ST. PAUL, Minn.,Dec. 14, 2022/PRNewswire/ -- Explore Minnesota, the state's tourism promotion office, announces 10 of the top winter festivals for visitors to embrace the season this year. In addition toMinnesota'sbold outdoor activities like ice fishing, skijoring and biking, the state hosts hundreds offestivals and eventsfor travelers to experience the wonder of winter. Find even more winter happenings and destinations atexploreminnesota.com.
- THE GREAT NORTHERN (Jan. 25–Feb. 5)
An annual 10-day celebration of cold, bold and creative winters inthe Twin CitiesofMinneapolis-St. Paul,The Great Northernwelcomes crowds of local and national visitors to indoor/outdoor events spotlighting winter traditions like pond hockey, cross-country skiing and skijoring, along with the thriving cultural, culinary and artistic communities inMinnesota. - ICEBOX DAYS (Jan. 26– 29)
The annualIceBox DaysinInternational Fallshas been nationally recognized for its wacky games and activities like frozen turkey bowling, along with5Kand10Kraces, moonlight snowshoe hikes inVoyageurs National Park, and the IceBox Days-exclusive "Smoosh Races." - SAINT PAULWINTER CARNIVAL (Jan. 26–Feb. 4)
TheSaint Paul Winter Carnivalhas been a capital city tradition since 1886. Thousands of revelers head downtownSaint Paulto enjoy the daytime Grande Day Parade and the nighttime Torchlight Parade along with ice sculpture carving and fireworks. There's also an outdoor beer festival, snow sculpting competition and snow fun at the Minnesota State Fairgrounds. - BRAINERDJAYCEES ICE FISHING EXTAVAGANZA (Jan. 28)
Even if you don't ice fish, you can still celebrate thisMinnesotatradition in a big way at theBrainerd Jaycees Ice Fishing Extravaganza, one of the world's largest contests. Hosted each January on Gull Lake, the tournament pulls in 10,000 anglers from around the world to compete for more than$150,000in cash and prizes. - HYGGE FESTIVAL (Feb. 4– 14)
Hygge(the Danish ritual of embracing life's simple pleasures in winter) is the focus of the annualHygge FestivalinGrand Marais, where visitors enjoy cozy lodging along theNorth Shore ofLake Superiorand activities like fondue nights, saunas, bonfires, dogsled tours, snowshoe hikes and more. - POLAR FEST (Feb. 10– 26)
Home to an illuminated ice palace for exploring,Polar FestinDetroit Lakesalso features a "hotdish" cooking challenge, ice golf, snowmobile and ice fishing derbies, and more to celebrate winter inMinnesotalake country. - BOLD & COLD (Jan. 27– 29)
Taking place throughout the charming downtown ofOwatonna,Bold & Coldfestival includes a medallion hunt, ice fishing, candlelight skiing, fat bike races and snow sculpture competitions. - ELYWINTER FESTIVAL AND ART WALK (Feb. 2– 12)
Snow sculptures and other artwork will be on display throughout the town ofElyduring the 10-dayEly Winter Festival andArt Walk.The event celebrates the culture, art, history and traditions of this northwoods town adjacent to theBoundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness, an InternationalDark SkySanctuary for prime night sky viewing. - CHILLY OPEN (Feb. 11)
A short drive fromthe Twin Cities,Chilly OpeninWayzatafeatures three nine-hole courses on a frozenLakeMinnetonkaand more than 1,700 golfers. Players and onlookers enjoy free food,snowga (snow yoga),snowkiting(kite skiing), dog sled rides and the 19th-hole tent. - BOCK FEST (March 4)
Toast the coming of spring duringBock Festin March atSchell'sBrewery in the German community of NewUlm.In addition to beer, brats, live music and bonfires, visitors can hunt for the Seven Bocks of Winter hidden around the historic brewery grounds.
For more seasonalevents, visitexploreminnesota.com, live chat or call 888-VISITMN to speak with aMinnesotatravel expert, or explore social media with #OnlyinMN.
About Explore Minnesota
ExploreMinnesotaleadsMinnesota'stravel industry by collaborating with partners and stakeholders to market the state for the economic benefit of allMinnesotans.Tourism, a key sector of the state's economy, in 2019 generated$1.1 billionin state sales tax on$16.6 billionin leisure and hospitality sales and employed nearly 276,000 workers inMinnesota'sleisure and hospitality businesses.
Media contact:
Alyssa Hayes, Explore Minnesota, 651-276-8738,[email protected]
Amy Barrett, Explore Minnesota, 651-757-1862,[email protected]
SOURCE Explore Minnesota
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