Things to do in Minneapolis & St Paul this weekenD!
This January Family Weekend Guide covers the weekend of January 22-23, 2022. To find our most recent guide, click here.
Woke up to a chill in your bones this morning? It’s official: winter is upon us in the Twin Cities. The task now is figuring out the best way to go about embracing it this weekend!
What we appreciate after the holidays have wrapped is frugal entertainment. Most of our ideas for this weekend’s list of things to do in the Twin Cities are FREE or $5/pp and under to attend. For more wintry inspiration, hop over to our JANUARY FAMILY EVENTS GUIDE or our FAMILY FUN CALENDAR. We try to keep it stocked with options to fit your family’s needs – whether you’re keeping close to home — or want a break from it.
Winter Festivals & Lights Displays this weekend in 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.
2022 Art Shanty Projects
4135 W Lake Harriet Parkway, Minneapolis, MN 55409
Back on the ice for 2022! 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. Weekends only, 10am-4pm. FREE admission.
Wintertime in Stillwater
There’s extra twinkle in the city’s historic downtown district this year. Chestnut Street has a pedestrian winter wonderland area where you can enjoy a free LED light show set to music. Now through March 2022, 5-10pm nightly.
Ice Castles
The magical Ice Castles will be held in New Brighton again this year. Once inside, explore the ice palaces for as long as you’d like! Read our review of Ice Castles here. Weekend admission, $16-$22/pp.
Community Winter Festivals
Lake Harriet Winter Kite Festival
4135 W Lake Harriet Parkway, Minneapolis, MN 55409
The fun winter festival returns with frosty activities featuring colorful kites and FREE s’mores by the fire to warm up throughout the day. Jan 22, 2022, 12-4pm, FREE admission.
Springbrook Nature Center Winterfest
100 85th Ave NW, Fridley, MN 55432
Past activities at this festival have included snowshoe and story hikes, carnival games, shelter building, bonfires and more. Jan 22, 2022, 12-3pm, FREE.
White Bear Center For the Arts Winter Open House
4971 Long Ave, White Bear Lake, MN 55110
Snow sculpting, dogsledding and more free activities at this winter festival for families. Jan 22, 2022, 1-3pm, FREE admission.
St Louis Park Winter Fun Day
Oak Hill Park, 3201 Rhode Island Ave. S., St. Louis Park, Minnesota 55426
Bonfires, sledding, snowshoeing, music, hayrides, and cocoa & smores. Jan 22, 2022, 12-4pm, FREE.
Coon Rapids Snowflake Days
The community parade runs Feb 2 at 6pm. Create your own snow sculpture and enter it for a chance to win a prize. Jan 22-Feb 6
Fun OUTDOOR ACTIVITIES in the Parks This Weekend
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 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.
SOME FUN FAMILY IDEAS FOR THIS WEEKEND
The snow is here to stay — at least for the next few months (or so…). What better way to enjoy than hitting up one of these sledding hills (free!) or snow tubing hills (not free). Most of the sledding hills on our huge list are located within city public parks. Several free ice skating rinks across the Twin Cities are flooded and ready to go, too. Try one of these outdoor ice skating rinks with a pretty backdrop:
- CENTENNIAL LAKES PARK (EDINA)
- MAPLE GROVE CENTRAL PARK ICE SKATING LOOP (free ice skating, rentals available for $7)
- ROSEVILLE OVAL ($6.50/pp, rentals $5)
- WOODBURY HEALTH EAST SPORTS CENTER ice rink (free skating)
Please make sure to double check operating hours before heading out!
Featured Twin Cities Park Events this weekend
Ice Harvesting Day
Richardson Nature Center, 8737 E Bush Lake Rd, Bloomington, MN 55438
Learn how ice was traditionally harvested as part of Bloomington Winter Fete. Cut and weigh ice blocks, try a kicksled and more icy activities. Note: this is a free, very popular event that requires reservations and fills quickly. Check website for space availability. Jan 22, 10am-2pm.
Ramsey County Winter Recreation Sampler
Lake McCarrons County Park, 1795 North Rice Street, Roseville, MN 55113
Free winter fun for all ages! Try out kick-sledding, snowshoeing, cross-country skiing, sledding and more. Jan 22-23, 2022. 11am-4pm.
Snowtime Saturday at Staring Lake
13765 Staring Lake Pkwy, Eden Prairie, MN 55347
Try a bunch of winter outdoor activities at the Outdoor Center: cross country skiing, snowshoeing, ice fishing, and kick sleds. All equipment and brief instruction included. Jan 22, 10-11am. $11/family, must register one member.
FAMILY NATURE EXPLORATION SATURDAYS
Sunfish Lake Park & Sally Manzara Nature Center | 3554 Kelvin Ave N, Lake Elmo, MN 55042
No registration is needed, just show up to explore nature. This weekend’s theme is winter shelter building. Jan 22, 2022, 10-11am.
January Free Family Fun Days with Three Rivers Parks
Three Rivers Parks locations
Drop in for free nature programs at MISSISSIPPI GATEWAY REGIONAL PARK & RICHARDSON NATURE CENTER. New themes each week. January 23, 2022, drop in between 1-4pm (see link for schedule). FREE admission.
Family Fun Day: Northern Life
North Mississippi Regional Park, 4900 Mississippi Ct. Minneapolis, MN, US 55430
Learn about how animals in Minnesota have found ways to survive the winter cold by taking a closer look at animal bodies and behaviors while walking the park trails. Jan 23, 2022, 1-3pm. FREE, but registration is required.
Kicksled Open Rink
Lowry Nature Center, 7025 Victoria Dr, Victoria, MN 55386
Kicksledding is a funcold weather activity to enjoy on frozen Crosby Lake. Learn about kicksledding history and techniques. Reservations required by 24 hours prior. Jan 23, 2022, $5/sled (two people per sled recommended).
more ideas for things to do this weekend in the twin cities with kids
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.
Always free to visit weekends
- Minneapolis Institute of Art
- Weisman Art Museum – located on the Minneapolis campus of the University of Minnesota
- 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.
