World of Winter Grand Rapids 2026: Everything You Need to Know

Did you know the largest free winter festival in the US can be found right here in Grand Rapids, Michigan? World of Winter is a must-do experience for outdoor art and entertainment for all ages.

This Michigan winter festival certainly brings light and joy to the cold winter months while it runs from January through early March! For 2026, art installations will be on display from January 9 – March 1.

World of Winter Grand Rapids 2026 Highlights

• 4 tips before you go
• 5 must-see World of Winter locations
• Special events to enjoy at the festival

4 Tips Before You Go

1. Plan your visit around the amount of daylight or darkness you prefer.

Although all the outdoor art can be viewed during the daylight, most of the displays really come alive in the dark. Use an online sunset tool like this one that shows the exact time of sunset and the last light on the day you plan to visit.

Visiting around sunset is a great strategy for the best of both worlds — seeing some displays in the lingering daylight and others against the backdrop of a dark sky.

2. Map out your path.

Review the World of Winter map for all of the art exhibits beforehand so that you don’t miss any of your favorites. Check out the highlights below from my recent visit.

3. Bundle up.

Winter in Michigan can be harsh, especially in the evening after the sun goes down. All of us, adults and children alike, bundled up in snow pants, winter coats, boots, hats, gloves, and scarves to stay warm.

4. Consider pairing World of Winter with an indoor activity.

While you’re downtown, make the most of your experience. Consider visiting a local museum during the day or indulging at one of the many amazing restaurants in Grand Rapids before exploring World of Winter.

Our family loves a visit to the Grand Rapids Public Museum, which is conveniently located by the Blue Bridge.

5 Must-See World of Winter Grand Rapids Locations

While there are displays all throughout downtown Grand Rapids, the heart of the World of Winter exhibits tends to be located along these pedestrian bridges and surrounding areas.

• Blue Bridge
• Ah-Nab-Awen Park
• Gillett Bridge
• Calder Plaza
• Sixth Street Park & 555 Monroe

If you want to see many of the main outdoor art exhibits, start in Ah-Nab-Awen Park. The two bridges and Ah-Nab-Awen Park are all easily within walking distance of each other.

Walking to Calder Plaza, 555 Monroe, and Sixth Street Park will add another mile each way to your route. It’s an invigorating but challenging walk in the cold.

Last year, our kids, ages 5 & 8, did surprisingly well walking for two hours in the cold, although they were definitely tired by the time we got back to the car.

For an easier experience, you may want to consider driving around to different locations or making multiple visits to the festival and seeing new areas each time.

Blue Bridge

An iconic spot for Grand Rapids photography, the Blue Bridge provides a picturesque location for showcasing lively art installations. The 2026 exhibits include:

• The DOOR(S): Several white doors line the Blue Bridge. Open each one and find a new world awaiting each time – from scenic waterfall views to a charging T-Rex.

• Slow Motion: Three abstract steel snails make their way across the Blue Bridge as a reminder that progress doesn’t need to be fast to be meaningful. Snails are often seen as symbols of patience and steady forward motion, and this trio leans into that idea with a quiet, playful presence that visitors can enjoy any time of day.

Ah-Nab-Awen Park 

The rolling hillside of Ah-Nab-Awen Park provides plenty of space along the Grand River to showcase World of Winter art. The 2026 exhibits at Ah-Nab-Awen Park include:

• Anooki: Les Turbulents: Two oversized, mischievous inflatable characters take over downtown and treat Grand Rapids like their personal playground. The Anooki lost their icy home, so they wander the city as playful symbols of friendship and climate awareness. Their antics are lighthearted, but their message taps into the reality of a warming planet.

• Somnius: Massive glowing icicles suspended overhead turn movement into music. More than half a million lights respond when people dance, jump, or wave, creating a one-of-a-kind mix of sound and color. It’s less of a show and more of a group experience where the crowd becomes the performer.
  

• Singing Tree: A returning crowd favorite that reacts to you. Sing, clap, or just let out a joyful yell and watch the tree burst into color in real time. It’s simple, goofy fun that lights up fast and pulls everyone in.

• Grand Legacy: A glowing tribute to the Grand River’s history that blends art and storytelling. Colorful light projections animate Edwin Anderson’s mural, and a quick tap of the audio box lets you hear the artist narrate the river’s past in his own voice. It’s an easy stop any time of day and a fun way to connect with Grand Rapids’ roots.

Gillett Bridge

With lighted, curved archways accenting the Grand River, the pedestrian Gillett Bridge is another prime art spot at the World of Winter festival. In 2026, you can see:

• Polymery: Five sculptural “flowers” shift from reflective daytime pods to vibrant light emitters after dark. By night, each piece throws wide petals of color across the ground, creating an ever-changing field of patterns that invites you to wander through and explore.

Calder Plaza

Featuring the iconic La Grande Vitesse sculpture, Calder Plaza provides another amazing location for art installations. Plus, several of the World of Winter special events take place here. Exhibits in 2026 include:

• Emergence: A mirrored pavilion that shifts your sense of space the moment you step inside. About 14,000 LEDs pulse through a constantly changing light program set to an immersive audio track by NYX: Electronic Drone Choir. You can walk through the structure or take it in from the outside, and each angle gives you a different illusion, from glowing spheres to a massive grid of light.

555 Monroe

This skate park along the river has plenty of open space that’s often used for festival events, including Friday night food trucks. During World of Winter 2026, you can find:

• Connection: Enjoy a hypnotising light-and-sound show inspired by everyday patterns, with color and music moving together in sync.

Sixth Street Park

On the east side of the Grand River, Sixth Street Park is a great place to walk along the river and to enjoy some local art. The 2026 art installations include:

• Magic Tree of Life: Hundreds of changing, colorful lights adorn an impressive tree in Sixth Street Park, creating a playful display.

• Manidoo Bawating: An 11-foot steel sculpture created with the Grand River Bands of Ottawa Indians and artist Alan Compo to honor the Native communities connected to the Grand River and Great Lakes. Its name means “Spirit of the Rapids,” and the piece highlights cultural symbols and traditions while inviting visitors to recognize the region’s Indigenous heritage.

• WAZAAKONE Deer: Aluminum sculptures that honor woodland animals through a mirrored, two-part design. Each piece features a pair of deer facing one another, with a bold matte black exterior that makes the silhouettes pop.

Special Events Throughout the Festival

In addition to the outdoor art displays, these special activities and events add even more fun to your visit:

• Scavenger Hunt: Download the GooseChase app, create a team, and complete photo challenges and trivia questions. 
• Performing Arts: From a Fire & Ice show to a Circus Wonderland, World of Winter hosts some fantastic performers.
• Games: Check out the Ice Park or the Human Hungry Hippo Tournament for icy fun and games.
• Art Installation Walking Tours: A free walking tour throughout the footprint of the art landscape, with inside information about the design and a chance to meet other art lovers!
• Group Events: Whether you’d like the hums of a sound bath and meditation or the thrill of a group bike ride, there are plenty of group activities to choose from.

Check out the whole World of Winter special events calendar to plan your visit.

A Unique Way to Spend a Winter Evening

If you are looking for a way to add some festive fun to a cold winter evening, the World of Winter Grand Rapids festival is sure to brighten your night.