Top Three Winter Festivals on The Range

Minnesota is certainly known for its cold but beautiful winters. However, what’s all of that without the fun of a good ol’ fashioned festival? There’s nothing like a big crowd, live music, fun contests, and something to cheer for! Check out our top three winter festivals on The Range and get in on the frosty fun!

Weihnachtsfest is fun for Everyone

First up is Weihnachtsfest which takes place on the first Saturday of December in Biwabik. “Weihnachtsfest” is, essentially, “Germanic Christmas” and as the town of Biwabik takes its history, culture, and even downtown architecture from Germanic roots. This festival truly encapsulates the spirit of Weihnachtsfest! Attendees can enjoy roasting s’mores over campfires in Carl Schuster Park and treats from the Candy Shop booth in the park. There’s also downtown fireworks, live music and caroling throughout the night!

Finnish Sliding is the Best Sliding!

Next up is Laskiainen which is held on the first weekend of February in Palo. This family event features a giant ice slide onto frozen Loon Lake. People from all over come to line up for their turn on the slide. Visitors to this small town community center also like to check out the sauna displays, music, authentic Finnish baked goods, and horse drawn sleigh rides. It’s a unique Finnish fest that celebrates winter in the best of ways! Follow on Facebook for full schedule of events, starting Friday evening!

Say Goodbye to Winter with a Splash

Lastly, and this one is aways a huge hit, is the Spring Carnival, Slush Cup & Rail Jam at Giants Ridge! The Spring Carnival takes place around mid-March annually and is filled with plenty of music and food. But the real show is the Slush Cup and Rail Jam. The Slush Cup is a costume contest with a twist, skiers and snowboarders try to pick up enough speed to slide across a pit of water. Spectators can either watch them either make it over or crash into the slush in spectacular fashion. The Rail Jam is a snowboarding trick competition that takes place at the opening of the festival. Anyone planning to attend should make sure to get there early to catch that as well! Check the Giants Ridge website and socials for details.

Winter can feel long in Minnesota at times, but with some fun to fill in the void the frost feels a bit less frigid. Consider staying in a yurt, villa, historic home or a good-old fashioned hotel while you’re here. There’s a variety of lodging and some great places to eat, enjoy local music and have a great getaway. Make plans to check out some of our favorite festivals this winter, and make sure to bundle up!