Good Morning Grand Rapids!

Welcome back! We hope you’ve had the best break, that your new year’s starting on a high gear. To help you get back into the swing of things, we’ve pulled together all manner of inspiring, exciting events happening all over town throughout the week. The World of Winter is this week’s biggest news, as the country’s biggest winter festival, but there’s tons of arts and crafts or get your weekend started on the right foot with some electrifying country rock, too!

Let’s get into it!

📰 This Week’s Grand Stories

🍼 Grand Rapids welcomes first newborn of 2026 — A 10-pound baby boy arrived early at a Grand Rapids hospital just after midnight on New Year’s Day, becoming the city’s first newborn of the year after arriving “on a mission,” according to his family’s account.

🏙️ $19M community center coming to GR’s southeast side — City leaders announced plans for a new $19 million community center that will offer year-round programming, recreation space, and services for southeast side residents.

🎶 Acrisure Amphitheater announces early 2026 lineup — Fourteen acts have already been revealed for the upcoming season at Grand Rapids’ outdoor venue, with more concerts expected to be announced in the coming months.

🌎 Grand Rapids reacts to U.S. strikes in Venezuela — Protesters gathered locally while a Grand Rapids professor weighed in after U.S. military strikes and the capture of Venezuela’s president sparked international debate.

🪑 A simple chair sparks connection downtown — A lone chair placed in downtown Grand Rapids with a handwritten question invited passersby to stop, reflect, and connect, leading to unexpected moments of community.

📆 This Week’s Grand Events

Thursday, January 8

Books & Blooms – Spruced Studio – Create a magical floral art piece using vintage books, wood flowers, botanicals, and moss. Arrive early to choose your book. – 6:00 PM–8:00 PM / $55

Perfect Pairing: “Ginuary” – Rendezvous at Amway Grand Plaza – Celebrate gin with three curated cocktails paired with chef-designed small bites in an elegant setting. – 5:30 PM–6:30 PM / $60

Matt Welch Live – Rapid River Stillhouse – Acoustic favorites, originals, and crowd-pleasing covers in a relaxed whiskey-forward atmosphere. – 6:00 PM / Free

MI DRAG EVENTS: Shake, Sip, & Slay – Fratelli’s Italian Kitchen – High-energy drag show paired with a cocktail-making experience. – 7:00 PM / $32

Rosebud Baker – Dr. Grins Comedy Club – Nationally touring comedian with a dark, sharp, personal style. – 7:15 PM & 8:00 PM / $16.95–$21.95

Friday, January 9

2026 World of Winter Festival (Opening Day) – Downtown Grand Rapids – North America’s largest free winter festival featuring art installations and events citywide. – 8:00 AM–11:00 PM / Free

Pelvic Wisdom: Posture, Breath & Foundations of Support – So Hum Yoga Studio – Educational movement workshop exploring pelvic floor health, posture, and breath. – 1:00 PM–4:00 PM / $65

Owl Prowl (Adults & Teens) – Blandford Nature Center – Guided nighttime hike with owl calls and a live owl presentation. – 6:00 PM–7:15 PM / $16 Non-Members · $12.80 Members

Food Truck Friday at World of Winter – 555 Monroe – Rotating lineup of local food trucks at the winter festival hub. – 6:00 PM–9:00 PM / Free

Union Guns Live – Rapid River Stillhouse – High-energy rock, country, and modern favorites with powerful vocals. – 7:00 PM / $5 Cover

Boléro! – DeVos Performance Hall – Grand Rapids Symphony performs Ravel’s Boléro with violinist Guido Sant’Anna. – 7:30 PM / $28–$115

“Junk Drawer” GVSU Senior Art Show – 106 Gallery – Multidisciplinary senior art exhibition featuring printmaking, ceramics, textiles, and more. – 6:00 PM–9:00 PM / Free

Saturday, January 10

Mossy Mingle – Spruced Studio – Create a framed moss tapestry with dried flowers and pebbles. – 10:00 AM–12:00 PM / $55

Gathered Botanicals: Supporting the Daily Detox – Gathered Botanicals – Gentle herbal wellness education focused on sustainable detox support. – 10:30 AM–11:45 AM / $40

Ice Breaker at World of Winter – Rosa Parks Circle – Live ice carving of a 5,000-lb block with a community-selected design. – 12:00 PM–3:00 PM / Free

Winter Wheat Music Festival – The Intersection – One-day Michigan music festival featuring folk, Americana, rock, and blues. – 2:00 PM–11:00 PM / $32 Advance · $40 Door

This Is Loop: Artist Talk – Calder Plaza – Conversation with the artists behind Emergence, a large-scale immersive installation. – 4:30 PM–5:30 PM / Free

Holy Macro! High-Protein Charcuterie Workshop – Spruced Studio – Hands-on class building nutritious, protein-forward charcuterie boards. – 6:30 PM–8:00 PM / $95

Fire & Ice at World of Winter – Rosa Parks Circle – Fire performers, figure skating, street party, and open skate. – 6:00 PM–10:00 PM / Free

Art Installation Walking Tour – Rosa Parks Circle – Guided tour of World of Winter outdoor art installations. – 6:00 PM / Free

Hannah Laine + Fake Baseball + Jess Ivey – The Pyramid Scheme – Soulful looping, art-pop grooves, and experimental soundscapes. – 7:00 PM–11:00 PM / $17

Twilight Tunes: Dueling Pianos – Rapid River Stillhouse – Interactive dueling piano show with crowd requests and high-energy fun. – 7:00 PM / $5

GR Milonga (Argentine Tango Social) – The Harris Building – Social tango dance with buy-one-get-one admission for new dancers. – 8:00 PM–11:00 PM / $25

Sunday, January 11

The Wellness Social – JW Marriott Grand Rapids – Fitness, mindfulness, and wellness pop-ups in the International Ballroom. – 9:00 AM–11:45 AM / $15 Single · $45 All Access

Jalsa at World of Winter – Calder Plaza – Outdoor celebration of Indian culture with music, dance, and food. – 1:00 PM–4:00 PM / Free

Winter Intention Setting Circle – So Hum Yoga Studio – Slow vinyasa flow, guided reflection, and meditation for the year ahead. – 3:00 PM–5:00 PM / $45

Americana Sundays: Futuretime String Band – ArtRat Gallery – Folk, bluegrass, and global influences through a futuristic lens. – 3:00 PM–5:00 PM / $25

Fire & Ice at World of Winter – Rosa Parks Circle – Second night of fire performances, skating, games, and food trucks. – 6:00 PM–10:00 PM / Free

🧊Welcome to Ice City

Grand Rapids was known as “Ice City” in the early 1900s for our winter economy.

📅 Add to Your Calendar

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.

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

Riverside parkrun on January 3. 

Couple Shuffle on February 1.