Twin Cities Guide to Family Activities This Weekend: January 27-28, 2024

the Twin Cities at different seasons

Things to do in Minneapolis & St Paul this weekend!

This Twin Cities Family Weekend Guide covers events in Minneapolis & St Paul the weekend of January 27-28, 2024. Want to discover family fun this weekend across the Twin Cities Metro Area? Browse our guides for the Northwest, Northeast, Southwest & Southeast communities. Happy exploring, wherever your weekend may take you!

For more wintry inspiration (not that we’re recognizing much of the winter we know this year), hop over to our JANUARY FAMILY EVENTS GUIDE, our ULTIMATE WINTER FUN GUIDE or our FAMILY FUN CALENDAR. We try to keep it stocked with options to fit your family’s needs while having a good time doing it.

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.

Twin Cities Minnesota Festivals banner showing Rice Park in St. Paul Minnesota in the Winter - Family Fun Twin Cities

2024 St Paul Winter Carnival

Our capital city’s venerable celebration of winter starts Thursday, January 25, with family events this weekend! 

  • JANUARY 25-27: WINTER CARNIVAL ICE SCULPTURES – Watch the ice carvers work their magic for the annual competition (ends Sat, 7pm); visit the sculptures throughout the run of the Winter Carnival in Rice Park. FREE admission.
  • JANUARY 26-28: WINTER CARNIVAL SNOW SCULPTURE PARK   Visitors are invited to come out to Vulcan Snow Park at the State Fairgrounds to watch sculptors at work during the first weekend. Finished sculptures are lit after dark. There’s a snow maze for kids, too! FREE.
  • JANUARY 27: KING BOREAS GRANDE DAY PARADE – Parade Route: West 7th at Smith to 5th Street to Washington to 4th Street. Parade kicks off at 2pm.
  • JANUARY 28: VULCAN FUN DAY The Snow Park heats up with Vulcan fire truck rides and a mini medallion hunt for kids in addition to the other daily snowy activities. FREE.

See our Top Family Activities for this winter festival extravaganza, including family days, the favorite Vulcan Snow Park and traditional parades.

Starts 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 we can personally attest. Weekends only through February 11, 2024, 10am-4pm. FREE admission.

Man dressed as pirate in front of his Art Shanty, Lake Harriet, Minneapolis Minnesota
One of our favorite ice shanties from 2020!

More Twin Cities-area community winter festivals this weekend:

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 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:

Powderhorn Art Sled Rally

Powderhorn Park, 3400 15th Ave. S, Minneapolis, MN 55407
Bring a sled of your own creation and race it or have fun as a spectator! January 27, 2024. FREE.

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. January 27, 2024, 12-4pm, FREE admission.

Minneapolis & St Paul winter activity update

The snow and cold are here to stay — at least for the next couple months (or so…). What better way to enjoy than throwing on five layers, sturdy boots and your best balaclava, then heading out to show the kids how much fun a Minnesota winter can be?

Exploring the Twin Cities’ best sledding hills & ice rinks

From bunny slides to steep thrills, we list sledding spots across the Minneapolis-St Paul metro by community in our sledding hill guide. The majority of the sledding hills on our huge list are located within city public parks. Most of the free ice skating rinks across Minneapolis & St Paul are flooded and ready to go, too. Better late than never!

Sledding at HIghland Park in Saint Paul, MInnesota
Sledding at Highland Park

More outdoor ice rinks across the Twin Cities metro:

Featured St Paul winter events this weekend:

Winter Break Fundays at Battle Creek Winter Recreation Area

75 Winthrop Street S, Saint Paul, MN 55119
I got every single one of my tweens and teens to try this winter activity over winter break – and despite having never buckled on skis in their lives, they picked it up pretty quick! This was such a great way to introduce them to a new winter sport without heavy investment. Try cross-country skiing and kicksledding for FREE on select weekends this winter. January 27-28, 2024, 11am-1pm.

Springboard on Ice

262 University Ave West, Saint Paul, MN 55103
Bring or borrow a pair of skates to the outdoor rink, watch a performance and take a spin yourself. Free lessons if needed! And free refreshments. January 27, 2024, 1-4pm. FREE.

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 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.

Cozy indoor activities in Minneapolis & St Paul

Holiday Night Trains at Twin City Model Railroad Museum

668 Transfer Rd Ste. 8, St Paul, MN 55114
A special holiday tradition at the Twin City Model Railroad Museum, the Night Trains season magically transforms the museum layouts. Buildings and street lights glow, and throughout the museum the layouts are adorned with Christmas lights. January 27, 2024, 3-7pm. $15/pp.

Michaels Sunday Makebreak

1620 New Brighton Blvd, Minneapolis, MN 55413-1643
Participating Michaels stores across the Twin Cities are offering free weekend “Makebreak” classes and “Take & Make” Kids Club crafts. They’re simple, yet could lend a nice personal touch to a small gift. This weekend kids can craft a pom-pom penguin. January 28, 2024, 2-4pm. FREE.

Stephen Shaskin at Wild Rumpus Books: Pizza & Taco Wrestling Mania

2720 West 43rd Street, Minneapolis MN 55410
Stories, snacks and more as local author Stephen Shaskin talks about his new graphic novel. No ticket required, just drop by. January 27, 2024, 11am. FREE.

Princess Storytime at Pacifier North Loop

219 N 2nd St #102, Minneapolis, MN 55401
This weekend’s special storytime guest is Princess Tiana – who will read to your little ones in the cozy shop. Plus music and a little dancing. January 27, 2024, 9-10am. FREE.

Coffee and Creative Play at Snapology

2649 Lyndale Ave S, Minneapolis, MN 55408
Parents, need a quick break? Enjoy a delicious beverage from Bob’s Java Hut (next door to Snapology) while your child plays at Snapology. If they are 5-14, you can drop them off! Playtime at Snapology is a creative building experience that includes LEGO bricks, a race track, magnatiles, train tracks, k’nex, polydrons, marble mazes and more. January 28, 2024, 9-11:30am, $15/child, includes beverage. 

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.

Minnesota TwinsFest Signature Saturday

Target Field, 1 Twins Way, Minneapolis, MN 55403
Your ticket includes a chance to purchase autographs from autographs from Twins players, coaches, and team alumni, play games, watch live broadcasts and more baseball-related fun. The first 3,000 in attendance will receive one free ticket voucher to a Twins home game in April. January 27, 2024, 9am-5pm. Tickets: Adults/$25, under 13/$10.

Always free to visit weekends

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.

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