Headline: West Michigan winter wonderland

Subhead: Activities to do throughout the winter months

By Meghan McBrady

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As the fall semester ends, with students trading in their sleepless nights for a much needed holiday break, chilling temperatures and icy roads will be soon taking over Grand Valley State University’s Allendale and Pew campuses.

Beyond building a snowman and dealing with frostbite this winter, GVSU students have the opportunity to spend the colder months in Grand Rapids. Once the snow hits the ground, the West Michigan hot-spot hosts a variety of events and activities, like ice-skating, a drive-through light show and skiing within the greater Grand Rapids area.

While the GVSU community begins to layer on jackets, mittens and scarves, here are some of the must-see winter-based attractions that everyone can enjoy:

1. A Christmas Story: The Musical

303 Monroe Ave. NW, Grand Rapids, MI 49503

Based on the 1983 movie of the same, the musical takes place in 1940s Indiana and focuses on Ralphie, a child who wants a Red Ryder BB Gun for Christmas. Including the auspicious leg lamp, the pink bunny pajamas and a dare to lick a freezing flagpole, the musical, which is hosted by Broadway Grand Rapids at the DeVos Performance Hall, will be from Tuesday, Dec. 27 to Friday, Dec. 30.

Tickets range from $35 to $75. Show times are at 7:30 p.m., with the Wednesday, Dec. 28 performance including a matinee performance at 2 p.m.

2. Ice Skating at Rosa Parks Circle

Monroe Center and Monroe Ave., Grand Rapids, MI 49503

An outdoor gathering spot in downtown Grand Rapids, the ice rink at Rosa Parks Circle opened Friday, Dec, 2 with a lighting ceremony of the downtown Grand Rapids Christmas tree.

During the winter season, skate rental is free with admission, with $1 fee for 17-year-olds and younger and $2 for adults.

Open skate will be available Mondays through Saturdays at 10 a.m. to 9:45 p.m., also at 11 a.m. to 9:45 p.m. Sundays until Jan. 2, 2017. Starting Jan. 3, 2017, the ice rink will be open Mondays and Tuesdays from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., open Wednesdays to Saturdays from 11 a.m. to 9:45 p.m. and open noon to 8:45 p.m. on Sundays.

Liz Tusch, a GVSU alum, attended the lighting ceremony in December 2015 and said she loves seeing everyone celebrate the holiday season while they skate.

“I like the lighting at Rosa Park,” she said. “It’s really fun to see the Christmas tree light up and people from all over the city come out.”

3. Winter Beer Festival

4500 West River Dr. NE, Comstock Park, MI 49321

For those of the legal drinking age, the 2017 Winter Beer Festival will be Friday, Feb. 24, 2017 from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. and Saturday, Feb. 25, 2017 from 1 p.m. to 6 p.m. Featuring more than a 100 Michigan breweries and brewpubs, each guest ticket at the event comes with 15 tasting tokens the can be exchanged for 3 oz. samples of 1,000 different craft beers.

Ticket sales began Thursday, Dec. 1, and can be purchased here.

4. Frederick Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park

1000 E. Beltline NE, Grand Rapids, MI 49525

The Frederick Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park hosts a multitude of winter-based events throughout the holiday season. From touring around the ice-covered sculptures to warming up in the Lena Meijer Conservatory’s tropical oasis, Santa Claus and Charles Dicken carolers also visit the Meijer Gardens.

Natalie Whitmer, a junior at GVSU, said her favorite part of the Meijer Gardens is the “Christmas and Holiday Traditions Around the World” exhibition.

Honoring cultures around the world by being authentic with holiday traditions, the exhibition hosts a Eid ul-Fitr display, which celebrates the end of Ramadan, and displays various pine trees adorned with either German or English ornaments and mistletoe.

“It’s like holidays around the world, so it’s not just strictly Christmas, so there is something for everyone,” she said.

The exhibition’s extended holiday hours will be noon to 9 p.m., starting Dec. 19 to Dec. 30 and will be open until Jan. 8.