The Grand Rapids Public Museum is ready to celebrate the 2025-2026 holiday season with a host of exciting events and activities for all ages during the Snowflake Break.
The Streets of Old Grand Rapids are fully decorated with life-size Santas, garlands, and ribbons, and several events are on the horizon, with special programs planned for students on winter break.
Snowflake Break - December 19 - January 3
Guests can join in on holiday fun with games, activities, and community partners on twelve theme days while school is out of session. All activities during The Twelve Days of GRPM Snowflake Break are included with general admission. More details on the specific activities for each day can be found at grpm.org/snowflake-break.
- Friday, December 19 – The Wonder of Trees
- Saturday, December 20 – To Turtlenecks (and Chocolate!)
- Sunday, December 21 – Three French Horns
- Monday, December 22 – Calling All Birders
- Bonus: Free screening of Elf in the Meijer Theater
- Tuesday, December 23 – Five Olympic Rings
- Wednesday, December 24 – Open on Christmas Eve
- Thursday, December 25 – CLOSED for Christmas Day
- Friday, December 26 – Dino Eggs A-Laying
- Saturday, December 27 – See the Sturgeon Swimming
- Sunday, December 28 – Eight Facts About the Milky Way
- Monday, December 29 – A Day of Dancing
- Tuesday, December 30 – Ten Frogs A-Leaping
- Wednesday, December 31 – Open for New Year’s Eve
- Thursday, January 1 - CLOSED For New Year’s Day
- Friday, January 2 – Wurlitzer Organ A-Piping
- Saturday, January 3 – Hear the Drummers Drumming
- Shows in the Roger B. Chaffee Planetarium - Additional showtimes December 20 - January 4
From 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. during Snowflake Break, the Planetarium will be playing shows on the hour. Highlights include the new show Experience the Aurora featuring incredible time-lapses of the Northern Lights in the Arctic Circle, and Let it Snow! which is set to holiday classics from legends like Frank Sinatra and Chuck Berry.
For the perfect pairing with our latest traveling exhibit, Tyrannosaurs: Meet the Family, check out Dinosaurs: A Story of Survival, which takes you on a journey back in time to see towering reptiles walk the Earth.
For ticket information and show schedule, visit grpm.org/planetarium.
Historic Holiday LEGO® Display - Open through February 1
See historic Grand Rapids like never before, built from LEGO® bricks! The 1925-era display, complete with operating trams, gives an up-close view of old-time Grand Rapids with historic buildings built to scale. Viewing of this display is included with general admission. This exhibit is built by the West Michigan LEGO® Train Club, and contains new pieces each year! Visitors encounter three areas in Fashion + Nature: discovery, exploitation, and sustainability that feature artifact displays, hands-on interactives, and unique photo opportunities. The exhibit demonstrates how the fashion industry has impacted the environment, people’s lives, and the global economy.
Holiday Classics Organ Concerts - Friday, December 19 and Saturday, December 20
Enjoy a festive concert on Friday, December 19, at 7 p.m. or Saturday, December 20, at 2 p.m., featuring holiday classics played by acclaimed theater organist David Wickerham. Expect to hear timeless favorites such as “Silent Night,” “Jingle Bells,” and “The First Noel,” performed on the Mighty Wurlitzer.
Tickets are $20 each, with a discounted rate of $16 for GRPM members. Purchase tickets now at grpm.org/organ to reserve your seat.
Tuba Christmas - Sunday, December 21
Join for Tuba Christmas, a heartwarming holiday tradition, at 3 p.m. on Sunday, December 21. This event is a musical tribute to the legendary teacher William J. Bell, born on Christmas Day in 1902. Musicians nationwide gather to celebrate the rich heritage of brass instruments, with tubas, euphoniums, baritone horns, and sousaphones taking center stage. Whether you're a seasoned musician or just want to enjoy the festive atmosphere, Tuba Christmas is open to all.
Come and witness this joyful performance under the Museum's iconic fin whale, a part of Grand Rapids' 18th annual Tuba Christmas event and the nationwide 51st-anniversary celebration. Admission to the concert is included with your entry to the GRPM, so you can join in the holiday spirit while exploring the Museum's many other wonders!
