Winter, Reimagined: Inside Grand Rapids’ World of Winter
Jan 13, 2026
How Bill Kirk and Downtown Grand Rapids Inc. Are Making Winter the Coolest Season in Michigan
Winter in West Michigan isn’t something to endure—it’s something to celebrate. Just ask Downtown Grand Rapids Inc. (DGRI), the team behind World of Winter, now officially the largest winter festival in the United States.
In this episode of Coffee with Steve & Margaux, we sat down with Bill Kirk, Communications Director at DGRI, to talk about how Grand Rapids is flipping the script on January and February. The result? A two‑month, free‑to‑the‑public festival running now through March 1, packed with 100+ art installations, immersive light displays, ice sculptures, and interactive events that invite everyone outside—yes, even in winter.
From a glowing downtown stroll to fan‑favorite events like Paint the Park, a silent disco, and the delightfully competitive Hungry Hungry Hippo tournament, World of Winter turns the city into a living gallery. Families bundle up. Friends gather. Visitors come back more than once—because you simply can’t see it all in one night.
What makes this festival special isn’t just its scale—it’s its heart. DGRI’s mission is placemaking: activating public spaces, investing in the riverbank and Greenway, and creating experiences that make downtown feel alive year‑round. Bill puts it best—World of Winter exists to make winter joyful, accessible, and unforgettable.
If you’re wondering what makes Grand Rapids such an extraordinary place to live (or visit), this is it. Art. Community. Winter done right.
🎥 Watch the full episode of Coffee with Steve & Margaux and plan your next downtown adventure.
Keywords:
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