Winter Holidays

Celebrate the holidays in Grand Rapids. The whole city comes together to give visitors the gift of magical entertainment – and spark holiday memories that will last a lifetime.

Choose from the following to create your itinerary:

Christmas and Holiday Traditions Around the World

This annual event at Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park celebrates the season with 300,000 lights, strolling carolers, horse-drawn carriage rides and more than 40 international trees and displays. 2 hours.

Grand Rapids Public Museum

Stroll a detailed ¾-scale recreation of Grand Rapids in the 1890s – all decked out in vintage holiday finery. Then sit back for a planetarium production featuring laser effects and classic holiday music. 1 hour.

The Local Epicurean

Learn to make chocolate truffles, a delectable holiday treat, at this downtown gourmet shop. It also offers hands-on instruction in making pasta and cheese.

The Nutcracker Ballet

You’ve never seen a Nutcracker like this one – it was developed exclusively for Grand Rapids Ballet by Grand Rapids native Chris Van Allsburg (author/illustrator of “The Polar Express”) and his award-winning collaborators. December each year.

Tanger Outlet Mall

Grand Rapids’ newest mall, opened in summer 2015, is the perfect place for holiday shopping. More than 80 designer and brand-name stores offer significant discounts from regular retail prices.

Women’s City Club

This beautiful Italianate Villa in the heart of downtown is all decked out for the holidays. Built in 1927, it is also filled with era-appropriate art, china, crystal, furniture and more.