Winter Fun Awaits at Viking Lakes' 5th Annual Winter SKOLstice!

The Minnesota Ice Festival and Magic of Lights at Winter Skolstice in Eagan, MN!

Get ready for an exciting family winter wonderland! Viking Lakes is thrilled to announce the return of Winter SKOLstice for the 2025-2026 season. Packed with two crowd-favorite events—the Minnesota Ice Festival with the world’s largest ice maze and the Magic of Lights holiday light drive-thru—this year’s lineup promises fun for all ages.

Here’s what families can look forward to during Winter SKOLstice’s three months of family fun:

Holiday Magic (Nov. 21 – Jan. 3)

Magic of Lights Drive-Thru Experience:
Kick off your holiday season with a one-of-a-kind drive-through light show featuring more than a mile of festive lights and holiday scenes. Bigger and brighter than ever, Magic of Lights will dazzle both young and old. Open daily, with extended hours on weekends. Tickets are available at magicoflights.com.

Holiday Village Fun:
Gather around a 36-foot holiday tree, take a spin on the ice rink, and enjoy cozy fire pits in the Holiday Village, right outside TCO Stadium. The village also has unique igloos, light displays, and comfy seating areas. For hours and event details, check out winterskolstice.com.

Warming Haus:
Need to warm up? Step into the heated Warming Haus, complete with cozy seating, tasty treats, and activities that rotate each night! Kids can enjoy hot cocoa while parents relax with curated food and beverages. Open through February.

Blitzen’s Bar at Omni Viking Lakes Hotel:
Parents, you won’t want to miss this festive pop-up bar! While the little ones are busy, Blitzen’s Bar offers creative holiday drinks, designed by award-winning mixologist Julie Reiner, amidst fun holiday decor. Open daily from 11 AM – 10 PM mid January.

Winter on Ice (Jan. 16- 25, 2026)

The Minnesota Ice Festival at Viking Lakes:

Plan a Family Adventure at the 2026 Minnesota Ice Festival in Eagan!

Grab your mittens and scarves—this winter, the 2026 Minnesota Ice Festival promises to deliver frosty fun for the whole family! Kicking off on January 16, 2026, at Viking Lakes in Eagan, this magical winter wonderland runs through January 25, 2026, with plenty of exciting activities for kids and parents alike.

The festival will also be open on Martin Luther King Jr. Day (January 19), making it even easier for families to fit this adventure into their busy schedules.

A World Record Was Won

The centerpiece of this year’s festival is nothing short of spectacular—a Guinness World Record was won in 2025 for the world’s largest ice maze. Spanning an incredible 18,000 square feet, this maze is lit with dazzling LED lights and packed with twists and turns that will leave kids giggling and parents snapping plenty of photos!

Family-Friendly Fun Features

Here’s what families can look forward to at this year’s festival:

Ice Slide: Thrill-seekers of all ages will love racing down three icy lanes.
Warming House: A cozy spot to enjoy hot cocoa, hearty comfort foods, and local treats.
Skating Rink: Glide across 3,500 square feet of ice. Don’t have skates? Rentals are available onsite!
Food Trucks: Savor tasty bites from some of the Twin Cities’ favorite food trucks.
Themed Ice Bars (For the Parents): Sip on handcrafted cocktails served with locally made ice, adding a frosty touch to your drinks.
Special Entertainment: Keep an eye out for surprises and live performances to be announced soon!

Tickets and Special Offers

Early bird pricing is available through December 2, with great savings for families:

Adults (15+): $16.99 (regularly $24.99)
Kids (5-14): $8.99 (regularly $12.99)
Kids 4 and under: Free!

All tickets are flexible, allowing you to visit any one day in January or February. Plus, a portion of sales supports local charities, making your outing even more meaningful.

Winter Skolstice: A Magical Winter Experience

Robbie Harrell, CEO of Minnesota Ice, shared the vision behind this family-friendly event:

“We’re thrilled to bring this magical event back to Viking Lakes in Eagan. It’s the ultimate winter festival where families, friends, and ice explorers of all ages can celebrate the beauty and creativity of the season. With so much to do, this year’s festival is shaping up to be the most extravagant yet!”

Minnesota Ice Festival: Plan Your Visit

Mark your calendars and don’t miss this unforgettable family outing. For tickets, hours, and event updates, visit minnesotaicefestival.com.

Make the 2026 Minnesota Ice Festival the highlight of your winter! 🧊❄️

Get ready for an ice maze that’s twice the size of last year’s! The Minnesota Ice Festival returns with an even bigger ice maze, thrilling ice slides, and more! Explore icy thrones, ice bars, scavenger hunts, and live ice carving competitions. Tickets can be purchased at minnesotaicefestival.com.

Outdoor Ice Sports & Activities:
For active families, Winter SKOLstice offers an impressive 40,000 square feet of ice activities:

Curling Experience: Learn the art of curling with family and friends.
Pond Hockey Rinks: Open for practice, games, or rentals.
Refrigerated Ice Rink: Enjoy free open skating sessions (skate rentals available for $5).

Mark your calendars! Winter SKOLstice kicks off on November 21, 2025, and runs through February 22, 2026. As always, activities are weather-dependent, so keep an eye on the website for updates.