Scavenger Hunt
2026-01-09 17:00 - 2026-03-01 17:00 UTC | Sixth Street Park, 647 Monroe Ave NW, Grand Rapids, MI, 49503, United States
Join the World of Winter Scavenger Hunt! Explore the festival in a fun new way with our interactive scavenger hunt! Complete missions, discover hidden gems and earn points for a chance to win prizes every week!
How to Get Started:

Download the GooseChase App
Create an Account or play as a guest
Enter in the Code: WOW2026 (ALL CAPS)
Create & Name Your Team
Join the Game and start completing missions
Invite Friends using your unique Team Access Code

Ice Breaker
2026-01-10 12:00 - 15:00 | Rosa Parks Circle, 135 Monroe Center St NW,, Grand Rapids, MI, 49503, United States
Watch a massive 5,000‑lb block of ice come to life right in front of Rosa Parks Circle, carved live by the Ice Brigade team. Each year, the design is voted on by the community and is revealed at the event. What will it be this year?!

What to Expect:

Live Carving: Skilled sculptors transform a huge ice block into an incredible work of art.
Your Design, Your Vote: The winning design will be revealed at the event! Voting ended December  10.

This is Loop Artist Talk
2026-01-10 16:30 - 17:30 | Calder Plaza, 320 Ottawa Ave NW, Grand Rapids, MI, 49503, United States
Join World of Winter for a special conversation with This is Loop, the collaborative artistic partnership of Harriet Lumby and Alan Hayes. Based out of their Somerset studio, This is Loop has built an international reputation for creating large-scale experiential installations that blend reflection, illusion, technology, science and art. Their playful, immersive sculptures invite audiences into intense and thought-provoking audiovisual environments.
This winter, This is Loop brings their interactive public artwork Emergence to World of Winter. Emergence creates a contemplative space—a sanctum in which to explore the dynamic interplay between order and chaos, and the profound influence this balance has on systems, life, the self, and the universe.
During this artist Q&A, Harriet and Alan will discuss the creation and fabrication of the work, their process for producing installations at this scale, budgeting considerations, how they tour and maintain their pieces and what it takes to run a public art studio. This is a great opportunity for artists and community members to learn, ask questions, and gain insight into the world of large-scale public art.

In case of extreme weather, this event will move to the DGRI offices at 29 Pearl St NW.

Art Installation Walking Tour
2026-01-10 18:00 - 19:00 | Rosa Parks Circle, 135 Monroe Center St NW,, Grand Rapids, MI, 49503, United States
Join local expert Candice Smith for a free guided walking tour of Downtown Grand Rapids’ outdoor art installations. Tours run several times throughout the festival and follow the same route.

What to Expect:

Expert insights: Candice shares the stories behind the art.
Outdoor art: Sculptures, light displays, and interactive installations.
Meet people: Connect with fellow art lovers.

How to Join:
No RSVP is needed. Meet at Rosa Parks Circle (in front of the Grand Rapids Art Museum) at 6:00 PM.

Bonus: Head to Fire & Ice after the tour.

Abby's Hand Drawn Photo Booth
2026-01-10 18:00 - 21:00 | Grand Rapids Art Museum, 101 Monroe Center St NW, Grand Rapids, MI, 49503, United States
Get a free live portrait!
Local Artist, Abby Haywood, draws live portraits of visitors from a whimsical shipping container! As guests take a seat, she asks fun questions and sketches their likeness in real time. When the drawing is finished, she slides it out of the booth for them to take home, a unique free keepsake from the event.

About the artist:
Abby Haywood is an illustrator from Grand Rapids. She has been drawing portraits for 3 years out of a wooden photobooth built by her mom. She also likes making zines, macaroni and cheese and sharing fun facts.

Location:
Abby will be located outside, next to the Grand Rapids Art Museum in the shipping container. She will be facing the restrooms at Rosa Parks Circle.

Fire & Ice
2026-01-10 18:00 - 22:00 | Rosa Parks Circle, 135 Monroe Center St NW,, Grand Rapids, MI, 49503, United States
Join us during the festival’s opening weekend at Fire & Ice! NEW this year, the Grand Rapids Griffins will be joining us for a skills competition on the ice and an autograph signing for the fans. This staple event has become a family favorite! Enjoy fire performances, figure skating routines and a lively street party with food trucks, interactive activities and live entertainment. Come for the performances, stay for the fun!

What to Expect:

Special Guests in Attendance: Grand Rapids Griffin’s Players
Live Entertainment on the ice rink!

Fire Performers on ice by Grand Rapids Entertainment Group
Figure Skating Performances from nationally ranked ice dancers
Greater Grand Rapids Figure Skating Club

Interactive Street Party: Enjoy activities for all ages, fire pits and live entertainment. Monroe Center will be closed to vehicle traffic and accessible to pedestrians only.
Ice Games: Corn hole, photo op, air hockey, chess, Skee ball
Open Skate: Skate after the performances, tickets available on-site.
Food Trucks: Grab tasty bites from local vendors, see the full list below.

Schedule:

6:00 PM – Fire Skater Performance
6:30 PM – Dance Performers on Monroe Center
7:00 PM – Khloe & Jordan Performance (Nationally Ranked Ice Dancers)
7:05 PM – Greater Grand Rapids Figure Skating Club
7:10 PM – Grand Rapids Griffins Skills Competition
7:30 PM – Dance Performers on Monroe Center
7:30 PM – 8:00 PM: GR Griffins signing autographs on the GRAM terrace
7:45 PM – Fire Skater Performance
8:15 PM – Dance Performers on Monroe Center
8:30 PM – Rink Opens for Open Skate

Food Trucks:

Casa De Los Abuelos: Salvadorian & Mexican Food
Cousins Maine Lobster: Wild-caught Maine Lobster
Patty Matters: Gourmet Burgers, French Fries, Sides
Neko Taiyaki: Japanese fish-shaped waffles stuffed with sweet or savory fillings
Olly’s Donuts: Mini-donuts, Coffee, Hot Cocoa

Open Skate Information: The rink will remain open until 10:00 PM. Tickets are available on-site and include free skate rental. Cash and card are accepted. Click here to learn more.
