Good Morning Grand Rapids!

The World of Winter festival is in full swing, transforming Grand Rapids into a winter wonderland! There’s an endless amount of whimsical winter fun, excitement, and inspiration to explore, but there’s still plenty of laughs to be had, crafts to learn, food to enjoy, and music to get lost in.

Let’s get into it! ❄️ 

📰 This Week’s Grand Stories

🌻Amway Loses $692 Million Dollar Dispute - The multi-level marketing giant Amway lost a major dispute over some organic farm land in Mexico.

🏙️ Monroe Getting An Upgrade - The Monroe North neighborhood is getting a 4 million dollar upgrade to improve infrastructure, add some green areas and more.

📰 Grand Rapids Griffins continue historic point streak at FOX Night at the Rink — The AHL’s Griffins extended their franchise-record start and celebrated “FOX Night at the Rink” at Van Andel Arena, featuring appearances from local FOX 17 personalities and a chance for fans to redeem ticket stubs for future games.

🎶 Winter Wheat Music Festival brings traditional music downtown — The Winter Wheat Music Festival returned to The Intersection with folk, Americana, blues, rock, and Cajun music, offering open jams and performances celebrating community and musical collaboration.

🖼️ World of Winter festival returns downtown with art, ice & events — The annual World of Winter festival kicked off in Grand Rapids for its seventh year with dozens of outdoor art installations, free family-friendly events like silent discos and luminary bike rides, and a massive ice sculpture reveal at Rosa Parks Circle.

🧪 New Grand Rapids Public Museum exhibit inspires kids to explore science — The Grand Rapids Public Museum unveiled Backyard Adventures, a hands-on exhibit designed to encourage children and families to notice and engage with science in their everyday surroundings.

♻️ Free electronics recycling drive offered to East Grand Rapids residents — Grand Rapids residents were offered the opportunity to safely dispose of old electronics at a free recycling event on Jan. 10, helping reduce waste and protect the environment while bringing the community together around sustainability.

🏡 Grand Rapids area joins statewide zero-waste challenge — Local businesses including a Grand Rapids zero-waste shop teamed with others statewide for the Michigan Refill Challenge, encouraging residents to adopt sustainable habits like refilling household items and win prizes for reducing waste together.

📆 This Week’s Grand Events

Friday, January 16

Sound Bath & Meditation (World of Winter) – Ah-Nab-Awen Park – A calming sound and meditation experience inside the Emergence installation. – 5:30 PM–6:30 PM / Free

Growing Together: Housing the Dream – Wealthy Theatre – MLK Holiday keynote examining housing access, poverty, and social determinants of health. – 6:00 PM–7:30 PM / Free

La Nima Tequila Dinner – MeXo – A multi-course dinner paired with cocktails featuring Grand Rapids’ own La Nima Tequila. – 6:00 PM–9:00 PM / $165

Candlelight: Tribute to Queen & The Beatles – Wealthy Theatre – Iconic rock hits performed by string musicians in an intimate candlelit setting. – 6:30 PM–7:45 PM / $18.50

Candlelight: Rock Favorites on Strings – Wealthy Theatre – A late-night candlelit concert reimagining classic rock favorites on strings. – 8:45 PM–10:00 PM / $23.50

Daft Disko (French House & Disco Party) – The Stache at The Intersection – A high-energy dance party celebrating French house and disco classics. – 9:00 PM / $15+

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

Saturday, January 17

History Detectives GR – Grand Rapids Public Library – Main Branch – A one-day local history event uncovering overlooked people and stories from Grand Rapids’ past. – 10:00 AM–3:30 PM / Free

Bricks & Minifigs Walker – Grand Opening – Bricks & Minifigs Walker – Celebrate the grand opening of the LEGO resale and play store with all-day festivities. – 10:00 AM–8:00 PM / Free

Wood Flower Arrangement Workshop – Spruced Studio – Create a long-lasting wood flower arrangement with guided instruction and supplied materials. – 10:00 AM–11:30 AM / $25–$55

Winter Wellness: Yoga for Beginners – GRPL – West Leonard Branch – A gentle, beginner-friendly yoga class focused on comfort and accessibility. – 11:00 AM–12:00 PM / Free

Snow Much Fun Cookie Class – Spruced Studio – Decorate winter-themed cookies including mittens, penguins, and snow globes. – 2:00 PM–4:00 PM / $72

2026 Grand Rapids Wedding Affair – Grand Rapids Public Museum – Meet venues, vendors, and planners to help bring your wedding vision together. – 5:00 PM–9:00 PM / $20

Amaze & Amuse: Modern Magic Show (18+) – Wealthy Theatre – An intimate, interactive magic show featuring comedy and sleight-of-hand. – 6:00 PM & 8:00 PM / $33–$44

Silent Disco (World of Winter) – Calder Plaza – Dance outdoors with live DJs, fire performers, and immersive light displays. – 7:00 PM–11:00 PM / Free

Aries Spears – GLC Live at 20 Monroe – A night of stand-up comedy from the veteran comedian and actor. – Doors 7:00 PM / Show 8:00 PM / $26–$108

Sunday, January 18

MI Drag Brunch: Punk vs. Pop – Terra GR – A high-energy drag brunch showdown blending punk attitude and pop anthems. – 10:30 AM–4:00 PM / $45

Grand Rapids Gold vs. Cleveland Charge – Van Andel Arena – Watch the Grand Rapids Gold take on the Cleveland Charge in NBA G League action. – 3:00 PM / $15–$40

🧊ICE-Citing!

Did you know the World of Winter festival started out as a humble ice sculpture competition before becoming one of the largest winter festival in the world?

📅 Add to Your Calendar

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.

Riverside parkrun on January 24

Couple Shuffle on February 1.