Beat the Winter Blues: 6 of the Hottest Winter Activities in the Twin Cities – Updated for 2022
Once the excitement of the holiday season ends, it’s easy to find ourselves staring out the window at the piles of snow, wondering why we continue to live in Minnesota. Here’s a good reason to celebrate winter in our home state: The number of amazing outdoor events and activities that occur during the winter months.
Below we offer you a guide to several Twin Cities activities that take place during that period between the holidays and springtime. So, the next time you feel like hiding under your blankets, why not embrace the cold, bundle up, and celebrate winter with other Minnesotans?
1. Saint Paul Winter Carnival
Dates: Jan. 28 – Feb. 6, 2022
Locations: Downtown Saint Paul and the Minnesota State Fairgrounds
Why Go: Part of The Great Northern tradition in Minnesota, the Saint Paul Winter Carnival is 10 days of fun in the snow and ice, with events such as outdoor musical concerts, parades, and ice sculpture contests. The festival itself is kicked off with the Royal Coronation on January 28, but festivities start much earlier with month long competitions in beard growing and ice fishing and other assorted pre-festival events.
Website: Saint Paul Winter Carnival
2. United States Pond Hockey Championship
Dates: Jan. 21-30, 2022
Location: Lake Nokomis in Minneapolis
Why Go: For the last 17 years, the United States Pond Hockey Championship has celebrated hockey in the way nature intended: Outdoors, on the pond, and with child-like enthusiasm. The schedule features multiple divisions of competitive play and some not-so-competitive.
For attendees, there is an open rink designated for family skating, so you can show off your own skills—whatever they be. Even if you’re not a life-long hockey fan (shh, not so loud), bundle up and head down to South Minneapolis to check out this awesome event. You’ll be glad you did.
Website: United States Pond Hockey Championship
3. Lake Harriet Winter Kite Festival
Dates: January 22, 2022
Location: Lake Harriet in Minneapolis
Why Go: It’s not the cold, it’s the wind that makes this event truly spectacular. Kite fliers from around the Twin Cities will gather to fill the sky above Lake Harriet with their colorful kites at the 20th annual Lake Harriet Winter Kite Festival. Fly a kite yourself or just sit back and revel in the windy glory of hundreds of kites twisting around in the wind.
Spectators and participants alike can enjoy roasted marshmallows, food trucks, music, ice fishing lessons, and amazingly detailed kites and exhibitions from the Minnesota Kite Society.
Participants are invited to bring their own kites or they can purchase a kite right at the festival.
Website: Lake Harriet Winter Kite Festival
4. Art Shanty Projects
Dates: Jan. 15 – Feb. 6, 2022
Location: Lake Harriet, Minneapolis
Why Go: This celebration of the goofy, strange, and beautiful interpretations of fishing shanties has been a Minneapolis must-do event since 2004. With past structures made to resemble a gigantic birdhouse, a hamster wheel, a pirate ship, and all sorts of other imaginative and unexpected things, you will absolutely have to see this for yourself. Each day also has a full schedule of whimsical events, so there are plenty of reasons to keep coming back. And this year, as a COVID safety precaution, all shanty experiences will be outdoor only.
Website: artshantyprojects.org
5. Winter Beer Dabbler
Date: Feb. 19, 2022
Location: Minnesota State Fairgrounds
Why Go: This is the biggest winter beer festival in Minnesota! Wander the wintry streets of the Minnesota State Fairgrounds as you sample craft beer from across the country. But what’s beer without music and food? Live music performances will happen throughout the festival and local food trucks will be on hand to serve up some tasty local fare.
Website: Winter Beer Dabbler
6. City of Lakes Loppet Winter Festival
Dates: Feb. 4-6, 2022
Location: Minneapolis
Why Go: The pinnacle of an urban ski festival, this event celebrates skiing in its various forms and then some. Fun for both participants and spectators, there are skiing events for cross country, downhill, relays, and sprints—both competitive and non-competitive, with and without dogs.
And, if you prefer your outdoor activities ski-free, there are fat tire races, a broomball tournament, snowshoeing, and games of Kubb. Check out the site to check the enormous amount of scheduled outdoor activities and start making your plans!
Website: Urban Ski Festival
Get Out and Enjoy Winter in the Twin Cities
We hope you stay warm and active this winter—and far away from the winter blues. If you make it to any of these events, please share a photo with us on Facebook or Twitter.
And, of course, if you need any furnace repair help, we’re here for you. Get in touch with us today.
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