Minnesota Winter Festivals
The Saint Paul Winter Carnival & Other MN Festivities
Summer festivals are fun, but winter festivals are something special. Here's where to find winter festivities in the Twin Cities metro area and in outstate Minnesota.
Who says Minnesota winters can't be fun? Sure, the average high in January is only about 22 degrees F, but that doesn't mean you have to stay inside all day. In fact, towns throughout Minnesota fight back against the cold with annual winter festivals that draw the community together during the bleakest time of year. Bundle up and stop by any of these festivals for a taste of resilient Minnesota fun!
The Saint Paul Winter Carnival. (January 23 - February 3, 2008). The ultimate winter carnival can be found in the state's capital city. Over a hundred years ago, a New York reporter declared that St. Paul was uninhabitable during winter, and ever since then, St. Paul has been proving him wrong with this massive festival. Downtown St. Paul annually becomes the home to enormous snow and ice sculptures, dozens of activities and events, and a daily selection of authentic Minnesota "hotdish." Read all about the Saint Paul Winter carnival!
Blast on the Border! in International Falls. (January 17-20, 2008). International Falls is on the Canadian border and is about as cold as you can get in Minnesota, so there's no better place to celebrate winter! They used to call this festival "Icebox Days," but decided it needed a title that highlighted more than just the frigid temperatures. Highlights of the festival include the Freeze Your Gizzard Blizzard Run, frozen-turkey bowling, the Ode to Cold Poetry Contest, and Backwoods Karaoke. For more information, call the International Falls Area Chamber of Commerce at 218-283-9400.
Bemidji Polar Daze. (January 18-24, 2008). Bemidji is in north-central Minnesota and is best known for its giant statues of Paul Bunyan and Babe the Blue Ox. This sports-filled festival features golf on ice (yes, you can do that in Minnesota!), snowmobiling, a hockey tournament, ski races, and snow sculptures. For more information, call the Bemidji Area Chamber of Commerce at 218-444-3541.
Ely Winter Festival. (February 1-10, 2008). Located in northeast Minnesota, Ely (which rhymes with "freely") is a pretty town at the entrance to the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness. Highlights include a historical voyageurs' encampment, which is a re-enactment of what life was like for French explorers in the dead of winter. There's also lots of snow carving (including lessons), cross-country ski events, and "mukluk ball." For more information, call the Ely Chamber of Commerce at 800-777-6123.
See also:
Twin City Christmas Celebrations
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