World of Winter Festival 2023 – GR’s Ice Sculptures, Glowing Nighttime Art & Outdoor Events – for FREE! Walking

World-of-Winter-2023-House-of-Cards

World of Winter Festival 2023

Winter Festival with Interactive Outdoor Art & Ice Sculptures in Grand Rapids, MI

The Largest Winter Festival in the Midwest is happening again, January 6 – March 5, 2023 in downtown Grand Rapids MI!

Every year in January and February, one of our favorite Michigan winter activities returns to Grand Rapids to light up the city – the WORLD OF WINTER FESTIVAL!

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 held over the multi-week cold-weather festival.

Use our 90-minute walking route to see the best of the winter festival art and enjoy along with a several bonus stops for added fun.

Check the World of Winter website for the most up-to-date scheduling for events & exhibits. Weather and other factors may influence this event.

90-Minute Walking Route – Winter 2023

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 time allows, add the pieces at 555 Monroe and 6th Street Bridge for more night light fun. 555 Monroe is the location for many of the festival events, including the Ice Piano.

world of winter walking route 90 minutes

PARKINGScribner Lot
307-265 Scribner Ave NW
Located near the Gerald R Ford Museum. $5.
Walk around the south side of the Ford Museum

STOP 1 – Ah-Nab-Awen Park
220 Front Ave NW
Starry Night
Roaming Gnomes (Jan 27+)

STOP 2 – Tunnel under the Gillett Bridge
Tropical Tundra

STOP 3 – GR Public Museum
272 Pearl St NW
Walk along river/carousel for spectacular Bue Bridge views
The Singing Tree
Passage of Shadow and Light

STOP 4 – Blue Bridge
Angels of Freedom
Massimals

STOP 5 – LOVE Sculpture
From the Blue Bridge, take Campau Ave NW north to the Louis Campau Promenade
permanent art piece

STOP 6 – Rosa Parks Circle
Ice skating stop! $
• Walk-ups and advance reservations
Skate rentals included with admission, $4 adults, $2 kids

STOP 7 – Kilwin’s
146 Monroe Center St NW
Hot chocolate stop! $

STOP 8 – Calder Plaza
525 Ottawa Ave NW
Take Pearl St East to Ottawa Ave. Head north.
House of Cards

STOP 9 – Lyon Square
Shortcut to Lyon Square: In Calder Plaza, look for the enclosed glass entrance to the parking garage stairs. Walk through the garage to reach Monroe.
296 Lyon St NW
Messie – on the DeVos Place Convention Center Balcony
Starlight – Lyon Square amphitheater along the river

STOP 10 – Gillett Bridge
Talking Heads

Art Installations & Events at World of Winter 2023

Art is located at venues all around Grand Rapids, MI.
Not all art is on display at the same time – note the run dates listed with each installation.

ART world of winter festival To find World of Winter exhibits, look for listings with tagged ART

Popup events and activities are a hallmark of the World of Winter festival. Add some to your calendar to get the most out of this delightful experience.

Event world of winter To find events, look for listings tagged EVENT

World of Winter Festival Timeline

ART world of winter festival 2023 Schedule
Fri, Jan 6 – Sun, Mar 5, 2023
House of Cards
Messie
Starry Night
Angels of Freedom
Rainbow Tree
The Singing Tree
Massimals
Manidoo Bawating
Talking Heads
Tropical Tundra
Starlight
Fri, Jan 27 – Sun, Mar 5, 2023
Roaming Gnomes
Fri, Feb 3 – Sun, Mar 5 2023
Affinity

Event world of winter 2023 Schedule
Tues Jan 3-Feb 14: The Chilly Challenge
Jan 7, 11, 14, 22, Feb 4, 7, Mar 1: Art Installation Walking Tours
Sat, Jan 14 at 11 am: Winter’s a DRAG
Fri, Jan 20 – Sat, Jan 28: Ice Park
Fri, Jan 20& 21 at 6:30pm: Ice Piano Performance
Sat, Jan 21 from 2pm-7pm: Ice Park & Food Truck Rally
Sat, Feb 4 at 7pm: Silent Disco
Feb 4, 12 & 27: Black History Walking Tours
Feb 10, 11, 12: Ice Sculpture Walking Tours
February 10 – 16: Valent-ICE Ice Sculptures
Feb 11 at 9am: SNOWGA
Feb 11 at noon: Ice-Breaker
Feb 14 at 6 pm: Love on Ice
Feb 18 at 11am: Paint the Park
Feb 25 at 12:30 pm: Hungry Hungry Hungry Hippos Tournament
March 4 at noon: Noodle Fest

Event world of winter
The Chilly Challenge

Tuesdays, January 3-February 14, 2023 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.

This year’s theme is ALL ABOUT ARCHITECTURE. Beginning with GR’s earliest structures and moving through the decades, your guide will explain the significance of 75 or so downtown structures over seven tours.

ART world of winter festival
House of Cards

Fri, Jan 6 – Sun, Mar 5 2023
Calder Plaza – 300 Monroe Ave NW, Grand Rapids, MI 49503

128 light boxes in the form of playing cards.

Every card in House of Cards has a different design and were created by street and visual artists from all over the world. Plus- Downtown GR has partnered with several local artists to create ten custom cards to go in the deck.

ART world of winter festival
Messie

Fri, Jan 6 – Sun, Mar 5 2023
DeVos Place Convention Center Balcony, Grand Rapids, MI 49503

Messie, the purple Grand River Monster has climbed out of the river and is wrapping her 14ft long tentacles around the balcony at Devos Place (by Gillett Bridge.)

You might see her sway and move her tentacles when the weather is just to her liking.

ART world of winter festival
Starry Night

Fri, Jan 6 – Sun, Mar 5 2023
Ah-Nab-Awen-Park – 220 Front Ave NW, Grand Rapids, MI 49504

See VanGogh’s Starry Night comes alive with electric lights!

The hillside village and trees have been replaced by the landscape of Grand Rapids. The brushstrokes in the “painting” are made from 1,400 glowing tubes powered by small LED lights.

ART world of winter festival
Angels of Freedom

Fri, Jan 6 – Sun, Mar 5 2023
The Blue Bridge – Grand Rapids, MI 49504

Reveal your inner angel – take a selfie with Angels of Freedom and their ever-changing colored wings at The Blue Bridge.

ART world of winter festival
Rainbow Tree

Fri, Jan 6 – Sun, Mar 5 2023
Sixth Street Park – 647 Monroe Ave NW, Grand Rapids, MI 49503
Canal Park 941 Monroe Ave NW, Grand Rapids, MI 49503

GR’s two Rainbow Trees are LED art installations on the Riverwalk. One tree will be at Canal Park and the other will be at Sixth Street Park.

ART world of winter festival
The Singing Tree

Fri, Jan 6 – Sun, Mar 5 2023
Downtown Grand Rapids – 6th Street Park & GR Public Museum

A favorite from previous World of Winter festivals, the Singing Tree is back for 2023!

Visitors interact in real-time by singing, clapping, or yelling to create an unforgettable and magical experience.

ART world of winter festival
Massimals

Fri, Jan 6 – Sun, Mar 5 2023
Blue BridgeGrand Rapids, MI 49504

Visit the big, colorful “Massimals” on the Blue Bridge. They are a collection of abstract animals that are just begging to be in your next selfie.

ART world of winter festival
Manidoo Bawating

Fri, Jan 6 – Sun, Mar 5 2023
Sixth Street Park
627 Monroe Ave NW, Grand Rapids, MI 49503

Admire the changing colors in this 11-foot sculpture as it glows downtown.

The steel sculpture was crafted to honor important symbols and unique traditions of the Native American community that lived along the Grand River.

ART world of winter festival
Talking Heads

Fri, Jan 6 – Sun, Mar 5 2023
Gillett Bridge Grand Rapids, MI 49503

Come down and have a chat with the Talking Heads. Each head has over 4,000 LED lights that create different facial expressions as the heads have a conversation.

Will they be happy or sad? Come find out!

ART world of winter festival
Tropical Tundra

Fri, Jan 6 – Sun, Mar 5 2023
Ah-Nab-Awen-Park – 220 Front Ave NW, Grand Rapids, MI 49504 (underneath the Gillett Bridge)

Turn up the heat! Check out this immersive projection experience that will have you feeling like you’re walking through the steamy jungle.

Event world of winter
Circus Wonderland

Jan 7, 2023 at 5 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.

ART world of winter festival
Starlight

Fri, Jan 6 – Sun, Mar 5 2023
Lyon Square – 296 Lyon St NW, Grand Rapids, MI 49503

Step into the light and become immersed into the dancing stars. This piece was created to inspire hope and imagination and will make you glow.

Event world of winter
Art Installation Walking Tours

Sat, Jan 7 2023 at 5pm
Wed, Jan 11 2023 at 6pm
Sat, Jan 14 2023 at 12pm
Sun, Jan 22 2023 at 1pm
Sat, Feb 4 2023 at 12pm
Tues, Feb 7 2023 at 6pm
Wed, Mar 1 2023 at 6pm

Rosa Parks Circle 135 Monroe Center NW, Grand Rapids, MI 49503

Bundle up for this 75 minute walk and let the experts help make your World of Winter experience complete.

Event world of winter
Winter’s a DRAG

Sat, Jan 14 2023 at 11am
Calder Plaza, 300 Ottawa Ave NW, Grand Rapids, MI 49503

 Come see the Brunchettes and Queens work the stage at this FREE event. Grab brunch from local food trucks, play giant yard games and snap some photos with the crown shaped ice sculpture.

Event world of winter
Ice Park

Fri, Jan 20 – Sat, Jan 28 2023
555 Monroe Ave NW
, Grand Rapids, MI 49503

Come play some frozen games! Shuffleboard, plinko, foosball, chess, checkers, cornhole and putt-putt. There is also an ice throne for fun photos.

Hurry down and play – games will be out until they melt.

Event world of winter
Ice Piano Performance

Fri, Jan 20 2023 at 6:30pm
Sat, Jan 21 2023 at 6:30pm

555 Monroe (updated location)

Take in a LIVE performance on a piano made of ice! The concert will be held at 555 Monroe – this is a last-minute location change from the Public Museum.

Event world of winter
Ice Park & Food Truck Rally

Sat, Jan 21 2023 12pm-7pm
555 Monroe Center NW, Grand Rapids, MI 49503

Come enjoy food from local food trucks. After you eat enjoy the pop-up sound installation and play some outdoor games. Don’t forget to snap a selfie on the ice throne.

Ice games will be out until they melt.

ART world of winter festival
Roaming Gnomes

Fri, Jan 27 – Sun, Mar 5 2023
Ah-Nab-Awen-Park – 220 Front Ave NW, Grand Rapids, MI 49504

This piece was inspired by Roaming Gnoming, a playful activity that involves taking a gnome on a trip and photographing the gnome in different locations.

Each gnome has a different personality and theme, inviting the public to go on an adventure around the city to discover the location of each gnome.

ART world of winter festival
Affinity

Fri, Feb 3 – Sun, Mar 5 2023
555 Monroe Ave NW, Grand Rapids, MI 49503

Affinity is an interactive light and sound piece inspired by the human brain.

Made of light globes, each globe represents a memory. Approach Affinity and you’ll hear different memories. Touch a globe to trigger a light. The longer you touch the globe, the further their light will travel throughout the sculpture.

Event world of winter
Silent Disco

Sat, Feb 4 2023 at 7pm
555 Monroe Center NW, Grand Rapids, MI 49503

This is a (FREE) 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.

Event world of winter
Black History Walking Tours

Sat, Feb 4 2023 at 2pm
Sun, Feb 12 2023 at 4pm
Mon, Feb 27 2023 at 6pm

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 75 minutes. No registration is necessary.

Event world of winter
Ice Sculpture Walking Tours

Fri Feb 10 2023 at 6pm
Sat Feb 11 2023 at 10am, 12pm, 2pm & 4pm
Sun Feb 12 2023 at 12pm & 2pm

Rosa Parks Circle 135 Monroe Center NW, Grand Rapids, MI 49503

Take a 75 minute walk to learn about the 50+ ice sculptures scattered around downtown. Some are life sized, some interactive – all lighted!

Check out the 52,000 pounds of frozen fun! FREE!

Event world of winter
Ice Sculptures & Valent-ICE 2023

February 10 – 16, 2023
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 2023 with over 50 ice sculptures spread throughout downtown Grand Rapids, MI.

Dozens of professionally-carved ice sculptures include:

Here’s a list of notable ice sculptures that were at Valent-Ice 2023: (An updated list for 2023 will be added when available.)

Ice SculptureLocation
Baby Yoda Homewood Suites
GargoyleStella’s
Abominable SnowmanThe Dog Pit
Carousel Horse Grand Rapids Public Museum
5000 lb Carving Demo (Sat 2/12)Rosa Parks Circle
Frozen’s Olaf Courtyard Marriott
Interactive Butterfly Wings146 Monroe Center St NW
Olympic RingsOutside of Kilwins
Vintage Truck77 Monroe Center St NW
Ice Igloo DomeJW Marriott
Picture FrameFirst National Bank
Banksy Art Girl with BalloonSocial Misfits
2022 with FlowersSocial House
LOVE SculptureDouglas J. Aveda

Event world of winter
SNOWGA

Sat, Feb 11 2023 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, prizes & snacks.

Event world of winter
Ice-Breaker

Sat, Feb 11 2023 at 12pm
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.

Event world of winter
Love on Ice

Tues, Feb 14 2023 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.

Event world of winter
Paint the Park

Sat, Feb 18 2023 at 11am
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.

Face painting, photo ops with Queen Elsa & Princess Anna, food trucks, fire pits and more!

Event world of winter
Hungry Hungry Hungry Hippos Tournament

Sat, Feb 25 2023 at 12:30pm
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 should register ahead of time. Good luck!

Event world of winter
Noodle Fest

Sat, March 4 2023 12pm
Calder Plaza, 300 Ottawa Ave NW Grand Rapids, MI 49503

Warm up with noodles! Sample from a dozen competitors and vote with donations to the Grand Rapids Asian-Pacific Foundation. $6 per bowl.

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