People First Economy

Wine on Thursdays
2025-11-20 16:00 - 20:00, 2025-11-27 16:00 - 20:00, 2025-12-04 16:00 - 20:00, 2025-12-11 16:00 - 20:00, 2025-12-18 16:00 - 20:00, 2025-12-25 16:00 - 20:00, 2026-01-01 16:00 - 20:00, 2026-01-08 16:00 - 20:00 (America/Detroit) and 4 more dates
EVERY THURSDAY EVENING FROM 4 – 8PM…
Stop in for wine tasting! We always have 2-3 options open and encourage you to grab a taste and shop around or talk with our staff while you sip!

3rd Thursday Cozy Movie Night
2025-11-20 16:00 - 20:00
3rd Thursday Cozy Movie Night
Thursday, November 20
4–8pm
In recognition of Children’s Grief Awareness Day, join us for a cozy 3rd Thursday movie night at the museum in your coziest outfit! Snuggle up for a cozy movie night featuring Disney/Pixar’s Coco.
🎬 Showtime: 5:30pm
🎥 Runtime: 1h 45m (105 min)
🎟️ Museum admission: $3 per person from 4–8pm
🍿 Bonus: Enjoy free popcorn while you watch!

3rd Thursdays
2025-11-20 17:00 - 21:00, 2025-12-18 17:00 - 21:00, 2026-01-15 17:00 - 21:00
Sip. Shop. Stroll.
Third Thursdays is a multi-venue showcase of locally owned art galleries, retail spaces, restaurants, and cultural institutions along the free DASH shuttle route. It spans the neighborhoods of downtown Grand Rapids including Heartside, the Hotel District, Studio Park, and North Monroe. Each month over 25 participating venues will host special 3rd Thursday-only art exhibitions, special events and sales.

Acoustic Open Mic Night
2025-11-20 19:00 - 22:00, 2025-11-27 19:00 - 22:00
Open Mic Night at Switchback. Every Thursday evening 7-10pm. Come play, listen, grab a drink, and have a good time.

Healing with Play Partner Programming
2025-11-22 10:00 - 14:00
Two Special Healing with Play Events at GRCM This November!
GRCM is part of a national initiative called Healing with Play. This year, the Association of Children’s Museums (ACM) is partnering with the New York Life Foundation and Knology to launch Healing with Play, a field-wide initiative recognizing the unique role children’s museums can play during Children’s Grief Awareness Month.
3rd Thursday Cozy Movie Night
Thursday, November 20, 4–8pm
In recognition of Children’s Grief Awareness Day, join us for a cozy 3rd Thursday evening at the museum! Snuggle up for a cozy movie night featuring Coco — the film begins at 5:30pm. As part of 3rd Thursday, admission is just $3 from 4-8pm.
Healing with Play Partner Programming
Saturday, November 22 | 10am–2pm
Community partners will join us for special programming focused on emotional healing, resilience, and the power of play to help children express and process big feelings. Included with regular museum admission.

Giftworks!
2025-12-03 09:00 - 2025-12-23 15:00
🎁✨ Giftworks! Make it, wrap it, gift it! ✨🎁
Experience the joy of giving at the Grand Rapids Children’s Museum! Each day, create a unique handmade project to wrap and share with someone special.
❄️ Giftworks Daily Programs | Dec 2-23:
✨ Dec 2 & 3: Puzzles
✨ Dec 4, 5, & 6: Wooden Magnets
✨ Dec 7 & 9: Pencil Cases
✨ Dec 10 & 11: Wreaths
✨ Dec 12 & 13: Shrinky Dinks
✨ Dec 14 & 16: Beaded Suncatchers
✨ Dec 17, 18, & 19: Photo Frames
✨ Dec 20 & 21: Wooden Magnets
✨ Dec 22 & 23: Shrinky Dinks
Included with museum admission. Programs available until 1 hour before close, while supplies last.
Thank you Giftworks sponsors Glenn Morris & Associates and Auto-Owners Insurance.

Tots & Coffee Club
2025-12-04 09:00 - 11:00
Tots & Coffee Club
Thursday, Dec 4, 2025, 9-11am
Caregivers, treat yourself!
Join us for a special monthly morning of play & connection with other toddlers & their grownups while you sip complimentary drinks from our GRCM Coffee Bar.

First Fridays in East Hills
2025-12-05 18:00 - 20:00, 2026-01-02 18:00 - 20:00
Shop is open late with select books 30% off

Thingamajigs Gifts Winter Sale
2025-12-06 17:00 - 19:00
Thingamajigs Gifts Winter Sale
Saturday, December 6, 5–7pm
The Thingamajigs Gifts Winter Sale is a grown-ups-only shopping night at the Grand Rapids Children’s Museum! Enjoy special discounts, complimentary gift wrapping, festive giveaways, and a stress-free way to shop local for playful, experience-based gifts that support GRCM’s mission.

Member Playtime: Winter Wonderland
2025-12-08 09:00 - 12:00
Member Playtime: Winter Wonderland
Monday, December 8, 9am-12pm
GRCM members, join us for a special Member Monday as we celebrate the season! Dress in your favorite holiday pajamas as we play from 9am to 12pm. We’ll be decorating cookies, drinking hot cocoa, making handprint holiday gifts, doing some winter window painting, and engaging in snowy sensory play. ☕✨

Sip & Social
2025-12-11 18:00 - 20:00
The People First Economy team is kicking the holiday season off with a networking Sip & Social event for all of our Detroit connections. Complimentary light appetizers and beverages will be served.
We will be hosting our guest speaker: Kenzie Current. Current is the Detroit Deputy District Manager, Curator of What’s the Pour? , Founder of What’s the Current , and a Relationship Builder.
Click here for tickets!

Winter Break at GRCM
2025-12-18 09:00 - 2026-01-04 12:00
WINTER BREAK

Join us for Winter Break fun at GRCM!

Dec 18-23, 26-30, Jan 2-4
Closed on Dec 24, 25, 31, & Jan 1
✨Make winter break magical at the Grand Rapids Children’s Museum! From Dec 18 – Jan 4, enjoy daily special programs like Giftworks and live performers, included with admission. Explore two floors of hands-on fun! Visit grcm.org for details.
Winter Break: Dec 18-Jan 4
Join us daily for special activities and performers—free with museum admission! For hours and admission rates, visit grcm.org. Please note:

Closing early at 3pm on Dec 30, reopening at 5pm for the New Year’s Early Eve event.
Closed on Dec 24, 25, 31, & Jan 1.

We’ll be closed Jan 5-8 for maintenance and exhibit updates. Make the season magical at GRCM! ✨

✨ Dec 17, 18, & 19: 🎁 Giftworks: Photo Frames
✨ Dec 20 & 21: 🎁 Giftworks: Wooden Magnets
✨ Dec 22 & 23: 🎁 Giftworks: Shrinky Dinks

⛔ CLOSED DEC 24 & 25 ⛔

Friday, Dec 26
❄️ 10 AM – 12 PM Full Bloom Yoga
❄️ 1 – 3 PM Mr. Juggling Man

Saturday, Dec 27
❄️ 9 AM – 3 PM Woodworking Studio

Sunday, Dec 28
❄️ 9 AM – 3 PM Woodworking Studio

Monday, Dec 29
❄️ 10 AM – 12 PM Boredom Fighters
❄️ 1 – 3 PM Cirque Amongus

Tuesday, Dec 30
❄️ 9am-3pm GRCM is open for play
❄️ 10 AM – 12 PM Opera Tots
❄️ 1 – 3 PM Mr. Juggling Man
🎊 5-8pm New Year’s Early Eve ticketed event

⛔ CLOSED DEC 31 & JAN 1 ⛔

Friday, January 2
❄️ 10 AM – 12 PM Drumming with Josh
❄️ 1 – 3 PM Boredom Fighters

Saturday, January 3
❄️ 9 AM – 3 PM Woodworking Studio

Sunday, January 4
❄️ 9 AM – 3 PM Woodworking Studio

⛔ CLOSED JAN 5-8 ⛔

A People First Economy Holiday Mixer
2025-12-18 16:00 - 18:30
Join us as we celebrate all that 2025 has brought during our Holiday Mixer at Arts Marketplace. The holiday season can be busy, but it’s always better when we gather together—connecting, celebrating, and supporting local. Take an hour (or two!) with your team, enjoy time with your business besties, and shop your heart out. Click here for tickets!
✨ Enjoy complimentary hot chocolate from Last Mile Cafe, tasty treats, and more! Stay tuned for even more details.
Agenda:

4:00 PM | Welcome & Networking
5:00 PM | Short Presentation by People First Economy
5:30 PM | Networking
6:20 PM | Stocking Contest Winner Announcement
6:30 PM | Conclusion & Happy Holidays!

🎄 Stocking Decorating Contest:
Decorate a stocking and stick around to see if you’re the winner! Voting will happen near the end of the event, with holiday gift prizes provided by our members.
Parking:
Metered street parking is available nearby.

3rd Thursday at GRCM
2025-12-18 16:00 - 20:00
3rd Thursdays
Thursday, December 18, 4-8pm
GRCM is open late with $3 admission from 4-8pm! While you’re downtown, check out some of the other businesses in the Hotel District participating in 3rd Thursdays! In December, we’re getting cozy with hot cocoa & fun winter crafts!

New Year's Early Eve
2025-12-30 17:00 - 20:00
New Year’s Early Eve
December 30, 5-8pm
Grand Rapids Children’s Museum

🪩 Join us for our magical annual celebration & make a wish for the new year with your little ones, all before bedtime. Tickets on sale December 1st!

Shine brighter than a disco ball with:

🪩 Sparkling wish wands
🪩 Party hats, noise makers, & facepainting
🪩 Capture your sparkle at the Glitter Booth photo booth
🪩 Countdown to the disco ball drop with confetti
🪩 Music, dancing, & snacks
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🎟️ Tickets:
General admission: $26
Museums for all $16
GRCM members $16
Under 1 free
