Winter Rocks! You just have to embrace it- celebrations of winter are everywhere including The Coolest Celebration on Earth! St Paul Winter Carnival highlights include Coronation, Klondike Kate Cabaret, Vulcan Fun Day, Ice Carving & Snow Sculpting, Parades, Plunges, Fancy Hotdish Competition, Giant Snow Slide, City Cat Show, Barstool Ski Races and more!
Winter sports fans sports take note the US Pond Hockey championships and the City of Lakes Loppet are here.
Looking for indoor excitement? The Rodeo is in town! Dream of summer at The Boat Show, enjoy music or get some laughs. Enjoy your weekend.
Jan. 23-26, Minneapolis
2020 Progressive Insurance Minneapolis Boat Show
The Progressive Minneapolis Boat Show features the upper Midwest’s best selection of new boats, along with hundreds of vendor booths showcasing the very latest in engines, marine electronics and accessories for every lifestyle, activity and budget. Compare makes and models, secure insurance and financing, and gear up with the latest accessories all under one roof! Minneapolis Convention Center. 612-332-8330
Jan. 23-26, Stillwater
Stillwater Winterfest
Winterfest is a community-wide celebration of all things winter, with activities such as the Opening Ceremony, Torchlight Parade, Parka Pub Crawl, Beer/Bags/Bingo, jousting, mini-golf, Stillwater’s Got Talent Show, stein-holding contest, Hammerschlagen, Casserole Cook-off, live music events and more! Stillwater. 651-342-0176
Jan. 23 – Feb. 2, St. Paul
Saint Paul Winter Carnival
Attend the 134th Saint Paul Winter Carnival, the “Coolest Celebration on Earth” since 1886, and enjoy dozens of free events. Some of the highlights include Opening Ceremonies, 2020 Royal Coronation, Klondike Kate Cabaret, Vulcan Fun Day, Multi-Block Ice Carving & Snow Sculpting competitions, Winter Carnival Music Series, 2020 King Boreas Grand Day Parade, ice fishing competition, Winter Carnival Art Show, Hops & Hounds, Polar Plunges, Royal Promenade Fashion Show, Fancy Hotdish Competition, Vulcan Snow Park Giant Snow Slide, 2020 Saintly City Cat Show, Barstool Ski Races and more! Most events take place in downtown St. Paul, in and around Kellogg Mall Park and the Landmark Center, as well as at the Minnesota State Fairgrounds. 651-223-4700
Jan 23 – Feb 2, Minneapois & St. Paul
The Great Northern
Embrace winter at its wintry finest! The Great Northern, a ten-day winter celebration across Minneapolis and St. Paul, includes amazing winter sports for spectators such as pond hockey, skijoring and fat-tire bike racing, along with ice and snow sculpture competitions. There are also lots of food-focused events, outdoor concerts and more. This annual celebration includes legacy festivals such as the City of Lakes Loppet Ski Festival, the Saint Paul Winter Carnival, and the U.S. Pond Hockey Championships. Most events are free to attend. So bundle up, get outside and leave the hibernating to the bears! Minneapolis and St. Paul venues and parks. 952-994-8503
Jan. 24-25, Chanhassen
Bridge Over Troubled Water – An Album Tribute
The music of Simon & Garfunkel is forever ingrained into our hearts and minds. Don’t miss Collective Unconscious, performing with a live orchestra to present Simon & Garfunkel’s album Bridge Over Troubled Water in its entirety. Chanhassen Dinner Theaters. 952-934-1525
Jan. 24-25, St. Paul
Cinch World’s Toughest Rodeo
The sidewalk ends and the Wild West begins at Cinch World’s Toughest Rodeo featuring three fan-favorite events — bareback riding, saddle bronc riding, and the most extreme sport, bull riding. Twelve contestants will compete for the chance to return for the final winner-takes-all Ultimate Showdown Round. In addition, some of the nation’s fastest cowgirls will compete against the clock in the Women’s Barrel Racing competition. Xcel Energy Center. 651-726-8240
Jan. 24-26, Minneapolis
Minneapolis Home + Remodeling Show
The Home + Remodeling Show is sure to inspire homeowners with specific home improvement projects in mind. With remodeling, interior design and home improvement presentations scattered throughout the show, and more than 250 go-to resources and vendors, this show will help with all your home and remodeling needs. U.S. Bank Stadium. 952-933-3850
Jan. 25, Scandia
Vinterfest
Enjoy this celebration of winter, Scandinavian-style! Just some of the highlights include the Minnesotan Cup Hockey tournament at Wojtowicz Skating Park, a snow sculpture contest, sledding, arts & crafts fair, Beaivi and the Reindeer Play, fireworks display, Chili Contest, free movie, and beer & food tent. 651-433-2274
Jan. 25 – Feb. 1, Minneapolis & St. Paul
Twin Cities Jewish HumorFest 2020
Celebrate Jewish comedy, humor and chutzpah in all artistic forms. This week-long celebration of Jewish humor features many comedians and authors, as well as story-telling art exhibitions from Minnesota and across the globe. Some of the event’s celebrities include Matt Goldman (Seinfeld), and Alan Zweibel (SNL)! Everyone will enjoy the humor, regardless of background. Sabes JCC Theater and St. Paul JCC Theater. 952-381-3438
Jan. 26, Chanhassen
What a Woman Knows
Join Ginger Commodore, Debbie Duncan, Yolande Bruce and Gwen Matthews as they sing songs from a woman’s point of view. Hear this truly legendary group of performers sing songs like “My Funny Valentine,” “I Loves You Porgy,” “Fools Fall in Love,” “I Will Survive,” “If I Could,” “If I Were Your Woman,” and many more! Chanhassen Dinner Theaters. 952-934-1525
Dec. 6 – Feb. 22, St. Paul
Destination Winter Saint Paul
Destination Winter Saint Paul is bringing a one-of-a-kind experience to Lowertown. All ages will enjoy the relocation of Wells Fargo WinterSkate from Landmark Plaza to the playing surface at CHS Field, as well as the return of the 40-foot Securian SuperSlide for the first time since Super Bowl LII. 651-644-6659; 651-202-2700
Jan. 17 – (weather dependent), New Brighton
Minnesota Ice Castles
Ice Castles is an award-winning frozen attraction located in six cities across North America. The experience is built using hundreds of thousands of icicles hand-placed by professional ice artists. The castles include breathtaking LED-lit sculptures, frozen thrones, ice-carved tunnels, slides, fountains and more. Long Lake Regional Park.
Jan. 18 – Feb. 9 (Saturdays and Sundays), Minneapolis
Art Shanty Projects 2020 On-Ice Program
Art Shanty Projects began in 2004 as an experiment in turning a traditional ice fishing house into a less conventional art studio and retreat on a frozen lake. Over 15 years and three lakes, it has grown into a much-anticipated annual festival that most recently hosted 40,000 visitors on Bde Unma/Lake Harriet in 2018. This year, check out more than 20 unique shanties, as well as over 150 artists and performers. The icy lake is transformed into a vibrant village, full of fantastical structures, bustling with musicians and performers of all kinds. Bde Unma/Lake Harriet. 612-567-6844
Event highlights around the state this week include:
Jan. 22-26, Owatonna
Bold & Cold Winter Festival
Jan. 25, Brainerd
Brainerd Jaycees $150,000 Ice Fishing Extravaganza
Jan. 25, Walker
Ronnie Milsap In Concert
Jan. 24-30, Duluth
John Beargrease Sled Dog Marathon
Event Information provided by Explore MN