Local winter fests heat up

Winter fests heat up
By Tim Spitzack | Editor | February 2026

February 3 marks the midpoint of winter and communities are using the month to celebrate its joys. Here’s what’s on tap in the coming weeks. Bundle up and join the fun.

Winter Whirl
The Mendota Heights Parks and Recreation Department is hosting Winter Whirl February 6-8. Formerly known as Frozen Fun Fest, the celebration features activities inside and out. Some require registration. Here’s the line-up. For more information or to register, visit mendotaheightsmn.gov/500/Winter-Whirl or call 651-452-1850.

• Medallion Hunt – The medallion will be placed in one of the 13 parks in Mendota Heights and clues will be posted daily at 9 a.m. on the city’s Park and Rec Facebook page, until Feb. 9 or the medallion is found.
• Arts & Craft Supply Swap, 6-8 p.m., Thursday, Feb. 5 at City Hall, 1101 Victoria Curve. Bring gently used creative supplies and take home items that are new to you. No donation is necessary to shop supplies. 
• Snow Day at Rogers Lake Park, 1000 Wagon Wheel Trail, noon-2 p.m., Saturday, Feb. 7. This free event will feature an ice skating loop on the lake, Learn to Ice Fish lessons, petting zoo, bonfires, cardboard sled derby and more. 
• Puzzle competition, 9 a.m.-1 p.m., Sunday, Feb. 8 at St. Thomas Academy gym, 949 Mendota Heights Rd. Session 1 & 2 is for adult teams, and session 3 is for family teams with kids ages 12 and under. Registration required. 

Winter Fest
Ramsey County Parks and Recreation is hosting Winter Fest 11 a.m.-4 p.m., Saturday, Feb. 7 at Battle Creek Winter Recreation Area, 75 Winthrop St. S., St. Paul. Activities include skiing, sledding, snowboarding, kicksledding, arts and crafts, food offerings, sauna experiences and a costumed ski race. The event and equipment rentals are free. For more information and for other winter activities and programs, visit ramseycountymn.gov or call 651-266-0300.

WSP Winter Fun Fest
The annual Winter Fun Fest in West St. Paul returns 2-5 p.m., Saturday, Feb. 14, at Dodge Nature Center, 1701 Charlton St. Activities include kicksledding, boot hockey, ice bowling and mini golf, a medallion hunt with a prize package, bonfire and indoor crafts. All activities are free. Food and beverages will be available for purchase. For more information, visit dodgenaturecenter.org/event/winter-fun-fest-2026 or call 651-455-4531.

St. Paul Winter Carnival
The carnival is in full swing and there’s still time to enjoy the ice sculptures at Rice Park, and ice castles, snow sculptures and Vulcan Snow Park at the State Fairgrounds. While the celebration features events downtown through Feb. 1, its grand finale is Jan. 31, beginning with the Vulcan Victory Torchlight Parade, 5:15-7 p.m.

The parade begins at West 7th and Smith and travels eastbound to 5th Street, to Washington, to 4th Street and ends at Rice Park. Stay for the Vulcan Overthrow on the steps of the Central Library and watch as Vulcanus Rex storms the magnificent “ice” castle and confronts the Royal King’s Guard. Upon the good counsel of the Queen, Boreas waves farewell to the people of his winter Capitol, and Vulcanus once again rules the land.

A fireworks show will follow the dethroning. Finally, make your way to the Landmark center for the Warm-Up Dance Party with PJ the DJ, 7-9:30 p.m., then to the InterContinental hotel and purchase a ticket to the Vulcan Victory Dance. Tickets are $25 ordered in advance at vulcans.org/dance-tickets, or $30 at the door. For other events, visit wintercarnival.com.

Winter activities
Dakota County Parks and Recreation has a full menu of winter programs in February, including cross country ski and fat tire biking lessons, Trails by Lantern Light, Starlit Ski, Full Moon Ski, Skis and Smores, Valentines Snowshoe, Learn to Ice Fish and more. For more information, visit.co.dakota.mn.us/parks or call 952-891-7000.