Minnesota's Best Winter Festivals
We don't hide from winter weather in Minnesota; we embrace it by engaging in everything from frozen turkey bowling to ice bar tippling to golfing on ice! So bundle up and check out the many ways to play at winter festivals around the state.
Times and dates are subject to change. Please confirm an event's current details with its organizer, and be sure to check out some of our other seasonal breakdowns below.
2027 Winter Festivals
Ice Fest
Breezy Point
Jan. 8–9
Spend the day skating or fishing on Pelican Lake, then head to the Dockside Lounge for live music. There’s plenty of winter fun to pack into two days at Breezy Point Resort.
World Snow Celebration
Stillwater
Jan. 10–17
Watch teams from around the world turn blocks of snow into towering sculptures at Lowell Park. The opening ceremony is Jan. 11, with championship carving Jan. 12–16. Make time for Taste of the Nations, a dining event that runs Jan. 7–24 at participating St. Croix Valley restaurants.
Icebox Days
International Falls
Jan. 14–24
Frozen turkey bowling, smoosh racing and the Freeze Yer Gizzard Blizzard Run: What else would you expect from the Icebox of the Nation? The bravest runners can take on a 5K or 10K on Jan. 23.
Back to Hack Winter Festival
Hackensack
Jan. 15–17
Summer has Sweetheart Days. Winter has Back to Hack. Hackensack’s cold-weather traditions have included the Frostbite Your Fanny Fun Run, a family fishing contest and a community bonfire. Check the chamber’s festival page for this year’s lineup.
Spicer WinterFest
Spicer
Jan. 15–Feb. 7
Head to Spicer on opening weekend to see its signature ice castle take shape. Come back for family fun and fireworks or hit the dance floor at Saulsbury Beach.
Bold & Cold Winter Festival
Owatonna
Jan. 18–24
Cold noses and warm hearts are part of the deal at Owatonna’s weeklong celebration. The festival is known for its townwide medallion hunt and snow sculpture contests. If you’re still itching to get outside, hit the trails at Kaplan’s Woods.
The Great Northern
Minneapolis
Jan. 27–31
The Great Northern returns to Saint Anthony Main for its 10th anniversary. Warm up in a wood-fired sauna by the Mississippi, catch live music and art or join a conversation about how a changing climate shapes winter.
Saint Paul Winter Carnival
St. Paul
Jan. 28–Feb. 7
A capital city tradition since 1886, the Winter Carnival brings ice carving back to Rice Park and the Minnesota State Snow Sculpture Competition to the State Fairgrounds. Catch a parade or head to Union Depot for the puzzle competition.
Midwest Ride-In
Dayton
Jan. 29–30
Antique, vintage and classic snowmobiles gather at French Lake and Dehn’s Pumpkins & Event Center. This year’s show spotlights long-gone Canadian snowmobile brands, so keep an eye out for some unfamiliar names as you browse the sleds and swap meet.
Winona Ice Fest
Winona
Feb. 3–7
See what a Mississippi River winter looks like from halfway up a wall of ice. First-timers can sign up for a climbing clinic at Winona Ice Park, and there’s gear to check out and live music to catch when you’re back on solid ground.
WinterFest
Crosslake
Feb. 4–6
There’s plenty of old-fashioned family fun in Crosslake, from horse-drawn wagon rides to s’mores by the bonfire. Follow the clues to the lost medallion, then make the rounds on Saturday for a taste of SoupFest.
Ely Winter Festival
Ely
Feb. 4–14
In this Northwoods town on the doorstep of the Boundary Waters, winter is an art form. Watch snow sculptors at work in Whiteside Park, then wander downtown to see how Ely’s shops and galleries join in the fun.
Social-Ice
Rochester
Feb. 5–6
How often do you get to order a drink from a bar made of ice? Rochester’s Peace Plaza has several to choose from, each with its own theme and signature drinks. Stick around for illuminated ice sculptures and DJs, or bring the kids to FAM JAM on Saturday afternoon.
Wayzata Chilly Open
Wayzata
Feb. 6
Minnesota golf in February? You betcha! Grab a golf club or a hockey stick and putt tennis balls across frozen Wayzata Bay. You’ll need a ticket to tee off, and there’s also a chili cook-off and snowga (that’s yoga in the snow).
Cold Front
Duluth
Feb. 6
Bundle up and head to Bayfront Festival Park for a free day of winter fun. Take a run down the sledding hill, try your hand at curling or check out a fat-bike demo. Then warm up with a s’more by the fire.
City of Lakes Loppet Winter Festival
Minneapolis
Feb. 6–7
Grab your skis, your fat bike or even your dog. This Minneapolis winter weekend brings together cross-country skiers of all ages, fat-tire bike racers and skijorers, who glide along on skis with a dog out front.
Hygge Festival
Cook County
Feb. 8–15
Pull up a chair by the fire. In Grand Marais and across Cook County, hygge is a good excuse to get cozy with family and friends after a day out in the snow. Visit Cook County also highlights a monthlong Winter Fireplace Tour.
Nisswa Winter Jubilee
Nisswa
Feb. 12–14
Watch competitors split wood, try your luck at the ice fishing derby or catch the All Star Jam. The 55th Winter Jubilee brings three days of festivities to downtown Nisswa and the surrounding lakes.
Kites on Ice Festival
Buffalo
Feb. 13
Keep your eyes on the sky over frozen Buffalo Lake. Show kite flyers send all sorts of colors, shapes and sizes soaring near Sturges Park. Bring your own kite or pick up a free one for the kids while supplies last.
I.C.E. Fest
Little Falls
Feb. 20–21
What happens when you cut a giant circle into a frozen lake and set it spinning? Find out at the Sunny Zwilling Memorial Ice Carousel Extravaganza on Green Prairie Fish Lake. The free weekend raises money to help feed children.
Grumpy Old Men Festival
Wabasha
Feb. 26–27
Break out the buffalo plaid. Wabasha, the setting of the 1993 comedy “Grumpy Old Men,” celebrates its brush with Hollywood with a lighted ATV and UTV parade on Friday and an outdoor market, cribbage tournament and hot dish luncheon on Saturday.
Sleigh & Cutter Parade
Waseca
Feb. 27
Listen for sleigh bells downtown at noon as horse-drawn entries make their way through Waseca. The parade is the signature event of the Sleigh & Cutter Festival.
Schell’s Bock Fest
New Ulm
March 6
Beckon warmer weather with a mug of bock beer, a hot brat and a spot by the fire. Then follow the music or roam the brewery grounds in search of the seven Bocks of Winter.
Annual Trout Derby
Gunflint Trail
March 13
Head up the Gunflint Trail for an ice fishing contest and cookout that supports the Cook County Snowmobile Club Ridge Riders and their trail grooming work.
