The 138th St Paul Winter Carnival, will be held Thursday, Jan. 25– Sunday, Feb. 4, 2024, in Saint Paul, Minn. Most events during the “Coolest Celebration on Earth™” will take place in downtown Saint Paul, in and around Rice Park and Landmark Center, as well as at the Minnesota State Fairgrounds.
The Saint Paul Winter Carnival was started in 1886 and is the oldest winter festival in the United States.
Bonus!! Most events are free and open to the public.
For the most current information, please visit wintercarnival.com. *Events are subject to change.
New this year: A huge 120’ x 50’ warming tent will make Rice Park home for the duration of the Winter Carnival. The tent will be the perfect gathering place for Carnival goers to warm up and enjoy live entertainment and music, beverages for all ages, play bingo and pull tabs, and get some Winter Carnival merchandise. Guests are encouraged to bring non-perishable food donations for Hallie Q. Brown Community Center and the Winter Carnival Day of Good.
Schedule of Events: Family Edition! Winter Carnival’s Signature Events
2024 Kickoff – Thursday, Jan. 25
Light the Park- Kickoff to Carnival! PLUS Laser Light Show, Laser Light Show in Rice Park reflected on Landmark Center
Thursday, Jan. 25 thru Sunday, Jan. 28 – Ice Carving Competitions
Rice Park will be a-buzz with creativity as artists carve 300-pound blocks of ice during the first weekend of Carnival. The multi-block teams will have 48 hours to finish their masterpieces with 20 blocks of ice. On Sunday, artists will have five hours to carve in the single block competition.
Friday, Jan. 26 thru Sunday, Feb. 4
Snow Park at the Fair- Snow Sculptures & More!
The Minnesota State Snow Sculpting Competition begins at 8 a.m. on Friday, Jan. 26 at the Minnesota State Fairgrounds. mnsnowpark.com
Winners will be chosen on Vulcan Fun Day – Sunday, Jan. 28 at 3 p.m.
New This Year – A stop by the Twins Winter Caravan on Sunday, Jan. 28 – 12:30 – 1:30 p.m. Our guests will include Twins pitcher (and Saint Paul’s own!) Louie Varland,
outfielder Matt Wallner, Twins television play-by-play voice Cory Provus; former Twins pitcher and current broadcaster LaTroy Hawkins, and, of course, Twins mascot T.C.
Saturday, Jan. 27
2024 King Boreas Grande Day Parade
This daytime procession will feature dozens of bands, floats, and of course, the newly crowned King Boreas and his Royal Family. The parade will begin at 2 p.m. near Smith Ave., travel down West 7th Street, and conclude in Rice Park.
Sunday, January 28
Winter Carnival Minecraft Event
Tuesday January 30
Winter Carnival Frozen Family Fun Night
Saturday, Feb. 3
Doggie Depot at Union Depot
Winter Carnival Kids & Family Day at Landmark Center
Winter Carnival Vulcan Victory Torchlight Parade & Fireworks
Vulcanus Rex and his Krewe will bring the heat and light up the streets of downtown Saint Paul. This evening parade starts at 5:30 p.m. at 5th and Wacouta and makes its way to Rice Park. Afterwards, follow the 2024 Krewe to the library steps for the ever-dramatic Overthrow of Boreas. The ceremony will be followed by fireworks.
Hours Vary Organized by the Saint Paul Winter Carnival Vulcans, the Fairgrounds will be full of family fun activities including a snow maze and visits by the Vulcans. The site will also host the Minnesota State Snow Sculpting Competition where teams will have 2.5 days (Friday, Jan 25 – through Sunday, Jan. 28) to create their masterpieces out of 8-foot cubes of snow. Find out more: www.mnsnowpark.com
More Cool Highlights
January 1 – February 4
Saint Paul Winter Carnival Ice Fishing Contest
Anglers from across Minnesota are encouraged to participate in this month-long digital ice fishing tournament through the FishDonkey Mobile App. Prizes will be awarded. $20 participation fee.
Friday, Jan. 26
Royal Coronation
The 2024 Royal Family will be introduced at this gala presentation at the Saint Paul RiverCentre. This ticketed event begins at 5:30 p.m.
Saturday, Jan. 27
Winter Carnival Jigsaw Puzzle Competition – New Location!
This year’s competition is guaranteed to be bigger than ever as we move to Union Depot to accommodate all the puzzlers! This fierce competition is arguably the largest jigsaw puzzle contest
in the country. The first competition starts at 8:15 a.m. and the event is scheduled to conclude by 5 p.m.
Saturday, Jan. 27
Reveal of the 2024 Vulcan Krewe – New Location!
Hail the Vulc! Join us as Vulcanus Rex LXXXVI and his 2024 Krewe are introduced at 10 a.m. in the Landmark Center Cortile.
Sunday, Jan. 28
Fire & Ice Run/Walk
Runners and walkers of all ages may participate in the 5K, 10K, 15K, 20K, NoK, or the Kid’s Run at the State Fairgrounds.
Tuesday, Jan. 30
Frozen Family Fun Night
Join us in the new Warming House in Rice Park from 5:30 – 7:30 p.m. for an evening of all things “Frozen” including a singalong, story time, and meet and greets with characters from the beloved film as well as the Winter Carnival. What “Elsa” could be more fun?
Thursday, Feb. 1
Rondo Night
Join us at Landmark Center for an entertaining and educational evening celebrating the Rondo neighborhood. Enjoy live performances and savor flavorful bites while supporting BIPOC artisans, businesses, and organizations. 5 – 9 p.m.
Friday, Feb. 2
Winter Carnival Day of Good
Join current and alumni Winter Carnival Ambassadors and volunteers as they do what they do best: GOOD in the community! Look for the Titan Truck outside Landmark Center to make your donation of non-perishable food items, cold weather wear, and blankets. All items will be hand delivered to Hallie Q. Brown later that day.
Saturday, Feb. 3
Union Depot’s Doggie Depot
Beginning at 10 a.m., enjoy your favorite paw-some activities like the crowning of the Canine King & Queen, giveaways, marketplace, and visits with pet experts.
Saturday, Feb. 3
Winter Carnival Kids and Family Day
From 11 a.m. – 5 p.m., the Landmark Center will be filled with entertaining performances, arts and crafts, storytelling, and other activities for all ages.
The 48th annual Winter Carnival Orchid Show gives attendees a way to escape to the tropics without even getting on a plane! Hundreds of orchid plants owned by the Marjorie McNeely Conservatory, the Orchid Society of Minnesota members, as well as individual and commercial orchid growers, will transform the Conservatory into a tropical wonderland. Pre-paid advance admission tickets are required. https://comozooconservatory.org/como/winter-carnival-orchid-show/
*Event details subject to change. For the most current information, visit wintercarnival.com.
