The popular ice carving competition returns to Rice Park.
Carnival held Jan. 25-Feb. 3
Tim Spitzack
Editor
With the turn of the calendar, hearty St. Paulites will turn their attention to the city’s most popular celebration, the St. Paul Winter Carnival. The frosty fun begins January 1 with an ice fishing contest and continues through February 4, although the official dates of the carnival are Jan. 25-Feb. 3. Events are held at various venues including Landmark Center, Rice Park and the Minnesota State Fairgrounds. Most events are free, but some have fees. Purchase a 2024 Winter Carnival button for discounts.
The Winter Carnival is presented by the St. Paul Festival and Heritage Foundation and is said to be the oldest winter festival in the nation. In a typical year it attracts an estimated 250,000 visitors who shell out a combined $2-$3 million. Here’s a guide to the events. The information was accurate as of press time but is subject to change. For more information, visit wintercarnival.com.
Ice Fishing Tournament, January 1-February 4. Bait a hook and drop the line for the chance to win prizes in 10 categories.
Past Princess Soiree, 6-10 p.m., Friday, Jan. 5 at Mermaid Entertainment and Event Center, 2200 Mounds View Blvd., Mounds View. Honor the outgoing Wind princesses and support the Past Princess Association. $55. Register online at
pastprincess.com.
Junior Coronation, 2 p.m., Saturday, Jan. 6 at the Minnesota Masonic Heritage Center, 11411 Masonic Home Dr., Bloomington. See the crowning of the 2024 Junior Royalty Court. $10 with a button, $15 without.
Crowns and Gowns Fashion Show, noon-3 p.m., Sunday, Jan. 7 at the DoubleTree Hotel, 411 Minnesota St. Tickets from $45. Hosted by the Ambassadors of the St. Paul Winter Carnival. Order tickets at www.ambassadorsspwc.com.
Candidate Gala, 6-10 p.m., Tuesday, Jan. 16 at the DoubleTree Hotel, 411 Minnesota St. Meet the candidates for the Queen of Snows in this formal program that includes dinner. Tickets are $65.
Klondike Kate Contest, 6:30 p.m., Wednesday, Jan. 10 at Inwood Oaks Event Center, 484 Inwood Ave. N., Oakdale. Each year up to 10 flamboyant females stretch their vocal cords and performance skills in their quest to be named Klondike Kate. Tickets are $25 through January 9; $30 at the door, or $25 with a Winter Carnival button. The Klondike Kate Cabaret is held at 7 p.m., Saturday, Jan. 27, and the Klondike Kate Artic Sizzle, 11 a.m.-4 p.m., Friday, Feb. 2. Both events are at KJs Hideaway, 408 St. Peter St. Tickets at klondikekates.org.
Fire and Ice Dinner, 6 p.m., Friday, Jan. 19 at the Pool and Yacht Club, 1600 Lilydale Rd., Lilydale. Join the Royal Family, Vulcans, Klondike Kate and the Royal Guard for an evening of food and fun. Reservations required. Call 651-455-3900. Cost is $35.
Vulcan Snow Park Snow Stomp, Jan. 20-21 at the Fairgrounds. Volunteers are needed to stomp snow into large blocks to be used for the snow carving contest. Join the fun in this Winter Carnival workout. To volunteer or for more information, visit mnsnowpark.com/snow-stomp.
Annual Queen’s Tea, 11 a.m., Sunday, Jan. 21, at Royal Golf Club, 11455 20th St. N., Lake Elmo. Join former queens in honoring the 2023 Queen of Snows, Jocelyn O’Neill. A social hour with cash bar begins at 11 a.m. and other events begin at noon. $45. Tickets are available online at formerqueens.com/tea.
Gangsters and Ghosts Walking Tours, Jan. 25-Feb. 4. Gangsterland Skyway Tour is a 90-minute tour that explores crime and corruption from St. Paul’s past. Starts at Infor Commons, 380 St. Peter St. $25. Secrets of Union Depot Tour offers a behind-the-scenes look at Union Depot and unexplained events that have happened there. $20. For tickets, visit cyncitytours.com.
Light the Park and Laser Show, 5:30 p.m., Thursday, Jan. 25 at Rice Park. The lighting of Rice Park officially kicks off the carnival. The first 200 to arrive receive a glow wand. The evening includes the ice carving contest, music, food and beverages.
Vulcan Reveal, 10 a.m., Saturday, Jan. 27 at Landmark Center.
Multi-block Ice Carving Competition, Jan. 25-27 at Rice Park. Teams work feverishly over 48 hours to create their masterpieces. Judging follows at 7 p.m. on Saturday.
Snow Sculpture Competition, Jan. 26-28. Watch 3-person teams of snow sculptors transform large blocks of snow into whimsical creations. The winners are announced at 2 p.m. on Sunday. The sculptures will be on display through Feb. 4.
Winter Carnival Memorabilia Display at the Landmark Center. See Winter Carnival memorabilia from ages past and learn stories from knowledgeable volunteers. The exhibit opens 10 a.m.-4 p.m., Friday, Jan. 26 and will be on display Jan. 26-28 and Feb. 1-3. Hours vary.
Royal Coronation, 8 p.m., Friday, Jan. 26 at St. Paul RiverCentre. Witness the crowning of the 2024 Royal Family and rub elbows with King Boreas, Aurora Queen of Snows and the four Wind princes and princesses. Tickets are $30 and must be purchased in advance.
Rondo Night, 5-9:30 p.m., Thursday, Feb. 1 at Landmark Center. The event features music and art from BIPOC artists, food and drawings for prizes.
St. Paul Scavenger Hunts. The North Wind Hunt has 30 clues that take you to 30 places in St. Paul. The West Wind Hunt at Phalen Park is designed for families. The South Wind Hunt features 30 clues that can be solved from the comfort of your home. The East Wind Hunt is the most challenging and includes a collection of puzzles to solve from various St. Paul locations.
The jigsaw puzzle contest is at a new location this year. It takes place 8 a.m.-5 p.m., Saturday, Jan. 27 at Union Depot. Come watch teams of puzzle enthusiasts race to complete 500-piece puzzles in two hours, and 1,000-piece puzzles in three hours. There are pairs and family contests as well. Bring a gently used puzzle to swap or purchase a new one at the event. Concessions available.
Vulcan Snow Park at the Fairgrounds. Visitors will find a snow maze, snow mountain playing area and the artistic creations of master snow carvers participating in the Minnesota State Snow Sculpting competition. The large, frosty sculptures are always stunning to see and make a great photo backdrop. Vulcan Fun Day is Sunday, Jan. 28. Admission and parking are free.
Fire & Ice Run/Walk 8-11 a.m., Sunday, Jan. 28. Adults may enter the 5K, 10K, 15K or 20K and youth (typically ages 4-10) may enter the kids run. Also available: a NoK (pay not to run). Cost to register is $40 through January 23; $45 after. $20 for the kids run. All participants receive a Winter Carnival hat, button and coupon book.
The King Boreas Grande Day Parade begins at 2 p.m., Saturday, Jan. 27. The route goes from West 7th at Smith Avenue, to 5th Street, to Washington, to 4th Street at Rice Park. Dozens of bands, floats and, of course, the newly crowned King Boreas and his Royal Family will be there. Free cocoa at the Castle for Kids at Landmark Center after the parade. The Rock the Palace Dance Party begins at 3 p.m., Saturday, Jan. 27 at 317 on Rice Park, 317 Washington St. Tickets are $20 and can be purchased at royalguards.org.
Winter Carnival Cat Show, January 27-28, at the Roy Wilkins Exhibition Hall, 175 W. Kellogg Blvd. Hours are 9 a.m.-5 p.m., Saturday, and 9 a.m.-4 p.m., Sunday. Cost is $10 for adults and $7 for children. For more information, visit saintlycitycatclub.org.
The Orchid Society of Minnesota’s “Winter Carnival Orchid Show” is held Jan. 27-28 at the Marjorie McNeely Conservatory, 1225 Estabrook Dr. Judging is at 7 a.m., Saturday, Jan. 27.
Vulcan vs. The Royal Guard Hockey Classic starts at 5:30 p.m., Sunday, Jan. 28, at Doug Woog Arena in South St. Paul. Cash donations are suggested; non-expired food items will also be accepted.
Hot & Cool Classics Concert, 2 p.m., Sunday, Jan. 28 at Landmark Center. The St. Paul Civic Symphony will present a free concert featuring song and dance music by Ruth Gipps, Rachmaninoff and Duke Ellington.
Frozen Family Fun Night, 5:30-7:30 p.m., Tuesday, Jan. 30 at Landmark Center. The event features a meet-and-greet with Ana, Elsa and Kristoff from 6-7 p.m., story time and Frozen singalong, snow activities with junior royalty and more. Free.
Winter Carnival’s Day of Good is Friday, Feb. 2. The day will have many opportunities to donate food, blankets or blood, and spread cheer into the community. The St. Paul Festival and Heritage Foundation has partnered with the Winter Carnival ambassadors and their Cold Hands, Warm Hearts drive. The Northwind Titan Trooper will be parked at the Landmark Center to collect the donations for the Hallie Q. Brown Community Center. Bring non-perishable food items and new or gently used mittens and hats.
St. Paul Bouncing Team tryouts, 6-9 p.m., Friday, Feb. 2 at Landmark Center. Free. The St. Paul Bouncing team is a nonprofit organization that performs aerial acrobatics at public and private social events throughout the year. This activity is inspired by an Inuit hunting tradition and is among the oldest performances in the Winter Carnival’s history. For more information, visit stpaulbouncingteam.org.
The Vulcan Victory Torchlight Parade will weave its way through the city beginning at 5 p.m., Saturday, Feb. 3. The route is the same as the King Boreas Grande Day Parade, starting at West 7th at Smith Avenue and ending at Rice Park. After the parade, follow Vulcanus Rex and his Krewe to the steps of the Central Library for the ever-dramatic overthrow of Boreas. Stick around afterward for fireworks and music.
The Vulcan Victory Dance is 7:30-11:30 p.m., Saturday, Feb. 3 at InterContinental St. Paul Riverfront, 11 E. Kellogg Blvd. The band High and Mighty will perform beginning at 8 p.m. Tickets are $25.
Doggie Depot, 10 a.m.-3 p.m., Saturday, Feb. 3 at Union Depot. Stop by for the crowning of the Canine King & Queen, giveaways, interviews with pet experts and more. Free.
Friday Night Party Zone, 4-10 p.m., Saturday, Feb. 3 at Rice Park. Join PJ the DJ for a dance party in the huge warming tent.
Kids’ & Family Day, 11 a.m.-5 p.m., Saturday, Feb. 3 at Landmark Center. Kids will be able to play, watch performances, participate in art and craft activities, and more. Vendors will also be on site. Free.
BEAR’ly Open Golf on Ice, 11:30 a.m.-4 p.m., Saturday, Feb. 3 on White Bear Lake. Play a round on a course on the frozen lake. Proceeds benefit the White Bear Lake Food Shelf. Register at www.bearlyopen.org.
Berners in the Park, 11 a.m.-1 p.m., Saturday, Feb. 3 at Rice Park. Friendly dogs of the Bernese Mountain Dog Club of the Greater Twin Cities will join the fun for Kids’ and Family Day. Visitors may pet and play with them. Free.