2025-2026 Winter What-to-Do

Winter in Minnesota can seem interminable, especially if you stay cooped up in your house from early November to mid-April. While hibernation might work out well for actual bears, it’s often not the best course of action for humans. Social interaction with family and friends, along with just being in the good ol’ outdoors, is healthy both mentally and physically — not to mention fun.

The Twin Cities metro, as well as greater Minnesota, is replete with fun, interesting and exciting activities throughout the winter months that will appeal to kids and adults alike. From cross-country skiing to pond hockey to indoor farmers markets, there are a plethora of options that will get you off the couch and out enjoying yourselves with other hardy Minnesotans.

Lavender takes a look at a few of the many offerings on hand that’ll help keep the winter doldrums at bay until spring arrives once more in all of its rich green glory.

Circus Juventas’ Annual Holiday Show — “Solstice”
Dec. 4-14 • Under the Big Top in St. Paul

Circus Juventas celebrates the wonders of the season with its annual holiday performance that will bring the magic of the circus to your family’s yuletide celebration. Circus Juventas is, and always has been, proud to be a safe and supportive space for LGBTQ+ youth.
circusjuventas.org/holiday-show-2025/

Four Seasons Nordic Village Market
Through Dec. 21 • Wednesday-Friday 4-11 p.m., Saturday and Sunday 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. • Four Seasons Hotel, 245 Hennepin Ave., Minneapolis

Carefully curated collections in various cozy cabins abound in this fourth-floor rooftop terrace market with stunning views of the city.
fourseasons.com/minneapolis/dining/restaurants/nordic-village

Bentleyville Tour of Lights
Through Dec. 27 • Sunday-Thursday 5-9 p.m., Friday and Saturday 5-10 p.m. • Bayfront Festival Park, Duluth

Celebrating 22 years this year, the largest free walk-through lighting display in America has something for everyone! Free treats, four-million-plus lights and a 128-foot Christmas tree will delight folks of all ages. Children under 12 who visit with Santa will receive a bag of cookies and a Bentleyville knit hat. Free admission, parking is $10 per vehicle.
bentleyvilleusa.org 

Sever’s Holiday Lights 2025
Through Dec. 28 • Seven days per week • 5-9 p.m. • Sever’s Festival Grounds, 3121 150th St. W., Shakopee, Minn.

Meander through the paths at Sever’s Woods Walk or pile your crew into your vehicle to drive through more than 2.5 million lights. Concessions available.
seversfestivals.com/pages/holiday-lights

Kiwanis Holiday Lights
Through Dec. 31 • Sunday-Thursday 5-9 p.m., Friday and Saturday 5-10 p.m. • Free and open to the public • Sibley Park, Mankato, Minn.

Come out and enjoy Minnesota’s longest drive-through lights display! Family fun for all ages, and while it is free, donations of cash and non-perishable food items are gladly accepted and will be donated to local nonprofits and area food shelves.
kiwanisholidaylights.com

Illuminate Festival of Lights
Through Dec. 31 • Check website for tickets and times • Pan Asian Center South (former Sears), Maplewood Mall, 3001 White Bear Ave., Maplewood, Minn.

An indoor dazzling festival of lights that will have you marveling at acrobat shows, cultural performances and exquisite handcrafted Chinese lantern sculptures. Delicious food from around the globe and shopping for unique gifts are also available.
illuminate-us.com

Winter Lights at the Minnesota Landscape Arboretum
Selected dates Nov. 20 to Dec. 31, 2025 • Minnesota Landscape Arboretum, Chaska, Minn.

The Winter Lights display is always a stroll to remember! Enjoy the fresh, crisp air of a Minnesota winter evening surrounded by thousands of lights. The Arboretum café will be open, and shopping at the gift store and music will be available on certain nights. This year will feature a breathtaking indoor forest of decorated evergreen trees, and don’t miss the 25-foot Poinsettia Tree created with over 500 red, white and pink poinsettias. Special Theme Nights are also on the calendar!
arb.umn.edu/winterlights

Fifth Annual Miracle at Big Rock
Through Jan. 3, 2026 • Visit website for times • Big Rock Creek, 1674 WI-87, St. Croix Falls, Wisc.

Come on out for good old-fashioned family fun with Christmas lights, food trucks, artisans, sledding, s’mores, photos with Santa, fireworks and so much more!
miracleatbigrock.com

GLOW Holiday Festival
Through Jan. 4, 2026 • Open 5-9 p.m. • CHS Field, 360 Broadway St., St. Paul

GLOW is celebrating its fifth year, and it’s brighter than ever! Newly expanded exhibits abound, along with over a million glowing lights, Vixen’s Zip Line and Giant Slide, Enchanted Forest, the GLOW Spectacular, the sElfie Plaza and so much more. Tickets are on sale now!
glowholiday.com

Second Annual Jingle Bar at the Fair on 4
Through mid-January 2026 • Fair on 4, Mall of America Fourth Floor, 402 E. Broadway, Bloomington, Minn.

Flocked trees, fair-inspired foods, decorated bar areas and two Instagram photo backdrops await you at this full-on winter wonderland.
thefairon4.com

Winter Exhibition featuring Luke Hillestad and Holiday Wonder
Through Jan. 29 • Regular Gallery Hours Tuesday-Saturday, 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. • Douglas Flanders & Associates, 5025 France Ave. S., Minneapolis

Come out to enjoy this wonderful exhibition, which features the highly anticipated return of Minnesota painter Luke Hillestad, along with a festive holiday presentation that celebrates art, history and the magic of the season.
flandersart.com

Ice Castles Minnesota
Dates and hours dependent upon weather • Friday, Saturday, Sunday • 170 Randall Ave., St. Paul

Don’t miss this awe-inspiring, winter must-see that brings fairytales to life! Ice Castles has something for everyone — ice slides, caverns and archways, a polar pub, crawl tunnels, ice sculptures, a lantern passage and a tubing hill. Fun for all ages! Join us for our second year at the Minnesota State Fairgrounds!
icecastles.com/minnesota

Winterapolis
Throughout the winter months

Winter is not a reason to stay home, so Winterapolis provides a reason to get out, visit and stay! Check out the website to see all of the signature events available — indoor, outdoor, festivals, events and more!
minneapolis.org/winter-apolis/winterapolis

Mill City Winter — Farmers Markets
First and Third Saturdays • November-April • 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. • Mill City Museum, Minneapolis

Just because the weather’s turned chilly, it doesn’t mean that you can’t enjoy the bounty of local farmers! They’ll be heading indoors to sell their wares, so you don’t have to worry about Jack Frost nipping your nose as you peruse the stands. No dogs allowed.
millcityfarmersmarket.org

Minneapolis Farmers Market
Select Saturdays Dec. 6 to April 26 • 9 a.m. to noon • 312 E. Lyndale Ave. N., Minneapolis

Providing fresh produce and products since 1876, the Minneapolis Farmers Market is on a mission to bring goodness to the community all year long. No dogs allowed.
mplsfarmersmarket.com

37th Annual Reindeer Run — Minneapolis
Dec. 13 • 5K, 10K, 15K, Kids • 10K starts 7:30 a.m., 5K starts 9:30 a.m. • Lake Harriet, Minneapolis
reindeerrun.com

Winter Solstice Celebration
Dec. 19 • 5-9 p.m. • American Swedish Institute, Minneapolis

What could be better than marking the shortest day and the longest night than doing so at the ASI? A special festival menu with small plates and warm Swedish mulled wine will be served by FIKA Café, and the Museum Store and Jul Shop will both be open late for attendees’ shopping needs. They’ll even have reindeer!
asimn.org/experience/festivals/winter-solstice

Pinky Swear — Hosted by Sweetpea
Dec. 20 • 8 p.m. to 12 a.m. • $20 general admission at door • Ages 21-plus • La Doña Cerveceria, 241 Fremont Ave. N., Minneapolis

The first-ever FLINTA (Femme, Lesbian, Intersex, Nonbinary, Transgender and Allies) party in Minneapolis! Gather with us on solstice eve to celebrate queer joy, self-expression and connection — because we need each other more than ever. Emerging DJs Vani, Del and Triple Earth will be dropping the gems.
ra.co/events/2300931

A Winter Solstice Sound Bath/Meditative Concert
Dec. 21 • 4 p.m. • The Cedar Cultural Center, 416 Cedar Ave., Minneapolis

A meditative, soothing communal experience featuring zen percussionist Marc Anderson and vocalist Natalie Nowytski.
thecedar.org/events/winter-solstice-sound-bath-with-marc-anderson-and-natalie-nowytski

Twin Cities Auto Show
Jan. 3-11 • Saturdays, Monday-Friday 9 a.m. to 8 p.m., Sundays 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. • Minneapolis Convention Center, 1301 S. Second Ave., Minneapolis

Gotta go to the Auto Show!
twincitiesautoshow.com

Northeast Farmers Market
Jan. 4, Feb. 1, March 1, April 26 • 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. • 56 Brewing, 3055 NE Columbia Ave., Minneapolis

Enjoy local foods and goods all year round! Eat healthy and buy locally. Free street parking. No dogs allowed inside the Event Room.
northeastmarket.org

Minnesota Timberwolves Pride Night
Jan. 8 • 7 p.m. • Target Center, 600 First Ave. N., Minneapolis

Dig out your brightest rainbow attire and cheer the Timberwolves as they take on the Cleveland Cavaliers!
tickets.timberwolves.com/offers/2582

Northrup King Nights
Jan. 10 • 4-8 p.m. • Free parking, passenger elevator and ADA accessible • The Northrup King Building, 1500 Jackson St. NE, Minneapolis

Come out for this celebration, where you can experience the vibrant energy of the iconic building along with the amazingly talented artists within.
northrupkingbuilding.com/events/northrup-king-nights

Neighborhood Roots at Bachman’s on Lyndale
Jan. 10, Feb. 7, March 14 • 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. • 6010 Lyndale Ave. S., Minneapolis

Taking place indoors, this market series will feature all of your favorite vendors from the Kingfield, Fulton and Nokomis farmers markets.
neighborhoodrootsmn.org/winter-markets

Low-Pet Law-Pet Challenge
Jan. 11 • Races start and end in the lower Stadium

Formerly known as the Pre-Loppet, this event includes both ski races and fat bike events, as well as kids’ ski events.
loppet.org/event/low-pet-law-pet-challenge/

Fourth Annual World Snow Sculpting Championship
Jan. 13-25 • Lowell Park, Stillwater, Minn.

“There’s NO business like SNOW business!” And there’s no sight quite like that of teams coming together from around the world to compete in the creation of incredible snow sculptures as they vie for prize money and the title of World Champion. Attendees will have the chance to enjoy plenty of activities, ceremonies, social events and the people’s choice award.
worldsnowsculptingstillwatermn.com

Art Shanty Projects
Jan. 17 to Feb. 8 • Public hours from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. every Saturday and Sunday • Lake Harriet/Bdé Umá, Minneapolis

Indulge in a whimsical, weird, unique experience that inspires joy in everyone, from kids to adults. This yearly interactive art project, inspired by the ice fishing villages so prominent on Minnesota lakes, has an anything-goes motto as far as construction and decoration for the 150-plus artists who participate. Just don’t bring your fishing pole! 
artshantyprojects.org 

Minneapolis Boat Show
Jan. 22-25 • Minneapolis Convention Center, 1301 Second Ave. S., Minneapolis

Attractions for all ages, along with a wide selection of boats!
minneapolisboatshow.com

140th Annual Saint Paul Winter Carnival
Jan. 22 to Feb. 1 • Various St. Paul venues

Come out to enjoy this St. Paul tradition that celebrates all things winter! Watch ice-carving competitions, enjoy free artistic and educational activities, music, dance, food, the medallion hunt and so much more. Most events are free and open to the public and will take place near Rice Park and Landmark Center in downtown St. Paul, as well as at the Minnesota State Fairgrounds.
wintercarnival.com

20th Annual U.S. Pond Hockey Championships
Jan. 23-25 • Lake Nokomis, Minneapolis

Hockey is as natural to Minnesota as breathing, so why not layer up and come out to watch players hit the ice as nature intended!?
uspondhockey.com

Totally Rad Vintage Fest – Minneapolis
Jan. 24-25 • 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. • Tickets GA $8 advance, $12 day of event, kids under 12 free • Minneapolis Convention Center, Hall A, 1301 Second Ave. S., Minneapolis

Take a step back into a time warp of nostalgia and style, peruse vendors showcasing toys, home goods and more, Free-Play Vintage Arcade, and so much more.
events.humanitix.com/totally-rad-vintage-fest-minneapolis-nn47lu5l?c=website

John Beargrease Sled Dog Marathon
Jan. 25 • Duluth to the Canadian border and back

The longest sled dog race in the lower 48, the John Beargrease Sled Dog Marathon sees competitors mushing in an event that covers nearly 400 miles and is a qualifier for the Iditarod race in Alaska. Come out to the 41st running of this spectacle and cheer on these mighty mushers at Northern Minnesota’s top winter attraction.
beargrease.com

The Great Northern Festival
Jan. 28 to Feb. 1 • Various locations throughout Minneapolis and St. Paul

Uniting communities through art, climate engagement and outdoor experiences, the Great Northern Festival celebrates what makes this region special.
thegreatnorthernfestival.com

18th Annual Anthony Ford Pond Hockey Classic
Jan. 30 to Feb. 1 • Spring Lake Park, Mankato, Minn.

This two-day event is more than just a chance to enjoy hockey as it was meant to be played! Of course, it offers opportunities for both youth and adult players to show off their skills, but there are also options for all kinds of family fun, such as a sledding hill, a warming house and 12 separate professional rinks. Entry fees go to help local charities that support fighting childhood leukemia.
anthonyford99.com

Frostival
Jan. 31, 2026 • Fargo and West Fargo, N.D., and Moorhead, Minn.

If you can’t beat winter, then join it! Winter kickball, volleyball, disc golf, cardboard sled races, massive bouncy castles, snow sculpture competitions — you’ll find all of that and so much more during the chilly madness of Frostival!
frostival.com

Brainerd Jaycees Ice Fishing Extravaganza
Jan. 31 • 12-3 p.m. • Hole in the Day Bay, Gull Lake, Minn.

One of the largest charitable ice fishing contests on earth, the event was founded in 1991 and is held 10 miles north of Brainerd.
icefishing.org

Glow in the Snow Candlelight Snowshoe
Jan 31 • 5:30-7 p.m. • Lake Bemidji State Park, 3401 State Park Rd. NE, Bemidji, Minn.

Step out into a winter wonderland along a magical trail lined with flickering luminaries as you snowshoe through sparkling snow, quiet woods and revel in the beauty of a peaceful winter night. Live music, hot cocoa and other refreshments available at the Lavinia Group Camp.
visitbemidji.com/event/glow-in-the-snow-candlelight-snowshoe

Indoor Winter Carnival Fundraiser – Sherburne County United Way
Jan. 31 • 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. • Boys & Girls Club, 905 Sixth St. NW, Elk River, Minn.

Come out and join us for cupcake walks, pop ring toss, Plinko, raffles, face painting and so much more!
sherburneunitedway.org/events

City of Lakes Loppet Winter Festival
Jan. 31 to Feb. 1 • Theodore Wirth Park, Minneapolis

Originally designed as a cross-country ski race, the City of Lakes Loppet has become a winter staple that includes the Luminary Loppet, Cross-Country Ski, Skijor, Snowshoe, Fat Tire Bike events and more through Theodore Wirth Park.
loppet.org/event/winter-festival/2026-01-31/

Ely Winter Festival
Feb. 5-15 • Ely, Minn.

Come on up for 10 days of activities that celebrate the joys of winter in the Boundary Waters region! Snow carvings, the Ely ArtWalk and fun for all abound.
elywinterfestival.com

Chilly Open
Feb. 7 • Tee Time begins at 10 a.m. • Lake Minnetonka, Wayzata Bay

Minnesota golf in February? You betcha! Freezing temperatures won’t stop 2,000-plus Minnesotans from bringing out their hockey sticks and golf clubs to play a few rounds on four 9-hole courses plowed out on Lake Minnetonka. The golf tournament is a pre-registered event only, but there are plenty of other great things to indulge in for everyone else!
chillyopen.wayzatawestmetrochamber.com/

Luminary Loppet
Feb. 7 • Lake of the Isles, Minneapolis

Join us for a fun-filled, candlelit night that is the Twin Cities’ most magical event of the season as you walk the trail lit up by over 1,200 luminaries. Enjoy refreshments along the trail, as well as food trucks, music and Utepils Brewing beer.
loppet.org/events/luminary

Dog Mushing! Women’s Winter Adventure 2026
Feb. 19-22• 82 Irish Creek Rd., Hovland, Minn.

Have you ever had dreams of racing across the winter landscape behind your very own team of sled dogs? Here’s your chance! This is a true off-the-grid adventure for those wishing to learn about and participate in a wonderfully unique winter sport.
points-unknown.com/women/

Minnesota Wild Pride Night
March 10 • 7 p.m. • Grand Casino Arena, 199 W. Kellogg Blvd., St. Paul

Come out and join your Wild players as they show their Pride while taking on the Utah Mammoth. The ticket pack includes a ticket to the game, an exclusive Pride-themed jersey and a donation to the Twin Cities Pride.
gofevo.com/event/PRIDE-60310UTA

All events are subject to change or cancellation, so please check their websites before making plans to attend.