Twin Cities Winter Family Festival Calendar

We present the 2020 Twin Cities Winter Family Festival Calendar – because festivals aren’t just for summer here in Minnesota. Bundle up and get out there!

For more frosty fun, be sure to check our:

January Family Events Guide

February Family Events Guide

Family Winter Survival Guide

JANUARY 2020 WINTER FAMILY FESTIVALS & FUN DAYS

Opens Jan 27, 2020: Ice Castles | New Brighton
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. $7.95-$15.95/pp.

Jan 11, 2020: 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.

Jan 11, 2020: The Big Chill | Firemen’s Park, Chaska
Skating on the Clayhole (BYO skates), glow in the dark bowling, a candy scavenger hunt, free cocoa and smores. 6-7:30pm, FREE. 

Jan 12, 2020: Winter Ice Festival | Centennial Lakes Park, Edina
Horse-drawn wagon rides, face painting, ice sculpting demos and skating for families – rent skates or bring your own. 1-5pm, FREE.

Jan 15-19, 2020: Arctic Fever | Excelsior, Shorewood & Tonka Bay
Free pizza and fire dance demos (Fri), sledding, sleighrides, skating and other classic winter fun. FREE admission, some activities have a fee.

Jan 17, 2020: Linden Hills Winter Fest | Linden Hills Park, Minneapolis
Horse drawn wagon rides, ice skating, music, sledding, a marshmallow roast, face painting and a medallion hunt. 6:30-8:30pm, FREE.

Jan 18-Feb 9, 2020: Art Shanty Projects | Lake Harriet, Minneapolis
Not only are these 19 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.

Jan 18, 2020: Winter Blast | Staring Lake Park, Eden Prairie
Sledding, ice skating (BYO), crafts, outdoor games, and a bonfire. 11am-2pm, FREE. 

Jan 18, 2020: Winter Open House | White Bear Center for the Arts
Ice sculpting and art-making activities. 1-3pm, FREE. 

Jan 18, 2020: Winterfest | Springbrook Nature Center, Fridley
Snowshoe and story hikes, carnival games, shelter building, bonfires and more. 12-3pm, FREE.

Jan 20-27, 2020: Winter Fete | Bloomington
Fun winter activities throughout the week include indoor skating ($1-$2/pp, skates included), Ice Harvest Day at Richardson Nature Center, and the Pond House Winter Festival.

Jan 20, 2020: Winter Play Day | Silverwood Park, St Anthony
Spend the day off from school building snow creatures, then warm up with cocoa and a concert. 11am-4:30pm, FREE. 

Jan 23-Feb 3, 2020: St Paul Winter Carnival | St Paul
See our Top 7 Free Family Activities from snow sculptures to the Torchlight Parade.

Jan 25, 2020: Lake Harriet Winter Kite Festival | Lake Harriet Park, Minneapolis
Kites fly over the frozen lake. Families can ice fish, snowshoe and take a wagon ride. 12-4pm, FREE.

Jan 25, 2020: Art Sled Rally | Powderhorn Park, Minneapolis
Bring a sled of your own creation and race it or have fun as a spectator! 2pm, FREE.

Jan 25, 2020: Winter Fun Day | Oak Hill Park, St Louis Park
Bonfires, sledding, snowshoeing, music, hayrides, and cocoa & smores. 12-4pm, FREE.

Jan 25, 2020: Scandia Vinterfest
Gammelgarden Museum hosts kid-friendly crafts in the community center, fireworks at 7pm. 10am-7pm, FREE.

Jan 25, 2020: WinterFest | Lake Elmo Park Reserve
Great for families with older kids! XC ski lessons w/ equipment provided, biking demos and food trucks. 9am-3pm. FREE admission with vehicle permit ($7), ski pass required for lessons ages 16+ ($6/day).

Jan 25, 2020: Snow Day | Wargo Nature Center, Lino Lakes
Try out a variety of winter outdoor activities. 1-4pm, FREE.

Jan 25- Feb 9, 2020: Coon Rapids Snowflake Days | Coon Rapids
Activities include a children’s carnival, family skating event and an ice fishing contest.

Jan 30-Feb 2, 2020: City of Lakes Loppet Ski Festival | Lake Calhoun, Minneapolis
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.

Where can I ski and snowboard with the family?

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.

FEBRUARY 2020 WINTER FAMILY FESTIVALS & FUN DAYS

Feb 1, 2020: Fire & Ice Festival | Plymouth
A petting zoo, pony and sled-dog rides, mini golf on the ice, snow bowling, a bonfire with s’mores, live music and fireworks. 3-7pm, FREE.

Feb 1, 2020: Fire & Ice at Luxton | Minneapolis

Feb 1, 2020: Febuary Fest (Feb Fest) | Lake Ann Park, Chanhassen
Ice skating, a smores roast, sleighrides and a medallion hunt. 12-3pm.

Feb 1, 2020: Mid-Winter Fest | Apple Valley Community Center
Wagon rides, The Jolly Pops and other entertainment, face-painting, jump house. 9am-9pm, FREE.

Feb 8, 2020: Wonders of Winter | Central Park, Maple Grove
Skating on the Central Park Ice Loop, fireside storytelling and smores, wagon rides, snowshoeing and lots more. 11am-3pm, FREE.

Feb 8, 2020: Anoka Winterfest | Greenhaven Golf Course & Event Center
Mini golf, art activities, movies, yard games, smores and more. 12-4pm, FREE.

Feb 8, 2020: WinterFest | Loring Park, Minneapolis
A winter celebration featuring free hot cocoa, s’mores, bonfire, skating, music, crafts and carriage rides. 1-3pm, FREE.

Feb 8, 2020: Ham Lake Snow Bowl | Ham Lake Park
Snow sculptures, ice fishing, a snow hill and games for kids. 11am-4pm, $3/pp.

Feb 8, 2020: Winterfest | Wesley Park, Golden Valley
Sledding, ice skating, hayrides, DJ, and a bonfire with marshmallow roasting. 12-2pm, FREE.

Feb 8, 2020: Kites on Ice | Downtown Buffalo
Kites fill the sky above Buffalo Lake, kite building workshop for kids, food trucks, hot chocolate and treat vendors. 11am-3pm, FREE.

New in 2020: Feb 8, 2020: Polar Fest | North River Hills Park, Burnsville
Snow painting, sledding, ice skating, horse-drawn carriage rides, mite hockey games, a softball tournament, Kidsdance DJ and food trucks. 11am-2pm, FREE.

Feb 8, 2020: 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.

Feb 9, 2020: Minnetonka Kids Fest | Minnetonka Community Center
Crazy amount of fun stuff – dogsled rides, crafts, a bonfire with smores, horse-drawn trolley rides, magic shows and much more. 11am-2:30pm, FREE.

Feb 15, 2020: Embrace the North Festival | Coon Rapids Park, Brooklyn Park
Try out activities like snowshoeing and dog sledding, and play winter games. Warm up around the campfire. 12-4pm, FREE.

Feb. 22, 2020: Winter Fun Festival | Dodge Nature Center, West St Paul
Live DJ, bonfires and outdoor heaters, horse-drawn sleigh rides, icy games, snow sports, nature activities and crafts. Food & beer available. 3pm-6pm. FREE.

Feb 29, 2020: Phalen Freeze Fest | St Paul
Try your hand at ice fishing, then warm up and cook over an open fire, play boot hockey and snowshoe. 2-6pm, FREE.

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.

HQ Kites and Designs 10671650 Parafoil Easy Penguin Kite – Amazon Link

TWIN CITIES YEAR-ROUND FESTIVALS AND FUN

1. Check out our Twin Cities Year-Round Festival & Fairs Guide here.
2. Find tons more things to do in Minneapolis & St Paul with kids!

WINTER FUN – INDOORS

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