Most Winter Carnival events will take place in downtown St. Paul at Rice Park, Landmark Plaza, Landmark Center and the Minnesota State Fairgrounds. The majority of events are held in the city of St. Paul unless otherwise noted. Most events are free and open to the public.
Here’s the schedule, provided by the St. Paul Festival and Heritage Foundation, which produces the Winter Carnival. For the most current information and up-to-date calendar of events, go to wintercarnival.com.
Ongoing events
Events in Rice Park: Ice carving competition starts at 7 p.m. Jan. 23 and creations will remain on display throughout the festival. The music series will feature performers Jan. 23-26 and Jan. 31-Feb. 3.
Events on Landmark Plaza: Baileys Warming House will serve beverages and entertainment including bingo and trivia. Family fun includes a “snow box” (like a sand box, but with snow) outside on the plaza.
Inside Landmark Center: Historian and collector Marilyn DiMartino will present her personal Winter Carnival Memorabilia Display. There are also historical renderings of past Winter Carnival Ice Palaces on display inside Landmark Center, courtesy of Ramsey County Historical Society.
Snow Park highlights
Vulcan Snow Park takes place on the Minnesota State Fairgrounds during the Carnival from Jan. 24 through Feb. 2. Measuring 20 feet high and more than 300 feet long, the Giant Snow Slide will be open on both weekends of Vulcan Snow Park — weather permitting. Cost is $2 per run with proceeds going to cover the costs of the Snow Park. The Minnesota State Snow Sculpting Competition begins at 8 a.m. Jan. 24 and continues until noon Jan. 26. Awards are presented at 1 p.m. Jan. 26. Three-member teams will transform 8′ x 8′ x 8′ blocks of snow into wintry masterpieces using only hand tools. The winning team receives $1,000, a trophy and the opportunity to represent Minnesota at the National Snow Sculpting Competition at Lake Geneva, Wis.
Vulcan Fun Day is Jan. 26 and features rides on the Vulcan firetruck and a kids’ snow treasure hunt, as well as trips down the giant slide. There will be two Polar Plunges — one in the daytime and one at night — to benefit Special Olympics Minnesota.
For details, mnsnowpark.com.
Thursday, Jan. 23
Opening Ceremony in Rice Park: Speakers and special guests will include community ambassadors, visiting dignitaries and festival royalty from across North America, and the outgoing 2019 Winter Carnival Royal Family. 6:30 p.m.
Winter Carnival Multi-Block Ice Carving Contest: Carving begins at 7 p.m. Quitting time is 7 p.m. Jan. 25.
Friday, Jan. 24
Minnesota Snow Sculpting Competition: Vulcan Snow Park at the State Fairgrounds. 8 a.m.-9 p.m.
The Royal Coronation: Presented by Bradshaw Funeral Homes at Saint Paul RiverCentre features performances by Circus Juventas. Ticketed event. 5:30-10 p.m.
Saturday, Jan. 25
35th annual Securian Financial Winter Run: 5K, 10K or half marathon starts at Sixth and Jackson. 8:30 a.m.-1 p.m.
Winter Carnival Jigsaw Puzzle Competition: 234 teams compete at Landmark Center. 8:30 a.m.-3 p.m.
Saintly City Championship Cat Show: Saint Paul RiverCentre, Roy Wilkins Exhibition Hall features hundreds of cats from the United States and Canada. $4 for adults, $3 for seniors and children. 9 a.m.-5 p.m. saintlycitycatclub.org
Winter Carnival Orchid Show: Annual display at the Marjorie McNeely Conservatory, 1225 Estabrook Drive, Como Park. $5 for adults and $3 for children ages 3-12. 10 a.m.-4 p.m.
Yoga in the Park: Rice Park, 10 a.m.-11 a.m.
Kids Snow Box: Build royal fortresses using Create A Castle, a collection of molds to help build snow (and sand) castles. Landmark Plaza, 10 a.m.-8 p.m.
Afton Alps Riglet Snowboarding Demonstration: Landmark Plaza, 11 a.m.-1 p.m.
Hot Chocolate at the Saint Paul Hotel: Gourmet hot chocolate and pastries. 1-4 p.m. during this long-standing parade day event. Minimal fee.
King Boreas Grand Day Parade: Daytime procession down West Seventh Street, will feature bands, floats and, of course, the newly crowned King Boreas and his Royal Family. Festivities will culminate in Rice Park. Parade starts at 2 p.m. Grand marshals include Jackie Cain and Paul Folger from 5 Eyewitness News and Brett Tutor from TLC’s “Trading Spaces.”
Afton Alps Apres Ski Happy Hour: Baileys Warming House on Landmark Plaza. Activities will include a fashion show and the chance to win Afton Alps lift tickets. 4-6 p.m.
Multi-Block Ice Carving Competition: Concludes in Rice Park at 7 p.m. Winners will be announced on Sunday evening.
Sunday, Jan. 26
Vulcan Fun Day: In addition to the Minnesota State Snow Sculpting Competition and giant snow slide, festivities will include celebrity visits, Vulcan firetruck rides, a kid’s snow treasure hunt, and two Polar Plunges for Special Olympics Minnesota (Noon and 6:30 p.m.). Vulcan Snow Park, 8 a.m.-9 p.m. mnsnowpark.com
Artisan Individual Block Ice Carving Competition: Each carver has just six hours to turn two blocks of ice into a frozen masterpiece, Rice Park. 9 a.m. – 2 p.m.
Saintly City Championship Cat Show: Continues at the Saint Paul RiverCentre, Roy Wilkins Exhibition Hall. 9 a.m.-4 p.m.
Sunday, Jan. 26
Bingo & Bloody Marys: Baileys Warming House, Landmark Plaza. 10 a.m.-1 p.m.
Winter Carnival Orchid Show: Continues at the Marjorie McNeely Conservatory (1225 Estabrook Drive), Como Park. 10 a.m.-4 p.m.
Hops & Hounds in Rice Park: Sip on a Minnesota Brew with your favorite four-legged friend. 10 a.m.-5 p.m.
The Saint Paul Civic Symphony: Free concert of “Hot and Cool Classics” in the Landmark Center Cortile. 2 p.m.
Wednesday, Jan. 29
Drag Queen Bingo: Landmark Center. 7-9:30 p.m.
Thursday, Jan. 30
Frozen Family Fun Night: Presented by Ecolab at CHS Field. DIY crafts, Disney princesses, ice skating performances and skate with Winter Carnival Junior Royalty. 5-8 p.m.
Trivia Night: Baileys Warming House, Landmark Plaza. 6 p.m.
Friday, Jan. 31
Team USA Journey: Presented by Oreo on Landmark Plaza. Traveling vehicle features interactive elements that immerse Team USA fans as they navigate four individual rooms inside the experience. Created to bring the Olympic Spirit to fans in advance of the 2020 Olympic and Paralympic Games in Tokyo. Of course, the tour concludes with samples of free Oreo cookies. 4-9 p.m.
Fifth Annual Freeze Your Bags Off Bean Bag Tournament: Cornhole competition will feature five 16-team competitions at CHS Field. 6:30 and 8 p.m.
Saturday, Feb. 1
Ledermann Boot Hockey Tournament: No experience required, but must be 21 years old. Organizers will randomly assign registered players to teams of five to six people the day of the event. CHS Field. 7 a.m.-noon.
Doggie Depot: Representatives from Sidewalk Dog will be on hand at St. Paul’s Union Depot to share tips about the Twin Cities’ most pet-friendly restaurants, retailers and more. Guests are encouraged to bring their dogs. In partnership with myTalk107.1 and KS95. 10 a.m.-2 p.m.
Fifth Annual Freeze Your Bags Off Bean Bag Tournament: Competition continues at CHS Field. 10 a.m., noon, 2 p.m.
Family Day in Landmark Center: Activities include a visit from the Royal Family. Kids will get passports upon arrival. Fill them out for the chance to win prizes, including Disney on Ice tickets. 11 a.m.-5 p.m.
BEAR’ly Open XIII: Golf on Ice at Ramsey Beach, White Bear Lake (5050 Lake Ave.) Includes an 18-hole course complete with pine trees. Music, food and beverages in the warming tent. Noon-5 p.m. bearlyopen.org/golf/
Team USA Journey: Presented by Oreo continues on Landmark Plaza. 10 a.m.-9 p.m.
Vulcan Victory Torchlight Parade: Nighttime parade hosted by Vulcanus Rex and his Krewe. The parade kicks off at Mears Park in Lowertown at 5:30 p.m. and works its way to Rice Park. Grand marshals will be Matt Belanger and Leah McLean from 5 Eyewitness News.
Overthrow of Boreas: Vulcanus Rex and his Krewe attempt to overthrow King Boreas on the steps of the George Latimer Library next to Rice Park. Following the Torchlight Parade at about 6:45 p.m. Fireworks will follow (in the park, not on the river).
Sunday, Feb. 2
Winter Carnival Global Market: Booths of food, crafts and products from around the world inside Landmark Center. 10 a.m.-4 p.m.
Bingo & Bloody Marys: In the Baileys Warming House on Landmark Plaza. 10 a.m.-1 p.m.
Team USA Journey: Presented by Oreo continues on Landmark Plaza. 10 a.m.-3 p.m.
