Downtown Grand Rapids transforms into a winter wonderland this February 14 to 17 at the second annual World of Winter Festival. At this 4-day extravaganza, Downtown GR will be decorated with over 50 ice sculptures. Attendees can join frozen fun activities like the Human Hungry Hungry Hippos on Ice Tournament, snow yoga, a silent disco, ice skating, and more!

The World of Winter Festival is one of the largest ice festivals in Michigan. It 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.

All World of Winter events are FREE or low-cost and can be enjoyed by both families and adults.

Below is the full schedule of World of Winter activities. All events start and end at Rosa Parks Circle unless stated otherwise.

February 14, 2019

Name: Mighty in the Midwest
Price range: $

Relax at Rosa on Ice | 12:00 - 1:30 PM | Rosa Parks Circle

What could be a better way to spend your lunch break than with a live acoustic performance in the comfort of a warming tent? This free lunchtime entertainment event is sponsored by Molina Healthcare. ACTIVITIES INCLUDE:

Free ice skating
Food trucks available on-site (El Caribe Food Truck, Crepes by the Lakes, Patty Matters)
Foosball and corn hole ice games
Live music by Kaitlyn Zittel

Downtown Market Ice Bar: Tropical Chill | 4:00 - 7:00 PM | Downtown Market

Grab a tropical cocktail from the Ice Bar and embrace the cold with some frozen tundra yard games. Put a lei around your neck and get ready for some island fun and entertainment!

Snowga (Snow-Yoga) & Run | 5:30 - 7:30 PM | 75 Monroe Ave NW

Get your downward dog on at this FREE outdoor run and yoga event! Activities will begin with a short training run starting at the LOVE Sculpture located on Monroe Avenue across Rosa Parks Circle, followed by 30 minutes of easy yoga with instructor Elizabeth Sanders from The Hive Yoga. Afterward, participants are invited to enjoy a social time at Atwater Brewery (201 Michigan Street NW) with Happy Hour pricing on drinks and 10% off food orders!

Love on Ice | 6:00 - 10:00 PM | Rosa Parks Circle

Who says Valentine's Day needs to be the typical indoor dinner and a movie? Enjoy a unique V-Day experience with your loved one this year at Love on ICE.

ACTIVITIES INCLUDE:

2-for-1 ice skating
Free hot chocolate from the Salvation Army Canteen
Free professional photographs with the Ice Gurus interactive ice installation!
Sweet Batches will be selling sweets
Andean Lasting Flowers will be selling flowers

This event is sponsored by Michigan First Credit Union.

Snowshoe at the Park | 6:00 - 8:00 PM | Ah-Nab-Awen Park

Feel the crunch of the snow under your feet and enjoy nature at this FREE spectacular snowshoeing event led by Friends of Grand Rapids Parks at Ah-Nab-Awen Park. Snowshoes will be provided. Don't forget to dress warm!

February 15, 2019

Valent-ICE | 2:00 PM - ALL DAY | Rosa Parks Circle

Celebrate winter with a gallery of ice in Downtown Grand Rapids! Valent-ICE, one of the largest ice festivals in Michigan, is a part of our World of Winter Series celebrating why we choose to live in Michigan... because the ice and snow can be pretty spectacular. This annual ice-themed event showcases over 50 ice sculptures all throughout downtown. You can give yourself a self-guided tour of these amazing works of art... or join one of our ice sculpture walking tours so you don't miss any of them!

Downtown Market Ice Bar: Tropical Chill | 4:00 - 8:00 PM | Downtown Market

Grab a tropical cocktail from the Ice Bar and embrace the cold with some frozen tundra yard games. Put a lei around your neck and get ready for some island fun and entertainment!

Ice Sculpture Walking Tour | 6:00 - 7:00 PM | Rosa Parks Circle

Bundle up and explore Downtown Grand Rapids with a FREE guided tour provided by Grand Rapids Running Tours. Learn more about sub-zero art and their interesting backstories! To register, visit grandrapidsrunningtours.com/registration.

Silent Disco | 7:00 - 10:00 PM | 555 Monroe Ave NW (Monroe North Lot)

Sing and dance like no one's watching at our Silent Disco event! For those unfamiliar with the concept, Silent discos are a unique way of experiencing live music. Guests wear wireless headphones and can tune into any of the different DJs' channels. You have full control of the music you jam out to! Welcome to the dance parties of the future! This event is for guests 18+ only.

ACTIVITIES INCLUDE:

Performances by DJs Super Future, AB is Adrian Butler, SuperDre
On-site screen printing of DJs logos and GR-themed prints by NorthEast Print House
Ice beer pong
Live painting by Kyle DeGroff... and his painting will be given away at the end of the night!
Food trucks on-site: El Caribe Food Truck, Crepes by the Lakes
LED furniture & photo booth
Interactive silent disco sculpture

NOTE: There will be a heat source at the event. Alcohol sales will benefit the Hispanic Center of Western Michigan, Presenting sponsor: Alliance Beverage In-kind sponsor: Michigan CAT

February 16, 2019

Valent-ICE | ALL DAY | Rosa Parks Circle

Ice Sculpture Walking Tours | 10:00 AM, 2:00 PM & 6:00 PM | Rosa Parks Circle

To register, visit grandrapidsrunningtours.com/registration.

Downtown Market Ice Bar: Tropical Chill | 12:00 - 8:00 PM | Downtown Market

Grab a tropical cocktail from the Ice Bar and embrace the cold with some frozen tundra yard games. Put a lei around your neck and get ready for some island fun and entertainment!

Snowga (Snow-Yoga) & Run | 8:00 - 10:00 AM | Canal St. Park

Get your downward dog on at this free outdoor run and yoga event! The short run will begin at Canal Park followed by 30 minutes of easy yoga with Elizabeth Sanders from The Hive Yoga. Afterward, participants are invited to enjoy social time at Field & Fire Cafe at 820 Monroe Ave. NW. Don't forget to wear warm workout clothing!

Black History Walking Tour | 12:00 - 1:00 PM | Rosa Parks Circle

Join Grand Rapids Running Tours for a FREE walk through Grand Rapids' Black history. The tour starts at Rosa Parks Circle. To register, visit: grandrapidsrunningtours.com/registration. Participants in the tour will receive $1 off admission at the Grand Rapids Children's Museum as a thank you for sharing this important history with your family. Coupons will be distributed at the beginning of the tour and can be redeemed any time until 3/31/2019.

Paint the Park / Icebreaker | 12:00 - 6:00 PM | Rosa Parks Circle

Ain't no party like a community ice painting party! Grab a brush and help us paint the ice at the Rosa Parks Circle Ice Rink. Make your mark downtown and beautify our city as a community.

ACTIVITIES INCLUDE:

Painting lessons inside the warming shelter
NorthEast Print House onsite for screen-printed shirts & sweatshirts
Food trucks (El Caribe Food Truck, Crepes by the Lakes)
Queen Elsa & Princess Anna from Disney’s Frozen will be there for pictures
Community partners with activity tables
"Ice breaker" - live ice carving of the 5000-pound community sculpture
Ice rink open from 7:00 PM

February 17, 2019

Valent-ICE| ALL DAY | Rosa Parks Circle

Ice Sculpture Walking Tours | 12:00 PM & 3:00 PM | Rosa Parks Circle

To register, visit grandrapidsrunningtours.com/registration.

Human Hungry Hungry Hippos on Ice Tournament | 12:30 - 7:00 PM | Rosa Parks Circle

Your favorite board game comes to life in this human version of Hungry Hungry Hippos! Adult and family divisions are available at this awesome downtown 1-day extravaganza! Make sure you sign up for the correct division. Note that each team consists of six players. For more information, click here. To see a video of how to play, click here.

Registration is NOW OPEN
Registration closes on Feb 01, 2019
Early Bird Discount Ends on Dec 30, 2018
Slacker Pricing Starts on Feb 01, 2019

For more info or to register for an ADULT TEAM, visit: https://grssc.com/leagues/join?sport=27

For more info or to register for a FAMILY TEAM, visit: https://grssc.com/leagues/join?sport=28

Food trucks available on-site:

Thank you to our event partners: - The City of Grand Rapids - Cannonsburg

Map of Ice Sculpture Locations

Download the PDF

World of Winter Sponsors

Thank you to our World of Winter Sponsors: The Rapid, Mobile GR, and the City of Grand Rapids.

Transportation

Planning to walk? Bike? Take the bus? Carpool with a friend? Mobile GR has provided all these links for your transportation needs! Don't forget to visit their table and enter the Mobility Drawing for a chance to win a fabulous prize!