We don’t hide from winter here in Wisconsin. It’s the opposite - we celebrate winter in Wisconsin! Sure, there are some days where they tell you not to leave your house with exposed skin, but we’ve gotten used to that and we’ve embraced our life in the arctic tundra, and the many winter festivals in Wisconsin serve as proof. The seasonal fests are held in communities across the state and have grown into some of the most beloved things to do in winter in Wisconsin. There are quite a few winter festivals in Wisconsin, but if you ask us, the ones below are some of the best.
1. Bayfield Winterfest - March
There's plenty to do at Bayfield Winterfest, which is held in early March each year. Activities include a candlelit hike, run on water, fireworks, boot hockey, and a polar plunge.
2. Frozen Tozen - Boulder Junction - February
An ice fishing tournament, bonfires, ice skating, sledding, music, and more await at the annual Frozen Tozen.
3. Cedarburg Winter Festival - February
The highlight of the Cedarburg Winter Festival is costumed bed races on the ice, but there is also an ice golf tournament, camel rides, a chili contest, a parade, and a pancake breakfast.
4. Chetek Winterfest - February
The Chetek Winterfest is dedicated to all things motorized. During the two-day fest, attendees race snowmobiles and a whole array of other things.
5. Fish Creek Winter Festival - February
From frozen kickball to a bike toss, the
Fish Creek Winter Festival, which is held over the course of three days, will help shake your winter doldrums. The heated tent doesn't hurt, either!
6. Iola Winter Carnival - February
Come for the ski jumping, stay for the amazing Scandinavian food. There's so much to love about this annual event. Visit the Iola Winter Carnival Facebook page for updated event info.
7. Jack Frost Fest - Spooner - January
The highlight of the Jack Frost Fest is the pond hockey tournament, but the frozen turkey bowling is a close second. Add in a bonfire, marshmallow roasting, and a rib and chili contest and you've got a pretty great winter day.
8. Knickerbocker Ice Festival - Lake Mills - February
Ice softball, a team trivia contest, tons of races and a ton of fun are on the docket at the Knickerbocker Ice Festival in Lake Mills. There's also ice sculpting, ice golf and a king and queen.
9. Kickapoo Valley Reserve Winter Festival - January
These folks pack a ton into a single day, with horse-drawn carriage rides, sled dog races, snow sculptures, skiing, archery and more. Plus a bread and chili cookoff. It truly doesn't get much better than the Kickapoo Valley Reserve Winter Festival.
10. Lake Geneva Winterfest - February
The highlight of the Lake Geneva Winterfest is the US National Snow Sculpting Championships, but there is also an Abominable Snowman Race, a cocoa crawl and the sky circus on ice.
11. Madison Winter Festival
Please note, since the publication of this article, the Madison Winter Festival has gone on hiatus. New festival dates have not yet been released. Check the Madison Winter Festival Facebook page for updated information.
The festival moves to Elver Park this year, which takes away the Capitol Square setting, but means the snow needed for all the events will be usable long after the weekend.
12. Northwest Wisconsin Winterfest and Games - Altoona
Please note, since the publication of this article, the Northwest Wisconsin Winterfest has been canceled.
Car and ATV races, motorcycle and snowmobile races, pond hockey, volleyball, softball, and a hot air balloon event are all part of the schedule.
13. Northwoods Blizzard Blast - Conover - February
Horse-drawn sleigh rides, ice bowling, snow sculpting, and a recliner race make the
Northwoods Blizzard Blast a can't-miss event.
14. Scandihoovian Winter Festival - Mt. Horeb - February
Celebrate all things troll at the Scandihoovian Winter Festival! Attendees can enjoy a slew of activities, which, in past years, have included a spelling bee, frozen turkey bowling, a fat tire bike race, and more.
15. Schnee Days - Elkhart Lake - January
Schnee is the German word for snow and you'll find lots of wintery events lined up at the aptly named Schnee Days festival. Attendees can enjoy everything from races and snowshoeing to kite flying and dog sledding.
16. Wausau Winter Fest - January
The whole square gets iced over and there's curling, ice skating, and a ton of food to be had, making the Wausau Winter Fest one of the best winter festivals in Wisconsin.
Have you been to any of these awesome winter festivals in Wisconsin? What’s your favorite fest? Know of any other great seasonal events in Wisconsin? Aside from fests and events, what are some other ways to celebrate winter in Wisconsin? Tell us!
Looking for more ways to enjoy winter in Wisconsin? No problem; we’ve got you covered! Check out these amazingly fun things to do in winter in Wisconsin.
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