Feeling Hearty?
It’s time for Winter Carnival Fun with a Vulcan Victory Torchlight Parade, Ice Palaces, Family Day, Saintly City Cat Show, and a Treasure Hunt. The City of Lakes Loppet Ski Festival has fun for all ages and abilities!
Feeling Hungry?
Check out the Chili Cook Offs and Ice Fishing Tournaments.
Read on for indoor options and so much more, and please remember to layer up and stay safe.
Minneapolis-St. Paul Area
Jan. 24 – Feb. 4, St. Paul
Saint Paul Winter Carnival
Don’t miss the 133rd Saint Paul Winter Carnival, the “Coolest Celebration on Earth!” Dozens of free events, both traditional favorites and new attractions, will entertain participants of all ages. Highlights include the Winter Carnival Music Series, King Boreas Grand Day Parade, Vulcan Victory Torchlight Parade, ice palaces, Family Day, Kids’ Day, Saintly City Cat Show, Pioneer Press Treasure Hunt, and so much more at venues throughout St. Paul. Many other fun activities and outdoor winter events will be held Jan. 24 through Feb. 3 during The Great Northern in Minneapolis and St. Paul. 651-223-4700; 952-925-4848
Jan. 31 – Feb. 3, Minneapolis
City of Lakes Loppet Ski Festival
The City of Lakes Loppet is a cross-country ski festival for the whole family! Enjoy ski races for all ages and abilities, skijoring races, a Kubb tournament, a snow sculpture competition, a youth ski carnival, sprint races, ice biking, and the popular Luminary Loppet, a beautiful night-time ski around Lake of the Isles lit by thousands of ice luminaries. The Trailhead at Theodore Wirth Regional Park. 612-604-5330
Feb. 2, Plymouth
Holes 4 Heroes Ice Fishing Tournament
The Holes 4 Heroes Ice Fishing Tournament honors our military, both active and veterans. The tournament is free for all military and their immediate families. The public is encouraged to also join in the fun. There will be great prizes, food, fun activities for the kids, and great fishing! Medicine Lake. 612-554-6304
Feb. 2, Minneapolis
11th Annual Chili Cook-off
What better way to warm a February day than to taste dozens of unique versions of homemade chili and vote for your favorite? The popular Cornbread Competition and Brownie Bake-off will also take place, along with opportunities to play with clay, and wheel-throwing demonstrations. Northern Clay Center. 612-339-8007
Jan. 4 – Feb. 28, St. Paul
Omnifest
The very popular annual Omnitheater film festival begins January 4 at the Science Museum of Minnesota’s William L. McKnight-3M Omnitheater with five films running in rotation on its 90-foot domed screen. Included in this year’s festival are Ring of Fire, Journey to Space, National Parks Adventure, The Greatest Places, and Tornado Alley. 651-221-9444
Jan. 31 – Feb. 2, Chanhassen
The Fabulous Armadillos Present Stadium Rock
The Fabulous Armadillos perform one of their favorite shows: Stadium Rock! This show features the music of rock icons whose audiences filled massive stadiums around the world such as The Who, AC/DC, Bon Jovi, Def Leppard, KISS, Journey, Styx, Night Ranger, REO Speedwagon, Kansas, Boston, Queen, Aerosmith, Heart and many more! You’ll be singing along with your lighter (cell phone!) in the air! Chanhassen Dinner Theatres. 952-934-1525
Jan. 12 – Feb. 28, Excelsior
Ice Castles
Ice Castles is the must-see winter wonderland where fairy tales are brought to life with twinkling lights, magnificent archways and towers, ice-carved tunnels, fountains and slides ready to be explored. The Commons. 866-435-2850
Jan. 31 – Feb. 3, Minneapolis
Metro Dealers RV Super Show
The Metro RV Dealers Association is a Twin Cities organization designed to help in the search for the perfect RV, camper or trailer. Eleven premier Minneapolis and St. Paul Area RV dealerships have joined forces with one goal: to ensure customers the easiest access to the widest selection and best prices on the purchase of an RV. There will also be special deals on accessories, along with giveaways and concessions. U.S. Bank Stadium. 612-777-8700
Greater MN highlights this weekend include:
Jan. 28 – Feb. 2, Granite Falls
Ole and Lena Days
Jan. 31 – Feb. 3, Minneapolis
City of Lakes Loppet Ski Festival
Jan. 31 – Feb. 2, Crosslake
16th Annual WinterFest Celebration
Feb. 2, Park Rapids
American Legion Community Ice Fishing Contest
Feb. 2, Grand Marais
Event info provided by Explore MN