Although you’re probably ready to get out of the house by now, it’s likely you don’t want to spend all of your time out in the frigid temperatures. There are plenty of opportunities to relieve your cabin fever, with options including concerts, lectures, children’s activities, art exhibits, a couple of food-or-drink fundraisers and even an ice-sculpting event. Take your pick of events in Allegan, Muskegon, and Ottawa counties. This list includes options for everyone, regardless of age, ability, or interest.
Week 1 (Feb. 1–4)
![]()
Holland On Ice will feature ice sculptures. (Downtown Holland)
Lakeshore Nonprofit Alliance: ‘The State of the Local Nonprofit Sector’
Evergreen Commons, 480 State St., Holland
Thursday, Feb. 2, 8:30-10:30 a.m. (continental breakfast included)
Cost: Free to LNA members; $25 for nonmembers
Lakeshore Nonprofit Alliance is hosting its February 2023 NLA Nonprofit Next meeting, featuring keynote speaker Dr. Tracy Brower, author and sociologist studying work-life fulfillment and happiness. The gathering is open to members of Lakeshore Nonprofit Alliance, staff and board members and other community stakeholders "to gather to reflect on the past, consider the present, and highlight where nonprofits might go next."
Details:
www.Nonprofit-Next-registration-and-tickets
Museum on Tap: Beer, Cider + Wine Tasting
Holland Museum, 31 W. 10th St., Holland
Friday, Feb. 3, 7-9 p.m.
Cost: $35
This fundraiser will be a fun-filled evening of beer, cider, and wine tasting. There will also be non-alcoholic soda available from Kittywampus, along with food, raffles, a silent auction, and an opportunity to explore the museum. Proceeds support upcoming Museum programs and exhibits.
Details:
hollandmuseum.org
Holland On Ice
Downtown Holland, Eighth Street
Friday-Saturday, Feb. 3-4
Cost: Free to attend
During this two-day winter festival, you can play frozen games made out of ice, pose for photos with interactive ice sculptures, and stroll Downtown Holland to check out the ice sculptures on display. Live carving will occur in GDK Park on 8th Street from 12-7 p.m. each day of the event. All sculptures will remain on display through Sunday, Feb. 5, weather permitting. Many Downtown Holland shops will be taking part in the popular Meltdown Sale.
Details:
www.hollandonice.org
The Musical Adventures of Ferdinand the Bull
Herrick Library, 300 S. River Ave. Holland
Saturday, Feb. 4, 11 a.m.
Cost: Free
A string quartet from the Holland Symphony Orchestra will perform the beloved classic The Story of Ferdinand, accented with beautiful and dramatic music from the opera Carmen! Herrick District Library in Holland. Children of all ages will enjoy this program.
Details:
https://bit.ly/3WUKB4H
Ultimate Winemaker’s Dinner, Valentine’s Day Edition
Fenn Valley Vineyards, Fennville
Saturday, Feb. 4, 6 p.m.
Cost: $110 per person
We have taken our extremely popular Winemaker’s Dinners to a new level with this special Valentine’s Day experience. In addition to an upgraded menu, the evening will begin with an assortment of cheeses and sparkling wine held in the production cellar. While in the cellar, we will offer barrel samples of an upcoming red wine. This demonstration will be led by our winemaking team. Sparkling wine reception begins at 6 p.m., with dinner immediately to follow.
Details:
https://www.saugatuck.com/event/ultimate-winemaker-s-dinner/
David Lubbers: The Mysterious Landscape
Muskegon Museum of Art, 296 W. Western Ave., Muskegon
Through May 14
Cost: Free with museum admission
David Lubbers is a Grand Rapids artist who, before his retirement, traveled the world photographing strange and mysterious views of the landscape. Lubbers opened his entire portfolio to the MMA, which assembled an exhibition and selected a group of pieces as gifts to the collection. Lubbers’ landscapes capture unusual moments and places, bringing to viewers strange perspectives and fleeting and often unseen natural phenomena.
Details:
https://muskegonartmuseum.org/david-lubbers-the-mysterious-landscapes/
Week 2 (Feb. 5–11)
![]()
Spoons & Tunes is a Soup-Tasting Fundraiser
Spoons & Tunes: Soup-Tasting Fundraiser
North Grove Brewers, 8735 Water St, Montague
Sunday, Feb. 5, 4-7 p.m.
Cost: $12 for adults, $5 for children 12 and younger, $30 for a family of four or more
The White Lake Area Chamber of Commerce presents Spoons & Tunes, a soup-tasting fundraising event set for Sunday, Feb. 5, and North Grove Brewers in Montague. With area restaurants — The Gnarly Heifer, Lipka’s Old Fashioned Soda Fountain, Mylan’s Waterfront Grille, North Grove Brewers, Oh Brothers, Pekadill’s, and Pub One Eleven — providing a variety of delicious soups and chilis, this family-friendly event is sponsored by the Montague and Whitehall locations of Shelby State Bank. Tunes will be provided by the Nomads bluegrass band. As part of the White Lake Winter Wanderland weekend, all proceeds from the event benefit the beautification of the White Lake Area.
Details:
www.whitelakewanderland.com.
Free Dinner and a Movie: ‘Loving’
Momentum Center, 714 Columbus Ave., Grand Haven
Friday, Feb. 10, dinner at 5 p.m., movie at 6 p.m.
Cost: Free, but donations encouraged
The Alliance for Cultural and Ethnic Harmony presents “Loving," about a white construction worker who falls in love with a local Black woman. In a time when interracial marriage is illegal, the couple battles all the way to the U.S. Supreme Court to be together.
Details: Call 616-414-9111
Ruth Crow Exhibition Opening
Saugatuck Center for the Arts, 400 Center St., Saugatuck
Friday, Feb. 10, 5:30-7:30 p.m.
Cost: Free
Come to the Ruth Crow Opening Celebration, featuring small bites from Mindy Trafman, SCA 2023 Creative Fellow. Gather together in the gallery to toast the debut of The Journal Project, a visually stunning and emotionally poignant display of Ruth Crowe’s personal, yet relatable stories encapsulating grief, regret, love, homophobia, self-acceptance, forgiveness and hindsight.
Details:
https://www.saugatuck.com/event/ruth-crowe-exhibition-opening/
Home Building & Remodeling Show
Holland Civic Center Place, 150 W. Eighth St., Holland
Friday-Saturday, Feb. 10-11, 1-5 p.m.
Cost: $5
Organized by the Lakeshore Home Builders Association, this two-day event will feature speakers and exhibitors showcasing the latest trends in homebuilding, remodeling, and home improvement.
Details:
https://lakeshorehomeshow.com/
Week 3 (Feb. 12–18)
![]()
Virtue Cider hosts its annual Winter Wassail.
Love in the Collection Tea Party
New Groningen Schoolhouse, 10537 Paw Paw Drive, Zeeland
Tuesday, Feb. 14, 4 p.m.
Cost: $8, $15 a pair
Enjoy a Valentine's Day tea party with your mom, daughter, grandma, or friends and learn about love in Zeeland. The afternoon will feature a presentation of objects in the Zeeland Historical Society collection that demonstrate love and affection.
Details:
https://loveinthecollection.eventbrite.com
Valentine's Day Wines of Spain Dinner
Sandy Point Beach House, 7175 Lakeshore Drive, West Olive
Tuesday, Feb. 14, 6:30-9:30 p.m.
Cost: $85 per person
An unforgettable five-course tour of Spanish food and wine. Sandy Point Beach House, on the shore of Lake Michigan, provides the perfect romantic ambiance for Valentine's Day.
Details:
https://www.facebook.com/events/5533742346746504, 616-796-8216
Golden Legacy: 80 Years of Original Artwork from Golden Books
Muskegon Museum of Art, 296 W. Western Ave., Muskegon
Thursday, Feb. 16, through Sunday, April 30
Cost: Free with museum admission
Experience the nostalgia of Little Golden Books with more than 60 masterpieces of original illustrations from the Random House archives. Featured in the exhibition “80 Years of Original Artwork from Golden Books” are pieces from beloved picture-book classics like “The Poky Little Puppy,” “Tootle,” “Home for a Bunny,” “The Color Kittens,” “I Can Fly,” and many more.
Details:
https://muskegonartmuseum.org/exhibition/golden-legacy/
Winter Wassail
Virtue Cider, 2170 62nd St., Fennville
Saturday, Feb. 18, all day
Cost: Free to attend
Come to Virtue Cider and Wassail your time away. There will be bonfires, music, food, mask-making and mulled cider on Saturday, Feb. 18, at our annual Wassail. Also, don't miss the release of Virtue’s 2022 ice cider.
Details:
https://www.saugatuck.com/event/winter-wassail/
Week 4 (Feb. 19–28)
![]()
Muskegon Museum of Art
Mardi Gras Pub Crawl with Great Lakes Brass
Wally’s Bar and Grill, 128 Hoffman St., Saugatuck
Tuesday, Feb. 21, 5 p.m. start
Cost: Free to attend
You’re invited to join in the Saugatuck Second Line, a walking brass band parade on Fat Tuesday through downtown Saugatuck. The parade, which kicks off from Wally’s at 5 p.m., celebrates New Orleans cultural traditions through our Midwestern lens. Participants will be walking or dancing in the “second line” of the parade, sharing smiles and laughs as we look forward to the seasons ahead. Dress for the occasion, twirl parasols and wave handkerchiefs, or come as you are. The event is presented by The Southerner, Great Lakes Brass, and other community partners. The Southerner will have at 6 p.m. a pop-up buffet and live music at 8 p.m.
Details:
https://www.saugatuck.com/mardi-gras-pub-crawl/
Free Thursdays at the Museum
Muskegon Museum of Art, 296 W. Western Ave., Muskegon
Thursday, Feb. 23, 11 a.m. to 8 p.m.
Cost: Free
Free general admission every Thursday at the Muskegon Museum of Art. Free Thursdays are graciously provided by The Meijer Foundation.
Details:
https://www.free-thursdays-at-the-muskegon-museum-of-art/969/
Holland Chorale: Considering Matthew Shepard
Holland Armory, 16 W. Ninth St., Holland
Sunday, Feb. 26, 3:30-5:30 p.m.
Cost: $20 for adults, $5 for students
“Considering Matthew Shepard” is an evocative and compassionate musical response 25 years after the death of Matthew Shepard in 1998. It is a fusion oratorio, blending traditional choral styles with folk, pop and country. The music is a powerful and moving encouragement to all of us: be compassionate, find kindness, and embrace what unifies us.
Details:
https://www.hollandchorale.org/
Wildlife Encounters — Kids! Whose Track is That?
Hager Park, VanderLaan Room, 8212 28th Ave., Georgetown Township
Sunday, Feb. 26, 3-4:30 p.m.
Cost: $5
Snow is the canvas upon which our resident animals write their stories. Follow along as we learn how different animals make tracks and then search for signs of life in the winter woods. Wildlife Encounter — Kids! introduces children to wildlife found in our own yards, parks and region. It includes a presentation and a walk. Program is geared for children ages 5-10 years. Children must be accompanied by an adult.
Details:
https://countyofottawaparksandrec//Whose-Track-Is-That?
GVSU French Fest — Program 3
Haas Center for Performing Arts, GVSU, 110610 S. Campus Drive, Allendale
Monday, Feb. 27, 7:30-9:30 p.m.
Cost: Free
The Grand Valley State University Piano Chamber Series presents French Fest Program #3. The program features Joseph Bologne, Chevalier de Saint-Georges, Violin Sonata in G minor, Op. 1b No. 3, mvt. I; Claude Debussy, Sonata for Cello and Piano in D minor; and Ernest Chausson, Concert for Violin, Piano, and String Quartet, Op. 21. Performers are Grace Kim, Haijin Choi, and Kimia Ghaderi, violin; Barbara Corbató, viola; Alicia Eppinga, cello; and Sookkyung Cho, piano.
Details:
https://www.gvsu.edu/mtd/piano-chamber-series-119.htm
Need suggestions for specific destinations or activities, check out these tourism resources for details:
Holland Area Visitors Bureau
Grand Haven CVB
Ottawa County Parks & Recreation
Saugatuck CVB
Allegan County Parks & Recreation