10 Things To Do this Weekend: January 3rd-5th
We have a lot of outdoor, winter activities this first weekend of 2020. From skating at Rosa Parks Circle to a Winter West Festival at Richmond Park, and snowshoeing at Blandford Nature Center… get out and have some fun this winter. Indoor activities include a Bridal Show, a Model Railroad Show, Finding Your Roots, a show at the Planetarium, Comedy, the Symphony, and Basketball. A weekend full of fun things to do.
Some activities include the kids, while others are more for the adults.
Click on the event title for additional information.
- 1
Ice Skating at Rosa Parks Circle
Rosa Parks Circle, 135 Monroe Center, Grand Rapids, MI 49503
The 2019/2020 skating season will run through February 23rd, 2020
Monday-Saturday - 10:00 am-9:45 pm
Sunday - 11:00 am-8:45 pm
Cost: Admission price includes skates. Adults $3.00, Youth $1.00
Rosa Parks Circle Ice Rink is a cherished winter activity in Grand Rapids. All open skate hours are weather-dependent. Every Saturday from 10 am to 12:00 Noon it will be Maranda's Free Skate. Kids 17 and under can skate for free thanks to Fifth Third Bank! Plus, Milk Means More and Biggby will provide free hot cocoa!
- 2
“Let it Snow” Planetarium Show
Grand Rapids Public Museum, 272 Pearl St., NW, Grand Rapids, MI 49504
Runs through Sunday, January 5th, 2020
Cost: Planetarium tickets are $4 per person with admission to the Museum, and free to Museum members.
“Let it Snow” features a new variety of festive classics from Frank Sinatra and Chuck Berry to Burl Ives and Brenda Lee, and includes a stunning multi-media finale by the Trans Siberian Orchestra. The soundtrack is visually enhanced with thematic animation, laser imagery and special effects.
- 3
Grand Rapids Bridal Show
DeVos Place Convention Center, 303 Monroe Ave., NW, Grand Rapids, MI 49503
Friday, January 3rd, 2020 - 5:00 pm-9:00 pm
Saturday, January 4th, 2020 - 11:00 am-5:00 pm
Cost: $5.00
The 50th Annual Grand Rapids Bridal Show will return to DeVos Place this weekend! This is West Michigan's largest and longest-running bridal show, with award-winning wedding experts, beautiful event sites all over Michigan, delicious samples and the area's largest bridal fashion show! Couples can further benefit from special discounts, creative ideas and access to a ton of information to help with their wedding planning. We will also be giving away over $10,000 in Door Prizes! Brides can pre-register on the website for a Free bride's ticket!
- 4
Comedian Al Jackson
Dr. Grin’s at The B.O.B., 20 Monroe Ave., NW, Grand Rapids, MI 49503
Friday, January 3rd, 2020 - 8:00 pm & 10:30 pm
Saturday, January 4th, 2020 - 8:00 pm & 10:30 pm
Cost: Tickets are $10.00-$15.00 depending on show time
Al Jackson is best known for his 30-minute “Comedy Central Presents: Al Jackson” special, his role as host of the BAFTA-nominated BBC series, “Officially Amazing” and for his first 1 hour special. Al has also been seen on Comedy Underground with Dave Attell, on FXX's "Legit," on GSN's "Mind of a Man," on the NickMOM series, "Parental Discretion" and seasons 1 and 2 of TruTV's "How To Be A Grown Up." After two appearances on NBC's "Last Comic Standing" and winning several comedy competitions, Al further built his resume with a series of credits including: TBS’ "Comedy Cuts," Showtime's "Louie Anderson Presents," hosting FOX's nationally syndicated travel show "Awesome Adventures," and writing for TruTV's "Upload with Shaquille O’Neal".
- 5
WinterWest 2020
Richmond Park, 1101 Richmond St., NW, Grand Rapids, MI 49504
Saturday, January 4th, 2020 - 10:00 am-2:00 pm
Cost: Free Admission
WinterWest returns to Richmond Park! This is a free event that encourages people to get out and enjoy winter in our Grand Rapids parks. The park will be filled with winter activities for your family to try. Go on a snowshoe hike, try out a fat tire bike, or pop into the pavilion for kid-friendly crafts and hot chocolate to warm up! And of course, don’t forget the Crazy Cardboard Sled Races! Register your homemade sled in either the kid or adult category, and be ready to rock at 10:30. They will be awarding prizes for both adults and kids for Fastest Sled, Most Creative Sled, and Farthest Distance Covered.
- 6
Trains at the Showplace
4 Mile Showplace, 1025 4 Mile Rd., NW, Grand Rapids, MI 49544
Saturday, January 4th, 2020 - 10:00 am-3:00 pm
Cost: $5 Each, Children under 12 free with adult
See great modular layouts. HO, N, O, and On30 scales. See the area’s best modular layouts. Buy from the area’s best vendors. Enjoy great food at modest prices. Something for everyone! Bring the kids.
- 7
Snowshoe Hike
Blandford Nature Center, 1715 Hillburn Ave., NW, Grand Rapids, MI 49504
Saturday, January 4th, 2020 - 2:00 pm-3:30 pm
Cost: $7 for Member Families, $10 for Non-member Families (Family size = up to 4 people. Additional family members $5 each. Price includes snowshoe rental.)
Bring your whole family out to “test-drive” a pair of snowshoes! Practice your snowshoe skills, as you hike along with a Master Naturalist. Discover the secret world hidden within the Winter Wonderland at Blandford Nature Center. Registration is required. Program is for ages 5+.
- 8
Michigan Online: Family History Tools for the Great Lakes State
Grand Rapids Public Library - Main Branch, 111 Library St., NE, Grand Rapids, MI 49503
Saturday, January 4th, 2020 - 1:30 pm-3:00 pm
Cost: Free
Kris Rzepczynski, Senior Archivist at the Archives of Michigan, will lead this session exploring important Michigan online genealogical resources, including both popular and lesser-known sites. He will also discuss effective strategies for genealogists conducting research specifically in the state of Michigan. Kris will draw on this years of experience as a genealogist with expertise in research in the Midwest. This program is co-sponsored by the Western Michigan Genealogical Society.
- 9
GR Symphony presents “The Snowman”
DeVos Performance Hall, 303 Monroe Ave., NW, Grand Rapids, MI 49503
Saturday, January 4th, 2020 - 3:00 pm
Cost: Tickets start at $15.00
Back by popular demand! Based on the award-winning children's book “The Snowman” by Raymond Briggs, this concert captures a magical night for a boy and his snowman friend. Live orchestral music accompanies the Oscar-nominated 1982 movie. A great way to kick-off the holiday season! Join them at 2 pm for Free pre-concert kids' activities including crafts and an instrument petting zoo!
- 10
Basketball: The Grand Rapids Drive vs. The Raptors 905
The DeltaPlex Arena, 2500 Turner Ave., NW, Grand Rapids, MI 49544
Saturday, January 4th, 2020 - 7:00 pm
Cost: Tickets start at $5.00
Pistons Tribute Night is back! The Drive take on the Raptors 905 while paying homage to the 2004 Going-To-Work Pistons! First 500 fans through the doors receive a replica 2004 Pistons championship ring! Family 4-Packs are available: 4 tickets, 4 hot dogs and 4 sodas for $44! Doors open at 6 pm with tip off at 7 pm.