Get ready for a busy final weekend of February and start of March in Grand Rapids! The World of Winter Festival wraps up with some fun activities, plus you can catch a world-class ballet performance or hit a late-season outdoor event.
See our top picks
Parkrun
Riverside Park
A free, fun, and friendly 5k community walk/run to start your Saturday.
TOYS! (Exhibit)
Grand Rapids Public Museum
Explore nostalgic toys inside the Public Museum Saturday morning.
Family Swim at Goldfish Swim School
Goldfish Swim School Grand Rapids
Affordable, dedicated swim time for families on Sunday evening.
· February 28
3: Gather your crew for some chaotic fun as six-person teams race across the ice sledding and scooping up balls. This is the last major World of Winter activity happening Saturday.It's a high-energy, one-off outdoor competition that closes out the major winter festival.
: Learn about traditional northern Native American winter games by participating in the Snow Snake Competition. You slide handcrafted 'snow snakes' down a trough to see whose goes the farthest.Offers a cultural, outdoor winter activity that is unique to the season.
: Take a short walk to raise crucial money to help families in Kent County keep their heat on. It’s a great way to teach kids about community support.A meaningful, family-friendly way to spend a Saturday morning giving back.
· March 1
4: The World of Winter festival ends Sunday with a showdown where you can sample different noodle dishes from various vendors and vote for the best bowl in West Michigan.This is the absolute final day for the massive World of Winter Festival, focusing on food.
: Catch the Sunday matinee performance of the Grand Rapids Ballet's stunning new interpretation of the timeless classic, set to Tchaikovsky's iconic score played live by the Grand Rapids Symphony.A world-class cultural event offering a beautiful Sunday afternoon experience.
: Kick off spring with this inclusive race event at Riverside Park. It welcomes every pace and fitness level, so it's great for family participation.A fun, inclusive race happening Sunday morning to get moving.
FREE : The massive outdoor festival concludes today, but you can still explore the art installations and general atmosphere downtown. It's a free way to enjoy the final bits of winter.This is the last opportunity to see the outdoor art installations for the year, and it is generally free to walk around.
Also On· anytime this weekend
6FREE : Join this free, friendly weekly 5k community event. You can walk, jog, or run—or just come along to spectate and cheer.It's a free, active, community-focused event happening Saturday morning.
: This exhibit at the Meijer Gardens runs through the weekend, offering beautiful art installations both inside and out.It runs through Sunday and offers access to the expansive grounds and indoor exhibits.
: Check out the dinosaur exhibit focused on the Tyrannosaur family at the Public Museum. The museum is open late until 8 PM Saturday.The museum stays open late until 8 PM Saturday, perfect for a non-morning outing.
: This exhibit features nostalgic toys like Hot Wheels and Mr. Potato Heads, and it’s available all weekend. The museum opens at 10 AM Saturday.It's a great indoor option for Saturday morning, running from 10 AM.
: Wrap up your Sunday with structured family swim time where parents must be in the water with the kids. It's affordable for the whole group.It’s one of the few specific activities listed for Sunday evening that is explicitly geared toward young children.
: If you are willing to drive a bit north to Mears, this is the final weekend (Feb 28th according to one data point) to try fat tire biking on 450 acres of open sand dunes.It's a very specific, timely outdoor adventure event that ends Saturday.
Frequently Asked Questions
What free kids events are on in Grand Rapids this weekend?
This weekend (Feb 28-01) the best free option is the Parkrun 5k event on Saturday morning at Riverside Park. Additionally, exploring the general outdoor art installations of the World of Winter Festival on Saturday or Sunday is free.
What's happening on Sunday, March 1st?
Sunday is your last chance for the World of Winter Noodle Fest at Calder Plaza and the Swan Lake ballet matinee at DeVos Performance Hall. Family Swim is also available at Goldfish Swim School in the evening.
Are there any big outdoor activities happening Saturday?
Yes! Saturday, February 28th, features the World of Winter Human Hungry Hippo Tournament at Rosa Parks Circle and the Great Lakes Snow Snake Competition at Sixth Street Park, plus the free Parkrun.
