Everything You Need to Know for Winterfest 2023

Events

Mark your calendars for the Grand Haven Winterfest happening January 26-29, 2023! This year, marks the 44th year of Winterfest, a Grand Haven tradition that brings friends & families together to enjoy outdoor winter fun with a variety of activities for all ages to enjoy.

SCHEDULE OF EVENTS

THURSDAY, JANUARY 26

Glow Bowl
4-8pm | Mulligan’s Hollow | $5 Lift Ticket
The Glow Bowl is the kick off event of the Winterfest celebration and it’s one you don’t want to miss. Deck yourself out with anything and everything that glows, flashes, or lights up and be a part of the Glow Bowl Parade.

FRIDAY, JANUARY 27

Cardboard Sled Build

5-8pm | White Pines Middle School | Free
Come build a sled or put the finishing touches on your mostly-done sled. Kids of all ages welcome. Cardboard and building supplies provided. Bring stickers, printouts, and other items to decorate your sled. NO PAINT. We can even transport the sled to the hill the next morning. Come get your corrugated paper product race machine ready to fly!

SATURDAY, JANUARY 28

Family Dog Pull
9:30-11am | Mulligan’s Hollow | Free
Bring your furry four-legged friend along for this one-of-a-kind event.

Cardboard Sled Race
10am | Mulligan’s Hollow | Free
Put your creativity to the test and build your best cardboard sled to race down the hill at Mulligan’s Hollow. Invite your friends & family to join you in racing for some friendly competition. Check out the official rules here.

Euchre Tournament
12pm | Elks Lodge | $20 per team
Space is limited. Food and drinks will be available for purchase. You may preregister by calling the Elk’s Club at (616) 842-0970.

Kids Day
12-3pm | Tri-Cities YMCA |
This is the place for kids! Creative projects, balloons, face painting, bounce house, snow angels, and more! Food available from various vendors. Bring the family inside and warm up with a variety of activities. Walk over from the Cardboard Sled Race or catch the shuttle from downtown. There’s plenty of parking in the afternoon, too.

Snow Angel Contest
1pm following sled races | Tri-Cities YMCA | Free
Come by after the Cardboard Sled Race and create a colorful snow angel. We provide the decorating materials. No need to register ahead of time, just who up and make pretty angels in the snow. All ages welcome! No snow? We’ll use chalk and make sidewalk angels instead!

Freeze 4 All Snow Volleyball
3:30-9:30pm | Harborfront Parking Lot | $40
It’s just like summer beach volleyball, but better! Skip the sand and add the snow. Dump truck loads of snow will be dumped into the Harborfront Parking Lot for an epic winter volleyball tournament. Registration is required for this 4×4 co-ed volleyball blast. You can register here.

Bonfire Bash
3-10pm | Harborfront Parking Lot | Free
The Bonfire Bash is the place to be at the Grand Haven Winterfest. Enjoy warming up by the fires while sipping on hot chocolate and roasting hot dogs & marshmallows. Enjoy craft beers, cider, and more all afternoon long.

Sleepwalker Run
6pm | Harborfront Parking Lot | Free
Run through town in your best holiday pajamas! This .62 mile run around downtown Grand Haven from the Bonfire Bash and back is free and no registration is required. Just show up in your pajamas ready to have some fun.

SUNDAY, JANUARY 30

Ski & Snowboard Competition
1-3pm | Mulligan’s Hollow | Free w/ Lift Ticket
Think you have what it takes to show off your skills on the slopes? Compete against others and a panel of judges for a chance to wine prizes, t shirts, and other free swag!

Getting Around Town

Harbor Transit Park-and-Ride
Drop off your gear and the kiddos, then find a spot to park in downtown near any one of the shuttle pick up spots. The shuttle runs Saturday, Jan. 28 from 9am-2pm making a loop form downtown to Mulligan’s Hollow to the YMCA, and back.

Where to Stay

Lodging
There are so many great places to stay in the Grand Haven Area that will put you close to all the activities going on for Winterfest. Click here to book your stay!