For an unforgettable and interesting event, visit the century-old ice festival in Minnesota. The St. Paul Winter Carnival, a regular event for more than 100 years, is the oldest winter festival in the United States — and it’s also home to one of the largest annual collections of ice sculptures in Minnesota. Plan on attending this magical extravaganza from Jan. 25 through Feb. 4, 2024.

Every January, Minnesota’s capital city gets decked out for the annual St. Paul Winter Carnival.

The winter carnival has been a near-annual event since 1886, interrupted only by national crises like World War II.

Some of the winter carnival’s most popular attractions are the St. Paul ice sculptures.

St. Paul’s Rice Park is ground zero for ice sculptures, including the entries in the carnival’s multi-block ice sculpting competition.

Each year, ice sculptors from around the world descend on Rice Park to compete for the icy crown in the annual contest.

The results are incredible, and folks come from all over to see what the artists have created.

The sculptures run from thematic to those with cultural nods. After a winner is crowned, the sculptures remain in the park for everyone to enjoy.

The artistry on display during the St. Paul Winter Carnival doesn’t stop with ice, though.

Be sure to make time for a visit to the Vulcan Snow Park, typically held at the State Fairgrounds during the carnival.

You’ll be downright flabbergasted at what the sculptors can do with snow.

And for the Minnesota anglers, prepare your tackle for the digital fishing tournament, available through the FishDonkey Mobile App.

The app for the contest launches Jan. 1 and runs through Feb. 4, 2024. Categories and leaderboards update throughout the contest which are conveniently on your phones and websites.

The St. Paul ice castle has been a major draw during significant years.

To date, the St. Paul Winter Carnival has featured 37 Ice Palaces which appear every 10-15 years. The last one was built in 2018, coinciding with the Super Bowl.

From a beard-growing competition and the Annual Queens' Tea to a kickoff event and a laser light show, tons of reasons exist to attend the Coolest Celebration on Earth!

We can't wait for the festivities to begin!

For more information about the oldest and largest ice festival in Minnesota, visit the St. Paul Winter Carnival website. Do you attend the St. Paul Winter Carnival? Where else can we find amazing ice sculptures in the North Star State? Let us know in the comments below.

And while you're in St. Paul, learn about the Celeste of St. Paul, which we think is the best hotel near Lowertown in St. Paul, Minnesota. Make a reservation on Booking.com.