We’re so excited to present our Twin Cities Winter Family Festival Calendar – because festivals aren’t just for summer here in Minnesota! Most of our favorite winter traditions are back and ready to immerse you in the activities our snowy state is well-known for. Make sure to check back often as some winter festival information has yet to be announced. Then, bundle up and get out there! For more frosty fun, be sure to check our:
- Twin Cities January Family Events Guide
- Twin Cities February Family Events Guide
- Twin Cities Ultimate Winter Fun Guide
JANUARY 2022 TWIN CITIES WINTER FAMILY FESTIVALS & FUN DAYS
Opens Jan 7, 2022: Ice Castles
The magical Ice Castles will be held in New Brighton this year. Once inside, explore the ice palaces for as long as you’d like! Open through early March or weather permitting. Read our review of Ice Castles here. $11-$22/pp.
January 2-February 21, 2022: Bloomington Winter Fete
Bloomington’s annual winter festival is back with fun winter activities spread out over the months of January and February. These include ice fishing lessons, a skating exhibition, medallion hunt, and festivals at Richardson Nature Center and the historic Pond House. Most events are FREE to attend!
January 8, 2022: Eden Prairie Winter Blast
Staring Lake Park, 14800 Pioneer Trail, Eden Prairie, Minnesota 55347
Sledding, ice skating (BYO skates), crafts, outdoor games, and a bonfire. 2-4:30pm, FREE admission.
January 8, 2022: Vadnais Heights Winter Shindig
Featuring hot chocolate, cookies, ice skating, snowshoeing, and more winter activities. 2-4pm, FREE.
January 8, 2023: Edina Winter Ice Festival
Centennial Lakes Park, 7499 France Ave S, Edina, MN 55435
Trolley rides, face painting, and skating for families – rent skates or bring your own. 1-5pm, FREE.
January 15-February 6, 2022: 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. Weekends only, 10am-4pm.
January 15, 2022: Excelsior Arctic Fever
Downtown Excelsior, MN 55331
Freeman Park, 6000 Eureka Road, Shorewood, MN 55331
Manitou Park, 5418 Manitou Road, Tonka Bay, MN 55331
Outdoor activities include sledding, sleighrides, skating and other classic winter fun, spread across three parks. Kids Coloring Contest: print, color and drop off at Excelsior Library by 1/5/22 @ 5pm. FREE admission, some activities have a fee.
January 15, 2022: Winterfest at Camp Pepin
YMCA Camp Pepin, W10915 E Lake Dr., Stockholm, WI, 54769
Celebrate winter with YMCA Camp Pepin and the Red Wing Environmental Learning Center with free outdoor activities like snowshoeing, sledding, cross country skiing, ice skating, bird identification, and Lake Pepin’s largest ice carousel. The winter fun continues once the sun sets with candlelit trails, campfires, stargazing and more for the whole family to enjoy. Warm up with arts and crafts activities, and fuel up with chili and corn bread ($6 per serving). FREE and all ages. 1pm-8pm.
January 22, 2022: Lake Harriet Winter Kite Festival
4135 W Lake Harriet Parkway, Minneapolis, MN 55409
The fun winter festival returns with frosty activities and a partnership with the Art Shanty Projects. Featuring colorful kites and FREE s’mores by the fire to warm up throughout the day. 12-4pm, FREE admission.
January 22, 2022: 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. 12-3pm, FREE.
January 22, 2022: 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. 1-3pm, FREE admission.
January 22-February 6, 2022: Coon Rapids Snowflake Days
Fun and family-friendly winter activities at this community festival include a snow sculpture contest, medallion hunt, parade, free waffle breakfast and art activities.
January 28, 2022: Eagan Frosty Festival
Eagan Community Center Festival Grounds, 1501 Central Pkwy, Eagan, MN 55121
Sled to the DJ’d music, build a snowman, enjoy hot cocoa and cookies and get some great winter photos. 5:30-7:30pm, Tickets $5 and can be purchased here.
January 28-30, 2022: Stillwater Fire & Ice Winter Social
Frozen family fun on the river! The Fire and Ice Winter Social features beautiful hot air balloons launched in Lowell Park. Both Friday, 5-7 & Saturday, 4-7 evenings will feature this “Moonglow”. Plus, enjoy ice sculptures, free ice skating, the downtown lights display and a free ice cream social Saturday from 12-4pm.
January 28 – February 6, 2022: St Paul Winter Carnival
See our Top Family Activities for this winter festival extravaganza, including family days, the favorite Vulcan Snow Park and traditional parades.
January 29, 2022: 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! 2pm, FREE.
January 29, 2022: Golden Valley Winterfest
Wesley Park, Wesley Drive and Orkla, Golden Valley, MN 55427
Sledding, ice skating, hayrides, DJ, and a bonfire with marshmallow roasting. 12-2pm, FREE.
January 29, 2022: Wargo Nature Center Snow Day
7701 Main St, Lino Lakes, MN 55038
Try out a variety of winter outdoor activities such as snowshoeing, ice fishing, kick sledding and cross-country skiing. 1-4pm, FREE.
January 29, 2022: Winterfest at Lake Elmo Park Reserve
1515 Keats Ave N, Lake Elmo, MN 55042
Winter outdoor activities at the Nordic Center will include cross county ski lessons. Also try out free snowshoeing, fat tire biking and kicksledding. The event is free, but a parks vehicle permit is required.
January 29, 2022: Scandia Vinterfest
Winter festival activities include a pancake breakfast, sledding outing and a snow sculpture contest. Gammelgarden Museum hosts kid-friendly crafts in the community center with fireworks at 7pm. FREE admission.
JANUARY 2022 TWIN CITIES WINTER FAMILY FESTIVALS & FUN DAYS – TO BE ANNOUNCED
Linden Hills Winter Fest
Horse drawn wagon rides, ice skating, music, sledding, a marshmallow roast, face painting and a medallion hunt. 6:30-8:30pm, FREE.
FEBRUARY 2022 TWIN CITIES WINTER FAMILY FESTIVALS & FUN DAYS
February 4, 2022: Fire on Ice
Sanborn Park, 42nd Ave N & Chowen Ave N., Robbinsdale, MN 55422
Skating party with bonfire, music, hot cocoa, and family-friendly activities! 6:30-8:30pm.
February 4-6, 2022: City of Lakes Loppet Ski Festival
Be a spectator (for free) at the races. Kids up to 12 can participate in the free MN Youth Ski League Super Carnival – loaner ski equipment provided, but limited.
February 5, 2022: Anoka Winterfest
George Enloe Park, 631 Lund Blvd, Anoka MN
Winter fun activities to enjoy include skating, snowshoeing, skiing, kick sleds, disc golf, snowballs, and a snow hill. 12-4pm. FREE admission.
February 5, 2022: Apple Valley Mid-Winter Fest
Johnny Cake Ridge Park WEst, 14255 Johnny Cake Ridge Road, Apple Valley, MN
Activities include: snowshoeing, horse-drawn wagon rides, frozen kite flying, fire department open house, live music, fireworks and a scavenger hunt. There is so much to choose from at this winter festival in the Minneapolis-St Paul SE Metro.
February 5, 2022: Chanhassen Febuary Fest (Feb Fest)
Lake Ann Park, 1456 W 78th St, Chanhassen, MN 55317
Winter festival activities include an ice fishing contest, concessions, door prizes, and family activities.
February 5, 2022: Crystal Winterlude
Valley Place Park, 6822 32nd Ave N, Crystal, MN 55427
This free winter festival features music and entertainment, Ice Bocce, a sledding contest, kicksledding, ice skating, and food trucks. 10am-1pm.
February 5, 2022: Fire & Ice at Luxton Park
Luxton Park, 112 SE Williams Avenue, Minneapolis MN
This winter festival’s signature draw is the huge bonfire, but there’s also food, live music and horse-drawn hayrides. 5:30-8pm, FREE.
February 5, 2022: Plymouth Fire & Ice Festival
Parkers Lake Park, 15500 County Road 6, Plymouth MN
Winter festival activities include hayrides, pony rides, recycle bin races, on-ice games, youth ice fishing contest, skating, and fireworks. Food will be available to purchase. 3-7pm, FREE admission.
February 5, 2022: Columbia Heights SnowBLAST 2022
Huset Park, 40TH Ave, Columbia Heights, MN 55421
Come by for fun winter outdoor activities like ice skating on the rink (pre-register for free rentals) and sledding on the hill, free popcorn and smores, the puppet wagon, music, free hot beverages and more to purchase. 3-6:30pm.
February 5, 2022: Burnsville Polar Fest
Civic Center Parkway, Burnsville, MN 55337
An afternoon of free winter fun including ice skating, sledding, bonfires, music & more. 11am-2pm, FREE.
February 5, 2022: Maple Grove Wonders of Winter
Maple Grove Central Park, 2000 Central Park Way, Maple Grove, MN 55369
Classic winter festival activities include horse-drawn wagon rides, snowshoeing, a scavenger hunt, skating on the loop, s’mores, kite flying, a food truck from Rock Elm Tavern, and more. So many outdoor activities! 1-4pm, FREE.
February 6, 2022: Minnetonka Kids Fest
Minnetonka Community Center, 14600 Minnetonka Blvd., Minnetonka, MN 55345
Crazy amount of fun stuff at this winter festival – dogsled rides, crafts, a bonfire with smores, horse-drawn trolley rides, ice sculptures and much more. 11am-2:30pm, FREE. CANCELLED FOR 2022.
February 12, 2022: Buffalo Kites on Ice
Sturges Park, 401 Lake Blvd S, Buffalo, MN 55313
Kites fill the sky above Buffalo Lake, kite building workshop for kids, food trucks, hot chocolate and treat vendors. 11am-3pm, FREE.
February 12, 2022: Brooklyn Park Winterfest
Norwood Park, 8100 Newton Avenue N, Brooklyn Park, MN 55429
Winterfest activities include snow art, sugar cube castles, snow fort building, a scavenger hunt, winter Storywalk, snowshoeing and ice skating. 1-3pm, FREE.
February 13-28, 2022: Stillwater Winterfest
Wintry highlights include snow sculptures, an ice maze, games and a free LED light show displayed nightly in the historic downtown.
Starts February 18, 2022: Chaska Ice Gardens
Firemen’s Park, 3210 Chaska Blvd, Chaska, MN 55318
The park will be filled with ice sculptures to enjoy, plus you can go ice skating on the Clayhole. Feb 20 features “Sunday Funday” with a bonfire, music and food/bevs for purchase. The sculptures will remain in the park while weather permits!
February 19, 2022: Dodge Nature Center Winter Fun Festival
1701 Charlton Street, West St. Paul, MN 55118
Live DJ, bonfires and outdoor heaters, horse-drawn sleigh rides, icy games, snow sports, nature activities and crafts. Food & beer available. 2-5pm, FREE.
February 19, 2022: Embrace the North Festival
North Mississippi Regional Park, 5116 N Mississippi Dr, Minneapolis, MN 55412
Try activities like snowshoeing, winter birding and frozen art, marshmallows over the fire, games, fat biking and more at this Twin Cities winter festival. Drop in anytime from 12-4pm.
February 26, 2022: Phalen Freeze Fest
Phalen Lakeside Activities Center, 1530 Phalen Drive, Saint Paul, MN 55106
Try your hand at ice fishing, then warm up and cook s’mores over an open fire, play boot hockey and snowshoe. 1-4pm, FREE.
February 26, 2022: Free Play Snow Day with Three Rivers Parks
Here’s a taste of the free winter fun coming at you across 10 participating Three Rivers Parks District parks: free rentals on cross-country skis, snowshoes and sleds, free passes for dog off-leash areas, cross-country ski trails and archery areas, free kicksled demos, campfires with s’mores and programs at select locations, and discounted rates on tubing, downhill skiing and snowboarding. See the link for park locations.
FEBRUARY TWIN CITIES WINTER FAMILY FESTIVALS & FUN DAYS – Hope to return in 2023
Minnetonka Kids Fest
Ham Lake Snow Bowl
Ham Lake Park
Snow sculptures, ice fishing, a snow hill and games for kids. 11am-4pm, $3/pp.
MORE WINTER OUTDOOR FAMILY FUN IDEAS
Sledding is another favorite outdoor activity in our neck of the woods. Where to find the best slopes from bunny hills to steep thrills? Check our Best Twin Cities Sledding Hills Guide.
Strapping on a pair of ice skating is one way to embrace the winter season! Hit up our ice rink-finder to seek out the free skating rinks across the Twin Cities.
Twin Cities Winter Festivals in the Parks – not yet announced in 2022
We’ve enjoyed these Minneapolis-St Paul area winter festivals in area parks in the past, but they’ve yet to be announced for 2022. Check back for more information!
Winter Trails Day | Fort Snelling State Park
All equipment provided to try ice fishing, cross county skiing, snowshoeing and archery plus games smores and more winter fun. 11am-4pm. $7/vehicle permit to enter the park.
WinterFest | Loring Park, Minneapolis
A winter celebration featuring free hot cocoa, s’mores, bonfire, skating, music, crafts and carriage rides. 1-3pm, FREE.
Hiawatha Heartwarmer | Lake Hiawatha Park, Minneapolis
Winter activities (skating, bonfire, horse-drawn hayride, snow sculptures, etc.) for the whole family. Warm up inside with hot drinks and music. Kids can craft or dance to a DJ. 12-3pm. FREE.
Where can I ski and snowboard with the family?
TWIN CITIES YEAR-ROUND FESTIVALS AND FUN
- Check out our Twin Cities Year-Round Festival & Fairs Guide here.
- Find tons more things to do in Minneapolis & St Paul with kids!
WINTER FUN – INDOORS
- Find fun indoor games for kids when it’s chilly outside and we want to stay cozy.
- Indoor Play: Indoor Activities for Kids
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Funny, whenever I think of Boston, I think of the lyrics to Dismemberment Plan’s The Ice of Boston.
I think you do your share of embracing winter. Good Luck in the Super Bowl.