Grand Rapids City Winter Masquerade Ball at The Ballroom at McKay – Grand Rapids, MI

The Grand Rapids City Winter Masquerade Ball

The Grand Rapids City Winter Masquerade Ball is an immersive, elegant celebration that reimagines a winter gala as a local World’s Fair of living art and visionary craft. This is not just an event—it’s a curated cultural experience that highlights Grand Rapids as a city of makers, innovators, and community builders shaping real solutions for people, planet, and future generations.

Guests will move through immersive pavilions and installations featuring local artisans, designers, technologists, and social entrepreneurs whose work is grounded in regenerative practices, ethical production, and community impact. Expect a night of breathtaking art, live performances, interactive experiences, and one-of-a-kind wearable creations, all paired with music, dancing, and refined winter elegance.

The Ball is designed to be both inspiring and tangible: attendees will experience creativity in motion, meet the makers behind the work, and witness how local talent is transforming ideas into real-world change. Music from pianist Laurel Hart sets the tone for the evening, moving into DJ-led rhythms that guide the night from elegance into ecstatic movement. Dress in formal attire with a masquerade mask, and prepare for an evening of mystery, beauty, and the shared joy of imagining—and building—a better world together.

Ticketing & Experience

General Admission tickets start at $100 (Early Bird) and include full access to the evening’s immersive experience: a three-course dinner, live DJ, award ceremonies featuring the Betterment Impact Award, after-party access, and ice skating (limited availability). After dinner, guests may choose to glide beneath soft lights on the ice — a quiet moment of winter enchantment that feels like stepping into a storybook. If you choose to continue the evening elsewhere, VIP guests will have the option of being transported to an exclusive after-hours event, where the magic deepens and the night continues in elevated style. If open bar funding is not fully secured, a cash bar will be available.

VIP Admission includes all General Admission benefits plus priority entry, reserved premium seating, VIP lounge access, VIP-only surprises, and limo rides to/from the event. VIP tickets also provide priority access to ice skating and after-party, including an exclusive after-hours experience for those who wish to continue the evening in elevated style.

Patron/Platinum Admission is the ultimate support tier for those who wish to elevate the experience and directly contribute to the event’s mission. Patrons receive all VIP benefits plus premium table seating, an exclusive meet-and-greet with featured artisans, recognition in the event program, and a VIP gift package. Optional sponsorship benefits are also available for those who wish to further support the mission.

Ticket Pricing

• Early Bird General Admission: $100
• Standard General Admission: $200
• Last Chance / At the Door (if available): $225
• VIP Admission: $250
• Patron/Sponsorship Admission: $500–$1,000+ (custom packages available)

Dress Code

Formal Black-Tie | Creative Black-Tie attire with a masquerade mask is encouraged. Guests are invited to embody the elegance and mystery of the evening while celebrating the ingenuity and impact of local creators.

Thank you to our event partners:

The Ballroom at McKay

Distinctive Catering

Forge Industrial Staffing