This U.S. Winter Festival Celebrates the Cold With Ice Bars, Saunas, and Snowy Adventures

"If visiting Minnesota in the dead of winter doesn't sound appealing, then you probably don't know about The Great Northern Festival, an event that embraces the north's bitter cold and celebrates all things winter. Cross-country skiers make their way across frozen lakes, hockey players take to the ice, and people gather in the freezing cold to cool down following a steamy session in the pop-up sauna village."

"Beyond cold-weather outdoor activities like snowshoeing, skiing, and ice skating, the event is rich in culture-with live music, comedy, film, a climate solution series, and art exhibits. There are also dance parties, forest bathing experiences, workshops, and much more. Those looking for good food and drink can enjoy the cold with some of the best cuisine in the state. Past events have included pop-ups and unique dining experiences like the "Seven Stories" dinner."

"Throughout the festival, anyone looking for a drink (hot or cold and alcoholic or not) can find it at the 50-foot ice bar, which showcases the talents of local mixologists, breweries, and distilleries. In keeping with the festival's activism surrounding climate change, some culinary experiences have also highlighted what foods may be lost in the future. One example is "The Last Supper" from former White House chef Sam Kass, which centered around near-extinct ingredients."

The Great Northern Festival is a 10-day winter celebration across Minneapolis and Saint Paul, typically held during late January and early February; the 2026 dates are Jan. 28–Feb. 1. The festival centers on cold-weather outdoor activities such as cross-country skiing, ice hockey, snowshoeing, ice skating, and a pop-up sauna village. Cultural programming includes live music, comedy, film, art exhibits, dance parties, forest bathing, and workshops. Culinary offerings feature pop-up communal meals like the "Seven Stories" dinner with seven world-class chefs and a 50-foot ice bar showcasing local mixologists, breweries, and distilleries. Climate-focused events include a Climate Solution Series and culinary experiences highlighting at-risk ingredients.

Read at Travel + Leisure