Downtown Grand Rapids transforms into a winter wonderland starting January 17, 2020, at the third annual World of Winter Festival - and this time, it will take place over an entire month! As always, there will be various FREE winter-themed programming and events, including (but not limited to) snow yoga, black history and ice sculpture walking tours, a silent disco, and the community-favorite Human Hungry Hungry Hippos Tournament on Ice.
One of the most exciting attractions of the World of Winter Festival is Valent-ICE, where Downtown Grand Rapids is decorated with over 50 ice sculptures, making it the largest gallery of ice art in the state of Michigan.
We are also thrilled to bring a new interactive light installation called "Prismatica" to the festival this year. Prismatica is a collection of light prisms that have toured the world, adding energy and creativity to urban business districts. The interactive installation includes 25 pivoting prisms, creating a modern ice palace that transmits and reflects color and light. As the prisms rotate, a soundtrack of bells plays in the background. Downtown Grand Rapids will host Prismatica at 555 Monroe Ave. NW from January 17 to February 16, 2020.
The World of Winter Festival, organized by Downtown Grand Rapids Inc. (DGRI) and partners, 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. For more information, visit worldofwintergr.com.
Friday, January 17
Prismatica on Monroe
When: January 17 - February 16, 2020
Where: 555 Monroe Ave. NW (Monroe North Lot)
Prismatica is a collection of light prisms that have toured the world, adding energy and creativity to urban business districts. The interactive exhibit includes 25 pivoting prisms, each over six feet tall, that are mounted on projectors and set up to transmit and reflect every color in the visible spectrum, creating a rainbow ice palace. As the prisms rotate, a soundtrack of bells plays in the background to serenade the viewer.
We are thrilled to bring a new interactive light installation called "Prismatica" to the 2020 World of Winter Festival! Prismatica is a collection of light prisms by Creos that have toured the world, adding energy and creativity to urban business districts. The interactive installation includes 25 pivoting prisms, creating a modern ice palace that transmits and reflects color and light. As the prisms rotate, a soundtrack of bells plays in the background.
Conception and execution: RAW Design in collaboration with ATOMIC3
Production: Quartier des spectacles, Montréal, Canada
Dance in the Annex at Prismatica
When: 6:30 PM
Where: 555 Monroe Ave. NW (Monroe North Lot)
Experience the Prismatica on Monroe light installation alongside a performance by Dance in the Annex!
"With bated breath: we move like colors" is an original concept structured improvisation that will activate the spaces in and around Prismatica for the #WorldOfWinterGR Festival. With the colorful lights and sounds of the Prismatica sculptures as inspiration, DITA will present this site-specific contemporary dance piece in collaboration with percussionist Josh Dunigan.
Dancers: Kara Brems, Jessica Ferguson, Hannah Sullivan, Nicole Reehorst, Amy Wilson
Live musical accompaniment: Josh Dunigan
Saturday, January 18
Silent Disco (18+)
When: 7:00 - 10:00 PM
Where: 555 Monroe Ave. NW (Monroe North Lot)
Sing and dance like no one's watching! 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 FREE to attend and for guests 18+ only. IDs will be checked.
ACTIVITIES INCLUDE:
🎵 Performances by four different DJs (to be announced)
🎵 Ice beer pong
🎵 Check out the interactive light installation by Creos
🎵 Food trucks serving on-site
🎵 LED Furniture
🎵 Live fire performances
🎵 Check out a curated living mural by Lucid Aesthetic (projection mapping over a mural)
NOTE: There will be fire pits as a heat source at the event. Alcohol sales will benefit the Grand Rapids Asian-Pacific Festival
THANK YOU TO OUR SPONSORS/PARTNERS
🎵 Silent Disco Sponsor: Alliance Beverage
🎵 In-Kind Sponsor: Michigan CAT
🎵 Benefiting Non-Profit: Grand Rapids Asian-Pacific Festival
🎵 Warming Shelter Sponsor: The Rapid
Saturday, January 25
Lunar New Year Celebration
When: 5:00 - 9:00 PM
Where: 555 Monroe Ave. NW (Monroe North Lot)
Celebrate the Lunar New Year at this festival that offers a rich cultural experience through live performances, music and authentic food - all located under a big heating tent!
🧧 The Lunar New Year Festival is a celebration of the New Year based on the lunar calendar. The festival showcases a variety of cultures from all over Asia. This year (2020) is the Year of the Rat. 2020 also marks the beginning of another 12-year cycle of the Zodiac.
🧧 There will be a kid's fun section, dragon dance performances from Calvin College students, firecrackers, and lion dancers.
🧧 We will also give away prizes throughout the night - so keep an eye out for interactive activities for a chance to win gift cards and other special items!
This event is FREE to attend. Come and go as you please! Invite your friends, family, neighbors and others to join the celebration!
If you'd like to volunteer for this event or if you have further questions, email Event Coordinators Kathy Bui and Kim Nguyen
Sunday, January 26
World Market & Game Day
When: 12:00 - 6:00 PM
Where: 555 Monroe Ave. NW (Monroe North Lot)
Go shopping at our World Market, featuring curated artists and local businesses inside a heated tent.
❄️ There will be giant yard games and ice games such as foosball, shuffleboard, Plinko, cornhole, checkers, and chess outside for the whole family to enjoy!
❄️ Make s'mores at our fire pits
❄️ Meet Santa's reindeer!
❄️ Face painting
❄️ A performance by Dance in the Annex
❄️ Food trucks will serve on-site.
❄️ Interact with partner booths featuring fun activities!
❄️ Check out the Prismatica rainbow light installation.
Tuesday, January 28
Snowshoeing at Ah-Nab-Awen Park
When: 6:00 PM
Where: 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. Snowshoes will be provided. Don't forget to dress warm!
Saturday, February 1
Black History Walking Tour
When: 12:00 PM
Where: Meet at 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 for a walking tour, visit http://grandrapidsrunningtours...
Registration is not required but is strongly encouraged.
Movies on the Piazza
When: 11:00 AM - 9:00 PM
Where: Studio Park Piazza
It's summertime in February! Join us as we show summer-themed movies at the new Studio Park piazza for FREE.
🎬 Enjoy hot-toddies, cocktails, popcorn, food trucks, s'mores, movie-themed programming and fun activities between each movie.
🎬 Get photos taken with Disney's Moana!
🎬 There will be fire pits - but dress warm anyway!
🎬 Camping chairs are available on-site for free rental.
🎬 Movies will be played in English with Spanish subtitles.
🎬 Food trucks will serve on-site.
Schedule:
11:00 AM
Movie #1: Moana (PG)
English with Spanish subtitles
1:00 PM
Movie #2: The Sandlot (PG)
English with Spanish subtitles
3:00 PM
Movie #3: What About Bob (PG)
English with Spanish subtitle
5:00 PM
Movie #4: Jaws (PG)
English with Spanish subtitles
Sunday, February 2
Dance in the Annex at Prismatica
When: 2:00 PM
Where: 555 Monroe Ave. NW (Monroe North Lot)
Experience the Prismatica on Monroe light installation alongside a performance by Dance in the Annex!
"With bated breath: we move like colors" is an original concept structured improvisation that will activate the spaces in and around Prismatica for the #WorldOfWinterGR Festival. With the colorful lights and sounds of the Prismatica sculptures as inspiration, DITA will present this site-specific contemporary dance piece in collaboration with percussionist Josh Dunigan.
Dancers: Kara Brems, Jessica Ferguson, Hannah Sullivan, Nicole Reehorst, Amy Wilson
Live musical accompaniment: Josh Dunigan
Thursday, February 6
Snowga & Run
When: 6:00 PM
Where: 555 Monroe Ave. NW (Monroe North Lot)
Get your downward dog on at this FREE outdoor run and yoga event! Attendees will meet at 555 Monroe Ave. NW at 6:00 PM before heading out for a 20-minute warm-up run. Then, we will regroup at 555 Monroe for a 25-minute yoga session. No mat needed. Don't forget to wear warm workout clothing! 🧘🏽♀️
Register here: https://runsignup.com/Race/MI/...
Saturday, February 8
Black History Walking Tour
When: 12:00 PM
Where: Meet at 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 for a walking tour, visit http://grandrapidsrunningtours...
Registration is not required but is strongly encouraged.
Dance in the Annex at Prismatica
When: 6:00 PM
Where: 555 Monroe Ave. NW (Monroe North Lot)
Experience the Prismatica on Monroe light installation alongside a performance by Dance in the Annex!
"With bated breath: we move like colors" is an original concept structured improvisation that will activate the spaces in and around Prismatica for the #WorldOfWinterGR Festival. With the colorful lights and sounds of the Prismatica sculptures as inspiration, DITA will present this site-specific contemporary dance piece in collaboration with percussionist Josh Dunigan.
Dancers: Kara Brems, Jessica Ferguson, Hannah Sullivan, Nicole Reehorst, Amy Wilson
Live musical accompaniment: Josh Dunigan
Sunday, February 9
Human Hungry Hungry Hippos Tournament on Ice
When: 12:30 - 7:00 PM
Where: 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 extravaganza.
🦛 Registration is required and now open! https://grssc.com/leagues/join
🦛 Note that each team consists of six players. Registration is $60 per team. The winners get awesome prize packages!
🦛 Adult Division = All players 18+
🦛 Family Division = Minimum of (2) adults 18+ as well as minimum (2) kids under 18 years of age
Learn how the game works here: https://www.facebook.com/watch/?v=1972521926114953
Food trucks will serve on-site.
Friday, February 14
Valent-ICE
When: 12:00 PM onwards
Where: Throughout Downtown
❄️ Celebrate winter with a gallery of ice in Downtown Grand Rapids! This annual World of Winter attraction showcases over 50 ice sculptures all throughout Downtown. You can do a self-guided tour of these amazing works of art using our ice sculpture map (COMING SOON) ... or join one of our ice sculpture walking tours so you don't miss any of them!
Love on Ice
When: 6:00 - 10:00 PM
Where: Rosa Parks Circle
Why spend Valentine's Day inside when you can enjoy a unique experience out-and-about in Downtown Grand Rapids?
ACTIVITIES INCLUDE:
⛸️ 2 for 1 ice skating
⛸️ Get your name carved on our interactive ice wall!
⛸️ FREE professional photographs in front of our interactive ice wall
Don't miss out on a V-Day to remember!
This event is dog-friendly.
Love on Ice is sponsored by Camp Bow Wow.
Ice Sculpture Walking Tour
When: 6:00 PM
Where: Meet at 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! The tour starts at Rosa Parks Circle.
To register for a walking tour, visit http://grandrapidsrunningtours...
Registration is not required but is strongly encouraged.
Saturday, February 15
Paint the Park
When: 11:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Where: 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.
We're also closing down Monroe Center in front of Rosa Parks Circle for a street party
ACTIVITIES INCLUDE:
🎨 Paint the ice at Rosa Parks Circle ice rink. Paint and brushes will be provided.
🎨 Food trucks serving on-site.
🎨 Get your pictures taken with Queen Elsa & Princess Anna from Disney’s Frozen!
🎨 Community partners with activity tables
🎨 "Ice breaker" - live ice carving of the 5000-pound community sculpture
🎨 Ice rink open for skating from 6:00 PM
🎨 Check out our partner booths featuring games and other activities
NOTE: Painting stops at 4 PM or when the ice rink runs out of painting space
Ice Sculpture Walking Tours
When: 10:00 AM, 2:00 PM & 4:00 PM
Where: Meet at 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! The tour starts at Rosa Parks Circle.
To register for a walking tour, visit http://grandrapidsrunningtours...
Registration is not required but is strongly encouraged.
Black History Walking Tour
When: 12:00 PM
Where: Meet at 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 for a walking tour, visit http://grandrapidsrunningtours...
Registration is not required but is strongly encouraged.
Sunday, February 16
Ice Sculpture Walking Tour
When: 1:00 PM
Where: Meet at 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! The tour starts at Rosa Parks Circle.
To register for a walking tour, visit http://grandrapidsrunningtours...
Registration is not required but is strongly encouraged.
Thank You To Our Sponsors & Partners
Festival Sponsor: Mobile GR
Media Partner: La Mejor
Please note that the Prismatica interactive light installation will be ongoing from January 17 to February 16 at the Monroe North lot.
While guided ice sculpture walking tours have specific schedules, anyone is welcome to tour the ice sculptures on their own via our ice sculpture map.
