World of Winter and the Impact of Grand Rapids Embracing the Season
Join downtown Grand Rapids in celebrating the World of Winter Festival this January 10 - March 2.
The World of Winter Festival has redefined how Grand Rapids embraces the winter season. What began as a relatively grassroots ice sculpture event has grown into the largest winter festival in the Midwest, showcasing how collaboration and innovation can activate a city during its coldest months.
By embracing the opportunities that Michigan’s winters offer, World of Winter has turned the season into a time of connection, creativity, and celebration, solidifying Grand Rapids as a winter destination unlike any other.
Photo courtesy of Downtown Grand Rapids Inc.
From Ice Sculptures to International Art
World of Winter has humble beginnings, and it all started with blocks of ice. In 2015, Downtown Grand Rapids Inc. (DGRI) and local businesses banded together for Valent-ICE, an ice sculpture competition with activities centered around Rosa Parks Circle. The goal of the annual event was to help bring life to downtown businesses and restaurants during traditionally quiet winter months.
By 2017, it became clear to DGRI that there were opportunities for this event to grow and scale beyond the ice sculpture competition. In 2018, DGRI launched World of Winter as an eight-day festival, with family-friendly activities hosted in and around Rosa Park Circle. With a successful inaugural event, World of Winter only continued to expand – extending to a full month in 2020 and bringing out-of-town art installations starting in 2021, all while continuing to grow its footprint throughout the Grand River corridor. Today, the event spans two months and attracts international artists with awe-inspiring installations that transform the city’s public spaces into a winter wonderland.
Photo courtesy of Downtown Grand Rapids Inc.
Three Groups Driving the Festival’s Impact
Let’s explore how each of these groups are impacted by World of Winter:
1. The Grand Rapids Community
At its core, World of Winter was created to help Grand Rapids’ residents and visitors embrace Michigan’s winter in new and joyful ways. For many, the festival is a catalyst for an even greater escape – attendees often make a full day of their World of Winter experience, visiting the installations or events, while also stopping by local businesses or restaurants, whether it’s a personal favorite or a new discovery.
2. Downtown Businesses
The festival’s economic impact is undeniable. Restaurants, shops, and hotels report a surge in activity during the festival months, from West Michigan locals to visitors from across the Midwest and beyond. The addition of storefront design competitions has further encouraged local businesses to participate, transforming the streetscape into an engaging visual experience. For many downtown business owners, World of Winter is not just an event but a vital boost during what was historically a slower season.
3. Local and International Artists
World of Winter has become a global stage for artists, with installations from around the world sharing space alongside local talent. Over the years, the complexity and scale of the artwork have grown, often rivaling international art events. In fact, regional artists are answering this call – over the last couple of years, these artists are creating more complex, large-scale installations that stand toe-to-toe with their international counterparts.
Photo courtesy of Downtown Grand Rapids Inc.
Why the Grand Riverfront Matters
The Grand Riverfront isn’t just a backdrop for World of Winter – it’s a foundational part of the event’s strategy. By centering the festival around the river corridor, organizers have created a natural path for exploration, connecting installations and events, while emphasizing the riverfront as a dynamic public space. The integration of art with the river highlights the importance of activating outdoor spaces year-round and reflects Grand Rapids’ broader vision for the revitalized riverfront.
The success of the World of Winter Festival hasn’t gone unnoticed. Representatives from cities across the country have reached out to DGRI to learn how they can replicate the event’s magic in their own communities, with many seeing World of Winter as the blueprint for a successful wintertime activation.
Photo courtesy of Downtown Grand Rapids Inc.
World of Winter 2025 (and Beyond)
With each passing year, the World of Winter Festival continues to evolve. From the debut of groundbreaking international installations to the increasing involvement of local artists, the festival embodies the spirit of growth, creativity, and community. Its proudest moments are reflected in the smiles of families, the bustling downtown streets, and the awe of visitors encountering a vibrant Grand Rapids in the heart of winter.
The festival has proven that winter isn’t something to endure – it’s something to celebrate. And in Grand Rapids, we celebrate together.
Ready to explore the magic of World of Winter? Check out our preview of some of the big installations.
