One of the Top Ten Most ‘Epic’ Winter Festivals is Right Here in West Michigan

Winter can be kind of a bummer... It's cold and dark, and here in West Michigan, we can be buried in snow. A local festival seeks to change that with exciting art installations and events - and it's getting national recognition!

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Grand Rapids' World Of Winter Ranked Among Top Ten Most Epic Winter Festivals in the U.S

For the sixth year, World of Winter, the largest winter festival in the midwest will be back in Grand Rapids in 2023.

The Downtown Grand Rapids Inc.-organized festival features more than 50 outdoor events, a gallery of 50+ sculptures throughout the city, and more than 30 public art installations created by local, national and international artists.

The Grand Rapids' festival has been ranked among The Travel's "10 Most Epic U.S. Winter Festivals Worth Braving the Cold For".

Here's Travel's praise for World of Winter,

The yearly festival features 40 interactive art exhibits, 50-plus ice sculptures, games, and special events all over downtown to support their mission to get more people outside during the winter... Downtown Grand Rapids transforms into a dazzling winter wonderland and this year’s festival promises to be bigger and better than ever. All programming and activities are free and geared toward families and adults.

When is World of Winter 2023?

What Art and Events will Be at World of Winter 2023?

As in year's past, World of Winter 2023 will have so much to see and do!

Special events and exhibits announced for the 2023 festival include:

• Silent Disco - Outdoor Dance Party at 555 Monroe Feb. 4
• Human Hungry Hungry Hippos Tournament - Competition at Rosa Parks Circle Feb. 25
• Manidoo Bawating Hybycozo - Public Art Installation at Sixth St. Park 
• Winter's a DRAG - Drag brunch show at Calder Plaza Jan. 14
• Valent-ICE - Professionally-carved ice sculptures throughout downtown Feb. 10
• Ice Park - Frozen fun games at 555 Monroe Jan. 20
• Paint the Park - Paint the ice rink at Rosa Parks Circle Feb. 18 
• Massimals - Public Art Installation on the Blue Bridge
• The Singing Tree - Public Art Installation Downtown Grand Rapids
• Starry Night - Public Art Installation at Ah-Nab-Awen-Park
• Angels of Freedom - Public Art Installation on the Blue Bridge

Follow Downtown Grand Rapids Inc. on Facebook for updates on World of Winter 2023.

Check out photos from last year's festival: