World of Winter is the largest winter festival in the Midwest. With over 100 FREE events, activities and outdoor art installations over two months, the festival provides an opportunity for families and adults to enjoy Michigan’s beautiful winter and experience the four-season offerings of Downtown Grand Rapids.

Schedule:

Tuesdays, January 3 - February 14, 2023.

12:00PM - 1:00PM: Chilly Challenge: Architecture Walking Tours

For the FIFTH year in a row, DGRI and Grand Rapids Running Tours bring you the annual FREE Chilly Challenge - a series of walking tours through Downtown Grand Rapids for which participants are rewarded for perfect attendance.

The challenge? Complete all seven walks receive a $25 gift certificate. Anyone can drop in for any walk - no registration necessary.

For seven weeks in a row, the walking tours happen in all weather. Meet in the front lobby of the JW Marriott at noon - your guide, Caroline Cook, will lead you on a one-hour walk.

Each year is focused on a theme - and this year it’s ALL ABOUT ARCHITECTURE. Beginning with our earliest structures and moving through the decades, your guide will explain the significance of each downtown structure…in all, about 75 buildings over seven tours.

We hope to see you every Tuesday from January 3 to February 14 at noon in the front lobby of the JW Marriott!

Location: JW Marriott Grand Rapids - 235 Louis St NW Grand Rapids, MI, 49503

Friday, January 6, 2023 - Sunday, March 5, 2023

Scavenger Hunt: WOW Edition

Explore the World of Winter Festival, complete our scavenger hunt missions and get a chance to win amazing prizes!

High point earners will be entered to win a prize every two weeks.

The hunt should take 1-2 hours to complete, so make sure to dress warm.

Please take a look below at how to get started.

Get Started:

1) Download the FREE GooseChase App on your smartphone or tablet.
2) Create an account in the app or select “Play as Guest.”
3) Enter “Grand Rapids” in the Game Search Bar and find the 2023 World of Winter Scavenger Hunt

Create a Team:

1) Once you’ve chosen your hunt, select the “Create Team” option.
2)Choose a name for your team and upload an optional team photo.
3) Hit “Create Team & Join Game.”
4) Once you’ve created your team, go to Team Settings and find your Team Access Code.
5) Send this access code to friends and family to have them join your team

Join a Team

1) If a teammate has already created your team and sent you the access code, go into the chosen Scavenger Hunt and hit “Join.”
2) Scroll through the list of previously created teams to find yours. Once found, click on it, and enter the Team Access Code to join!

This scavenger hunt is brought to you in partnership with JAM Sports.

Location: Downtown Grand Rapids - 85 Campau Ave NW Grand Rapids, MI, 49503

Friday, January 6, 2023

6:00PM - 9:00PM: Opening Event - Glow it Up

Glow It Up will include 4 balloon baskets shooting flames into the sky (candlestick glow), a 1/3 mile luminary walk from the south sidewalk of the GRPM by the singing tree leading to Ah-Nab-Awen Park.

The walk features the Singing Tree at south GRPM lawn, leading around the carousel to Rainbow of Isotopes at front GRPM Lawn and then to Tropical Tundra Projection under Gillett Bridge.

The walk will end in front of Starry Night in the ANA stage area. Activations in ANA Park include the balloon baskets, DJ AB performing, 4 firepits with seating, 3 food trucks, and a DGRI tent giving out free light up branded bracelets to the public.

Guests will also get to walk up to the balloon baskets and hop in and get a demonstration from the balloon pilots!

Location: Ah-Nab-Awen Park - 220 Front Avenue Northwest Grand Rapids, MI, 49504

Saturday, January 7, 2023

5:00PM - 7:00PM: Circus Wonderland

Think "The Greatest Showman” minus the musical.

Witness stilt walkers, LED performers, fire breathers, and aerialists from the Grand Rapids Entertainment Group perform near one of our featured international installations, House of Cards.

You won't want to miss this event filled with food trucks, games and more.

Come on down and join the circus!

Location: Calder Plaza - 300 Monroe Avenue Northwest Grand Rapids, MI, 49503

5:00PM - 6:15PM: Art Installation Walking Tour

Bundle up and join your guide to learn all about the 2023 World of Winter Festival and art installations!

DGRI is partnering with local and international artists to showcase incredible installations all around Downtown throughout the festival. Join a walking tour to see all the amazing art, enjoy Downtown and celebrate our four-season city!

Walking tours meet at Rosa Parks Circle.

Location: Rosa Parks Circle - 135 Monroe Center St NW Grand Rapids, MI, 49503

Wednesday, January 11, 2023

6:00PM - 7:15PM: Art Installation Walking Tour

Bundle up and join your guide to learn all about the 2023 World of Winter Festival and art installations!

DGRI is partnering with local and international artists to showcase incredible installations all around Downtown throughout the festival. Come join a walking tour to see all the amazing art, enjoy Downtown and celebrate our four-season city!

Walking tours meet at Rosa Parks Circle.

Location: Rosa Parks Circle - 135 Monroe Center St NW Grand Rapids, MI, 49503

Friday, January 13, 2023

6:30PM - 8:00PM: Pursuit Of Ahhwesomeness Performance at Starry Night

Experience the World of Winter | Starry Night art installation alongside a dance performance by Pursuit Of Ahhwesomeness!

“The sight of stars always makes me dream,” Vincent van Gogh (1853-1890) wrote in one of his many letters to his brother Theo. Even at the time, he had been admitted to an institution in the South of France, he enjoyed painting and drawing the starry night skies that he saw there. That’s how his famous painting, Starry Night (1889), now one of the most iconic images of a night sky in art history, came about.

Architect Ivana Jeli? and creative engineer Pavle Petrovi?, who work together to create art installations, present us with a radiant but artificial version of the starry sky as Van Gogh once saw it. The hillside village and trees have been replaced by the landscape of the city where it is exhibited, and the brushstrokes by 1,400 ghost staffs, or acrylic tubes that are illuminated by small LED lights. With electric lights, they remind us – in a contradictory way – of the natural beauty that we miss today. Time to adjust the lighting in our cities?

Location: Ah-Nab-Awen Park - 220 Front Avenue Northwest Grand Rapids, MI, 49504

Saturday, January 14, 2023

11:00AM - 4:00PM: Winter's a DRAG feat. special guest, Brooke Lynn Hytes!

Come join Michigan Drag Brunch for this FREE event and witness the Queens work the stage with special guest Brooke Lynn Hytes!

Brooke Lynn Hytes is equal parts ballerina, showgirl, and 90’s supermodel.

Brunch fare from local food trucks will be available for purchase, and we’ll have our giant yard games out for more fun! You’ll also be able to get your photo taken with our custom crown-shaped ice sculpture!

Frequently Asked Questions: Is this a FREE event? I thought Drag Shows encouraged tipping? This event is free to attend but we encourage you tip the Queens if you're able.

Location: Calder Plaza - 353 Ottawa Avenue Northwest Grand Rapids, MI, 49503

12:00PM - 1:15PM: Art Installation Walking Tour

Bundle up and join your guide to learn all about the 2023 World of Winter Festival and art installations!

DGRI is partnering with local and international artists to showcase incredible installations all around Downtown throughout the festival. Come join a walking tour to see all the amazing art, enjoy Downtown and celebrate our four-season city!

Walking tours meet at Rosa Parks Circle.

Location: Rosa Parks Circle - 135 Monroe Center St NW Grand Rapids, MI, 49503

5:00PM - 6:15PM : Art Installation Walking Tour

Bundle up and join your guide to learn all about the 2023 World of Winter Festival and art installations!

DGRI is partnering with local and international artists to showcase incredible installations all around Downtown throughout the festival. Come join a walking tour to see all the amazing art, enjoy Downtown and celebrate our four-season city!

Walking tours meet at Rosa Parks Circle.

Location: Rosa Parks Circle - 135 Monroe Center St NW Grand Rapids, MI, 49503

Sunday, January 15, 2023

2:00PM - 4:00PM: Cultural Story Time Series

Join us for our Outdoor Cultural Story Time Series.

At each event, we'll highlight a different local cultural organization that'll share stories and folklore from their culture.

Come and learn about the cultures all around us.

Location: Studio Park Piazza - 121 Ionia Ave SW Grand Rapids, MI, 49503

Friday, January 20, 2023

Ice Park

An image of a family of four playing a game of foosball on an ice table.

Come play some frozen fun games!

The Ice Park opens on Friday, January 20, and will remain until it melts!

Featured games include shuffleboard, plinko, foosball, chess, checkers, cornhole and putt-putt.

Bring friends and family and enjoy the beautiful riverfront!

Location: 555 Monroe Avenue Northwest Grand Rapids, MI, 49503

6:30PM - 7:30PM: Ice Piano Performance with Hannah Laine

Experience a LIVE performance on a piano made of ice featuring Hannah Laine!

The concert will be held on the Grand Rapids Public Museum's back lawn next to The Signing Tree, a light art installation that interacts with the performer’s music!

Location: Grand Rapids Public Museum  - 118 Front Ave NW Grand Rapids, MI, 49504

Saturday, January 21, 2023

12:00PM - 7:00PM: Ice Park & Food Truck Rally

The Ice Park comes alive with local food and a pop-up sound installation!

Enjoy the ice park games and some great grub from some of the best food trucks in town

Featured games include shuffleboard, plinko, foosball, chess, checkers, cornhole and putt-putt.

Food Trucks: StreetChefShaw, Haggerty’s Coffee, Lost Art Burger, Crepes by the Lakes, Patty Matters, Dune Buggy, Around Baking Co and Dolce Mini Cakes.

12:00PM - 7:00PM - Food Trucks and Ice Games are Open!
1:00PM - 5:00PM - Beat Box pop up sound installation – Come play various instruments and try your hand at DJing on a Funktion One Sound System. Curated by Frosty Boyz Entertainment.

Location: 555 Monroe Avenue Northwest Grand Rapids, MI, 49503

6:30PM - 7:30PM: Ice Piano Performance with David McDonald

Experience a LIVE performance on a piano made of ice featuring David McDonald!

The concert will be held on the Grand Rapids Public Museum's back lawn next to The Signing Tree, a light art installation that interacts with the performer’s music!

Location: Grand Rapids Public Museum  - 118 Front Ave NW Grand Rapids, MI, 49504

Sunday, January 22, 2023

1:00PM - 2:15PM: Art Installation Walking Tour

Bundle up and join your guide to learn all about the 2023 World of Winter Festival and art installations!

DGRI is partnering with local and international artists to showcase incredible installations all around Downtown throughout the festival. Come join a walking tour to see all the amazing art, enjoy Downtown and celebrate our four-season city!

Walking tours meet at Rosa Parks Circle.

Location: Rosa Parks Circle - 135 Monroe Center St NW Grand Rapids, MI, 49503

Monday, January 23, 2023

6:30PM - 8:00PM: Pursuit Of Ahhwesomeness Performance at House of Cards

Experience the World of Winter | House of Cards art installation alongside a dance performance by Pursuit Of Ahhwesomeness!

House of Cards consists of 128 light boxes in the form of playing cards, which in turn (or all at once) appear according to a preconfigured choreography.

The card house refers to a less tangible but equally important structure in society – a structure that people and their relationships build. We may desire to put our own interests first, but at the end of the day, we should expect (or rather, hope) that we all pursue a common goal: the creation of a safe, enjoyable and creative environment. It’s a subtle and fragile network. If someone pulls a card from the deck, it’s up to the rest of the structure to absorb the blow and remain upright.

Every card in House of Cards has a different design, designed by internationally acclaimed street and visual artists from all over the world – creating one big joint art exhibition, carefully curated and crafted.

In addition: We've partnered with several local artists to create ten custom cards to go in the deck.

Location: Calder Plaza - 299-353 Ottawa Ave NW Grand Rapids, MI, 49503

Friday, January 27, 2023

7:00PM - 10:00PM: Beat Box DJ Pop Up

You're invited to a DJ pop up with food trucks, fire performers and more!

Stay tuned as we announce the list of DJs joining us for this event!

Location: B.O.B./20 Monroe outdoor space  - 147 Fulton St W Grand Rapids, MI, 49503

Saturday, January 28, 2023

5:00PM - 9:00PM: Fire & Ice

Watch this captivating show as we mix two polar opposites together, Fire & Ice. Witness fire performers skate around the ice rink. Plus enjoy a performance from the Greater Grand Rapids Figure Skating Club.

Food Trucks: Haggerty’s, Patty Matters, El Jalapeno & Dolce Mini Cakes

Location: Rosa Parks Circle - 135 Monroe Center Street Northwest Grand Rapids, MI, 49503

6:00PM - 9:00PM: Ghost Town by Dante Cope

Witness this interactive musical experience. Artist Dante Cope activates empty storefronts with bands playing sets & an app that allows visitors to interact.

Location: 57 Monroe Center Street Northwest Grand Rapids, MI, 49503

Sunday, January 29, 2023

2:00PM - 4:00PM: Cultural Story Time Series

Join us for our Outdoor Cultural Story Time Series.

At each event, we'll highlight a different local cultural organization that'll share stories and folklore from their culture.

Come and learn about the cultures all around us.

Location: Studio Park Piazza - 121 Ionia Ave SW Grand Rapids, MI, 49503

Friday, February 3, 2023

6:30PM - 8:00PM: Pursuit Of Ahhwesomeness Performance at Affinity

Experience the World of Winter | Affinity art installation alongside a dance performance by Pursuit Of Ahhwesomeness!

Affinity is an immersive interactive light and sound installation inspired by the human brain. Each light globe represents a memory. As people approach Affinity, different memories can be heard. When you touch the memory a light will trigger; the longer you touch, the further the light will travel throughout the sculpture. Affinity features 62 different color combinations and 112 points of interaction.

Location: Calder Plaza - 299-353 Ottawa Ave NW Grand Rapids, MI, 49503

Saturday, February 4, 2023

12:00PM - 1:15PM: Art Installation Walking Tour

Bundle up and join your guide to learn all about the 2023 World of Winter Festival and art installations!

DGRI is partnering with local and international artists to showcase incredible installations all around Downtown throughout the festival. Come join a walking tour to see all the amazing art, enjoy Downtown and celebrate our four-season city!

Walking tours meet at Rosa Parks Circle.

Location: Rosa Parks Circle - 135 Monroe Center St NW Grand Rapids, MI, 49503

2:00PM - 3:00PM: Rosa Park's Birthday - Walking Tour: Black History

This tour specifically examines the African American population from 1826 until present. 

The remarkable people, places, events, issues…the legends and facts about being black in Grand Rapids.  Caroline Cook will guide you through a maze of touchstones Downtown that prompt an intriguing and important narrative. 

The walking tour meets at Rosa Parks Circle.

First come first serve, 25 person cap.

Location: Rosa Parks Circle - 135 Monroe Center St NW Grand Rapids, MI, 49503

7:00PM - 10:00PM: Silent Disco

Sing and dance like no one's watching!

Silent discos are a unique way of experiencing live music. Guests wear wireless headphones and can tune into any of the different DJs' channels. You have full control of the music you jam out to!

This BIG free dance party is happening at 555 Monroe, right by our World of Winter | Affinity art installation! The perfect spot for selfies.

What you can expect:

- A BIG outdoor dance party
- Performances by six different DJs
- Live FIRE and LED performers
- Local food trucks
- Fire pits to stay warm

Location: 555 Monroe Avenue Northwest Grand Rapids, MI, 49503

Sunday, February 5, 2023

11:00AM - 4:00PM: Great Lakes Snow Snake Competition

Snow Snake is a traditional northern Native American game of sport dating back to over 500 years ago. The game's object is to throw the snow snake the farthest distance along a smooth trough made in the snow.

You must make your own snake to compete, but practice snakes will be available for all to try.

Snow snakes are hand-made from a flattened or carved piece of wood. One end of the snow snake is curved up slightly and the other end is notched to make it easier to throw. Check out this “how to” video for instructions.

Location: Sixth Street Park  - 647 Monroe Avenue Northwest Grand Rapids, MI, 49503

7:00PM - 8:00PM: Dance in The Annex Performance at House of Cards

Experience the World of Winter | House of Cards art installation alongside a dance performance by Dance In The Annex (DITA)!

Titled: Blocking out the Darkness

This performance will follow an open movement score, allowing for improvisation and spontaneity. The score will move fluidly between rigor and absurdity. Quirky and dark. Introspection and silliness. Directly and in real-time, the piece will respond to architectural features of space, the particularities of the audience and the mutually experienced narratives, blurring lines between audience and performer. Finding fluency in commonly shared movement experiences and individual performance, encouraging self-identification, a new perspective on our commonality and environment, and access to a shared movement language.

House of Cards consists of 128 light boxes in the form of playing cards, which in turn (or all at once) appear according to a preconfigured choreography.

The card house refers to a less tangible but equally important structure in society – a structure that people and their relationships build. We may desire to put our own interests first, but at the end of the day, we should expect (or rather, hope) that we all pursue a common goal: the creation of a safe, enjoyable and creative environment. It’s a subtle and fragile network. If someone pulls a card from the deck, it’s up to the rest of the structure to absorb the blow and remain upright.

Every card in House of Cards has a different design, designed by internationally acclaimed street and visual artists from all over the world – creating one big joint art exhibition, carefully curated and cafted.

In addition: We've partnered with several local artists to create ten custom cards to go in the deck.

Location: Calder Plaza - 299-353 Ottawa Ave NW Grand Rapids, MI, 49503

Tuesday, February 7, 2023

6:00PM - 7:15PM: Art Installation Walking Tour

Bundle up and join your guide to learn all about the 2023 World of Winter Festival and art installations!

DGRI is partnering with local and international artists to showcase incredible installations all around Downtown throughout the festival. Come join a walking tour to see all the amazing art, enjoy Downtown and celebrate our four-season city!

Walking tours meet at Rosa Parks Circle.

Location: Rosa Parks Circle - 135 Monroe Center St NW Grand Rapids, MI, 49503

Friday, February 10, 2023

8:00AM - 11:00PM: Valent-ICE

Celebrate winter with a gallery of ice in #DowntownGR!

Valent-ICE, one of many attractions during the World of Winter Festival, showcases dozens of professionally-carved ice sculptures all throughout #DowntownGR.

Join one of our guided walking tours led by Grand Rapids Running Tours to learn the ice cold backstories of each sculpture (More info to come!)

Ice sculptures will be left out until they melt.

Location: Downtown Grand Rapids

6:00PM - 7:15PM: Ice Sculpture Walking Tour

Bundle up and join your guide to learn about the ice sculptures scattered around Downtown!

Created by The Ice Guru, Randy Finch, some of these ice sculptures are life-size, some interactive, all lighted, and the selection is different every year.

The tour lasts 75-minutes and starts at Rosa Parks Circle.

Location: Rosa Parks Circle - 135 Monroe Center St NW Grand Rapids, MI, 49503

Saturday, February 11, 2023

9:00AM - 11:00AM: Snowga

What better way to start your Saturday than with a run and some yoga?

Meet at 555 for a warm up run followed by a yoga session. In addition to the beautiful art installations, there will be snacks!

This event is a great way to enjoy World of Winter while getting some exercise!

Location: 555 Monroe Avenue Northwest Grand Rapids, MI, 49503

10:00AM, 12:00PM, 2:00PM, and 4:00PM: Ice Sculpture Walking Tours

Bundle up and join your guide to learn about the ice sculptures scattered around Downtown!

Created by The Ice Guru, Randy Finch, some of these ice sculptures are life-size, some interactive, all lighted, and the selection is different every year.

The tours lasts 75-minutes and starts at Rosa Parks Circle.

Location: Rosa Parks Circle - 135 Monroe Center Street Northwest Grand Rapids, MI, 49503

12:00PM - 3:00PM: ICE Breaker

Come on down for the big carving!

The Ice Guru, Randy Finch, and the Ice Brigade will be carving up a 5,000 pound block of ice! The design was chosen by community vote and is sure to blow your mind.

This is a great chance to see some one of-a-kind live winter art!

Location: Rosa Parks Circle - 135 Monroe Center Street Northwest Grand Rapids, MI, 49503

6:00PM - 9:00PM: Ghost Town by Dante Cope

Witness this interactive musical experience. Artist Dante Cope activates empty storefronts with bands playing sets & an app that allows visitors to interact.

Location: 106 S. Division Avenue South Grand Rapids, MI, 49503

7:00PM - 8:00PM: Dance in The Annex Performance at House of Cards

Experience the World of Winter | House of Cards art installation alongside a dance performance by Dance In The Annex (DITA)!

Titled: Blocking out the Darkness

This performance will follow an open movement score, allowing for improvisation and spontaneity. The score will move fluidly between rigor and absurdity. Quirky and dark. Introspection and silliness. Directly and in real-time, the piece will respond to architectural features of space, the particularities of the audience and the mutually experienced narratives, blurring lines between audience and performer. Finding fluency in commonly shared movement experiences and individual performance, encouraging self-identification, a new perspective on our commonality and environment, and access to a shared movement language.

House of Cards consists of 128 light boxes in the form of playing cards, which in turn (or all at once) appear according to a preconfigured choreography.

The card house refers to a less tangible but equally important structure in society – a structure that people and their relationships build. We may desire to put our own interests first, but at the end of the day, we should expect (or rather, hope) that we all pursue a common goal: the creation of a safe, enjoyable and creative environment. It’s a subtle and fragile network. If someone pulls a card from the deck, it’s up to the rest of the structure to absorb the blow and remain upright.

Every card in House of Cards has a different design, designed by internationally acclaimed street and visual artists from all over the world – creating one big joint art exhibition, carefully curated and cafted.

In addition: We've partnered with several local artists to create ten custom cards to go in the deck.

Location: Calder Plaza - 299-353 Ottawa Ave NW Grand Rapids, MI, 49503

Sunday, February 12, 2023

12:00PM, 2:00PM: Ice Sculpture Walking Tours

Bundle up and join your guide to learn about the ice sculptures scattered around Downtown!

Created by The Ice Guru, Randy Finch, some of these ice sculptures are life-size, some interactive, all lighted, and the selection is different every year.

The tour lasts 75-minutes and starts at Rosa Parks Circle.

Location: Rosa Parks Circle - 135 Monroe Center Street Northwest Grand Rapids, MI, 49503

2:00PM - 4:00PM: Cultural Story Time Series

Join us for our Outdoor Cultural Story Time Series.

At each event, we'll highlight a different local cultural organization that'll share stories and folklore from their culture.

Come and learn about the cultures all around us.

Location: Studio Park Piazza - 121 Ionia Ave SW Grand Rapids, MI, 49503

4:00PM - 5:00PM: Black History Walking Tour

This tour specifically examines the African American population from 1826 until present. 

The remarkable people, places, events, issues…the legends and facts about being black in Grand Rapids.  Caroline Cook will guide you through a maze of touchstones Downtown that prompt an intriguing and important narrative. 

The walking tour meets at Rosa Parks Circle.

First come first serve, 25 person cap.

Location: Rosa Parks Circle - 135 Monroe Center Street Northwest Grand Rapids, MI, 49503

Tuesday, February 14, 2023

6:00PM - 9:00PM: Love on Ice

Bundle up. We've got date night covered. Enjoy 2-for-1 ice skating at Rosa Parks Circle.

Get your initials carved on our GIANT ice wall and strike a pose for a FREE professional photo op.

Please note: The photographer will only be on site from 6:00 PM - 8:00 PM.

Location: Rosa Parks Circle - 135 Monroe Center Street Northwest Grand Rapids, MI, 49503

Friday, February 17, 2023

6:00PM - 7:00PM: Brass Band Pop Up

Come listen to the GROßE SEEN BIERBAND perform on the stairs of 20 Monroe Live! The GROßE SEEN BIERBAND is a West Michigan based chamber brass music ensemble specializing in the German bar band music tradition.

Location: 20 Monroe - 330 Ottawa Ave NW Grand Rapids, MI, 49503

Saturday, February 18, 2023

11:00AM - 5:00PM: Paint the Park

You're invited to our community ice painting party! Help us paint the ice rink at Rosa Parks Circle.

Don't want to paint? Join our street party on Monroe Center in front of Rosa Parks Circle.

Painting stops at 4:00 PM or when the ice rink runs out of painting space.

The Ice Rink will open for skating at 6:00 PM, so you can skate on top of your own designs! Plus: Enjoy food trucks, a photo op with Disney’s Frozen Princesses and free face painting!

Location: Rosa Parks Circle - 135 Monroe Center Street Northwest Grand Rapids, MI, 49503

7:00PM - 8:00PM: Dance in The Annex Performance at House of Cards

Experience the World of Winter | House of Cards art installation alongside a dance performance by Dance In The Annex (DITA)!

Titled: Blocking out the Darkness

This performance will follow an open movement score, allowing for improvisation and spontaneity. The score will move fluidly between rigor and absurdity. Quirky and dark. Introspection and silliness. Directly and in real-time, the piece will respond to architectural features of space, the particularities of the audience and the mutually experienced narratives, blurring lines between audience and performer. Finding fluency in commonly shared movement experiences and individual performance, encouraging self-identification, a new perspective on our commonality and environment, and access to a shared movement language.

House of Cards consists of 128 light boxes in the form of playing cards, which in turn (or all at once) appear according to a preconfigured choreography.

The card house refers to a less tangible but equally important structure in society – a structure that people and their relationships build. We may desire to put our own interests first, but at the end of the day, we should expect (or rather, hope) that we all pursue a common goal: the creation of a safe, enjoyable and creative environment. It’s a subtle and fragile network. If someone pulls a card from the deck, it’s up to the rest of the structure to absorb the blow and remain upright.

Every card in House of Cards has a different design, designed by internationally acclaimed street and visual artists from all over the world – creating one big joint art exhibition, carefully curated and cafted.

In addition: We've partnered with several local artists to create ten custom cards to go in the deck.

Location: Calder Plaza  - 299-353 Ottawa Ave NW Grand Rapids, MI, 49503

Monday, February 20, 2023

6:30PM - 8:00PM: Pursuit Of Ahhwesomeness Performance at Starry Night

Experience the World of Winter | Starry Night art installation alongside a dance performance by Pursuit Of Ahhwesomeness!

“The sight of stars always makes me dream,” Vincent van Gogh (1853-1890) wrote in one of his many letters to his brother Theo. Even at the time, he had been admitted to an institution in the South of France, he enjoyed painting and drawing the starry night skies that he saw there. That’s how his famous painting, Starry Night (1889), now one of the most iconic images of a night sky in art history, came about.

Architect Ivana Jeli? and creative engineer Pavle Petrovi?, who work together to create art installations, present us with a radiant but artificial version of the starry sky as Van Gogh once saw it. The hillside village and trees have been replaced by the landscape of the city where it is exhibited, and the brushstrokes by 1,400 ghost staffs, or acrylic tubes that are illuminated by small LED lights. With electric lights, they remind us – in a contradictory way – of the natural beauty that we miss today. Time to adjust the lighting in our cities?

Location: Ah-Nab-Awen Park - 220 Front Avenue Northwest Grand Rapids, MI, 49504

Friday, February 24, 2023

7:00PM - 10:00PM: Beat Box DJ Pop Up

You're invited to a DJ pop up with food trucks, fire performers and more!

Stay tuned as we announce the list of DJs joining us for this event!

Location: Calder Plaza - 300 Monroe Ave NW Grand Rapids, MI 49503

Saturday, February 25, 2023

12:30PM - 7:00PM: Human Hungry Hungry Hippo Tournament

Is anyone HUNGRY? Join our human hungry hungry hippos tournament and compete to win prizes.

The twist? It's on ice. Family and adult divisions are welcome to compete in this 1-day extravaganza!

REGISTER your six-person team here.

Update: Adult Teams are SOLD OUT but you can still join the waitlist in case any spots open up.

Location: Rosa Parks Circle - 135 Monroe Center Street Northwest Grand Rapids, MI, 49503

7:00PM - 8:00PM: Dance in The Annex Performance at House of Cards

Experience the World of Winter | House of Cards art installation alongside a dance performance by Dance In The Annex (DITA)!

Titled: Blocking out the Darkness

This performance will follow an open movement score, allowing for improvisation and spontaneity. The score will move fluidly between rigor and absurdity. Quirky and dark. Introspection and silliness. Directly and in real-time, the piece will respond to architectural features of space, the particularities of the audience and the mutually experienced narratives, blurring lines between audience and performer. Finding fluency in commonly shared movement experiences and individual performance, encouraging self-identification, a new perspective on our commonality and environment, and access to a shared movement language.

House of Cards consists of 128 light boxes in the form of playing cards, which in turn (or all at once) appear according to a preconfigured choreography.

The card house refers to a less tangible but equally important structure in society – a structure that people and their relationships build. We may desire to put our own interests first, but at the end of the day, we should expect (or rather, hope) that we all pursue a common goal: the creation of a safe, enjoyable and creative environment. It’s a subtle and fragile network. If someone pulls a card from the deck, it’s up to the rest of the structure to absorb the blow and remain upright.

Every card in House of Cards has a different design, designed by internationally acclaimed street and visual artists from all over the world – creating one big joint art exhibition, carefully curated and cafted.

In addition: We've partnered with several local artists to create ten custom cards to go in the deck.

Location: Calder Plaza - 353 Ottawa Avenue Northwest Grand Rapids, MI, 49503

Sunday, February 26, 2023

2:00PM - 4:00PM: Cultural Story Time Series

Join us for our Outdoor Cultural Story Time Series.

At each event, we'll highlight a different local cultural organization that'll share stories and folklore from their culture.

Come and learn about the cultures all around us.

Location: Studio Park Piazza - 121 Ionia Ave SW Grand Rapids, MI, 49503

Monday, February 27, 2023

6:00PM - 7:00PM: Black History Walking Tour

This tour specifically examines the African American population from 1826 until present. 

The remarkable people, places, events, issues…the legends and facts about being black in Grand Rapids.  Caroline Cook will guide you through a maze of touchstones Downtown that prompt an intriguing and important narrative. 

The walking tour meets at Rosa Parks Circle.

First come first serve, 25 person cap.

Location: Rosa Parks Circle - 135 Monroe Center Street Northwest Grand Rapids, MI, 49503

Wednesday, March 1, 2023

6:00PM - 7:15PM: Art Installation Walking Tour

Bundle up and join your guide to learn all about the 2023 World of Winter Festival and art installations!

DGRI is partnering with local and international artists to showcase incredible installations all around Downtown throughout the festival. Come join a walking tour to see all the amazing art, enjoy Downtown and celebrate our four-season city!

Walking tours meet at Rosa Parks Circle.

Location: Rosa Parks Circle - 135 Monroe Center Street Northwest Grand Rapids, MI, 49503

Friday, March 3, 2023

6:30PM - 8:00PM: Pursuit Of Ahhwesomeness Performance at House of Cards

Experience the World of Winter | House of Cards art installation alongside a dance performance by Pursuit Of Ahhwesomeness!

House of Cards consists of 128 light boxes in the form of playing cards, which in turn (or all at once) appear according to a preconfigured choreography.

The card house refers to a less tangible but equally important structure in society – a structure that people and their relationships build. We may desire to put our own interests first, but at the end of the day, we should expect (or rather, hope) that we all pursue a common goal: the creation of a safe, enjoyable and creative environment. It’s a subtle and fragile network. If someone pulls a card from the deck, it’s up to the rest of the structure to absorb the blow and remain upright.

Every card in House of Cards has a different design, designed by internationally acclaimed street and visual artists from all over the world – creating one big joint art exhibition, carefully curated and crafted.

In addition: We've partnered with several local artists to create ten custom cards to go in the deck.

Location: Ah-Nab-Awen Park - 220 Front Avenue Northwest Grand Rapids, MI, 49504

Saturday, March 4, 2023

12:00PM - 5:00PM: Noodle Fest

Enjoy $6 noodle bowls from 12 different competitors. Vote on your favorite bowl through donations to the Grand Rapids Asian-Pacific Foundation.

Location: Calder Plaza - 525 Ottawa Ave NW Grand Rapids, MI, 49503

Date: Friday, January 6, 2023 - Sunday, March 5, 2023

Location: Downtown Grand Rapids, Michigan, 49503

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