Minnesota Festivals Winter

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Minnesota Festivals
Winter Fun

Saint Paul Winter Carnival

For Minnesota festivals winter is one of our primary seasons of celebration! There is no hiding from winter...we get out and play. When you plan a Minnesota winter vacation, be sure to come for a winter festival.

The most well-known of our winter festivals is the Saint Paul Winter Carnival. The winter carnival is promoted as "The Coolest Celebration on Earth!

Most of the winter carnival events take place in and around downtown Saint Paul. Many of these events are free or are discounted or free with a Saint Paul Winter Carnival Button.

Here is just a partial list of the winter fun events at the St. Paul Winter Carnival:

Snow Sculpture and Ice Carving Competitions
Winter Carnival Medallion Treasure Hunt
King Boreas Grande Day Parade
Torchlight Parade
Klondike Kate Competition
Winter Carnival Blues Festival
Vulcan Coming Out Party

See some great photos and learn more about the Saint Paul Winter Carnival.

Read reviews of all of the best things to see and do in any season on a Minnesota vacation.

Minnesota winter activities include lots of winter festivals and celebrations of our winter season.

***Scroll to the bottom of this page to add a Minnesota winter festival, event or celebration that others should know about.

John Beargrease Sled Dog Marathon in Duluth

Minnesota festival winter sled dog

The John Beargrease Sled Dog Race is run along the North Shore of Lake Superior. The race celebrates the vital role of John Beargrease in the early history of the area. John Beargrease was the son of an Anishinabe Chief. He and his brothers delivered mail between Two Harbors and Grand Marais using a variety of methods to transport the mail including dogsled, canoes, horses and large boats. Read more about this remarkable man on the John Beargrease web site below.

Some features of the race:

One of the most prestigious sled dog races in the lower 48 States
Mushers and spectators attend and participate from around the world.
Rugged 390-mile race along the North Shore of Lake Superior.
Race week events include: Cutest Puppy Contest, Opening Ceremonies and 'Meet the Mushers' at the race start.

More about the John Beargrease Sled Dog Race

WinterFest in Spicer

WinterFest in Spicer Minnesota features:

A breathtaking ice structure and slide, which is visible day and night.
Snowmobile runs
Ice Fishing tournaments
Polar Plunge and Hot Tub Party
Fireworks

More about Winterfest

Icebox Days in International Falls

Icebox Days is International Falls annual celebration of winter This four-day fun and wacky event has something for all ages.

Some of the featured chilly events include:

Freeze yer Gizzard Blizzard 5k & 10k Runs
Candlelight skiing in Voyageurs National Park
Snow sculpting
Frozen turkey bowling
Smoosh races

More about Icebox Days

Grumpy Old Men Festival in Wabasha

Wabasha is the Minnesota town that inspired the Grumpy Old Men movie. Wabasha continues to celebrate the movie, and winter, with the Grumpy Old Men Festival.

Some of the fun includes:

Grumpy old mens' pastime: ice fishing and an ice fishing contest
An ice shack contest
Frisbee games
Softball and golf tournaments and hoop shoots
Birdwatching
A spaghetti dinner and dance

More about the Grumpy Old Men Festival

Ice Fishing Extravaganza Brainerd

Brainerd celebrates winter with its annual ice fishing contest. Their web site promotes this extravaganza as "The world’s largest live-release ice fishing contest."

The ice fishing contest is held on Gull Lake's Hole-in-the-Day Bay. More than $150,000 in prizes are offered.

The Brainerd Jaycees sponsor the ice fishing contest.

More about the Brainerd Ice Fishing Extravaganza

Fish House Parade in Aitken in November

The annual Fish House Parade in Aitken in one of many quirky events that happen every year in Minnesota.

From the Aitken Minnesota web site:

Aitkin’s World Famous Fish House Parade will be celebrating another year in the North Country at this unusual parade of decorated fish houses The display travels though the downtown retail district so you can see it all! The parade has been shown nationally on the Comedy Central network, HGTV and A&E."

Date: November
Check out the Aitken Minnesota web site

Holidazzle Parade in Minneapolis

The Holidazzle Parade has become a Midwest tradition.

This yearly parade celebrates winter and Christmas. Thousands of people gather on the Nicollet Mall each evening to see the dazzling lights and festive floats. Each evening's parade features brightly lit floats, marching bands, celebrity grand marshals and 250 costumed characters from popular children's stories.

The parade is free to the public.

Dates: Thursdays through Sundays from late November - late December

Check out the Holidazzle web site

Come for the Holidazzle Parade; stay to celebrate Christmas in Minnesota

Minnesota festival winter

If there is a winter festival, winter carnival, or other winter activity in Minnesota that others should know about, please share it here. If you have a photo to share, all the better!

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What Other Visitors Have Said

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