St. Paul Winter Carnival returns January 23

By Tim Spitzack | Editor | January 2025

Snow or no snow, you can always expect winter fun to arrive in late January with the annual St. Paul Winter Carnival. Dating to 1886, the Carnival is the oldest winter festival in the United States and annually provides a pleasant diversion in the heart of winter. The frosty fun begins January 23 and continues through February 2. Events are free or low cost and held in St. Paul, unless noted. Event information was accurate as of press time. For the most current information, visit wintercarnival.com.

New for 2025
Ice Park – Rice Park has long been home to the ice carving competitions, and that will continue but with some other attractions added. In addition to the masterpieces created by team and individual competitors, the Ice Park will also have a variety of additional frozen sculptures created by pros and amateurs alike. The competitions begin at 7 p.m., January 23, and the ice sculptures can be viewed throughout the duration of the carnival.

Grande Day Parade on Grand Avenue – The Grande Day Parade is moving to Grand Avenue this year. It begins at 2 p.m., January 25 at the intersection of Grand and Dale and travels to Lexington Avenue. It will feature dozens of units, floats and the newly crowned King Boreas and his Royal Family.

Slow Snow Glow – A winter bike ride begins at 4 p.m., January 25 at the Hallie Q. Brown Community Center, 270 N. Kent St. Participants can enjoy music, food, fire pits, and a vibrant display of culture and community warmth that pays homage to the rich legacy of Black culture in the historic Rondo neighborhood. Riders will be provided with bike lights. Bicycles are available for use.

Walk-Up Snowboarding – Visit Battle Creek Regional Park 11 a.m.-4 p.m., January 26 for free lessons and demonstrations from professional snowboarders.

Jigsaw Puzzle Competition – An extra day has been added to the popular jigsaw puzzle competition, billed as the biggest puzzle competition in the country. Competitors will be hard at work January 25-26 at Union Depot. New competitions this year are the 500-Piece Solo and 500-Piece Teams Open contests.

Winter Play Day – The inaugural Winter Play Day will be held 10 a.m.-2 p.m., January 25 at Crosby Farm Regional Park, 2595 Crosby Farm Rd. This free, all-ages event features the chance to participate in dozens of outdoor activities – equipment provided – including cross-country skiing, snowshoeing, guided hikes, outdoor photography, s’mores with Smokey Bear, and more.

Around the World in a Day Kids & Family Day – 11 a.m.-5 p.m., February 1 at Landmark Center. Entertaining performances by local cultural groups, educational presentations, arts and crafts, storytelling and other activities for all ages. Vendors will also be selling their wares and food.

Pre-carnival events
Klondike Kate contest – Contestants seeking to become the next Mistress of Song and Merriment will bring their musical and performance talents to the Inwood Oakes Event Center on January 8. The contest begins at 6:30 p.m. and the next “Kate” will be named that evening.

Vulcan Snow Park Snow Stomp – beginning at 10 a.m., Saturday, Jan. 18 at the State Fairgrounds. Volunteers will create giant blocks for the snow sculpting competition by literally stomping and packing snow within special forms.

Ice Castles – January 1-February 2 at Minnesota State Fairgrounds. Ice Castles is an awe-inspiring winter phenomenon that brings fairy tales to life. Escape into a world of ice caves, frozen waterfalls, and glaciers formed into archways, caverns, slides and tunnels. Order tickets at icecastles.com.

Signature events
Ice Carving Competitions in Ice Park – January 23-26. Artists will carve 300-pound blocks of ice during the first weekend of the Carnival. The multi-block teams will have 48 hours to finish their masterpieces with 20 blocks of ice. On Sunday, artists will have five hours to carve in the single block competition.

Vulcan Snow Park and the Minnesota State Snow Sculpting Competition – January 24-February 2 at the State Fairgrounds. The competition begins on Friday and culminates with the awards on Vulcan Fun Day on Sunday. The snow park features other family-friendly activities as well.

Vulcan Victory Torchlight Parade – February 1. The parade starts at 5:15 p.m., at Smith Avenue and West Seventh and ends at Rice Park. Following the parade, the 2025 Krewe will gather at the steps of the George Latimer Central Library for the ever-dramatic overthrow of King Boreas. A fireworks show will follow.

Other events
Ice Fishing Contest, January 5-February 2. People from across the state are encouraged to participate in this month-long digital ice fishing tournament through the FishDonkey Mobile App. Prizes will be awarded. $20 participation fee.

Pioneer Press Treasure Hunt, beginning January 19. The winning hunter(s) could get a prize package valued at $10,000 – $2,500 if they find the medallion, $2,500 if they have all the clues, and $5,000 more if they have the 2025 Pioneer Press Treasure Hunt medallion patch. Clues will be released daily in the print edition of the Pioneer Press and on TwinCities.com until the medallion is found.

Klondike Kate’s Red Feather Saloon Cabaret & Casino Night, 6-11 p.m., January 23 at Landmark Center. Order tickets at klondikekates.org. The Kate’s will also perform 11 a.m.-1:30 p.m., January 21 at The Camp Bar, 490 Robert St. N. Tickets are $40 and include lunch.

Springboard on Ice, 1-4 p.m., January 25 at Springboard for the Arts, 262 University Ave. W. See performances, participate in Learn to Skate workshops at the mini ice rink, see artist vendors and more. Skates are available at no cost.

Saintly City Cat Show, January 25-26. The 48th Annual Championship & Household Pet Cat Show is held at RiverCentre. For more information, visit saintlycitycatclub.org.

50th Anniversary Winter Carnival Orchid Show, 10 a.m.-4 p.m., January 25-26 at the Marjorie McNeely Conservatory at Como Park Zoo and Conservatory, 1225 Estabrook Dr. For tickets, visit orchidsocietyofminnesota.org.

Fire & Ice Run/Walk, January 26. Runners and walkers of all ages may participate in the 5K, 10K, 15K, 20K, NoK, or the Kid’s Run at the State Fairgrounds, beginning at 8 a.m. Register at wintercarnival.com/event/fire-and-ice-winter-run.

Hot & Cool Classics, 2 p.m., January 26. The St. Paul Civic Symphony will present a free hour-long concert at the Landmark Center. They’ll perform pieces using the theme “Planes, Trains & Automobiles” in honor of the 100th anniversary of the opening of the Ford Motor Co. assembly plant in St. Paul.

Vulcan vs Royal Guard Food Shelf Benefit Hockey Classic, 5:30-7:30 p.m., January 26 at Doug Woog Arena, 141 6th Street S., South St. Paul. One of the oldest Winter Carnival Legend traditions, this hockey battle raises money and food for local food banks. Monetary and non-perishable food donations accepted.

Frozen Family Fun Night, 5:30-7:30 p.m., January 28 at the Landmark Center. Join this evening of all things “Frozen,” including a singalong, story time, and visits with “stars” from the beloved film and characters from the Winter Carnival Legend.

St. Paul Brewing Steak Out, 5:30-9 p.m., January 30 at St. Paul Brewing, 688 Minnehaha Ave. E. Enjoy entertainment from DJ Shannon Blowtorch, balloon art by Silly Miss Tilly, mascot appearances, Winter Carnival merchandise for sale and more.

Winter Carnival Day of Good, January 31. Look for the Titan Truck outside the Landmark Center to make your donation of non-perishable food items, cold weather wear and blankets. All items will be donated to the Hallie Q. Brown Community Center, 270 N. Kent St.

BEAR’ly Open Golf on Ice, 11:30 a.m.-4 p.m., February 1. Play on two custom-designed, 9-hole courses along the shores of White Bear Lake and help raise money for the White Bear Area Food Shelf. For tickets, visit bearlyopen.org.

Union Depot’s Doggie Depot, beginning at 10 a.m., February 1. Includes the crowning of the Canine King & Queen, giveaways, marketplace, and visits with pet experts.

Vulcan Victory Dance, 7:30 p.m., February 1 at the InterContinental St. Paul Riverfront, 11 Kellogg Blvd. E. Rhino will play a wide range of tunes from funk to R&B to retro-pop and current chart-topping singles. For tickets, visit
vulcanvictorydance.com.

Berners in the Park, 11 a.m.-12:30 p.m., February 1 at Rice Park, 109 4th St. W. Meet the friendly pooches of the Bernese Mountain Dog Club of the Greater Twin Cities.

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