Family Guide to the Saint Paul Winter Carnival 2024 (Jan 25 - Feb 4)

The Saint Paul Winter Carnival is back with tons of free events for everyone!

The 2024 Saint Paul Winter Carnival, known as “The “Coolest Celebration on Earth,” starts Thursday, January 25th and lasts through Sunday, February 4th, 2024.

Most events are free and open to the public. However, some require a fee which will support the Saint Paul Winter Carnival and its mission to continue to produce cool and legendary events.

Most events will take place in downtown Saint Paul, in and around Rice Park and Landmark Center, as well as at the Minnesota State Fairgrounds.

There are SO many events – snow sculptures, a cat show, a minecraft event, parades, and even fireworks!

And there are a TON of FREE family events (thanks to many sponsors), making me give it a high-five for frugal family-friendliness!

Here is a list of highlighted events! (Note there are many more on their website, and all are subject to change.)

2024 Saint Paul Winter Carnival Events

Ongoing!

Activities galore! The Saint Paul Winter Carnival has activities in downtown Saint Paul, Rice Park (109 W 4th St.), the Landmark Center, and the Minnesota State Fairgrounds. There will be activities, food vendors, and merchandise for sale.

Rice Park Stage: Daily
Rice Park, Entertainment Schedule Varies
An array of local entertainers performing a variety of musical styles will take to the stage throughout Carnival. Visit wintercarnival.com for the complete schedule.

Warming House: Daily
Landmark Plaza, Market Street & 5^th Street
Stay warm in this heated tent that’s even bigger this year! Enjoy assorted craft beers, hard ciders and seltzers, our own Northern Soda Flavor (Cranberry Lime Pop-tail,), Bailey’s and Cocoa or Coffee, mulled wine. There will be live entertainment from local musicians and DJs on the stage.

CynCity Walking Tours: Throughout Carnival
Downtown Saint Paul, Dates and Times Vary.
Stroll through skyways, inside buildings and along streets as CynCity Tours serves up gangsters, haunts, and history in the heart of downtown Saint Paul throughout the Winter Carnival. Check schedule at cyncitytours.com

Signature Events!

Ice Carving Competitions: Thursday, Jan. 26th through Sunday, Jan. 28th in Rice Park
Rice Park will be busting 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.

Vulcan Snow Park: Friday, Jan. 26th through Sunday, Feb. 4th
Minnesota State Fairgrounds, Hours Vary
Organized by the Saint Paul Winter Carnival Vulcans, the State Fairgrounds will be full of family fun activities.

The Minnesota State Snow Sculpting Competition kicks off on Friday, Jan. 26th and sculpting culminates with the awards announcement on Sunday, Jan. 28th.

King Boreas Grande Day Parade: Saturday, Jan. 27th
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 7^th Street, and conclude in Rice Park.

Vulcan Victory Torchlight Parade: Saturday, Feb. 3rd
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 5^th 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!

Calendar – Highlighted Events

I made larger the events that families will most want to check out! (Though of course – EVERYTHING will be fun!)

Thursday, January 25th

5:30 – 7:00pm: Light Up The Park – the Kick Off to Carnival in Rice Park. The first 200 people to arrive at the park will receive a glow wand. Then there’s a Laser Light Show! Afterwards, at 7:00pm. you can watch ice carving teams start their masterpieces.

Friday, January 26th

8:00am The Minnesota Snow Sculpting Competition begins on Friday, January 26th at Vulcan Snow Park at the State Fairgrounds.

5:30pm Royal Coronation at Saint Paul RiverCentre beginning at 5:30 p.m.
The Winter Carnival Legend will come to life on stage. Witness as King Boreas the LXXXVII, Aurora,
Queen of the Snows and the 2024 Royal Family members are announced. This ticketed event begins at
5:30 p.m. Coronation programs begins at 8 p.m. and expected to end at 9:30 p.m.

Saturday, January 27th

8:00am – 5:30pm The Winter Carnival Jigsaw Puzzle Competition will take place at Union Depot this year. (For pre-registered contestants only) Did you know this is arguably the largest jigsaw puzzle contest in the country?

9:00am – 5:00pm The Saintly City Championship Cat Show at the Saint Paul RiverCentre – Roy Wilkins Exhibition Hall is the “purrfect” place to see hundreds of cats. Admission is $10 for adults, $7 for seniors and children. http://saintlycitycatclub.org/

10:00am The Reveal of the Vulcanus Rex LXXXVI and his 2024 Krewe. Landmark Center Cortile.

10:00am – 4:00pm The 49th annual Winter Carnival Orchid Show at the Marjorie McNeely Conservatory (1225 Estabrook Drive). This premier event showcases a glorious collection of orchid plants and creates a tropical wonderland (a perfect escape for winter in Minnesota) Tickets required. $5 for adults and $4 for children, seniors and members. https://orchidsocietyofminnesota.org/winter-carnival-orchid-show/

2:00pm The King Boreas Grand Day Parade!

Parade Route: Begins near Smith Avenue, travels down West 7th Street, and concludes in Rice Park.

2:00 – 5:00pm Minecraft Ice Palace Build Competition

In the Victoria Theater Arts Center Minecraft Server, 2 – 5 p.m.
Minecraft players can watch and learn about ice palaces and create their own ice dwellings in a special arctic
biome created and hosted on the VTAC server. Winter Carnival Historian and Ice Palace Expert, Bob Olsen, and community judges will pick their favorite creations. $5 entry fee. https://www.victoriatheater.org/ice-palace.html

Sunday, January 28th

9:00am The Winter Carnival Ice Carving Competitions take place in Rice Park.

Vulcan Snow Park – Vulcan Fun Day!
State Fairgrounds
8:00am to 12:00pm Minnesota State Snow Sculpting Competition (Final Day)
9:00am to 9:00pm Snow Sculpture Viewing, Snow Maze
10:30am to 12:30pm Minnesota State Snow Sculpting Competition People’s Choice voting
11:00am to 3:00pm Kids’ Snow Treasure Hunt
12:30pm – 1:30pm Twins Winter Caravan Public Stop
1:00pm Minnesota State Snow Sculpting Competition awards presentation

9:00am – 4:00pm The Saintly City Championship Cat Show at the Saint Paul RiverCentre – Roy Wilkins Exhibition Hall is the “purrfect” place to see hundreds of cats. Admission is $10 for adults, $7 for seniors and children. http://saintlycitycatclub.org/

2:00 – 3:00pm Hot & Cool Classics Concert at Landmark Center. The Saint Paul Civic Symphony will present a free concert of “Hot and Cool Classics” featuring song and dance music by Ruth Gipps, Rachmaninoff, and Duke Ellington.

Monday, January 29th

1:00 – 4:00pm Ice Carvings for Kids: A Cool Collaboration between Children’s Minnesota and the Winter Carnival
Rice Park
For this cool event, Longtime Winter Carnival ice carver, Tom Klug, and his fellow ice carvers will take drawings from patients at Children’s Minnesota hospital in Saint Paul and make them into beautiful icy works of art.

Tuesday, January 30th

5:30 – 7:30pm Frozen Family Fun Night outside at Landmark Center Cortile.

Event highlights include a meet-and-greet with Anna, Elsa, and Kristoff, story time, a Frozen singalong, snow activities with Junior Royalty, giftbags, appearances buy Winter Carnival Legend Characters, and other familyfriendly activities.

Friday, February 2nd

Winter Carnival’s Day of Good
Hallie Q Brown (270 N Kent St)
Join the Royal Family, Vulcan Krewe, Klondike Kate, and the Royal Guard, along with the folks from Treasure Island Resort & Casino, our alumni groups and volunteers as we do what we do best – GOOD in the community! The day will be filled with opportunities for the public to help others through non-perishable food collections, a blood drive, and spreading cheer to seniors and children around town. The Titan Truck will deliver collected goods to Hallie Q Brown. Timing details to come.
https://wintercarnival.com/event/winter-carnivals-day-of-good

Saturday, February 3rd

10:00am – 3:00pm Doggie Depot at Union Depot

At this free event, vendors will have dozens of vendors providing treats, toys, and other pet-related items. Local rescues will be on-site providing adoption opportunities. Plus the crowning of the Canine King & Queen by King Boreas and Aurora, Queen of the Snows.