy Brain | AllegreMENTE at the Grand Rapids Public Museum is a whimsical forest of interactive features built for ages 0-6.
• Cosmic Contact at the Grand Rapids Children’s Museum encourages kids and families to explore hands-on space-themed LEGO challenges.
• Julie Green: The Last Supper at the Grand Rapids Art Museum features nearly 1,000 ceramic plates illustrating the final meal choices of people on death row in the U.S.
• Brahms & Wagner is a Grand Rapids Symphony production at DeVos Performance Hall, Jan 8 & 9.
• Winter Wheat Music Festival features a huge lineup of Michigan talent performing traditional music at The Intersection, Jan 9.
• DeVos Place hosts the Grand Rapids Remodeling & New Homes Show Jan 8-10, and the Annual Grand Rapids Bridal Show Jan 8-9.
• Broadway Grand Rapids presents SIX The Musical at DeVos Performance Hall, Jan 12-17.
• The Grand Rapids Camper, Travel & RV Show returns to DeVos Place Jan 14-17.
• Comedian Jimmy O. Yang performs at DeVos Performance Hall, Jan 22.
• The Professional Bull Riders Velocity Tour comes to Van Andel Arena, Jan 22 & 23.
• Dancing with the Stars Live tangoes into Van Andel Arena, Jan 27.
• Grand Rapids Symphony evokes the folk traditions of Spain through Capriccio Espagnol at DeVos Performance Hall, Jan 29 & 30.
• Winter Jam at Van Andel Arena features some of the biggest names in Christian music, Feb 4.
• The Michigan International Auto Show returns to DeVos Place Feb 4-7.
• All Things Equal: The Life & Trials of Ruth Bader Ginsburg is a fascinating and funny stage show at DeVos Performance Hall, Feb 7.
• We Them Ones Comedy Tour at Van Andel Arena features Mike Epps, Deon Cole and other electrifying comedians, Feb 7.
• Broadway Grand Rapids presents the Disney musical Beauty and the Beast at DeVos Performance Hall, Feb 9-14.
• Nickelback is live on the Van Andel Arena stage, Feb 10.
• West Michigan Pet Fest at DeVos Place features amazing animals and incredible shows for all ages, Feb 12-14.
• The Grand Rapids Boat Show at DeVos Place showcases a wide variety of watercraft, Feb 17-21.
• Disney on Ice skates into Van Andel Arena, Feb 18-21.
• Grand Rapids Symphony presents Celebrating Beethoven at DeVos Performance Hall, Feb 26 & 27.
• The Grand Rapids Gold play pro basketball at Van Andel Arena, Jan 19 and Feb 2, 5, 9, 11 & 13
• The Grand Rapids Griffins play pro hockey at Van Andel Arena, Jan 9, 10, 15, 16, 20, 29 & 31 and Feb 3, 6, 12 & 27.
• The Grand Rapids Rise play pro female volleyball at Van Andel Arena, Jan 14, 18 & 30 and Feb 14, 24 & 26.

Visit our Events Calendar for more things to see and do during your World of Winter visit!