If there’s one thing we Minnesotans aren’t afraid of, it’s a little winter. In fact, we love the winter time! And lucky for us, there are so many different events, activities, and fun things to do in Minneapolis in winter that it can be hard to decide where to go first.
Whether you want to entertain the kids, check out a hockey game with the family, or warm up with an adult beverage in a fantastic wintry locale, there’s no shortage of options. Between festivals, carnivals, outdoor and indoor activities, sporting events, and more, a visit to Minneapolis will keep you busy and entertained day and night.
Best Things to Do in Minneapolis in Winter?
At D&T Appliance Repair Minneapolis, our technicians and office staff love living and working in the Minneapolis area. That’s why we’re excited to share our favorite things to do in Minneapolis in winter with you. Check out these awesome activities, and we hope to see you there!
Winter Carnival
Known as the “Coolest Celebration on Earth,” the Saint Paul Winter Carnival has been an essential and hugely popular part of the Minneapolis community for over 130 years! Since 1886, this free event has become the region’s ode to winter.
Featuring three outdoor parades, treasure hunts, a kid-friendly snow park, enormous ice sculptures, and even a giant snow slide, the Winter Carnival is one of the most popular things to do in Minneapolis in winter.
Photo Credit: Chilly Dogs Sled Dog Trips
Icebox Days
Not all things to do in Minneapolis in winter are as “traditional” as the Winter Carnival though. For a sillier take on a winter festival, be sure to check out the annual Icebox Days festivities.
Enjoy unique events like frozen turkey bowling, the toilet seat toss, or the Freeze Your Gizzard Blizzard Run, this is a party like no other. You can even nail an old pair of shoes to some 2×4’s and participate in the Smoosh Races! A word of advice, don’t miss out on this one.
U.S. Pond Hockey Championships
Listed by ESPN as one of the “101 Things Sports Fans Must Experience Before They Die,” the annual U.S. Pond Hockey Championships brings a diverse and eclectic group of athletes and fans alike to witness a spectacle like no other. Held at Lake Nokomis, you can expect to see a variety of amateurs, former high school standouts, and even some former pros competing together, all so the winning team can engrave their names on the hallowed Golden Shovel.
Oh, and expect to see a few players dressed up in hilarious costumes rather than hockey jerseys. There are few things to do in Minneapolis in winter that can rival the excitement and hilarity of this epic sporting event.
Photo Credit: ExploreMinnesota.com
City of Lakes Loppet
Cross-country skiing may have never quite caught on with the rest of the country — don’t tell Minnesotans that! Nordic skiing is a tradition in Minneapolis, and no event is more popular or fun than the City of Lakes Loppet.
With a series of different races, this cross-country celebration caters to everyone. The Luminary Loppet race course runs at night and goes through the center of town, lit only by candlelight throughout the entire 5K circuit. There’s even a “skijoring” race where skiers are supposed to be pulled along by their dogs, but in reality, the opposite usually happens. Don’t miss out on this amazing celebration of Nordic skiing!
Tune Up Your Oven
With the cold, harsh winters in Minneapolis, it’s paramount that your oven is in tip-top shape. How else are you going to warm up with your homemade hotdish? Our appliance repair Minneapolis technicians can make sure your oven, range, and other appliances are ready for a long season of baking and broiling!
Find out more about our appliance repair Minneapolis service here.
