World of Winter, the largest winter festival in the United States, has returned to Grand Rapids in 2025. Starting in early January and running for almost two months, this festival offers large and interactive outdoor art installations, frequent special events, and family fun. Now in its sixth year, the World of Winter festival continues to bring thousands of people to downtown Grand Rapids during months that typically saw little activity and slow times for local businesses.

We had a chance to head downtown for the opening weekend and today we will share some photos of the art installations and let you know where you can find them when you visit. Art installations are spread out through Ah-Nab-Awen Park, Canal Park, Sixth Street Park, 555 Monroe, Calder Plaza, DeVos Place Convention Center, Celebration Cinema Studio Park, the Blue Bridge, and several other locations. Most of these installations are light-based and are better viewed after dark. Here’s a look at World of Winter 2025 in Grand Rapids:

Note: Due to delivery delays, Alarum (Gillett Bridge), Skeleton Lighting Crew (Sixth Street Park), and Bon(d)fire (555 Monroe) will not be up until the week of 1/12/25.

We’ll start off with a few photos from the kickoff celebration at the 555 Monroe Lot on January 10. While the large Bon(d)fire installation was delayed, there was still plenty to see and do here. Food trucks, a DJ, fire pits and games, and live ice carving demonstrations entertained a healthy crowd enjoying the somewhat warmer temperatures.

An interact art piece called LiteZilla (that might look very familiar to anyone who grew up playing with a Lite Brite) was also on hand for kids of all ages to play with, and fire performers entertained the crowd with a twirling display.

Waves (Gerald R. Ford Presidential Museum) – This piece from Juan Fuentes Studio sits in front of the statue of Gerald R. Ford and is meant to capture the “beauty of ocean waves through fluid, intertwining shapes.” This is a fun one to sit and watch for a few minutes as the lights change color and the shapes move back and forth.

The Hive (Ah-Nab-Awen Park) – The brightly lit piece in Ah-Nab-Awen Park by the Grand River is The Hive, from artist Beamhacker. It is “an immersive light installation featuring a towering honeycomb structure made of custom high-density LEDs. The LEDs pulse with color and movement, perfectly synced to an original 10-minute composition by Perth electronic musician Mike Midnight.”

Soloveiko Songbirds (Ah-Nab-Awen Park) – Just like the Night Walkers inflatable frogs last year, the Soloveiko Songbirds have found a perfect home on the Ah-Nab-Awen Park lawn. Each of these beautiful birds represents a different region of Ukraine and you can push a button to hear their unique songs. Artists Svitlana Reinish, Anton Dehtiarov, and Amigo & Amigo are responsible for this installation.

The Singing Tree (Ah-Nab-Awen Park) – The popular pice from Limbic Media is back for another year. The Singing Tree is “an interactive lighting installation that transforms sound into vibrant visual experiences. When you sing, clap, yell or speak, this special tree responds by lighting up in colorful patterns, creating a dynamic and immersive display based on the sounds you make.”

Grand Legacy (Ah-Nab-Awen Park) – Debuting last year, Grand Legacy combines murals with a projection display and comes to us from artists Edwin Anderson and Valeria Wahna. It tells the history of the Grand River and how it has impacted Grand Rapids throughout the years.

Meadowgrass Field (Ah-Nab-Awen Park) – This light display by DeVries Landscape features stake lights that change color and appear to move like a field of grass. This one looks much more impressive in person than it does in photographs.

Slow Motion (Blue Bridge) – The Blue Bridge by the museum has always been a great place for art during this event, and this year is no exception. Slow Motion features three painted steel snail sculptures from artist Valerie Wahna.

Kinetic Perspective (Blue Bridge) – Another great installation from Juan Fuentes Studio, Kinetic Perspective creates optical illusions on the Blue Bridge. “A row of eighteen illusions, each composed of two circles spinning in sync, gives the impression of a vanishing point at the eye level of visitors. Invited to actively participate and observe, the audience must move around to uncover the patterns, glimmers and distortion, in which a hidden geometry will be revealed.”

Sturgeon (Blue Bridge) – Located on the Campau Ave. end of the Blue Bridge, Sturgeon (by artist Craig Merchant) is a permanent resident of the downtown landscape. Its size reflects the largest Lake Sturgeon recorded in Michigan and is meant to draw attention to this threatened species in our Great Lakes watershed.

Fireflies (Lyon Square) – Located in the beautiful new Lyon Square area, Fireflies features “moving firefly lights within a vibrant yellow structure topped with a grass roof. Powered by small motors, the lights create a mesmerizing experience, aiming to evoke a magical atmosphere.” Craig Merchant is the artist behind this fun installation along the Grand River.

Starlight (Lyon Square) – a few feet away from Fireflies is Starlight, a returning piece from artist Valerie Wahna. It is a “captivating steel structure illuminated by dynamic lighting that brings the words “The sights of the stars make me wanna dream” to life. As the lights pulse and shift, the installation invites viewers to reflect on the beauty and vastness of the night sky.”

Frosty Fotos (DeVos Place Convention Center) – Commemorate your family trip to World of Winter with a stop for some “frosty fotos” in front of the DeVos Place Convention Center. Artist Chris Dudley is responsible for this beautiful winter scene that has seven holes for people to pose in.

Life is But a Dream (DeVos Place Convention Center) – Located on the river side of the convention center, Life is But a Dream (from artist Valerie Wahna) features three oversize steel sculptures meant to look like paper boats.

ChronoHarp (Calder Plaza) – One of the largest interactive pieces at this year’s event is ChronoHarp at the Calder Plaza.

“This intricate, triangular form of light and colour responds to human touch, cascading with luminous animations that dance through its structure. Unlike its solitary muse, ChronoHarp beckons all to partake in its accessible allure. As each interaction unfolds, the prism evolves from a pristine white to a kaleidoscope of hues, culminating in a choreographed display of light and sound, meticulously crafted in collaboration with sound studio, Otis Studio and accomplished harpist, Kate Moloney.” Frequent World of Winter collaborators Amigo & Amigo are responsible for this magical installation.

WoW Selfie Spot (across from Rosa Parks Circle) – The WoW Selfie Spot is back, moving from its previous location at the 555 Monroe lot to the plaza across from Rosa Parks Circle and the downtown ice skating rink.

APOGEE (Canal Park) – Chalk River Labs (who brought us Stargate at Ah-Nab-Awen Park last year) have returned with a new and exciting installation for World of Winter 2025. “Standing 23 feet wide and 12 feet tall, this striking aluminum structure comes to life with dynamic, space-themed visuals mapped onto its surface. With two swings and integrated benches, APOGEE invites visitors to relax and engage with the art. At night, the vibrant projections come alive, accompanied by an original synth soundtrack that amplifies the sensory experience.” There was quite the crowd waiting for this one when we visited so we didn’t get to try out the swings. It looked like families with younger kids were really enjoying this installation, though!

Rainbow Willow Tree (Canal Park) – Another installation from DeVries Landscape, the Rainbow Willow Tree features colorful dangling lights that brighten up the landscape at night.

Stargaze (Canal Park) – Another colorful piece from artist Valerie Wahna, Stargaze brightens the landscape next to the Grand River. “This steel sculpture is based on a theme of stars and other cosmic phenomena. The lights and sounds of this piece will hopefully give viewers a chance to create their own celestial story as they walk around it. “

Messie the Grand River Monster (Canal Park) – One of the few pieces that photographs better in the daytime, Messie is back for another World of Winter festival. “With her 14-foot-long tentacles, Messie loves to make a splash, swaying and moving her massive limbs when the weather is just right. She may be a playful creature, but don’t let her size fool you—Messie brings a unique charm and a touch of mystery to the Grand River.”

Manido Bawating Hybycozo (Sixth Street Park) – First display in 2021 at Ah-Nab-Awen Park, Manido Bawating Hybycozo is back again and at Sixth Street Park for 2025. This illuminated 11 foot tall sculpture features important symbols of the Native American community that used to call this area near the Grand River home. “Designed by the Grand River Bands of Ottawa Indians and local artist Alan Compo, in collaboration with HYBYCOZO, the piece symbolizes the “Spirit of the Rapids,” a term from the Anishinaabemowin language.”

STORM (Sixth Street Park) – One of our other favorites this year was the bright and colorful STORM installation. The artist behind this piece is frequent World of Winter contributor Two Eagles Marcus, who describes STORM like this: “An abstract geometric lightning bolt constructed of simple industrial materials and elevated nine feet over the Riveredge Trail crackles, sparkles and pulsates in a synthesized display of static electrical discharge.”

Birdhouse (Sixth Street Park) – A piece that encourages hands-on interaction, Birdhouse was created by LeMonde Studio. “Fully sustainable and human-powered, the installation comes to life when cranked. Visitors are surprised by the birds lighting up over a soundtrack, transporting users to a magical world.”

World of Winter 2025 continues through March 2nd. You can find a full list of events and a map to the art installations at worldofwintergr.com. Maps are posted in several locations throughout downtown and the DASH shuttle bus is making frequent runs from their parking lots to each of the installation locations. We love going after there’s some snow on the ground and it doesn’t sound like we will have a lack of winter weather anytime in the near future. Don’t miss this year’s art at the World of Winter!