Things to do in Minneapolis & St Paul this weekend!
This February Twin Cities Family Weekend Guide covers the weekend of February 3-4, 2024. To find our most recent guide, click here.
There’s another unseasonal winter weekend in the forecast, Twin Cities. Typically, the first few days of February find our family bundling up and heading outdoors. We’re still trying — last weekend we hit both the snow and ice sculptures at the ST PAUL WINTER CARNIVAL — the outing just called for a couple less layers.
What classic winter favorites are you missing? This weekend we have suggestions for outdoor activities, but also a mix of things to do this weekend indoors. There’s lots to choose from! For more ideas, hop over to our FEBRUARY FAMILY GUIDE or our FAMILY FUN CALENDAR.
Winter festivals this weekend in Minneapolis & St Paul – the Twin Cities
Rounded up for you here are the best of the Twin Cities’ weekend winter festivals – ways to get out and play in the elements with your family! For more frosty festival fun jump over to our Twin Cities Winter Festival Family Calendar.
2024 St Paul Winter Carnival events
WINTER CARNIVAL ICE SCULPTURES – Visit the magical sculptures throughout the run of the Winter Carnival in Rice Park (or while Mother Nature permits). FREE admission.
WINTER CARNIVAL SNOW SCULPTURE PARKÂ –Â Visitors are invited to come out to Vulcan Snow Park at the State Fairgrounds to see the finished sculptures throughout the run of the festival. Our kids love navigating the mini snow maze. Snow Park is located in the Kidway area of the Minnesota State Fairgrounds.
WINTER CARNIVAL FAMILY FUN DAY –Â The second Saturday of the St Paul Winter Carnival will offer indoor family fun at Landmark Center: cultural entertainment, education, arts and crafts, stories and more. February 3, 2024, 11am-5pm. FREE.
For more St Paul Winter Carnival coverage, jump over to our Free Family Fun at the Winter Carnival page. We detail where to find the ice sculptures in Rice Park and snow sculptures at the State Fairgrounds.
See our Top Family Activities for this winter festival extravaganza, including family days, the favorite Vulcan Snow Park and traditional parades.
More Twin Cities-area community winter festivals this weekend:
This weekend is PRIME for classic winter festivals in all four corners of the Twin Cities Metro. They bring it all: your ice skating, your kicksledding, the bonfire and hot cocoa when your toes go numb, probably a winter scavenger hunt or two and most definitely at least one fireworks display. These festivals are FREE and, with one noted exception, these taking place SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 3:
- APPLE VALLEY: Mid-Winter Fest – Frozen kite flying, horse-drawn wagon rides and fireworks. 3-7:30pm.
- BLOOMINGTON: Pond Dakota Winter History Festival – Play frontier games, explore outdoors and take a guided tour of the historic house. 10am-3pm.
- COLUMBIA HEIGHTS: SnowBLAST – Mini pony rides, free popcorn & smores and winter activities (weather permitting). 4-7pm.
- CRYSTAL: Winterlude – RC car racing, music and outdoor winter activities (weather dependent). 11am-1pm.
- EDEN PRAIRIE: Staring Lake Winter Blast – Learn about winter with the Outdoor Center, skate to music on ice (if ice) and try out winter rec. 12-4:30pm.
- MAPLE GROVE: Wonders of Winter – Skate on the refrigerated rink, wagon rides and a firepit with smores. 1-4pm.
- MINNETONKA: Kids Fest – Horse-drawn trolley rides, face painting and more weather-dependent activities. Sunday, February 4, 2024, 11am-2:30pm.
Fun activities in the parks this weekend in Minneapolis & St Paul
Featured here for the weekend is just a taste of all that’s going on across the incredible Twin Cities park systems. You can get more winter fun outdoor ideas on our FAMILY FUN CALENDAR or browse the links below to search for local fun events & things to do with kids this weekend in the parks.
Featured Minneapolis park events this weekend:
2024 Art Shanty Projects
4135 W Lake Harriet Parkway, Minneapolis, MN 55409
Not only are these unique ice houses designed by local artists, they are strongly encouraged to be interactive and fun! Great for families with kids. As of this publish date, the festival is still scheduled to be “on ice”; if necessary, the shanties can move along the lakefront. February 3-4, 2024, 10am-4pm. FREE admission.
Bryant Park Luminary Skating Party
3101 Bryant Ave S, Minneapolis, MN 55408
Bring a pair of skates and glide among the luminaries ’round the rink. Then, warm up with a bonfire and hot cocoa. February 3, 2024, 5-7pm. FREE – weather dependent.
Featured St Paul park events this weekend:
Como Blizzard Breakfast
North Dale Recreation Center, 1414 St Albans St N, St Paul, MN 55117
Even if the snow doesn’t show up for the outdoor activities, there’s still a pancake breakfast indoors, a local maker’s market, activities for kids and skating on the refrigerated ice rink. February 3, 2024, 10am-12pm.
Winter Hike with a Ranger at Crosby Farm Park
2595 Crosby Farm Rd, St Paul, MN 55116
It might not feel like winter but we can still try to spot signs of wildlife hunkering down for the season. A ranger will guide this all ages hike; make sure to dress to be outdoors. February 3, 2024, 10am-12pm. FREE.
More ideas for things to do this weekend in the Twin Cities with kids
Cozy indoor activities in Minneapolis & St Paul
Many families feel more comfortable with a little extra armor during the Minnesota winters. We’ve beefed up our annual Winter Break Survival Guide to help you make the most of the season whether you want to get out and play or stay in and be cozy.
Walker Art Center First Free Saturday
725 Vineland Pl, Minneapolis, MN 55403
See the new gallery exhibit, borrow snowshoes for a walk around the sculpture garden, make art cozily indoors and watch a kid-friendly short film. Free admission for the whole family. February 3, 2024, 10am-3pm.
Minnesota Center for Book Arts: Press Play
1011 S Washington Ave #100, Minneapolis, MN 55415
Formerly known as the “Love Local” Open House, the refreshed event is still designed to be family-friendly. Try out printing wood-type messages on various letter presses. February 3, 2024, 11am-3pm. FREE.
Saturday Vibe! at Central Library
George Latimer Central Library, 90 W 4th St, St Paul, MN 55102
This weekend presents a unique storytime with Ballet Co.Laboratory (while the Winter Carnival delights right outside the doors). February 3, 2024, 11am-noon. FREE.
ArtStart Children’s Concert
Mount Zion Temple, 1300 Summit Ave, St Paul, MN 55105
A blend of family entertainment and crafty art project, the concert is performed by members of the St Paul Civic Symphony and is designed to be relaxed with young kids in attendance. They’ll be encouraged to get up and dance! February 4, 2024, 2pm dance & art activities, 3pm concert. FREE.
First Saturday Science at Metro State
664 East Sixth Street, Saint Paul, MN 55106
The University hosts kid-friendly hands-on STEM activities the first Saturday of the month. February’s program is about ocean life. February 3, 2024, 12-2pm, FREE.
Free Open Swim Sundays at Great River Water Park
270 Lexington Pkwy N, St Paul, MN 55104
A special FREE open swim will be hosted Sundays starting this weekend with water safety training provided from 3-3:25pm. The zero-depth entry splash pool is perfect for tots trying to get used to the water and there are two tube waterslides for the big kids. January 28, 2024, 12-5pm.
Explore our Twin Cities Indoor Playgrounds Guide
It’s packed full of indoor playgrounds & play areas across the Twin Cities where your littles can work their wiggles out all winter long!
More free or low cost things to do this weekend in the Twin Cities
February First Free Sunday at Minnesota Children’s Museum
10 7th St W, St Paul, MN 55102
Explore the top-to-bottom FUN and just for kids museum FREE of charge; you may have to wait in line for admission as this is a very popular event. February 3, 2024. 9am-5pm.
ALWAYS FREE TO VISIT WEEKENDS
- Minneapolis Institute of Art
- Minneapolis Sculpture Garden – adjacent to the Walker Art Center (free each first Saturday/month)
- Como Park Zoo & Conservatory – note that fall & winter hours are 10am-4pm.
Find hundreds more things to do in Minneapolis & St Paul with kids!
During this cold weather, find tons of fun indoor games for kids you can play right at home.