The Saint Paul Winter Carnival started in 1886 and runs yearly for 11 days in January and February. Events include ice carving competitions, a pow wow with local Native American tribes, a half marathon and the Torchlight Parade. A medallion is hidden in Saint Paul for each festival and clues are posted in the local newspaper. The person who finds it wins $10,000 and a place in the Torchlight Parade.
St. Paul Festival & Heritage Foundation
429 Landmark Center
75 West 5th St
Saint Paul, MN 55102
651-223-4700
winter-carnival.com
The Winterer's Gathering & Arctic Film Festival takes place in late November and honors the traditional ways of life in northern Minnesota. The event offers featured speakers, films, hands-on courses and traditional winter skill seminars.
Winterer's Gathering & Arctic Film Festival
North House Folk School
500 W Highway 61
Grand Marais, MN 55604
218-387-9762
northhouse.org
The Two Harbors Chamber of Commerce hosts the Two Harbors Winter Frolic each February to celebrate winter on the North Shore. Events and attractions include ski races, a pancake breakfast, a chili cook-off, a sliding hill and more.
Two Harbors Chamber of Commerce
1330 Highway 61
Two Harbors, MN 55616-2040
218-834-6200
800-777-7384
twoharborswinterfrolic.com
Minneapolis hosts the Target Holidazzle Parades each holiday season. The parades feature favorite storybook characters, musical groups, floats and over one million lights. The parades are free and run Thursday through Sunday at starting at 6:30 pm.
Holidazzle Parade
Nicollet Mall
Nicollet Ave, between Washington Ave and 13th St
Minneapolis, MN 55403
612-376-7669
holidazzle.com
Lutsen Mountains offers a variety of winter events beginning with the Thanksgiving Festival in November and ending with the Mountain Meltdown in April. Events include a New Years Eve celebration, the Snow Ball in January, the Family Olympic Festival in early February and the Mardi Gras Carnivale in mid-February.
Lutsen Mountains
P.O. Box 129
Lutsen, MN 55612
218-663-7281
lutsen.com
