St. Paul had barely been a city for three decades when its residents decided to start celebrating the coldest days with a festival.

Since that first Winter Carnival exactly 140 years ago, it’s grown into a 10-day extravaganza — complete with its own fairy-tale legend that sees icy King Boreas and Aurora, Queen of the Snows, along with their Royal Family do battle against fiery Vulcanus Rex and his Krewe for control of the seasons, all entertained by Klondike Kate.

And there’s plenty of wintertime fun to be had, of course.

On select days throughout the 2026 carnival, swing by the Winter Carnival Food Festival along Rice Park and grab snacks from food trucks including Eggroll Queen, The Brick Oven Bus, Mami Churros & Creamery, Cousins Maine Lobster, Jenni’s Cafe, Pronto Pup, Hudson Smokehouse, Hopper’s Mini Donuts, Grampa Steve’s Kettle Corn and Northeast Pretzels.

And on some days, you can also grab drinks from the ice bar, which is hosted by Stella Residences. The menu includes Stilly beverages, special Winter Carnival themed wines, beer and the Winter Carnival’s 140th anniversary Northern Soda Company flavor, “Fire & Ice Carnival Cherry Vanilla Cream Cola.”

Other events throughout the carnival include a memorabilia window display at the corner of Grand Avenue and Victoria Street, with vintage items dating back to the first carnival in 1886 and an exhibit on Winter Carnival buttons at the Minnesota History Center. At the State Fairgrounds, stop by any day of the carnival for snow sculptures at the Vulcan Snow Park (free), or explore Ice Castles, a traveling exhibition that includes towers, tunnels, ice slides, an ice river and nightly fire shows (tickets run $13 to $26 depending on date and time; icecastles.com/minnesota.)

Plus, in honor of the Winter Carnival’s 140th anniversary, limited-edition merch is available.

Here’s a day-by-day rundown of our selection of Winter Carnival events to add to your calendars. If you want even more, you can find the entire schedule online at wintercarnival.com/events.

Thurs., Jan. 22

Downtown

Food Festival + Ice Bar @ Rice Park: Catch food trucks along Market Street from 5 to 9 p.m. and the Ice Bar from 5 to 8:30.

Kickoff to the 140th Winter Carnival @ Rice Park: At 6 p.m., the outgoing 2025 Royal Family will announce the official start of the carnival, with a laser light show beginning at 6:15, presented by T-Fiber. Attendees are welcome to bring their favorite light-up items, and the first 200 people at the park will receive free glow wands.

Ice carving competitions begin @ Rice Park: After the kickoff, at 7 p.m., the multi-block ice carving competition starts — and teams have just 48 hours to wow the judges.

Klondike Kates’ Red Feather Saloon Cabaret & Casino Night @ Landmark Center: From 7 to 11 p.m. open house-style, the Kates will get the party started as only they can, with just-for-fun casino games and plenty of music. Cash bar and food trucks will be available. The fundraiser is 21+, and tickets are required; $25/person at klondikekates.org or $30 at the door.

Aurora, Queen of the Snows Tessa Westlund and Boreas LXXXVIII (88th) John Harrington stand with their royal court during the 2025 Winter Carnival Royal Coronation at the St. Paul RiverCentre on Friday, Jan. 24, 2025. (John Autey / Pioneer Press)

Fri., Jan. 23

Downtown

Food Festival + Ice Bar @ Rice Park: Catch food trucks along Market Street from 5 to 9 p.m. and the Ice Bar from 5 to 8:30.

Royal Coronation @ RiverCentre: Watch as the new Royal Family is unveiled! Tickets for the full evening, which includes a plated dinner, are no longer available. General admission tickets for just the coronation program (doors at 7:30, show at 8) can be purchased online for $40, but only 200 are available, first-come-first-served.

Concert in the Castle @ Landmark Center: Free and Easy Band, longtime local pop-cover entertainers, will take the stage starting at 8. Tickets can be purchased online for $21.17.

Elsewhere Around Town

Day of Good @ Saint Paul College: The annual community giving-back day continues to move around town. This year, between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m., Winter Carnival Legend characters and folks from Saint Paul College are leading donation drives for food, winter gear and blood. Find information about donation wish lists and blood drive registration online.

Minnesota State Snow Sculpting Competition begins @ Vulcan Snow Park: At the State Fairgrounds, pro sculptors have two and a half days to turn massive 8′ x 8′ x 8′ into showstopping works of art, starting at 8 a.m.

Devonna Brunett from Maple Grove gets a V from a St. Paul Vulcan during the 2025 St. Paul Winter Carnival Grande Day parade along Grand Ave. in St. Paul on Saturday, Jan. 25, 2025. “I love the Winter Carnival!” said Burnett. (John Autey / Pioneer Press)

Sat., Jan. 24

Downtown

Winter Carnival Jigsaw Puzzle Competition, Day One @ Union Depot: The country’s largest puzzle contest brings puzzlers from all around the world to St. Paul for a two-day jigsaw jamboree. It’s thrilling to watch the masters at work — and for the rest of us, we can hang out in the casual puzzling area and participate in the puzzle swap. Stop by between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m.

Food Festival + Ice Bar @ Rice Park: Catch food trucks along Market Street from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. and the Ice Bar from 5 to 7:30 p.m.

Frosty Art Affair @ Landmark Center: A new event for the 140th anniversary, check out this local art market featuring a variety of local makers, including past Winter Carnival button artists. Runs 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Saintly City Cat Show @ RiverCentre: It’s the 49th annual; tickets available at the door. Runs 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday and 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday.

Slow Snow Glow @ Rice Park: Join this casually paced “fat tire” winter bike ride alongside Melanin In Motion and The Culture Wellness Center. Head to Rice Park after the Grande Day parade to get ready (if you have a bike, bring it; if not, extras are available), and the ride runs from 5 to 6 p.m.

Elsewhere Around Town

Kings Tug-o-War @ Russell’s: At 1:45 p.m., just before the Grande Day Parade, King Boreas and his Royal Guards will face off in a test of strength against Vulcanus Rex and his Krewe at the Grand Avenue restaurant; 656 Grand Ave.

King Boreas Grande Day Parade @ Grand Avenue: Starting at 2 p.m., King Boreas and his new Royal Family, plus plenty of other bands and floats, will parade down Grand Avenue from Dale Street to Lexington Avenue, presented by Dungarvin. Grand marshals include West Seventh antiques stalwart Wally Wescott; 2026 US Women’s Olympic Hockey Team general manager Katie Million and the organizations Dungarvin and Uncommon Construction Twin Cities.

Vulcan Reveal @ Saint Paul College: Come be the first to find out who will battle Boreas for control of the seasons! Along with warmth, the fire king and his Krewe appear to also value punctuality: The event begins at 10 a.m. sharp. Doors to the auditorium open at 9:30.

Amateur Snow Sculpting Competition @ Vulcan Snow Park: At the State Fairgrounds, artists have from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. to create their snowy sculptures from 4′ x 4′ x 6′ blocks of snow. Winners are announced at 4:30. Meanwhile, pro sculptors continue their pieces.

Orchid Show @ Como Park Zoo & Conservatory: Fawn over these finicky florals at the Marjorie McNeely Conservatory between 10 a.m. and 5 p.m. Saturday and from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday. A conservatory ticket is needed; $8 for adults and $6 for Como Friends members, seniors and kids under 12.

Waziya Winter Wind Celebration @ Battle Creek Winter Recreation Area: Between 11 a.m. and 4 p.m., come out to Battle Creek to experience Dakota cultural activities like snowshoe making and plant crafts, snow sculpting, Indigenous artists and a variety of winter games. Free for all ages.

Winter Play Day @ Crosby Farm Regional Park: For even more wintertime fun, from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., come participate in guided hikes and photography sessions, s’more-making, birding, a special appearance by Smokey Bear and other activities. Online registration is requested but not mandatory.

Open Skate Day @ Springboard for the Arts: Come ice skate between 1 and 3 p.m., with free skate rental and drop-in instruction available, too, from the fine folks at local skating arts organization Brownbody. And no prior skating experience is necessary!

The family and friend team of (from left) Jill Derouin, reaching for puzzle piece, from Minneapolis, Laura Scott from St. Paul, Janae Derouin from Detroit Lakes and Emily Mehr-Kodada from Marine on St. Croix work to put their puzzle together at the 2023 Winter Carnival Jigsaw Puzzle Contest at Landmark Center in St. Paul on Saturday, Jan. 28, 2023. (John Autey / Pioneer Press)

Sun., Jan. 25

Downtown

Winter Carnival Jigsaw Puzzle Competition, Day Two @ Union Depot: More puzzling; 9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Food Festival @ Rice Park: Catch food trucks along Market Street from 12. to 5 p.m.

More ice carving @ Rice Park: The individual carving competitions kick off at 9 a.m. Carvers in the “artisan” division will have 6 hours; professional competitors have 5. Watch them carve, and swing by again later to see the finished pieces.

Hot & Cool Classics @ Landmark Center: The Saint Paul Civic Symphony delights every year with their free hourlong concert. Starts at 2 p.m.

State Fairgrounds

Fire & Ice Winter Walk & Run: Bundle up, because 5K, 10K, 15K, 20K, NoK and Kid’s Run races kick off at various times starting at 8 a.m. Find specific times and registration info online.

Snow Sculpting Competition ends, public voting @ Vulcan Snow Park: As pro sculptors finish their works at the State Fairgrounds, cast your vote for People’s Choice Award between 11 a.m. and 1:30 p.m. Winners are announced at 2 p.m.

Elsewhere Around Town

Walk Up Snowboarding @ Battle Creek Regional Park: Whether you’ve never snowboarded before or are a regular hill-shredder, come out to the park for free lessons between 11 a.m. and 2 p.m., a community competition at 2:30, and a pro demo at 3:30. Presented with Melanin in Motion and Public Snowboards.

Ice Fishing Tournament @ Lake Phalen: Rather than the weekslong virtual tournament of recent years, you’ve got to prove your skills LIVE this year. Come at noon for a quick ice fishing lesson, and the competition itself runs 1 to 4 p.m, presented in partnership with Hmong College Prep Academy Bass Fishing Club and New Millennium Academy Fishing Club. Entry fees are $15 for youth under 18, $30 for adults and $60 for families (two adults and up to three youth). Prizes are of course up for grabs for the best anglers, but everyone who participates in the tournament is entered into other prize drawings whether they catch anything or not.

Mon., Jan. 26

Downtown

Ice Carvings for Kids @ Rice Park: The tradition continues of transforming drawings from patients at Children’s Minnesota hospital in Saint Paul into ice sculptures. 1 to 4 p.m.

Greg Schmotzer from Hastings usesa chain saw to add detail to his and his son Tyler (not pictured) ice carving titled Flow during the 2025 St. Paul Winter Carnival Multi-Block Ice Carving Competition at Rice Park on Friday, Jan. 24 2025. (John Autey / Pioneer Press)

Tues., Jan. 27

Downtown

Frozen Family Fun Night @ Landmark Center: Bring the lil’ ones for a singalong, story time and visits from “Frozen” characters like Anna and Elsa and the Winter Carnival Royal Family. Free event; food (pizza, snacks) will be available for purchase, too. 5:30 to 7:30 p.m., with the character meet-and-greet starting at 6.

Thurs., Jan. 29

Downtown

Rondo Night @ Landmark Center: This celebration of St. Paul’s historically Black neighborhood is back with artists, businesses and community organizations showcasing their work, plus good food. Free event runs 5:30 to 8:30.

Food Festival @ Rice Park: Catch food trucks along Market Street from 5 to 9 p.m.

Lindsay Martin of Forrest Lake took to the air with the St. Paul Bouncing Team during the Vulcan Victory Torchlight Parade, part of the 2025 St. Paul Winter Carnival, on Saturday, Feb. 1, 2025. (Craig Lassig / Special to the Pioneer Press)

Fri., Jan. 30

Food Festival + Ice Bar @ Rice Park: Catch food trucks along Market Street from 5 to 9 p.m. and the Ice Bar from 5 to 8:30.

Bouncing Team exhibition @ Landmark Center: Come enjoy one of the oldest ongoing Winter Carnival traditions! In this free drop-in show, these aerial acrobats will go one, two, up from 5:30 to 9 p.m.

Snow Queen’s Gambit @ Pioneer Endicott building: An interactive Winter Carnival whodunnit mystery! Ages 8+, though all minors must be accompanied by an adult. Tickets are $20 a person and can be purchased online; begins at 5 p.m. (This event is also taking place Sat., Jan. 31.)

Concerts in the Castle @ Saint Paul Hotel: Garth Brooks tribute band World According to Garth and local party band 8Foot4 will perform. Tickets are $21.17 online in advance or $25 at the door; concert starts at 7 p.m.

Vulcans overthrow on the steps of the James J. Hill Library during the Vulcan Victory Torchlight Parade, part of the 2025 St. Paul Winter Carnival, on Saturday, Feb. 1, 2025. (Craig Lassig / Special to the Pioneer Press)

Sat., Jan. 31

Downtown

Around the World in a Day @ Landmark Center: This free event for kids, seniors and families, running 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. is set to include music from DJ Ola, local performance groups, and the Science Museum of Minnesota’s Science Live Theatre playing with liquid nitrogen.

Berners in the Park @ Rice Park: As every year, the Bernese Mountain Dog Club of the Greater Twin Cities brings these shaggy guys to play in the snow — which means you should come play with them from 11 a.m. to noon.

Bonfire in the Park @ Rice Park: Come warm up and make s’mores between 2 and 5 p.m.

Food Festival + Ice Bar @ Rice Park: Catch food trucks along Market Street from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. and the Ice Bar from 5 to 8:30.

Vulcan Victory Torchlight Parade + Overthrow of Boreas: The fun starts at 5:15 p.m. at the corner of W. 7th Street and N. Smith Ave. and the parade winds its way over to Rice Park, presented by Blaze Credit Union. Then, afterward, on the James J. Hill Library steps, Vulcanus Rex and his Krewe will overthrow the ice king with a dramatic fireworks show aimed at sometime between 6:45 p.m. and 7:15 p.m.

Warm-Up Dance Party @ Landmark Center: Right after the fireworks, head inside and get moving with KDWB’s PJ the DJ. But don’t get too tired out, because you need to save energy for the…

Vulcan Victory Dance @ InterContinental Saint Paul Riverfront: After the Vulcans claim victory over the seasons, come bring the really big moves to their annual dance-party fundraiser. Local party band Arch Allies will play tribute covers from across the decades. Tickets at vulcanvictorydance.com ($25) or at the door ($30). Begins 8 p.m.; 11 East Kellogg.

Elsewhere Around Town

Open Skate Day @ Springboard for the Arts: Come ice skate between 1 and 3 p.m., with free skate rental and drop-in instruction available, too, from the fine folks at local skating arts organization Brownbody. And no prior skating experience is necessary!

Sun., Feb. 1

Downtown

Doggie Depot @ Union Depot: You (and your dogs, who are welcome to join) can be the first to meet the Winter Carnival’s Canine King Boreas and Canine Queen of Snows, plus browse pet-friendly vendors and and adoptable rescues. Free; 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. with the coronation at 11 a.m.

Elsewhere Around Town

Kites on Ice @ Como Lake: Close out the Winter Carnival with some of the state’s most experienced show kite flyers. Free for all ages; 12 to 4 p.m.

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