It’s GR’s World of Winter for Chill Vibes & Hot Lights!
Winter blues? Not in GR!
From January 10 to March 2, 2025, the city of Grand Rapid is transforming its downtown into America’s largest winter festival – a glowing wonderland of massive art installations, a drone show, fire dancers, and yes, even an actual piano made of ice. It’s all part World of Winter—what has become America’s largest winter festival.
It’s no surprise is that World of Winter is now one of Michigan’s must-see winter experiences, drawing over 4.5 million visitors.
If you want to play in this light-up playground, come on down!
While you’re here, take our 90-minute stroll through a rainbow meadow, check out glowing Native American art, and soak up the kind of winter magic that might just outshine Christmas lights.
Think glow-in-the-dark everything: a 23-foot cosmic playground with space-age swings, a giant walk-through honeycomb pulsing with light and music, and light up, geometric eagle wings hanging out on a bridge over the river.
Oh, and say hi to Messie—our resident purple monster (with 14-foot tentacles) chilling near the Grand River. And of course, epic pop-up events.
Read on for a full guide to the art and experiences you can expect, along with a map and walking route full of the good stuff.
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Festival Hotspots & Highlights
This World of Winter walking route takes you to the large art pieces that are on display for the majority of the festival and are south of Michigan Ave. Suggested bonus activities are included.
If you’re short on time, head to these festival hotspots:
- Ah-Nab-Awen Park
- 555 Monroe
- Canal Park
- Sixth Street Park
Suggested PARKING – Scribner Lot
• 307-265 Scribner Ave NW
• Located near the Gerald R Ford Museum. $5.
Art Stops
World of Winter Map
Tap on a marker to see what’s at each stop. Even more info about each stop is in the next section.
Top Events
More Events & Walking Tours
Scroll to the end of the list to find a bar to pull over for more details.
FAQS
World of Winter FAQs
How Long of a Walk is it Between Art Displays?
It depends. Art clusters are located around Rosa Parks Circle and North Monroe. Depending on the weather, you might walk from one cluster to another in 15-20 minutes.
When Should I Visit World of Winter?
Many of the World of Winter attractions have features that glow. For that reason, a visit after dusk will give the best visual experience.
All of the art installations will be out for the duration of the winter festival this year.
We haven’t heard anything about ice sculptures on display this year.
Where Should I Park for World of Winter?
Park in the city center near Rosa Parks Circle if you’re interested in the ice sculptures.
Park in the DeVos Hall underground lot if you want to have a central spot as far as World of Winter exhibits are concerned.
To play with the big, glowing art, you’ll want to head to the Public Museum and Ah-Nab-Awen park on the south end of town. Park in the Scribner Lot (typically $5) for easy access to those pieces.
Additional art pieces are located further north, just past the post office at 555 Monroe.
You can try to get street parking up there to visit those installations or just walk from the city center – if it’s not too cold or windy, it’s a pleasant walk.
Parking in Downtown Grand Rapids for the World of Winter is free on the street in most places on weekends or after 6 PM during the week.