The 1st annual World of Winter festival kicks off February 9, 2018. Downtown Grand Rapids Inc. (DGRI) and partners to host a full slate of winter activities in Downtown Grand Rapids.

The 8-day festival is designed to take advantage of Michigan’s cold climate, provide fun ways for people to get outside and enjoy the season and make Grand Rapids a better winter city, which makes Grand Rapids a better year-round city.

World of Winter comprises of a variety of free- and low-cost events that feature a wide variety of activities for both families and adults.

Downtown Grand Rapids Inc. organizes World of Winter in partnership with dozens of community partners, local businesses and sponsors, including Ice Brigade, Grand Rapids Running Tours, WOOD TV 8, Grand Rapids Sport & Social Club, Grand Rapids Art Museum, the Downtown Market and the City of Grand Rapids.

Here’s the full schedule of World of Winter activities. All events start and end at Rosa Parks Circle unless otherwise noted:

February 9

4:00 - 8:00 PM | Ice Bar: Olympic Games at the Downtown Market

5:00 - 11:30 PM | PyeongChang 2018 Winter Olympics Opening Ceremony

5:00 PM | Valent-ICE Kick-Off

February 10

12:00 - 6:00 PM | ICE Breaker & Paint the Park

12:00 - 7:00 PM | Ice Bar: Olympic Games at the Downtown Market

February 11

12:00 - 4:00 PM | Ice Bar: Olympic Games at the Downtown Market

12:30 - 8:30 PM | Human Hungry Hungry Hippo Tournament

  • 12:30-1:00 PM | Registration - Family Division
  • 1:00 - 3:00 PM | Family Division Competition
  • 3:00 - 3:30 PM | Family Division Awards Ceremony at Rosa Parks Circle
  • 3:00 - 3:30 PM | Registration - Adult Division
  • 3:30 - 8:00 PM | Adult Division Competition
  • 8:00 - 8:30 PM | Adult Division Awards Ceremony (location TBD)

Additional activities:

February 12

12:00 - 8:00 PM |Monday in Motion

February 13

12:00 - 9:00 PM |Snow Globe Experience

February 14

6:00 - 10:00 PM |Love on ICE

  • FREE professional photographs of Valentine's couples
  • 2-for-1 ice skate rental

February 15

12:00 - 1:30 PM |Relax at Rosa on ICE

February 16

6:00 - 10:00 PM |Grand Rapids Lunar New Year


Full list of participating Valent-ICE businesses coming soon.

Map of Ice

Click here or see below for a map of ice sculptures around Downtown.

Hard copies of the full World of Winter map and guide also available at the 50+ participating locations and the Rosa Parks Circle skate rental hub.

Map_Digital2.jpg