Merry Christmas Grand Rapids!

It’s been a wonderful year, and we’re very thankful for you!

We’ll keep it brief today with a few events going on this weekend - so that you can enjoy time with loved ones.

Let’s get into it! 🎄 

📰 This Week’s Grand Stories

🧒 Children’s Museum loads up Winter Break programming — Daily hands-on projects and mini-performances run through Jan. 4 at the Grand Rapids Children’s Museum. Note closures on Dec. 24–25 and Dec. 31–Jan. 1.

❄️ GRPM “Snowflake Break” themes posted — The Grand Rapids Public Museum announced twelve days of rotating Winter Break activities, including planetarium shows and an elf hunt. Friday’s theme is “Dino Eggs A-Laying,” while Sunday features “Eight Facts About the Milky Way.”

🛒 What’s open on Christmas — A quick-reference roundup for last-minute errands and services operating on Christmas Day.

🏒 Great Lakes Invitational returns Sun–Mon at Van Andel — The a

📆 This Week’s Grand Events

Christmas Day

Christmas Lite Show Drive-Thru – LMCU Ballpark – Two-mile drive-through holiday light experience open Christmas night. – 5:30 PM–9:00 PM / Prices vary

Movies on Christmas Day – Celebration Cinema – Full slate of holiday movie showings across West Michigan locations. – All Day / Prices vary

Friday, December 26

Winter Skate Camp – Patterson Ice Center – Winter break skating camp with skills training, crafts, games, snacks, and skate rental included. – 9:00 AM–12:00 PM / $77.50 single day · $138.70 both days

Sugar Plum Winter Camp – Lionardo Art Studio – Nutcracker-inspired art camp exploring clay, sculpture, painting, and mixed media sweets. – 1:00 PM–3:00 PM / $55

ENLIGHTEN – Frederik Meijer Gardens – One-mile illuminated winter walk featuring firepits, artful lighting, and photo spots. – 5:30 PM–10:30 PM / Prices vary

Kwanzaa Soul Stroll Candle-Lighting – Event Listing – Community walk and opening ceremony marking the start of Kwanzaa. – 6:00 PM / Free

Karaoke at Rapid River Stillhouse – Rapid River Stillhouse – Crowd-driven karaoke and live song requests hosted by Beatrat. – 8:00 PM / Free

Bill Bushart – Dr. Grins Comedy Club – Veteran Midwest comic and LaughFest favorite performs stand-up. – 7:15 PM & 8:00 PM / $16.95–$21.95

Saturday, December 27

LEGO®-Built Holiday Picture Frames – Bricks & Minifigs Grand Rapids – Build-together day creating custom LEGO® holiday picture frames. – 11:00 AM–4:00 PM / $5

Beer City Experience Tour – Grand Rapids Beer Tours – Guided brewery tour of Founders, Harmony, and Kusterer Brauhaus with transportation and tastings. – 12:00 PM–3:30 PM / $70

Mustard Plug’s Home for the Skalidays – The Intersection – Annual holiday ska blowout with special guests. – Doors 6:00 PM · Show 7:00 PM / $28

Nonpoint’s Nu-Metal Nu-Year – Elevation – High-energy nu-metal showcase with supporting acts. – Doors 7:00 PM · Show 8:00 PM / Prices vary

Candlelight: Christmas Carols on Strings – Wealthy Theatre – Classic Christmas carols performed on strings in a candlelit concert setting. – 8:45 PM–10:00 PM / $16

Deucez – The Mint at The Intersection – Bass-heavy electronic and hip-hop showcase (18+). – Doors 8:00 PM · Show 9:00 PM / Prices vary

Mark Lavengood Live – Rapid River Stillhouse – Bluegrass, Americana, and roots-driven live performance. – 8:00 PM / $5

Live Jazz in the Lounge – Margaux Lounge – Live jazz paired with craft cocktails in an upscale lounge setting. – 7:00 PM–11:00 PM / Free

Live Music at Rendezvous – Rendezvous – Weekend live music enhancing the lounge and cocktail experience. – 8:00 PM / Free

Sunday, December 28

Great Lakes Invitational – Van Andel Arena – College hockey showcase featuring multiple programs with afternoon and evening games. – 3:30 PM & 7:00 PM / Prices vary

GRPM Snowflake Break: “Eight Facts About the Milky Way” – Grand Rapids Public Museum – Space-themed hands-on activities and planetarium programming. – All Day / Museum admission

Trivi-YAH! – The Pyramid Scheme – Weekly trivia night in the front bar. – 8:00 PM / Free

🎄Remembering Wurzburg’s

Grand Rapids’ department stores like Wurzburg’s spread light and holiday cheer for decades.

📅 Add to Your Calendar

Jurassic Quest – January 3-4 @ DeVos Place – Family-friendly dinosaur adventure with interactive exhibits and life-size animatronics. – Multiple times (9:00 AM / 12:00 PM / 3:00 PM / 5:00 PM) / Prices vary

Harlem Globetrotters – January 4 @ Van Andel Arena – World-famous basketball entertainment team brings their 100 Years of Wow Tour to Grand Rapids. – 3:00 PM / Prices vary

Art Battle Grand Rapids – January 9 @ Art of Life NOW Gallery – Live, competitive painting event where artists create artwork in timed rounds and the audience helps choose the winner. – 7:00 PM / $20

World of Winter Scavenger Hunt – January 9 @ Sixth Street Park – Interactive scavenger hunt tied to World of Winter using the GooseChase app, with challenges, points, and prizes. – 6:00 PM–11:00 PM / Free

Fire & Ice at World of Winter – January 10 @ Rosa Parks Circle Ice Rink – Family-friendly World of Winter kickoff with fire performers, ice skating, live entertainment, street games, and food trucks. – 6:00 PM–10:00 PM / Free

Grand Rapids Blockchain: January Social – January 12 @ SpeakEZ Lounge – Casual networking event for people interested in blockchain and cryptocurrency technology, with snacks and conversation. – 6:00 PM–7:30 PM / Free

Grand Rapids Rise vs Columbus – January 14 @ Van Andel Arena – Major League Volleyball matchup featuring the Grand Rapids Rise taking on Columbus. – 7:00 PM / Prices vary

Grand Rapids Winter Masquerade City Ball – January 16 @ Grand Rapids Art Museum – Formal winter masquerade gala with music, dancing, and a citywide community celebration. – 6:00 PM–12:00 AM / Prices vary

Boston Pops Tribute – Grand Rapids Symphony – January 16 @ DeVos Performance Hall – Orchestral concert celebrating popular classics in the style of the Boston Pops. – 6:30 PM / Prices vary

Winter Bridal Show 2026 – January 24 @ DeVos Place – Bridal showcase featuring local wedding vendors, fashion, florals, photography, and planning inspiration. – 11:00 AM–4:00 PM / Prices vary

World of Winter Festival – January 9–March 1 @ Downtown Grand Rapids – Citywide winter festival featuring free public art installations, performances, and interactive events across downtown. – Various times / Free

🏃 Upcoming Runs & Walks!

Earlier this year, one of our readers wrote in asking about running and walking events happening around Grand Rapids. We aim to please! Here are a few running and walking events happening in the next few weeks and months, so you can start warming up now.

43rd Annual Reeds Lake Resolution Run on December 31.

Time Travel Half‑Marathon (and 5K/10K) on January 11. 

Riverside parkrun on January 3. 

Couple Shuffle on February 1.