Turn the long Minnesota winter into an adventure by exploring festivals around the state. A little snow, a cup of hot cocoa and the local spots below can make it feel like a Hallmark movie come to life!

Northeast

Hygge Festival
Grand Marais
Feb. 6–16, 2026

Revel in the coziness of winter on the North Shore with opportunities to sauna, go snowshoeing, sip hot cocoa or savor a glass of wine by a roaring fire and more.
visitcookcounty.com/event/hygge-festival/87 

IceBox Days
International Falls
Jan. 16–25, 2026

Celebrate midwinter with activities like frozen turkey bowling, boot hockey, the Freeze Yer Gizzard Blizzard Run and moonlight skiing in Voyageurs National Park. 
ifallschamber.com/ice-box-days

Southwest

Fire & Ice Festival
Redwood Falls
Feb. 7, 2026

Venture out onto Lake Redwood to enjoy a variety of free activities for all ages. You can play broom ball or go Bobski racing (chairs on skis), eat s’mores and sip hot cocoa around a bonfire or take a sleigh ride through town. Don’t forget to stick around for fireworks at the end of the night!
celebrateredwoodfalls.com/fire-and-ice    

Southeast

Bold & Cold Winter Festival
Owatonna
Jan. 19–25, 2026

Enjoy a weekend in Owatonna that includes a snow sculpture–building contest, a medallion hunt, fat tire biking, curling for beginners, glow-in-the-dark ice skating, a luminary hike and more!
visitowatonna.org/boldandcold

Northwest

Back to Hack
Hackensack
Jan. 16–18, 2026

Bundle up to experience activities for the entire family, including a medallion hunt, a fishing contest, snow golf, a fun run, and a fish fry and chili feed.
hackensackchamber.com/back-to-hack    

Metro

Kites on Ice Festival
Buffalo
Feb. 14, 2026

Beat the winter blues by watching a kite show over Buffalo Lake and Sturges Park. Plus, there will be food trucks and a beer garden, along with dog sled rides, pond hockey and cornhole tournaments, and free kites for kids.
buffalochamber.org/event/kites-ice-festival

Chilly Open
Wayzata
Feb. 7, 2026

Miss golfing during the winter? Scratch the itch with this winter golf tournament, with four 9-hole courses carved out on the frozen Lake Minnetonka. You can also enjoy “snowga” (yoga on the ice), a chili cook-off and live music.
chillyopen.wayzatawestmetrochamber.com