Grand Rapids is a magical place to celebrate the cold-weather season, with a jam-packed schedule of holiday events and activities through November and December, and America’s largest winter festival in January and February. Come early to get into the holiday spirit and shop for everyone on your gift list. Come back to enjoy the best of the Grand Outdoors, from ice skating and skiing to massive light-filled art installations all over downtown. Come anytime for excellent dining, made-for-the-season craft beverages, pro sports games, and much, much more!
The Christkindl Markt is in its fourth year, bringing 60+ outdoor vendors, holiday food favorites and festive family fun to the Grand Rapids Downtown Market. Nov. 18-Dec. 24.
The Christkindl Markt at the Downtown Market is inspired by the world-famous Christmas street markets that originated in Germany in the late Middle Ages and spread to other countries. The Downtown Market is transforming its outdoor space into a European-style Christmas Village lined with artisan…
Immerse yourself in a uniquely Meijer Gardens experience—filled with shimmering lights, breathtaking displays, and magical moments that will create memories to last a lifetime. Whether you’re exploring the illuminated paths, enjoying festive treats, or capturing the perfect photo, ENLIGHTEN offers something for everyone. Nov 23, 2026 - Jan 2, 2027.
Step into a world of enchantment with ENLIGHTEN, the ultimate winter light show experience. This dazzling display of lights and festive wonder is perfect for families, friends, and anyone looking to celebrate the season in a spectacular…
This exhibition—honoring cultures and holiday traditions from around the world—has grown to 46 unique displays depicting fact and folklore, past and present. November 25, 2025 - January 3, 2027
The Christkindl Markt is a traditional European-style Christmas village lined with artisan gift and food vendors, holiday entertainment and festive family fun at the Grand Rapids Downtown Market from Nov. 19 -Dec. 23. You’ll also want to check out Breton Village Shopping Center, RiverTown Crossings Mall, Tanger Outlet Mall and Woodland Mall for famous brand-name merchandise and unique shopping districts like Ada, East Grand Rapids, Lowell, Rockford and Uptown for one-of-a-kind finds. There are also dozens of community shopping markets and events through the season.
The downtown GR Santa Parade and Tree Lighting (Nov. 21) kicks off the season in high style, leading into two big shows at Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park: Christmas & Holiday Traditions (Nov. 25 - Jan. 3), showcasing cultural celebrations from around the globe, and ENLIGHTEN (Nov. 23 - Jan. 2), an immersive outdoor spectacle of light, art and wonder. See nostalgic holiday displays at the Grand Rapids Public Museum and a multimedia holiday show in the Museum’s Planetarium. The visual splendors continue with holiday lights in and around downtown, small-town parades, horse-drawn sleigh rides and photos with Santa.
It’s such a busy season, be sure to take time to relax and let someone else do the cooking (and brewing and distilling) once in a while. Browse our restaurant,brewery, cidery, coffee shop and distillery lists for something that’s sure to hit the spot.
Enjoy a delicious meal in the Grand Outdoors – or, at least, a heated enclosure offering a clear view of the outdoors. Dozens of local restaurants and breweries have created outdoor dining spaces that will keep you comfortable even in winter.
Share some holiday cheer with friends at eight of 40+ local breweries and earn a FREE Beer City Brewsader® t-shirt. (It makes a great gift, but you’ll probably want to keep it for yourself.) Prefer something lighter (and warmer)? Check out these Warm Drinks for Cold Days in Grand Rapids.
Get the Flights of Flavor pass to find the city’s best food & drink pairings – ideal for sharing with friends and family in this festive season. Check in with the pass to earn t-shirts, caps, cutting boards and more. (They’d make perfect gifts, but you’ll probably want to keep them for yourself).
Visit the Downtown Refreshment Area to view holiday lights and decorations while enjoying drinks and food from participating vendors. Other Refreshment Areas around the region offer similar opportunities.
Need some wine and/or champagne for the holidays (or any day)? Grand Rapids has some great wine shops and wine bars.
Indoor and outdoor dining is available throughout the area.
Rosa Parks Circle ice rink in downtown Grand Rapids is one of the city’s most treasured winter destinations. It opens as soon as weather allows, typically late November or early December. Grand Rapids is also a great place for fatbiking, cross-country skiing, snowshoeing and other winter sports. Head to Cannonsburg Ski Area, 20 minutes from downtown Grand Rapids, for downhill skiing, snowboarding, tubing and winter biking.
Receive admission into many attractions around Grand Rapids as well as additional exclusive discounts with our Attraction Pass now with adult, children and senior pricing.
