We’ll see you next winter. ❄️
Thank you for making 2026 one for the books. For seven weeks, World of Winter turned Downtown into a winter playground — with large-scale art, live events and interactive installations that gave us all a reason to get outside.
World of Winter returns to Grand Rapids on January 8, 2027 and runs through February 28, 2027.
Mark your calendar.
World of Winter brought so much beauty, culture, and energy to Grand Rapids this year. ❄️☃️🦅❤️🔥
This short video is just a glimpse of the joy, creativity, and community that filled the festival over the past few months.
We are already looking forward to next year. Grand Rapids truly knows how to celebrate winter.
Leave it to the Midwest to embrace winter in the coolest way possible.
World of Winter in Grand Rapids, Michigan is the nation's largest, free winter festival.
It’s a two-month party and when the sun sets and the temperature drops, the lights: Turn. On.
Large-scale art, live events, and interactive installations fill downtown in January and February.
The festival is crushing winter ice-olation by giving people something to look forward to, even when it’s freezing.
Winter's over though... so you'll have to wait until next year to experience this wonderland!
Videography by Sam Gucwa
Add this event to your list for next year! ❄️
The Human Hungry Hippo Tournament is easily the highlight of the @worldofwintergr in Grand Rapids. If you’re looking for fun things to do in Michigan during the winter, this is it! 🛷🦛
If you missed it this year, consider this your sign to grab a team of 6 and get to Rosa Parks Circle in 2027.
How it works: Teams of six race across the ice on tubes/sleds, one teammate is the “hippo,” while the rest push to scoop up as many balls as possible. #grandrapidsmi #thingstodo #westmichigan #michigan #winter
It’s the final week of World of Winter 2026
Seven years ago, we launched this festival because winter can be a tough season for Downtown businesses. Slower foot traffic. Colder temps. Fewer reasons to stick around. World of Winter was built to shift that.
Seeing people show up and activate Downtown, in all sorts of weather has been incredible. That energy directly supports local restaurants, shops and spaces during one of the hardest times of the year.
Huge thank you to our sponsors, Michigan First Credit Union, Priority Health and BLOX. This doesn’t happen without you.
One more week. Let’s close it out strong.
The Great Lakes Snow Snake Competition is back this Saturday! 🐍🌊❄️
Hosted by the Grand River Bands of Ottawa Indians, this traditional Native American winter game will be held at Sixth Street Park along the Grand River for some friendly competition. Tribal bands from around Lake Michigan will be joining our community to compete for the grand prize.
🏆 $500 grand prize; $50 bracket winner prizes
🏁 The farthest throw overall wins the grand prize & the competitor with the farthest distance in each category wins their bracket.
🐍 Competitors must build their own snakes
Whether you're competing or spectating, gather with us this weekend and celebrate how the Grand brings us together!
🗓️ Saturday February 28 @ 11am
📍 Sixth Street Park in Downtown Grand Rapids
For more information & rules on the competition, visit the @worldofewintergr event calendar.
We had the most AMAZING time at one of our final BIG events! ❤️✨And can you believe it? The festival wraps up in just ONE week! 😭🎉
images by @bryaneslerphoto
Puppy love stole the spotlight at the @worldofwintergr 's Luv’n Lunch event at Rosa Parks Circle last week. 🐶💋
Our friends from @caninesforchange helped us create the "ulti-mutt" photo opportunity - a kissing booth, serving up sweet kisses and tail-wagging joy all afternoon.
