Today’s forecast calls for a high of 74 degrees. But winter is coming. And that means a full slate of seasonal events in Downtown to help Grand Rapidians keep active and in good spirits through the cold, wind and snow.

Window Wonderland kicks off the winter city programming on Friday, November 6. The third annual event, organized by Downtown Grand Rapids Inc. and Kendall College of Art and Design, pairs Downtown businesses with local creative design students in a competition to decorate festive storefronts for the holiday season.

This year 31 students decorated storefronts across Downtown. The public determines the winning windows by texting a vote for their favorite designs. Voting opens on Nov. 6 and runs through Nov. 27. Every vote enters voters to win holiday prizes. The winning student design team will receive $1,000. Winners will be announced in early December.

Click here for more information about participating businesses and the voting process.

Window Wonderland is part of Downtown Grand Rapids’ growing effort to better embrace the cold season, take advantage of the city’s northern climate and make Grand Rapids a better winter city, which make Grand Rapids a better year-round city.

This winter’s roster of (mostly) free and open-to-the-public events features a wide range of activities, including the city’s first Hungry Hungry Hippo Tournament. Here’s the working calendar of events:

This schedule is not meant to be a comprehensive listing of all winter activities in Downtown GR. If you know of other events that are free and open to the public, please email DGRI with the details and we'll consider adding it the list.