MidwestWeekends.com — Your Travel Guide to the Upper Midwest

Winter festivals 2013

January

  • (Jan. 1)Cool Fool Kite Festival

    Milwaukee, WI

    In addition to kite-flying, there will be ice sculptures and free hot chocolate, coffee and snacks in the lakefront Veterans Park.


  • (Jan. 4 – 5)Breezy Point Ice Fest

    Breezy Point, MN

    This Brainerd Lakes lake-resort village celebrates with dogsled rides, free horse-drawn trolley rides, an ice slide, snow golf, fireworks and, of course, ice fishing.


  • (Jan. 5)Bald Eagle Watch

    Clinton, IA

    This Mississippi River town features live-eagle and nature programs at Clinton Community College and free bus service to Lock & Dam 13 in Fulton, Ill.


  • (Jan. 6 – 8)Gichigami Express sled-dog race

    Grand Portage, MN

    In this new race, mushers travel to the Gunflint Trail, then Grand Marais, then back to Grand Portage.


  • (Jan. 11 – 13)Bald Eagle Days

    Rock Island, IL

    At the Quad Cities Expo Center, there's an environmental fair, with flying demonstrations by eagles, hawks and owls from the World Bird Sanctuary in St. Louis and many other events. Admission.


  • (Jan. 11 – 13)Frostbite Challenge

    Monticello, MN

    This Mississippi River town offers ice-fishing Olympics for kids, smoosh racing, a medallion hunt, snow golfing and an ice bar.


  • (Jan. 12)Sleigh & Cutter Rally

    Ashland, WI

    A gathering of antique sleighs and drivers in 19th-century costumes at Northern Great Lakes Visitor Center.


  • (Jan. 12)Winter Trails Day

    Across the region, ALL

    This is the day adults as well as children can try snowshoeing and cross-country skiing for free. Check the website for sponsor stores and resorts near you.


  • (Jan. 12)Jack Frost Fest

    Spooner, WI

    There's turkey bowling, minnow races, dog sled rides, watercolor snow painting and a 4K snowshoe race in this western Wisconsin town.


  • (Jan. 12)SISU Ski Fest

    Ironwood, MI

    This Finnish fest includes a 10K Taste N Tour with four food stations showcasing Yooper cuisine, kids' races, a Finnish reggae concert Saturday and 21K and 42K races through historic mining areas, scenic bluffs and along the Montreal River.


  • (Jan. 12)Winter Festival

    La Farge, WI

    Visit the Kickapoo Valley Reserve for horse-drawn wagon rides, guided snowshoe and ice-cave hikes, winter games and a sled-dog race.

    In the evening, there's a candlelight ski or hike at nearby Wildcat Mountain State Park.


  • (Jan. 17 – 20)Ice Box Days

    International Falls, MN

    In the "Ice Box of the Nation'' on the Canadian border, there will be turkey bowling, snow sculptures, a night snowshoe hike in Voyageurs National Park and the famous Freeze Yer Gizzard Blizzard Run.


  • (Jan. 17 – 19)Winterfest

    Mackinaw City, MI

    There's a snow-sculpting competition, sleigh rides, a poker run and outhouse races.


  • (Jan. 18 – 19)Bald Eagle Watching Days

    Prairie du Sac, WI

    This town along the Wisconsin River, next to a hydroelectric plant, offers guided bus tours, birds of prey programs and a radio-tracking demonstration.


  • (Jan. 18 – 20)Hunter Ice Festival

    Niles, MI

    This festival in the southwest tip of the state, named for a turn-of-the-century ice-harvesting business, features more than 150 ice sculptures and a competition.


  • (Jan. 18 – 20)Janboree

    Waukesha, WI

    The fest in this Milwaukee suburb includes Friday-night fireworks, ice sculptures, wagon rides, a dog weight pull and tobogganing on the lighted run in Lowell Park.


  • (Jan. 18 – 20)The Big Chill

    Racine, WI

    Monument Square is the new location of Wisconsin's state snow-sculpting competition. There's ice-carving, too. Changed from Jan. 11-13.


  • (Jan. 18 – 19)Ice & Spice Festival

    Bay Harbor, MI

    This Lake Michigan village between Petoskey and Charlevoix holds competitions sanctioned by the National Ice Carving Association and a chili challenge.


  • (Jan. 19)Bald Eagle Watch

    Dubuque, IA

    Live-eagle programs and free trolley rides from the Grand River Center downtown to the National Mississippi River Museum and Lock & Dam 11.


  • (Jan. 19)Isthmus Beer & Cheese Fest

    Madison, WI

    A celebration of Wisconsin's greatest products at Alliant Energy Center, with plenty to sample. Tickets sell out, so buy early.


  • (Jan. 19 – 20)Bald Eagle Appreciation Days

    Keokuk, IA

    There's live-eagle presentations, Native American activities, demonstrations and viewing on the river.


  • (Jan. 24 – Feb 3)Winter Carnival

    St. Paul, MN

    See ice sculptures in Rice Park (go early if it's warm), the Grande Day parade at 2 p.m. Jan. 26 and the Torchlight Parade at 5:30 p.m. Feb. 2, followed by fireworks, the overthrow of King Boreas and the Vulcan Victory Dance.


  • (Jan. 24 – 26)Crashed Ice World Championship

    St. Paul, MN

    Red Bull is returning with the extreme sport of ice cross downhill, or high-speed skating on a downhill course from the Cathedral of St. Paul. Admission to the Crash Zone is free Friday, $10 on Saturday.


  • (Jan. 24 – 27)Winterfest

    Grand Haven, MI

    In this Lake Michigan town, there's a human sled race, cardboard sled race, luau and snow-angel contest.


  • (Jan. 25 – 27)Snow Days

    Chicago, IL

    There'll be a snow-sculpting tournament, snow painting and an interactive snowboard experience at Gateway Park, just west of the entrance to Navy Pier.


  • (Jan. 25 – 27)Winter Games

    Lake Okoboji, IA

    This resort area in northwest Iowa will offer broomball, softball and flag football on ice, indoor golf, a Freeze Yer Fanny Bike Ride, ugliest snowsuit contest, a chili cookoff and fireworks at 6:30 p.m. Saturday.


  • (Jan. 26)Winterfest

    Amana, IA

    Go on a wine walk or scavenger hunt or compete in ham-throwing, log-sawing, the Amana Freezer Run/Walk, snowshoeing or for the best beard. There will be ice sculptures, storytelling and schnitzel-sampling, too.


  • (Jan. 26 – 27)Bald Eagle Days

    Cassville, WI

    This Mississippi River town in southwest Wisconsin will offer raptor programs and viewing with spotting scopes in Riverside Park.


  • (Jan. 26 – 27)Celebration of the Lakes

    Center City, MN

    This Chisago Lakes festival on North Center Lake includes hot-air balloon launches, dog-sled and, helicopter rides, a medallion hunt, a kiddie parade at noon Saturday and a snowmobile torchlight parade at 4:30 p.m. Saturday.


  • (Jan. 26)Art Sled Rally

    Minneapolis, MN

    Ride down a decorated hill at Powderhorn Park in your own wacky sled, which you can make at home or at free workshops at Powderhorn Park Community Center. There's also live music and hot chocolate.


  • (Jan. 26 – 27)Eagle Watch Weekend

    Utica, IL

    There will be eagle viewing and family activities at Starved Rock State Park Visitors Center, Starved Rock Lodge and, across the river, the Illinois Waterway Visitor Center. Trolleys connect the three venues.


  • (Jan. 26)Wintervergnuegen/Winter Festival

    Waupaca, WI

    Just west of Appleton, this lakes area offers ice sculptures, ice bowling, a snowman-building contest, a beer tent and cross-country skiing.


  • (Jan. 26)Heikinpaiva

    Hancock, MI

    The winter festival in this Finnish town on the Keweenaw Peninsula features wife-carrying, kicksled races, a polar bear dive and an 11 a.m. parade.


  • (Jan. 26 – 27)Norge Ski Jumping Tournament

    Fox River Grove, IL

    See some of the nation's best jumpers compete in this northwest Chicago suburb.


  • (Jan. 26 – 27)Phillips Winter Fest

    Phillips, WI

    This north-central town, known for the Wisconsin Concrete Park, offers snowmobile, ATV and lawn mower races; a tug of war and barrel toss; a candlelight ski/snowshoe/walk to an island; and a snowmobile parade followed by fireworks.


  • (Jan. 26)Bald Eagle Day

    Pella, IA

    There will be live-eagle programs at Central College in Pella and spotting scopes for viewing eagles at the dam on Lake Red Rock, Iowa's largest.


  • (Jan. 27)International Festival

    Madison, WI

    Dancers, musicians, storytellers and puppeteers representing traditions from around the world converge on the Overture Center for the Arts on State Street for this free festival. There's also food and a global bazaar.


  • (Jan. 30 – Feb 3)U.S. Snow Sculpting Championship and Winterfest

    Lake Geneva, WI

    Watch artists shape snow into whimsical shapes or go on a helicopter ride.


  • (Jan. 30 – Feb 2)Winter Dance Party

    Clear Lake, IA

    The Surf Ballroom marks the 54th anniversary of the plane crash that killed Buddy Holly with concerts, luncheons, dance lessons and crash-site tours. Tickets go on sale Nov. 7.


  • (Jan. 31 – Feb 3)Groundhog Days

    Woodstock, IL

    The 1993 movie "Groundhog Day'' was filmed in this town an hour northwest of Chicago, and it celebrates with storytelling, a bachelor auction and tours of movie sites, including the 1889 Opera House, where Bill Murray jumped from the belfry. At 7:07 a.m. Saturday, Woodstock Willie will look for his shadow.


  • (Jan. 31 – Feb 10)WinterFest

    Rochester, MN

    This southern Minnesota city offers a sleigh rides, ice fishing, a candelight ski Feb. 8 and a big outdoor ice bar downtown.


  • (Jan. 31 – Feb 2)WinterFest

    Crosslake, MN

    In this Brainerd Lakes area, there's a snowman-building contest, ice car races, an antique snowmobile rally and helicopter rides.


February

  • (Feb. 1 – 2)Snowflake Ski-Jumping Tournament

    Westby, WI

    At the top of a hill that's the equivalent of a 41-story skyscraper, watch jumpers fly by at 55 mph. It no longer attracts many international skiers, but it's still fun to watch because the jump is built onto the side of a coulee, and spectators can climb it and watch from the top.


  • (Feb. 1 – 3)Hot Air Affair

    Hudson, WI

    There will be winter sports Olympics, a craft fair, chili cookoff, Friday night parade and fireworks plus morning balloon launches and evening moon glows.


  • (Feb. 1 – 10)Winter Festival

    Ely, MN

    There's an International Snow Sculpting Symposium, arts and crafts fair, Mukluk Ball and dog-sled rides.


  • (Feb. 1 – 3)Michigan Ice Fest

    Munising, MI

    Ice-climbing demos, slide shows and clinics for beginners at Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore.


  • (Feb. 1 – 3)Apostle Islands Sled Dog Race

    Bayfield, WI

    Watch four races over two days and get in some skiing and snowshoeing on the side.


  • (Feb. 1 – 3)Winter Festival

    Fish Creek, WI

    This Door County village lets loose with events that include bed racing, a toilet-seat throw, a bike toss and a snowshoe dance contest. There are also free trolley rides, ice carving, fireworks and a parade Saturday.


  • (Feb. 1 – 10)Restaurant Week

    Chicago, IL

    Time to pack on the calories: More than 250 restaurants offer three-course prix-fixe menus for $22 at lunch and $33-$44 at dinner.


  • (Feb. 1 – 3)Ice Breaker

    South Haven, MI

    There's an ice-carving competition in this Lake Michigan town, plus wagon rides, a chili cook-off and skating and curling lessons.


  • (Feb. 1 – 10)Winter Tracks Festival

    North Shore, MN

    Enjoy guided snowshoe hikes and cross-country ski tours, sleigh rides, snow sculptures and snowmobile runs from the Lutsen-Tofte area to the Gunflint Trail.


  • (Feb. 2)Knickerbocker Ice Festival

    Lake Mills, WI

    This darling town east of Madison holds a fish toss, snowball-eating contest, dad-sled race, chili cook-off and Iceberg Open golf tournament. There's ice carving and ice wine, too.


  • (Feb. 2 – 3)City of Lakes Loppet

    Minneapolis, MN

    For recreational skiers, the highlight of this big cross-country ski festival is the Saturday-night Luminary Loppet, with glowing ice pillars and "ruins.'' There's a tent party with music afterward.

    On Saturday, there are also ski games and races for children, a snow-sculpture contest and bicycle and skijoring races.

    On Sunday, there's a 10k tour, a 25k classical race and a 33k freestyle race, all in Wirth Park.


  • (Feb. 6 – 10)Winter Carnival

    Houghton, MI

    This snow fest at Michigan Tech University includes a human dog-sled race, snow volleyball and a tug of war and ends with a torchlight parade and fireworks at Mont Ripley ski hill.


  • (Feb. 8 – 10)Extreme Winter Festival

    Storm Lake, IA

    The festival in this northwest Iowa town features an extreme bike ride, obstacle course and snow-sculpture contest.


  • (Feb. 8 – 9)Frostbite Olympics

    Algona, IA

    The festival in this north-central Iowa town features snowmobile rides, ice races, snow kickball and a treasure mountain for kids.


  • (Feb. 8 – 17)Polar Fest

    Detroit Lakes, MN

    On Feb. 9, there's a vintage snowmobile race and fishing derby, and on Feb. 16, a vintage snowmobile rally, youth fishing derby, plunge party, ice motorcycle stunts and fireworks.


  • (Feb. 8 – 10)Magical Ice Fest

    St. Joseph, MI

    Watch the pros carve sculptures in this Lake Michigan town. There's also entertainment, a scavenger hunt and magic and crafts for kids.


  • (Feb. 9 – 10)Pine Mountain Ski Jumping Tournament

    Iron Mountain, MI

    This Upper Peninsula town on the Wisconsin border is where the international jumpers go; it's a stop on the Continental Cup circuit.


  • (Feb. 9 – 18)Auto Show

    Chicago, IL

    It's the largest car show in the nation and third-largest in the world.


  • (Feb. 9)Bock Fest

    New Ulm, MN

    There's a parade of mythical Germanic characters, a hunt for billy-goat heads on the Schell Brewery grounds and beyond and a big party afterward with beer, live music and a bonfire.


  • (Feb. 14 – 17)International Eelpout Festival

    Walker, MN

    It's fun just to wander (or drive) around Leech Lake during this goofy event. Be sure to have some 'pout nuggets, which are as tasty as the fish is ugly.


  • (Feb. 14 – 17)Winter Comedy Arts Festival

    Traverse City, MI

    In addition to comedy concerts and films, there will be a laser light show, hot-chocolate contest and, on Front Street, a Ferris wheel, rink with free skate use, sledding hill and an arena for snowblower races, Monster Dog Pull and the Slip 'N' Fall Olympics.


  • (Feb. 15 – 17)Fire & Ice

    Sturgeon Bay, WI

    Ice and snow sculptors create pieces around town.


  • (Feb. 16 – 17)Madison Winter Festival

    Madison, WI

    See Capitol Square turn into a sports venue, with cross-country skiing, snowboarding and snowshoeing plus music, family games and ice and snow sculptures.


  • (Feb. 16)Book Across the Bay

    Ashland/Washburn, WI

    Ski or snowshoe across Lake Superior's Chequamegon Bay on a 10-kilometer route lined by ice luminaries. If you're not too fast, fireworks will fill the sky as you're approaching Washburn; a bonfire, chili feed and blues music follow.


  • (Feb. 16 – 17)Winter Festival

    Cedarburg, WI

    In its 39th year, this festival just north of Milwaukee features bed and barrel races, snow golf, an ice-carving contest, a dog weight pull competition, an arts show. The grand parade is at 1 p.m. Saturday.


  • (Feb. 16)Winter Jubilee

    Nisswa, MN

    In this Brainerd Lakes village, festivities include a medallion hunt, snow sculptures, wood-splitting and a parade at noon Saturday.


  • (Feb. 16 – 18)Voyageur Winter Festival

    Thunder Bay, ON

    The fest at Fort William Historical Park includes a snow maze, sleigh and dog-sled rides and contests in snow-sculpting, log-sawing, snowman-making and pond hockey.


  • (Feb. 16)Color the Wind Kite Festival

    Clear Lake, IA

    This town in north-central Iowa draws kiters from eight states for its festival, the largest in the Midwest, and stunt fliers will perform routines choreographed to music.


  • (Feb. 23)Grumpy Old Men Festival

    Wabasha, MN

    There's always good eagle-viewing in this Mississippi River town, and during the festival, there will be an ice-fishing contest, polar plunge and minnow races.


  • (Feb. 23)Bald Eagle Appreciation Day

    Prairie du Chien, WI

    Birding experts give programs and lead field trips. At the Wisconsin Travel Information Center, just off the bridge into town, volunteers man spotting scopes.


  • (Feb. 23)Bockfest at Capital Brewery

    Middleton, WI

    This Madison-area brewery celebrates with the Running of the Blondes 1K race, Kirby's Famous Fish Throw, music, costumes and, of course, beer. Tickets sell out, so buy early.


  • (Feb. 23 – 25)WolfTrack Classic Sled Dog Race

    Ely, MN

    There's a dog weight pull competition and mushers lasagna feed Saturday and the race to Tower and back on Sunday.


  • (Feb. 23)Perkinstown Outhouse Race

    Medford, WI

    Bring your own throne to this race at the nearby Perkinstown Winter Sports Area. Teams of four pushers and one squatter compete for the titles "hardest pushers'' and "prettiest potty.''


  • (Feb. 23 – 24)Schnee Days

    Elkhart Lake, WI

    The Snow Days festival in this town in east-central Wisconsin includes a hunt for colored ice cubes, dog sledding and a chili cook-off.


  • (Feb. 23)Coopersville Outhouse 500

    Coopersville, MI

    In this town just east of Grand Haven, there's a parade of decorated outhouses at 11 a.m., followed by races and a decorated toilet seat contest and auction.


March

  • (Mar. 1 – 3)International Festival of Owls

    Houston, MN

    This southeast Minnesota town offers owl prowls, hooting contests, pellet dissection, live-owl programs and children's activities.


  • (Mar. 1 – 3)Winter Carnival

    Bayfield, WI

    The Lake Superior festival features the Run on Water to Madeline Island, a candlelight walk, party and candlelight ski at Mount Ashwabay, a winter run and obstacle course and a penguin-egg hunt for kids.


  • (Mar. 2 – 3)Klondike Days

    Eagle River, WI

    There's a lot to see: a fur-trade encampment, powwow, dog weight pull, lumberjack show and chainsaw-carving contest, plus snowshoe races and sleigh rides.


  • (Mar. 2 – 3)Sock Monkey Madness Festival

    Rockford, IL

    This town in northern Illinois made the red-heeled socks from which the famous stuffed toys were created during the Depression; make your own sock money or elephant and watch the Miss Sockford pageant and film fest.


  • (Mar. 2)World's Longest Weenie Roast

    Cable, WI

    Lakewoods Resorts hosts this benefit on Lake Namekagon, which includes snowmobile speed runs, ice bowling and a frozen weenie polar plunge.


  • (Mar. 8 – 10)Winter Powwow

    West Allis, WI

    This traditional powwow with drumming, singing and food is the winter version of Indian Summer Festival. At Wisconsin State Fair Park. Grand entries are 1 and 7 p.m. Saturday and 1 p.m. Sunday.


  • (Mar. 8 – 10)Mush for a Cure

    Gunflint Trail, MN

    This event begins with a "sourdough start'' -- mushers wait inside sleeping bags for a shotgun blast, then race to put on boots and hook up teams for a fun run. Everyone wears pink, including the dogs, and a party follows. There are also human sled-dog races, sky lanterns and skijoring.


  • (Mar. 8 – 10)Balloon Rally & Snowshoe Championships

    Cable, WI

    Hot-air balloonists give rides for charity, weather permitting, and athletes compete in the Braveheart Midwest Snowshoe Racing Championships. There's a balloon glow in the evening. Hosted by Lakewoods Resort.


  • (Mar. 9 – 10)Artigras

    Green Bay, WI

    This fine arts festival in Shopko Hall includes artist demonstrations, children's activities, dance, jazz and classical music.


  • (Mar. 9)Tour Duluth

    Duluth, MN

    A free tour of Duluth's excellent cross-country trails for skiers of ages and abilities, hosted by the Duluth XC Ski Club. A potluck follows.


  • (Mar. 10)John Beargrease Sled Dog Marathon

    Duluth, MN

    Watch the start of the marathon to the Gunflint Trail and the mid-distance race to Tofte. Postponed from Jan. 27.


  • (Mar. 15 – 16)Ghost Ships Festival

    Milwaukee, WI

    This trade show, at the Crowne Plaza Milwaukee Airport Hotel, is devoted to Great Lakes maritime history and scuba diving. The exhibit hall is free and open to the public.


  • (Mar. 16 – 17)Soar With Eagles

    Wabasha, MN

    The National Eagle Center holds live-bird programs and nature presentations weekends in March, when bald eagles migrate northward along the Mississippi.


November

  • (Nov. 21)Holiday Lights Festival

    Milwaukee, WI

    The season-long lights festival begins with music, tree-lighting and hot chocolate in Red Arrow Park, then moves across the river to Pere Marquette Park for a family fashion show, variety show, fireworks and free tours on the Jingle Bus.


December

  • (Dec. 19 – 31)WinterFest

    Milwaukee, WI

    An indoor festival with skating, rides, a slide, rock walls, snowball throw, sports activities and a giant snow globe at Frontier Airlines Center downtown.


  • (Dec. 31)Carp Fest

    Prairie du Chien, WI

    Help build carp snow sculptures and a giant arts-and-crafts carp, take a whack at a carp pinata, go on a hot-air balloon ride and ski or hike by torchlight in LaRiviere Park. The festival culminates with a laser and pyrotechnics show and the Droppin' of the Carp, a large, frozen Mississippi River rough fish, on New Year's Eve.


  • (Dec. 31)Cheese Drop

    Plymouth, WI

    For the big Cheese Drop in this eastern Wisconsin town, an 80-pound lighted wedge of cheese is dropped 100 feet at midnight.