Winter Festivals in West Michigan
Winter not only brings the magic of the holidays and a winter wonderland of snow, but it combines the two to bring you and your family the fun of winter festivals. Some of the best festivals are in West Michigan and here is your guide to what events you won’t want to miss this winter season. Keep scrolling for some of the best events in 2024!
Make it a full weekend of fun in West Michigan! Book a hotel in Grand Rapids!! Looking for more winter fun? Check out these Winter Activities in West Michigan!
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GRAND RAPIDS:
World of Winter
Jan 10 – March 2, 2025
Taking advantage of Michigan’s cold climate, the World of Winter Festival provides an interesting way for people to enjoy their time in the beautiful West Michigan snow. This year’s event runs from January 10 through March 2. The purpose of this festival is to encourage families to be more active, even during the colder months while enjoying and appreciating different cultures and art pieces. With over 25 art exhibitions, live music, games for the whole family, amazing ice sculptures, and much more – there is plenty to keep you active and warm during this free and mesmerizing event.
Laugh Fest:
March 5-9, 2025
Launched in 2011, this 10-day event brings together a diverse audience and performers who share at least one common joy, laughter. LaughFest has provided the community with opportunities to see up and coming headliners before they made it big such as Nate Bargatze, Amy Schumer, Tiffany Haddish and more! With an average annual attendance of 50,000 attendees, children and adults alike will find humor for all ages at this festival.
Christkindl Markt GR (Christmas Market)
Wednesdays – Sundays, November 15 – December 23, 2024
The 2023 debut of the Christkindl Markt at the Grand Rapids Downtown Market was a huge success – and it’s even bigger and better in 2024! The 2024 Christkindl Markt will once again bring the magic of a traditional European-style Christmas village to downtown Grand Rapids. You can shop for one-of-a-kind gifts, savor delicious food & drink, and soak up festive family fun in an expansive outdoor space beautifully decorated for the holidays. With over 60 vendors, twice the amount of last year, there is sure to be a gift for all your special someones.
Special: Rent a private Alpenglobe (picture below) and have a safe, intimate experience with your close friends, family and loved ones.
LOWELL:
Lowell Christmas Festivities
Saturday, December 7, 2024
Head over to Lowell on December 2 for their annual Christmas festivities. Enjoy all-day holiday shopping, a fine arts and craft show, a live nativity, and a craft workshop. Make sure to bring your kids to take part in the library book sale, pancake supper, and board the showboat for visits and photos with Santa. Events begin at 9 a.m. and go into the evening, ending with the annual night-time Santa parade. Take a look at the parade flier here.
LAKESHORE:
Winterfest Grand Haven
JANUARY 23 – 26, 2025
For over 30 years families have enjoyed this loved winter tradition. This annual event takes place January 25 through 28 and boasts a wide variety of events. Some of these include bonfire bash, cardboard sled races, family dog pull, kids day, and more.
Muskegon Museum of Art’s Festival of Trees
Nov 27 2024 – Jan 05 2025
The Festival of Trees is back AND it will be extended through the holiday season!
Take a trip down memory lane with nostalgic holiday collections at the Muskegon Museum of Art this holiday season. From vintage ornaments and trains to holiday Barbies and a forest of bottle brush trees, this exhibition is sure to spark your holiday joy! Take note: that the Muskegon Museum of Art will be closed November 28, December 24, 25, 31, and January 1 in observance of the holidays.
Don’t forget to stop in at the Muskegon Museum of Art while you are in town to see some festive holiday decorations and catch live performances throughout the galleries. During the festival, the Museum of Art will also be holding the events below:
Teddy Bear Trail: November 25 9-11am
Hot Cocoa Hop: December 8
Fill the Truck Food Drive: TBD
Admission:
- MMA Members: $5
- Public: Adults $17 | Seniors $13
- Thursdays: $5 for everyone
Senior Tuesday Mornings
Each Tuesday during the Festival of Trees, seniors (65+) are invited to enjoy breakfast pastries, coffee, and early access to the museum from 10 AM – 11 AM. Admission is only $5 for seniors between 10 AM – 11 AM on Senior Tuesday Mornings.
Explore the gallery to find holiday décor that could be yours! All auction items will be available for bid through Clickbid and participants will need to register. Scan the QR codes around the gallery to access the online auction.
The auction will end on Sunday, December 15 at 4 PM. Winners will receive a notification for their winning bid(s). Items will be available for pickup December 18 – 19 from 11 AM – 5 PM
Ice Breaker Festival
Saturday, February 1, 2025
Save the Date! Multiple venues, one wristband, more than 80 live acts! Does that sound like a fun winter celebration to you? Then, February 2 – 4, 2025 enjoy some fun in the snow at the South Haven Ice Breaker Festival. With ice skating, cardboard sled races, curling lessons, chili cook-off, and much more. For more information on times and event specifics keep an eye on their website for updates.
Ticket Prices (Subject to availability)
- Early Bird £15 – Until Sunday 1st September
- Advance – £20 – Until 31st January
- On the Day – £25
Check the full line up here!
HOLLAND:
Dutch Winterfest Kersmarkt 111
November 23 – December 21, 2024
“Kerstmarkt” is Dutch for “Christmas market” and that is just what guests can expect to experience. In beautiful Holland Michigan, this festival has almost doubled in size since its origination. Occurring for three weekends between Thanksgiving and Christmas, attendees have plenty of opportunities to gather and shop from local artisans and specialty shops. There is no shortage of perfect holiday gifts for the special people in your life. Held Nov 18 – Dec 16.
Looking for more winter fun? Check out these Winter Activities in West Michigan!
Parade of Lights
December 3, 2024 | 6:30 pm
Santa Claus arrives in Downtown Holland during the annual Parade of Lights, escorted by over 80 floats, commercial vehicles, walkers, and marching bands…all decked out from top to bottom in thousands of sparkling lights! Come see why this brightly lit holiday procession on Tuesday, December 3 is a holiday tradition for the entire community! The Parade of Lights will begin at the corner of 8th Street and Columbia Avenue at 6:30 pm sharp and proceed west down 8th Street until it reaches the Holland Civic Center Place at 150 West 8th Street, home of the Holiday Kerstmarkt!
Sinterklaas Shuffle
Fri & Sat, December 6 & 7, 2024 | Times Vary
Join Sinterklaas and his friends for a wonderful trip to fun and faraway places without leaving downtown Holland! Sinterklaas will welcome families downtown to celebrate this Dutch holiday tradition. Guests will also be able to visit with skiers in Dutch costumes, the Community Police Team from the Holland Police Department, and even Sinterklaas’ beautiful white horse, Ozosnel. Start this adventure at the Tulip Time office to pick up lanterns and passports before stamping your passport at Sinterklaas’s Lodge, Polar Place, Sperry Slopes, Carolyn’s Candy Land, and Ozosnel’s Stable. Small gifts will be given to passport holders at each station.
Looking for more winter fun? Check out these Winter Activities in West Michigan!
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Logan Imber
Logan Imber is a self taught Freelance Digital Marketer & Copywriter currently located in Ohio, but works remotely for clients all over the world. She also dabbles in Graphic Design, Web Design and Music. She doesn't like to pin herself down, as there is always something to learn, a culture to take in or new food to eat. In her free time, Logan likes reading, yoga, and spending time with her beloved cat. She also loves playing and sharing music with others. Essentially, most of her time is either spent writing, contemplating, or creating something - and she wouldn't have it any other way.
Betsy Connor
Betsy is a West Michigan native who loves all that the area has to offer. She spends her time taking advantage of the wide array of things to experience in the area, whether it be enjoying events with her family or savoring a delicious craft beer from a local brewery with her husband and friends.
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[…] Looking for even more winter fun in West Michigan? Check out some of the great winter festivals! […]
[…] Make it a full weekend of fun in West Michigan! Book a hotel in Grand Rapids or Grand Haven! Or check out some of the awesome Winter Festivals in West Michigan. […]
[…] Make it a full weekend of fun in West Michigan! Book a hotel in Grand Rapids! Or check out some of the other awesome Winter Festivals in West Michigan. […]