World of Winter Festival 2024
Winter Festival with Interactive Outdoor Art & Ice Sculptures in Grand Rapids, MI
One of our favorite Michigan winter activities, the World of Winter Festival, is happening again in downtown Grand Rapids MI from January 12 – March 10, 2024.
Get outside and embrace the Michigan winter with 50+ professionally carved ice sculptures, dozens of massive interactive outdoor art exhibits (many of which light up or play music), and fun pop-up events. Over 4.5 million visitors enjoyed this multi-week cold-weather festival last year, making it the Largest Winter Festival in the Midwest. We can’t wait to see how 2024 turns out!
PS – Use our 90-Min Walking Route to see the best of the winter festival art.
Featured Partner
Play, Learn & Explore at Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park!
One of the nation’s premier horticultural display gardens and sculpture parks, Meijer Gardens has year-round activities for families.
Behold thousands of tropical butterflies every March & April, and discover the Lena Meijer Children’s Garden, one of the nation’s largest and most interactive children’s gardens.
Come play, learn and explore today!
Festival Highlights
The World of Winter Festival transforms Grand Rapids into a magical playground for 58 days. Highlights include the all-new Luminary Light Night Parade, the Sonic Runway tunnel on Gillett Bridge, and the illuminated Nightwalkers at Ah-Nab-Awen Park.
This extravaganza features over 40 family-friendly events, including a figure-skating Fire and Ice show, Ice Park & Food Truck Rally, Silent Disco at Calder Plaza, the mesmerizing Circus Wonderland, and of course, the ice sculptures.
Table of Contents
World of Winter 2024 Timeline
A combo of art displays and popup events make up World of Winter (WOW). Art and events are located in various public spaces across downtown Grand Rapids, MI.
The art on display and events offered change over the course of the festival. Note the run dates listed with each installation.
**POSTPONED DUE TO WEATHER.** World of Winter Festival Begins. All new Luminary Light Parade. Includes preview of John Ball Zoo’s 2024 GR Lantern Fest. Ah-Nab-Awen Park
Fire & Ice: Watch fire performers glide and jump on the ice. After, join the fun with an open skate session. Food trucks, street party, flow playground. Rosa Parks Circle.
Ice Park and Food Truck Rally: 555 Monroe NW
Live performance on an ICE PIANO. Canal Park
Sound Bath experience brings you serenity and meditation via instrumental bliss. Calder Plaza.
Silent Disco Extravaganza. Wear wireless headphones, tune into the different DJ channels and get groovy. Also: Fire & LED Shows, Fire Pits, Interactive Lite Brite, Food Trucks. Calder Plaza.
Valent-ICE. 50+ Ice sculptures throughout downtown GR.
Ice Breaker. Watch as Ice Guru Randy Finch crafts a colossal ice sculpture. Rosa Parks Circle
DJ Pop Up at Stargate. Lightshow, DJ’s, dancing, fire performers, fire pits = park party. Ah-Nab-Awen Park
GR Mardi Gras Glow Sidewalk Parade. Swing dance at GR Public Museum. Live jazz band. Dress up & join the Mardi Gras parade through Downtown Grand Rapids. End with dance party at Uccello’s.
Love On Ice. 2-for-1 ice skating, initials carved onto love-themed ice wall, free professional photos. Rosa Parks Circle.
Paint the Park. 11-3: Street party, drum circle, food trucks. Paint the ice rink. Starting at 5 PM, skate on the paintings. Rosa Parks Circle
DJ Pop Up at Dandelion. Lightshow, DJ’s, dancing, fire performers, interactive lite brite, fire pits = park party. Calder Plaza
Great Lakes Snow Snake Competition. Traditional northern Native American game from 500+ years ago. Throw the snow snake the farthest distance. You must make your own snow snake to compete. Practice snakes will be available for all to try. Sixth St Park
Human Hungry Hippo Tournament. 6-person teams compete on the ice in both family and adult divisions. REGISTRATION REQUIRED. Rosa Parks Circle
Circus Wonderland. Stilt walkers, LED performers, fire performers and aerialists near featured art installation, ‘Dandelion’. Food trucks, games, and more. Calder Plaza
Sound Bath. Serenity and meditation via instrumental bliss. Calder Plaza
Noodle Fest. Chefs battle. $6 bowls. You vote with your donations. Kids karaoke. Calder Plaza
World of Winter Festival Concludes
Check the World of Winter website for the most up-to-date scheduling for events & exhibits. Weather and other factors may influence this event.
Walking Route 2024
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.
Suggested PARKING – Scribner Lot
• 307-265 Scribner Ave NW
• Located near the Gerald R Ford Museum. $5.
Click on any underlined item on the image to learn more.
Guide to World of Winter Map 2024 by GRKIDS.comStop 1: Ah-Nab-Awen Park
- Nightwalkers: Eight large inflatable frogs with interactive elements.
- Stargate: projection show by night.
- Singing Tree: Tree that lights up with sound interaction.
- Retro Rapids: Interactive video game played on phone & projected on the wall.
Events:
- Luminary Light Parade. Fri, Jan 12
- DJ Pop Up at Stargate. Sat, Feb 10. 7-10 PM
Stop 2: Gillett Bridge
- Sonic Runway: Interactive light and sound tunnel.
- Grand Legacy Mural. Walk through Gillett Bridge Tunnel, listen to 10 min history of the Grand River. Plays nonstop.
Stop 3: Riverwalk (Near Gillett Bridge)
Ghost Town 2.0: AR musical performance accessible via QR code.
Stop 4: DeVos Place
- Ghost Town 2.0: AR musical performance accessible via QR code.
- Starlight: Immersive light installation.Ghost Town 2.0: AR musical performance accessible via QR code.
Stop 5: 555 Monroe NW
EVENTS
- WOW Selfie Spot: Interactive location
- Four Directions: Interpretation of Indigenous Native American Four Directions teaching.
- Lunar Lamp Posts: Interactive light installation inspired by moon cycles. (starts Jan 19)
- Ice Park & Food Truck Rally Fri, Jan 20. Noon- 7 PM
- SNOWGA. Saturday, Feb 10 at 9 AM
Stop 6: Sixth Street Bridge
- Manidoo Bawating: 11-foot sculpture honoring Native American traditions
- Kaloperion: Trippy kaleidoscope experience.
- Icicle Lanterns: Silk lanterns resembling icicles on towering trees.
- Mi Casa, Your Casa 2.0. 8 colorful homes with swings (Starts Feb 16)
EVENTS
Great Lakes Snow Snake Competition. Sat, Feb 24. 11 AM – 4 PM.
Stop 7: Calder Plaza
- Snow Shoveler: Life-sized puppet
- Dandelion: Musical dome with interactive light and music show. (Starts Jan 19)
EVENTS
- Sound Bath Experience. Fri, Jan 26. 6:30 PM – 7:30 PM.
- Silent Disco. Sat, Jan 27. 7-10 PM
- Winter’s a DRAG. Sat, Feb 3. 11 AM – 4 PM
- DJ Pop Up Dandelion. Fri, Feb 23. 7-10 PM.
- Circus Wonderland. Sat, Mar 2. 5 – 8 PM.
- Sound Bath. Sun, Mar 3. 1 – 2 PM.
- Noodle Fest. Sat, Mar 9. 11 AM – 6 PM.
Stop 8: Rosa Parks Circle Art
- Ghost Town 2.0: AR musical performance accessible via QR code.
- Breath is My Raft – Night-based projection on the Grand Rapids Art Museum
- Disco Heart. (Starts Feb 1)
- Ice skating stop! $
EVENTS
- Ice Sculptures & Valent-ICE
- Fire & Ice Event with Open Skate Session. Sat, Jan 13. 5 – 9 PM.
- Ice Breaker with Ice Guru Randy Finch. Sat, Feb 10. Noon – 3 PM.
- Love On Ice. Wed, Feb 14. 11 AM – 9 PM.
- Paint the Park. Wed, Feb 17. 11 AM – 9 PM.
- Human Hungry Hippo Tournament. Sun, Feb 25. 7-10 PM.
- Guided Walking Tours. Many dates/times
Stop 9: Blue Bridge
Permafrost: Three large Mastodon sculptures.
Massimals: Colorful abstract animal sculptures
Festival Art Exhibits
John Ball Zoo Lantern
Fri, Jan 12 – Sun, Jan 14 2024
Ah-Nab-Awen-Park – 220 Front Ave NW, Grand Rapids, MI 49504
Get an exclusive preview of one of the new Lanterns featured in the John Ball Zoo’s 2024 Lantern Fest. It is ONLY on display throughout the opening weekend and will debut at the Luminary Light Night Parade on Jan 12.
World of Winter Art Experiences
Fri, Jan 12 – Sun, Mar 10 2024
Grand Legacy Mural Immersive Experience. Walk through Gillett Bridge Tunnel, listen to 10 min history of the Grand River. Plays nonstop.
Stargate. sculpture by day, projection show at night. Ah-Nab-Awen Park 
Sonic Runway. Interactive Light & sound tunnel. Gillett Bridge
Messie. Inflatable purple river monster, 14-foot tentacles. Canal Park. 
Singing Tree. Make noise and the tree will light up based on the sounds you make. After dark. Ah-Nab-Awen Park
Permafrost. Three large, colorful Mastodons made of metal & glass. Scan the QR code to learn about the local mastadon discovery. Blue Bridge 
Nightwalkers. Eight large inflatable frogs Push the button in front of each frog to make it croak and light up. Ah-Nab-Awen Park
WOW Selfie Spot. 555 Monroe
Massimals. big, colorful collection of abstract animals on the Blue Bridge.
Manidoo Bawating. Admire the changing colors in this 11-foot sculpture as it glows. Honors important symbols and traditions of the Native American community that lived along the Grand River. Sixth St Park
Squiggle Tree– LED light Rainbow tree. Canal Park
Starlight. Step into the light and become immersed into the dancing stars. Devos Place
3-DC Grow – Use giant 3-D glasses to make drawings come alive. Van Andel Arena
Four Directions – sound, light & shape interpret the Indigenous Native American Four Directions teaching. 555 Monroe NW
Kaloperion – Step into this trippy kaleidoscope. Sixth Street Park
Breath is My Raft – Night-based projection. Grand Rapids Art Musuem
Life is but a Dream – 3 illuminated “paper” boats actually made from steel. Canal Park
Snow Shoveler – life-sized puppet shoveling snow. Calder Plaza
Ghost Town 2.0 – Walk up to the soapbox and scan the QR code to watch a musical performance. AR. DeVos Place, DeVos Place Riverwalk (Near Gillett Bridge), Van Andel Arena, Rosa Parks Circle
Icicle Lanterns – silk lanterns resembling glistening icicles adorn towering trees. Sixth Street Park
Retro Rapids- Play this retro interactive video game on your phone and watch your gameplay come to life on the wall. Ah-Nab-Awen Park
Skeleton Snowflake Crew – window display. five skeletons. Monroe Center Parking Ramp
Winter Chronicles: Portal to Narnia mixed-media archway, near playground. Canal Park
The Conservatory of Dreams – Three cozy house-like structures, lit from within, invite visitors to weave their dreams and memories into the sculptures by adding personal objects and tokens. Canal Park
Art Starting Jan 19, 2024
Fri, Jan 19 – Sun, Mar 10 2024
Dandelion. A musical dome that plays a light and music show every 10 minutes. Step inside the dome and interact with the eight sensors, colorfully animating the inside of the Dandelion. Calder Plaza
Lunar Lamp Posts. A giant interactive light installation inspired by the cycles of the moon. Each Pole has a touch sensor, as people touch the pole it lights up and plays a unique musical sound. 555 Monroe NW
Art Starting Feb 1, 2024
Thur, Feb 1 – Sun, Mar 10 2024
Disco Heart. Large art installation filled with gold disco balls. See the Disco Heart by Vandenberg Statue. This is right across the street from Rosa Parks Circle.
Art Starting Feb 16, 2024
Fri, Feb 16 – Sun, Mar 10 2024
Mi Casa, Your Casa 2.0. These 8 colorful homes are inviting you to come and take a seat on their swings! Sixth Street Park.
Festival Event Sampler (Full Calendar at End of Article)
Luminary Parade Festival Kickoff
Fri, Jan 12, 2024 (6 -9 PM)
Ah-Nab-Awen Park
World of Winter Festival Begins. Bring Your Own Lantern & Walk in the All new Luminary Light Parade. Includes Preview of John Ball Zoo’s 2024 GR Lantern Fest
Local Food Trucks, DJs, GR Gold Drumline, Complimentary S’mores Station
Fire & Ice
Fri, Jan 13, 2024 (6 -10 PM)
Rosa Parks Circle
Watch fire performers glide and jump on the ice. After, join the fun with an open skate session. Food trucks, street party, flow playground.
Ice Park & Food Truck Rally
Sat, Jan 20, 2024 (noon-7 PM)
555 Monroe Ave NW, Grand Rapids, MI 49503
Chill out and enjoy cool games, delicious food from our lineup of food trucks and jam with the musical maestros at Frosty Boyz Entertainment. Learn the ropes and test-drive groovy instruments. Hurry down and play – games will be out until they melt.
Silent Disco
Sat, Jan 27 , 2024 (7-10 PM)
Calder Plaza
This is a BIG outdoor party where you can sing and dance like nobody is watching! You’ll wear wireless headphones and can tune into any of the different DJs’ channels.
You can also enjoy FIRE and LED performers, food trucks, heaters and you’ll be next to some of the best selfie spots. Cozy Fire Pits, Interactive Lite Brite Experience
Ice Sculptures & Valent-ICE 2023
February 9 – 11, 2024
Downtown Grand Rapids
The annual ice sculpture display, Valent-ICE, is a part of the World of Winter Festival and returns in mid-February for 2024 with over 50 ice sculptures spread throughout downtown Grand Rapids, MI.
GR Mardi Gras Glow Sidewalk Parade
February 13, 2024 (7-11 PM)
Grand Rapids Public Museum
Dress in your best Mardi Gras gear and join the parade through Downtown. Indoor Swing Dance at the GRPM, Sidewalk Parade Around the City, finish with a Uccello’s Downtown Dance Party.
Circus Wonderland
Mar 2, 2024 (5-8 PM)
Calder Plaza, 300 Ottawa Ave NW, Grand Rapids, MI 49503
If The Greatest Showman was a winter act, this would be it! Witness stilt walkers, LED performers, fire breathers, and aerialists perform near the House of Cards installation. Enjoy this epic World of Winter event even more – there will be food trucks & games, too.
Paint the Park
Sat, Feb 17 2024 at 11 AM
Rosa Parks Circle 135 Monroe Center NW, Grand Rapids, MI 49503
Don’t miss this FREE community ice painting party. When you’re done check out the street party on Monroe Center.
Hungry Hungry Hungry Hippos Tournament
Sun, Feb 25 2024 (12:30 – 7 PM)
Rosa Parks Circle 135 Monroe Center NW, Grand Rapids, MI 49503
Is anyone HUNGRY? Join the human hungry hungry hippos tournament (one ice!!) and compete to win prizes. Family and adult teams must register ahead of time. Good luck!
Noodle Fest
Sat, Mar 9 2024 (11 AM – 6 PM)
Calder Plaza, 300 Ottawa Ave NW
Chefs battle it out with vendors dishing out $6 bowls of noodle goodness. You decide the winner by throwing in your votes with your donations. Karaoke for Kids.
Ice Piano Performance
Fri, Jan 19 2024 at 6:30 PM
Sat, Jan 20 2024 at 6:30 PM
Canal Park
Take in a LIVE performance on a piano made of ice!
Ice-Breaker
Sat, Feb 10 2024 at 12 PM
Rosa Parks Circle 135 Monroe Center NW, Grand Rapids, MI 49503
Come witness the live ice carving of a 5,000 pound sculpture by the Ice Guru Randy Finch. What will he create? Don’t miss this behind the scenes show when you check out the 50+ ice sculptures downtown.
Love on Ice
Tues, Feb 14 2024 at 6pm
Rosa Parks Circle 135 Monroe Center NW, Grand Rapids, MI 49503
Check out this Valentine’s Date Night! Carve your initials on a giant ice wall and snag a FREE professional photo of you and your love. Bundle up and take advantage of 2-for-1 ice skating too.
SNOWGA
Sat, Feb 10 2024 at 9am
555 Monroe Ave NW, Grand Rapids, MI 49503
Time to get your outdoor yoga on! This FREE events starts with yoga, then a training walk/run and concludes with hot beverages.
Winter’s a DRAG
Sat, Feb 3 2024 (11 AM – 4 PM)
Calder Plaza, 300 Ottawa Ave NW, Grand Rapids, MI 49503
Get ready to sashay into the spotlight with Michigan Drag Brunch! Witness the Queens stealing the show, accompanied by our mystery guest. Grab brunch from local food trucks, play giant yard games.
Guided Walking Tours
Art Installation Walking Tours
Fri, Jan 26 2024 at 6 PM
Sat, Jan 27 2024 at 3 PM
Wed, Jan 31 2024 at 6 PM
Sat, Feb 3 2024 at noon
Sun, Feb 18 2024 at 2 PM
Tues, Feb 27 2024 at 6 PM
Sun, Mar 3 2024 at 1 PM
Rosa Parks Circle 135 Monroe Center NW, Grand Rapids, MI 49503
Bundle up for this 1-mile walk and let the experts help make your World of Winter experience complete.
Black History Walking Tours
Sat, Feb 3 2024 at 2 PM
Sun, Feb 11 2024 at 4 PM
Mon, Feb 26 2024 at 6 PM
Rosa Parks Circle 135 Monroe Center NW, Grand Rapids, MI 49503
This FREE walk is fun and educational. Expect to be engaged with your guide for 60 minutes. No registration is necessary.
Ice Sculpture Walking Tours
Fri Feb 9 2024 at 6 PM
Sat Feb 10 2024 at 10am, 12pm, 2pm & 4pm
Sun Feb 11 2024 at 12pm & 2pm
Rosa Parks Circle 135 Monroe Center NW, Grand Rapids, MI 49503
Take a 60 minute walk to learn about the 50+ ice sculptures scattered around downtown. Some are life sized, some interactive! Check out the 52,000 pounds of frozen fun! FREE!
The Chilly Challenge
Wednesdays, January 3-February 14, 2024 at noon
JW Marriott, 235 Louis Street NW, Grand Rapids, MI
The Chilly Challenge is a FREE series of walking tours through Downtown Grand Rapids where perfect attendance at all 7 walks is awarded with a $25 gift certificate. No registration needed.
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.
The ice sculptures are out day and night, so if you do visit during the day you’ll have plenty to see. Ice sculptures are left out until they melt – plan accordingly.
Also, not all of these art installations will be at the winter festival simultaneously. Plan your visit to see the art you most want to see, or visit several times for the full experience.
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 6:00 PM during the week.
Read on for more details about each specific exhibit.