The annual Ice Castles — Minnesota attraction made its earliest-ever opening last week, just in time for News Year’s Day visitors to explore the frozen spectacle at the Minnesota State Fairgrounds in Falcon Heights.

Promoters have staged the event at various locations in the Twin Cities, including Stillwater, before last year’s debut in Falcon Heights. Work on the illuminated castles, which include ice slides, tunnels, caverns and intricate ice sculptures, began in early December.

For ticketing information, go to icecastles.com/minnesota.

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