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.

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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.

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Winter Fun In Minnesota

What are some fun things to do in Minnesota during the winter?

This list of 16 unforgettable places to visit in Minnesota this winter is just a start. Here are a few highlights.

  • International Wolf Center (Ely): Did you know a place existed to learn almost everything there is to know about wolves? Admission includes all daily programs, film presentations in the theater, the exhibits, and the live ambassador wolves. Special events include "Wolves After Dark," which is an evening in which folks learn how to identify, interpret, and record wolf behaviors before observing the Exhibit Pack's weekly carcass feeding. Afterward, stay the night camped out in the Center’s auditorium to study the pack’s behavior after nightfall.
  • Brainerd Jaycees Ice Fishing Extravaganza (Nisswa): Usually taking place in January or February each year, this event has become the largest charity ice fishing event in the world. The organization's members and supporters work to provide development opportunities that empower young people to create positive change through fundraising events. The fishing extravaganza is one of the primary events, with all proceeds going back to local charities and organizations since 1991. Get tickets in the tent on Gull Lake the day of the contest, or make an online purchase on the Brainerd Jaycees Ice Fishing Extravaganza website.
  • U.S. Pond Hockey Championships (Lake Nokomis): One thing you can count on for 10 exciting days in Minnesota: The U.S. Pond Hockey Championships. Watching it is just as much fun as participating, according to the thousands of spectators every year who gather around the complex of hockey rinks. While the event is fun, the competition is real, with teams of different divisions fighting for the crowns. And for many it's a homecoming event, reuniting with old friends and family being the main prize. The winners' names are etched into the Golden Shovel, "a symbol of our lifelong love and passion for the purity of this outdoor game." Folks must enter Lake Nokomis Park from the intersection of Cedar Avenue South and West Lake Nokomis Parkway.

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