Art Installation Walking Tour (ASL)
2026-02-06 18:00 - 19:00 UTC | 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.
This tour will include a sign language interpreter.
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 the Projection Drumming Show after the tour.

Friday Night Food Trucks @ 555
2026-02-06 18:00 - 21:00 UTC | 555 Monroe, 555 Monroe Ave NW, Grand Rapids, Mic, 49503, United States
Whether you’re grabbing dinner before exploring the festival or stopping by for a late-night snack, there’s something for everyone. Come hungry, bring friends and enjoy a fun atmosphere as part of the World of Winter experience.
In partnership with the Grand Rapids Food Truck Association, a rotating lineup of local food trucks will be at 555 Monroe.

Participating Trucks (rotating weekly):

Patty Matters: Gourmet Burgers, French Fries, Sides
El Jalapeño: Mexican Food (Tacos, Tamales, etc.)
Inspired Eats: Asian Food (Egg Rolls, Fried Rice, etc.)
Boss Hog BBQ: BBQ

Experience Brett Bolton: Live Audiovisual Performance
2026-02-06 18:30 - 21:00 UTC | Van Andel Alley, 100 Fulton St W, Grand Rapids, MI, 49503, United States
Get ready for an immersive audiovisual journey. Brett Bolton is a Las Vegas–based artist who blends live drumming with generative projection art, creating performances that react and evolve in real time.
Using drums and a touchpad, Brett triggers and controls tightly connected musical and visual systems. Every sound shapes what you see on screen, turning the entire performance into a one-of-a-kind collaboration between human and computer. No two shows are ever the same, each one exists only in that moment.
When he’s not building his own experimental AV work, Brett designs visuals and real-time systems for touring pop artists, XR stages and next-gen venues.

Performance Times

6:30 PM — Performance

8:00 PM — Performance

Want a preview?
Click here to see a sample of his work.

Olympics Opening Ceremony Watch Party
2026-02-06 20:00 - 22:30 (America/Detroit) | Studio Park, 123 Ionia Ave SW, Grand Rapids, MI, 49503, United States
Kick off the 2026 Winter Olympics with a Team USA Watch Party at Studio Park during World of Winter! Downtown Grand Rapids Inc. and Studio Park are teaming up to host a community watch party for the primetime airing of the Opening Ceremonies on the Studio Park Piazza big screen this Friday at 8 PM.

What to Expect:
• Live broadcast of the Winter Olympics Opening Ceremonies on the outdoor big screen• Outdoor bar with alcoholic, non-alcoholic and hot drinks• Fire pits on the Piazza to help keep everyone warm• Explore World of Winter installations throughout the area• View the SNO-BOTS art installation by local artists Alayah and Chris Dudley• Check out the Art Marketplace window display

This event is free, all-ages and open to the community.Free parking is available in the Studio Park ramp with a food or drink purchase at One Twenty Three Tavern.

Abby's Hand Drawn Photo Booth
2026-02-07 13:00 - 16:00, 2026-02-13 12:00 - 15:00, 2026-02-14 18:00 - 21:00, 2026-02-20 17:00 - 20:00, 2026-02-21 13:00 - 16:00, 2026-02-27 17:00 - 20:00, 2026-02-28 13:00 - 16:00 UTC | 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.

Monrroe & Buunshin @ Somnius
2026-02-07 18:00 - 22:00 UTC | Ah-Nab-Awen Park, 220 Front Ave NW, Grand Rapids, MI, 49504, United States
You’re not going to want to miss this one. For their US Debut, we’re bringing two MASSIVE headliners from Europe, Monrroe and Buunshin. Get ready to experience the music under the stars for a night of bass, atmosphere and pure winter energy!

learn more about our headliners:
Monrroe is a drum and bass producer and DJ from Stanway in the West Country, England. While pursuing a degree in Music Technology, he gained recognition for his atmospheric and emotive productions. A pivotal moment in his career was the release of Dawning featuring Emily Jones in 2015, which garnered significant attention and was later remixed by Technimatic. Monrroe’s dedication to blending organic sounds with high-energy drum and bass has positioned him as a rising star in the scene, with releases on labels like Galacy and collaborations with platforms such as Liquicity. His commitment to capturing natural sounds, often using field recordings, adds a unique depth to his music, resonating with audiences seeking both energy and emotion in drum and bass.
Buunshin is a rising star and groundbreaking artist from the Netherlands who is a self-made electronic artist. Specialising in sounds on the cutting edge, fluently switching BPMs, seamlessly blending genres and creating art with incredible attention to detail has earned Buunshin the respect of a wide range of artists. The love for his craft has led him to work on projects with titans such as Apashe, What So Not, DROELOE, San Holo, Habstrakt, DJ Fresh, IMANU and even the legendary NOISIA chose to pass the torch over to him at the end of their career. He’s been touring the globe including regular stints in New Zealand, Australia and Europe, the ripple in the scene left Buunshin’s performances at Printworks, Lowlands, Rampage, Fabric, Melkweg and many others have paved the way for the emergence of his revolutionary sound.

What to Expect:

Nonstop Music: A full lineup for the D&B and electronic heads
Fire Performers: Adding more heat to the cold night
Fire pits, Igloos & More: Stay warm, hang out and enjoy the vibes
Local Food Trucks listed below

DJ Schedule:

6:00 PM: Selyna Alvarez
7:00 PM: Deep Pak
8:00 PM: Headliner – Monrroe
9:00 PM: Headliner – Buunshin

Food Trucks :

PizzaMI: Neapolitan Pizza
The Mobile Crave: Mexican (Tacos, Quesadillas, Nachos)
Patty Matters: Gourmet Burgers, French Fries, Sides
Roberts Brothers BBQ: Smoked Brisket and Pork
Cousins Maine Lobster: Wild-caught Maine Lobster
Dolce Mini Cakes: Pancakes & Waffles, Dubai Berries

Snowga
2026-02-08 09:00 - 10:00 UTC | 555 Monroe, 555 Monroe Ave NW, Grand Rapids, Mic, 49503, United States
Join us for a community run and walk led by She Runs Grand Rapids, the perfect winter warm-up. Kick things off with a stretch + relax yoga mini-session led by Yogi Union. Whether you’re here for the yoga, the miles or just a brisk walk with friends, this event is designed to energize your body and clear your mind.
Afterward, stick around for hot beverages, cozy vibes and some sauna time.
What to Expect

Run & Walk: A fun, all levels community workout.
Yoga Mini Session: A gentle, grounding warm-up.
Mobile Sauna: Take a steamy reset with We Play’s mobile sauna. More info on that soon.

Luv'n Lunch
2026-02-13 12:00 - 13:30 UTC | Rosa Parks Circle, 135 Monroe Center St NW,, Grand Rapids, MI, 49503, United States
Check out our Valentine’s Day Pop-up at Rosa Parks Circle. Join us for ice skating, live music, free roses and festive surprises, all part of World of Winter.

What’s Happening:

Live Saxophone Performance: Smooth, romantic vibes to soundtrack your afternoon.
Free Roses: Our Downtown Ambassadors will be handing out free roses, take one for yourself or a date.
Ice Skating: Bring a friend and enjoy ice skating
Food Truck: La Familia G.O

Friday Night Food Trucks @ 555
2026-02-13 18:00 - 21:00 UTC | 555 Monroe, 555 Monroe Ave NW, Grand Rapids, Mic, 49503, United States
Whether you’re grabbing dinner before exploring the festival or stopping by for a late-night snack, there’s something for everyone. Come hungry, bring friends, and enjoy a fun atmosphere as part of the World of Winter experience.
In partnership with the Grand Rapids Food Truck Association, a rotating lineup of local food trucks will be at 555 Monroe.

Participating Trucks (rotating weekly):

Saladino Smoke: Burgers, French Fries, Sides
StreetChefShaw: African Fusion Street Food
PizzaMI: Neapolitan Pizza
Dolce Mini Cakes: Panckes & Waffles, Dubai Berries

Art Installation Walking Tour
2026-02-14 18:00 - 19:00 UTC | 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: Stick around for Love on Ice after the tour.

Love on Ice
2026-02-14 18:00 - 21:00 UTC | Rosa Parks Circle, 135 Monroe Center St NW,, Grand Rapids, MI, 49503, United States
Celebrate Valentine’s Day downtown at Rosa Parks Circle! Join us for a romantic, fun-filled evening of ice skating, sketch portraits and photo ops. Bring your Valentine, your friends or just yourself — and make it a night to remember on the ice!
What to Expect:

Ice Sculpture Photo Op Snap a pic on our ice throne!
Professional Photographer: Capture your Love on Ice memories with a pro behind the lens.
2-for-1 Ice Skating: Glide hand-in-hand or show off your moves.
Sketch Portraits by Abby: Take home a custom keepsake.

Food Trucks:

Tacos La Familia G.O: Mexican Food

Drag Storybook Hour
2026-02-15 13:00 - 14:00 UTC | Cellar Bird Books, 415 Bridge St NW, Suite B, Grand Rapids, Michigan, 49504, United States
Join us inside Cellar Bird Books for a magical afternoon of stories, snacks and sparkle! On February 15, Michigan Drag Brunch queens will bring LGBTQ+ stories (and some fabulous drag-themed books!) to life with a whole lot of personality.

What to Expect:

Story time with Drag Queens: Celebrate diversity and self-expression through books
Juice Boxes & Donuts: Sweet treats for little readers (and big fans too)

Bring the whole family or come for the storytime magic, everyone is welcome!

Art Installation Walking Tour
2026-02-20 18:00 - 19:00, 2026-02-26 18:00 - 19:00 UTC | 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.

Circus Wonderland
2026-02-20 18:00 - 21:00 UTC | Calder Plaza, 320 Ottawa Ave NW, Grand Rapids, MI, 49503, United States
Circus Wonderland is a can’t miss event! Step into a magical night of circus acts, games, performances and more. This event is perfect for the whole family to enjoy.

What to Expect:

Carnival Style Games: Play to win small and big prizes!
Fire Performers from GR Entertainment Group: Be mesmerized by fire breathers, fire sword swallowers and dancers as they light up the night.
Variety Show, Circus Acts and Acrobats: Watch jaw-dropping performances and incredible stunts.
Art Installations:

Emergence: An international installation with a light show that you can step into.
LiteZilla: A large Lite-Brite you can play with

Food Trucks, Fire Pits, LED Furniture and more!

Food Trucks:

Russo’s Pizza: Pizza and Italian Food
Tarriko Taqueria: Mexican (Asada Fries, Charro Rice Bowls, Walking Tacos)
Saladino Smoke: Burgers, French Fries, Sides
Kitchen 55: Chef-Inspired Sandwiches & Fries
SEMIFREDDO: European-Inspired Fare
Wagz Dogs: Variety of Chicago’s Vienna Beef, Italian Beef

Friday Night Food Trucks @ 555
2026-02-20 18:00 - 21:00 UTC | 555 Monroe, 555 Monroe Ave NW, Grand Rapids, Mic, 49503, United States
Whether you’re grabbing dinner before exploring the festival or stopping by for a late-night snack, there’s something for everyone. Come hungry, bring friends, and enjoy a fun, festive atmosphere as part of the World of Winter experience.
In partnership with the Grand Rapids Food Truck Association, a rotating lineup of local food trucks will be at 555 Monroe.

Participating Trucks (rotating weekly):

Patty Matters: Gourmet Burgers, French Fries, Sides
Tacos La Familia G.O.: Mexican Food
Kitchen 55: Chef Inspired Sandwiches
Neko Taiyaki: Japanese fish shaped waffles stuffed with sweet or savory fillings

Paint the Park
2026-02-21 11:00 - 17:00 UTC | Rosa Parks Circle, 135 Monroe Center St NW,, Grand Rapids, MI, 49503, United States
Celebrate the season with hands-on winter fun and wildlife encounters. Join us on Monroe Center for a winter nature-themed event for all ages.

Schedule:

11:00 AM – 2:00 PM:

Paint the Rink at Rosa Parks Circle
Chamberlain Petting Zoo
Winter Animal Photo Op: Meet a visitor from the Outdoor Discovery Center

11:00 AM – 3:00 PM:

Face Painting by Dez Begay: Get a work of art on your face

4:00 PM:

Open Skate: Skate on your artwork!

Open Throughout the Event

Interactive Drum Circle: Join musician Josh Dunigan and try your hand at drumming.
Abby’s Hand-Drawn Portraits: Take home a custom keepsake.
Make a Bird Feeder w/GR Audubon Club: Craft your own piece of nature.
Enjoy free admission at the Grand Rapids Art Museum

Food Trucks:

Neko Taiyaki: Japanese fish-shaped waffles with sweet or savory fillings.
Around Baking Co: Pizza, Sweets and Drinks
Olly’s Donuts: Mini-donuts, Coffee, Hot Cocoa
SIDEZ: Side Dishes (Mac n Cheese, Fried Corn, Baked Beans)

Extras

River Otter Ice Sculpture: Snap a photo with this masterpiece
GRAM FREE admission: Step inside and explore!
GRPL Mobile Library: browse books, sign up for a library card, or check out a title
GRCM Kid Can Van: hands-on art and learning activities from the Grand Rapids Children’s Museum

Window Display Walking Tour
2026-02-21 15:00 - 16:00 UTC | Rosa Parks Circle, 135 Monroe Center St NW,, Grand Rapids, MI, 49503, United States
Bundle up and learn more about our artistic window displays across Downtown Grand Rapids! Our guide will walk you through each installation, sharing the stories of the artists, the businesses that host them and the buildings they are in.

How to Join:
No RSVP needed. Meet at Rosa Parks Circle (in front of the Grand Rapids Art Museum) at 3:00 PM.

Dance Pop Up @ Emergence
2026-02-27 18:00 - 19:00 (America/Detroit) | Calder Plaza, 320 Ottawa Ave NW, Grand Rapids, MI, 49503, United States
Join us to witness a dance performance by Aspire EDA and Dance Playhouse at Calder Plaza.

About the Dance Company:
Aspire is EDA’s new pre-professional company for our teen and senior dancers. Aspire comes from our passion for dance and our passion for helping others achieve their dreams.
Dance PlayHouse is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit professional dance company and school, based in Grand Haven, MI.

Friday Night Food Trucks @ 555
2026-02-27 18:00 - 21:00 UTC | 555 Monroe, 555 Monroe Ave NW, Grand Rapids, Mic, 49503, United States
Whether you’re grabbing dinner before exploring the festival or stopping by for a late-night snack, there’s something for everyone. Come hungry, bring friends, and enjoy a fun atmosphere as part of the World of Winter experience.
In partnership with the Grand Rapids Food Truck Association, a rotating lineup of local food trucks will be at 555 Monroe.

Participating Trucks (rotating weekly):

Tacos Los Compadres: Mexican Food
Cousins Maine Lobster: Wild-caught Maine Lobster
Saladino Smoke: Burgers, French Fries, Sides
Luna Bella’s: Egg Rolls, Tacos, Hot Dogs

Great Lakes Snow Snake Competition
2026-02-28 11:00 - 17:00 UTC | Sixth Street Park, 647 Monroe Ave NW, Grand Rapids, MI, 49503, United States
Join us for a Snow Snake Competition, a traditional northern Native American winter game. Competitors slide their homemade “snow snakes” down a long snow trough; the one that travels the farthest wins.
All competitors must make their own snow snake (prior to the event) to compete. Practice snakes will be available for anyone who wants to give it a try, but to compete, they must build their own.
How it works:

Registration: Happens on-site at the event. Arrive early to sign up and practice.
Build Your Snow Snake: Bring your own home-made snake to compete. Competitors must make their own at home.
Throw Your Snow Snake: Each competitor gets three throws. The farthest single throw wins.

Competition Structure

You must make your own snow snake to compete.
Competitors are placed into brackets based on age and gender.
Each bracket winner receives $50.
All bracket winners advance for a chance to win the $500 grand prize.

Winning
The competitor with the farthest distance in each category wins their bracket. The farthest throw overall wins the grand prize.
Brackets Compete in the category that fits your age group:

0–5 years
6–12 years
13–19 years
20–34 years
35–54 years
55+ years

Schedule

11:00 AM – Registration & practice rounds open
12:00 PM – Competition Begins. (End of event time determined based on how many participants there are and how long each bracket takes.)

Order of competition

Kids Compete
Teens Compete
Adult Females Compete
Adult Males Compete
Elders Compete
Scoring
Closing Ceremony & Awards

Human Hungry Hippo Tournament
2026-02-28 12:30 - 19:00 UTC | Rosa Parks Circle, 135 Monroe Center St NW,, Grand Rapids, MI, 49503, United States
Registration is Sold Out!
Gather your team, it’s game time. Six person crews will race across the ice in sleds, scooping up balls in this fast, chaotic and seriously fun competition.
Schedule

11:30 AM: Family Check-in and Orientation
12:00 PM – 2:00 PM: Family Division Games
1:30 PM: Adult Check-in and Orientation
2:00 PM – 5:00 PM: Adult Division Games
5:30 PM/6:00 PM: Awards Party at Uccellos Atrium

How It Works:
Teams of six compete in a live-action twist on the classic board game. One team member (“the hippo”) rides in a sled while teammates push them across the rink to collect as many balls as possible.
Food Trucks:

Tacos El Chavo: Authentic Mexican Food
Travelin’ Tom’s Coffee of Kentwood: Hot, cold and frozen beverages.

Noodle Fest
2026-03-01 11:00 - 18:00 UTC | Calder Plaza, 320 Ottawa Ave NW, Grand Rapids, MI, 49503, United States
Welcome to the ultimate noodle throwdown. Sample, vote and help name West Michigan’s best bowl.

What to Expect:

$6 Noodle Bowls: Try a variety of flavorful noodle dishes—all just $6 each.
Vote for Your Favorite: Use your tokens to vote and help crown the $500 winner.
Spicy Noodle Challenge: Up for the heat? Compete for a chance to win!
Live Entertainment: Enjoy performances and cultural entertainment throughout the event.

Vendor Participation
Think your noodle dish deserves the crown? We’re looking for vendors ready to compete for the title of Best Noodle Dish in West Michigan.
Vendor Fee: $200Registration Deadline: January 1
Register here to join the competition.
