7 outdoor events to make the most of winter in the Twin Cities
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Photo: Courtesy of The Great Northern
Winter (festival season) is coming to the Twin Cities.
Why it matters: Outdoor activities and traditions can help us all make the most of our cold-weather months.
State of play: The hottest — or perhaps we should say coolest — events of the season ramp up this month. The mix of free and paid activities include:
🧊 The Minnesota Ice Festival stars what organizers hope will be the world's largest ice maze at TCO Stadium in Eagan (Jan. 10-Feb. 16).
- Zoom out: In addition to the maze, tickets grant access to a skating rink, an ice slide and ice bars.
- Cost: Tickets start at $27.47 for festivalgoers 15 and up, $15.10 for kids 5-14 and free for kids under 5.
☃️ The World Snow Celebration attracts snow sculptors from around the world for its annual competition in Stillwater (Jan. 15-26).
- Flashback: Check out last year's stunning works via our @AxiosTwinCities Instagram.
- Cost: Free and open to the public.
🎭 Art Shanty Projects brings performances and interactive installations to Lake Harriet (Jan. 18-Feb. 9).
- Threat level: The weekend-only event had to be moved to shore in recent years due to weather and unsafe ice.
- Cost: Free, but donations are suggested.
❄️ The Great Northern features 10 days of outdoor activities, art, live music and conversations about climate change (Jan. 23-Feb. 2).
- Fire and ice: Check out a sauna village at Malcolm Yards with events ranging from an outdoor movie screening to a sound bath, or a 50-foot ice bar at Union Depot in St. Paul.
- Cost: Some events are free, while others require registration or tickets. Check out the schedule for details.
👑 Saint Paul Winter Carnival marks its 139th year of winter fun in the capital city (Jan. 23-Feb. 2).
- What's new: The King Boreas Grande Day Parade, scheduled for Jan. 25, is moving to Grand Avenue this year. The torchlight Feb. 1 parade still starts on West 7th Street.
- Cost: Many events are free and open to the public, while others require paid tickets. Check out the calendar for details.
🏒 The U.S. Pond Hockey Championships return to Lake Nokomis for a 20th year (Jan. 22-26).
- The stakes: Instead of prizes, the winners get their names etched into the Golden Shovel.
- Cost: Free for spectators.
The Loppet Winter Festival gives lovers of outdoor sports the opportunity to compete or participate in cross-country ski, fat bike, skijor, and snowshoe events (Feb. 1-2).
- Plus: The Luminary Loppet — an annual walk around a candlelit Lake of the Isles — is scheduled for Feb. 8.
- Cost: Free to watch; registration fees vary for competing in events.
What we're watching: Whether the weather cooperates, especially for events that need snow.
- The John Beargrease Sled Dog Marathon, originally scheduled for Jan. 11, has already been postponed until early March.
Editor's note: This story has been corrected to show that the Saint Paul Winter Carnival's torchlight parade is Feb. 1 (not Feb. 2).