There’s always something to do in the Twin Cities, and the winter months are no different! We’re here to help you keep your sanity by bringing these activities all together in one easy guide. In 2017, we’re bringing you our monthly event guides so you don’t miss a thing! This is month #2! We’ll update with new additions as they come.
February 4: MYSL: SuperCarnival | 2-5pm Ski games for the whole family – but designed especially for children 12 and under. Prizes! Relays! Obstacle Course! All with your skis on! Kids of all ages are welcome. FREE.
February 4: Apple Valley: Mid-Winter Fest | 9am-2pm TONS of activities to do with the whole family–face-painting, balloon animals, inflatable jumpers, KIDSDANCE DJ, and so much more! Admission is FREE.
February 4: 9th Annual Chili Cook-Off @ Northern Clay Center | 1-5pm What better way to warm your February day than to taste a few dozen unique versions of homemade chili and vote for your favorite?! We promise creative competitors, judges in several categories, opportunities to play in clay, and wheel-throwing demonstrations. $5 to Eat / Free to Compete
February 4: February Festival @ Chanhassen | 12-3pm This one-day event draws 1,500-2,000 participants and spectators, and is great fun for the whole family! Activities include a medallion hunt throughout the week ahead, ice skating, a s’mores cookout on a roaring bonfire, sledding, horse-drawn sleigh rides, door prizes, concessions, and of course, the ever-popular ice fishing contest, with over 1,000 fishing holes drilled in the ice & fabulous prizes!
February 10: Wayzata Chilly Open: Cinema & Skate | 6-9pm All are welcome to experience an evening on Frozen Wayzata Bay. Bring your skates and glide under the stars on a luminary lit Wayzata Bay while enjoying hot cocoa and treats. Skating isn’t your thing? Step in to the heated ‘19th Hole’ hospitality tent and watch The Incredibles on a jumbo screen. Don’t forget your costume! FREE.
February 11: Trails by Candlelight @ Lebanon Hills Regional Park | 6-9pm Pick your passion for winter fun. Cross-country ski, hike, ice skate, and snowshoe by candlelight. Slide on the lit sledding hill and warm up by a roaring bonfire. Ski and snowshoe rental available. Bring your own sleds and ice skates. Dinner provided by food trucks; prices vary. All ages.
February 11: Paint the Town Red @ Stillwater | 4-7pm Main Street shops, restaurants, and attractions welcome you to their romantic city to celebrate with your Valentine all weekend long with specials. Meet near the Dock Cafe on Nelson Street for FREE carriage rides along the river on Saturday, February 11th from 4-7pm. Shopping and dining deals can be found all weekend long throughout Historic Downtown Stillwater!
February 11: Monster Jam | 7pm Approximately 12 feet tall and about 12 feet wide, Monster Jam trucks are custom-designed machines that sit atop 66-inch-tall tires and weigh a minimum of 10,000 pounds. Built for short, high-powered bursts of speed, Monster Jam trucks generate 1,500 to 2,000 horsepower and are capable of speeds of up to 100 miles per hour. Monster Jam trucks can fly up to125 to 130 feet (a distance greater than 14 cars side by side) and up to 35 feet in the air.
February 11: Ham Lake Snowbowl | 10am-3pm Join BOB Country for the Snowbowl Ham Lake 2017 happening on February 11th in Ham Lake City Park! Founded in 2007 and presented by the Ham Lake Area Chamber of Commerce, the City of Ham Lake, Minnesota, and Twin Cities Gateway, the Ham Lake Snowbowl brings communities together for a special day of fun events – all ages welcome!
February 12: Winter Fun Days in Savage | 1-4pm Join Savage Parks and Recreation for outdoor activities available at the McColl Pond Environmental Learning and Event Center (ELC) every other Sunday during the winter months. This a free family fun event. Enjoy snowshoeing, ice skating on McColl Pond, a campfire, s’mores, hot chocolate and treats. All ages are welcome; no registration is required for this event.
February 12: Urban Expedition: Switzerland @ Landmark Center | 1-3pm Landmark Center’s popular Urban Expedition program, which provides families with an opportunity to learn about the world right here in Saint Paul’s backyard, returns for the 13th year. The five individual programs provide authentic cultural experiences that include music, dance, crafts and traditions from different destination countries. FREE.
February 14: Light of my Life Valentine’s Party | 5-7pm Grandparents, this is a special Valentines Party for you and the biggest love’s in your lives! Join us Tuesday Feb. 14th for play time, pizza, Valentines treats and make a special keepsake of your time together.
February 16: Taste of Shoreview | 5-8pm Join us for an evening of sampling delicious food from Shoreview area restaurants, wine tasting, raffles, a live auction, a preview of this year’s Slice of Shoreview Days and more! Be sure to vote in the People’s Choice Award competition, too.
February 18: 2017 Winter Wine Fest | 7-10pm This year we are celebrating the 41st Anniversary of the founding of the Minnesota Grape Growers Association, and we’ve invited 45 of the best local wine makers to pour samples for you. Artisan cheeses and gourmet foods will also be offered, to create an evening full of mouth-watering experiences! Jazz music will fill the Grand Ballroom all night, with Awards presented to Minnesota’s best wine makers. Event ticket includes wine tastings, food tastings, live jazz entertainment, and discounts on Winery Passport sales, plus a free Special Screening of the Wine Diamonds Documentary film which starts at 4:30pm.
February 18: Artists, Activists, Innovators @ Minnesota History Center | 12-4pm Learn about the contributions of African Americans in Minnesota and visit the new exhibit “Penumbra Theatre at 40.”
February 18: Monster Energy AMA Supercross | 7pm Monster Energy Supercross packs action and adrenaline for a man vs. machine showdown and it’s all at U.S. Bank Stadium on Saturday, February 18. Hometown hero and reigning Supercross Champion Ryan Dungey will defend his title against elite racers Ken Roczen, James Stewart, Chad Reed, Justin Barcia, and Eli Tomac. Fans will not want to miss this historic and epic race!
February 25: Tech Fest @ The Works Museum | 9am-4pm Join in the fun as our Museum explodes with activity during our annual celebration of National Engineers Week. The event features live demonstrations, hands-on activities, and more from The Works Museum and its engineering, technology, and science partners from all over the Twin Cities.
February 26: Winter Fun Days in Savage | 1-4pm Join Savage Parks and Recreation for outdoor activities available at the McColl Pond Environmental Learning and Event Center (ELC) every other Sunday during the winter months. This a free family fun event. Enjoy snowshoeing, ice skating on McColl Pond, a campfire, s’mores, hot chocolate and treats. All ages are welcome; no registration is required for this event.
Art Shanty Projects on White Bear Lake | Saturdays & Sundays in February from 10am-4pm Art Shanty Projects fosters construction of artist-driven temporary communities that explore the ways in which relatively unregulated public spaces can be used to create new and challenging artistic environments. The On-Ice Program, 10am-4pm Saturdays and Sundays February 4-26 in White Bear Lake, provides a unique opportunity for artist-audience interaction in an un-intimidating, non-gallery environment. Shanty Artists and Performers, as well as 2017 staff, have been selected create the eclectic structures and engaging performances to invite thousandes of visitors to expand their notions of art and artist.
WinterSkate @ Loring Park: Skating Season | Varies Wells Fargo Minneapolis Winterskate is the ultimate place to take your family skating this winter! With free family friendly events, complimentary skate rental, a warming house, and more, it’s sure to be a place where you can make some great memories this winter.
Saint Paul Winter Carnival: January 26-February 5 | Varies It’s the most wonderful time of the year, and Rice Park has the events to prove it during the entire Winter Carnival. Free and open to the public throughout Winter Carnival. Ice sculptures are on display, sit in a Royal Throne made of ice, view the Ice Castle Sponsor Wall. Live entertainment on the Nature’s Fury Entertainment Stage at Rice Park, vendor booths and other activities. Decorated with beautiful lights and greenery. FREE.
Ice Castles: Late December (weather permitting) | Ice Castles is a Utah-based company, led by ice artist Brent Christensen, that creates acre-sized, all-ice castles at venues across the United States. This year it will be in Stillwater, and it’s a must see!
Night Trains at Twin City Model Railroad Museum: November 5-February 25 | Night Trains Season comes to museum layouts in a magical way, the lights are turned down, the buildings and street lights glow warmly, setting the scene for specially lighted models of vintage passenger trains. The make believe town of Matlin is buried in a blizzard, and throughout the Museum the layouts are adorned with miniature Christmas lights and decorations.
Three Rivers Park District: FREE Family Fun Days: Sundays | Various Times Three Rivers offers family fun at Kroening Interpretive Center or Richardson Nature Center. Discover all the fun that life in and around the river and woods has to offer. FREE.
Toddler Tuesdays at MOA Tuesdays | 10am-Noon Toddler Tuesdays is a program that provides events, free entertainment and discounts especially for toddlers. Events include special character appearances, arts and crafts, story time and much more! FREE.
Wee Wednesdays at Midtown Global Market Wednesdays | 10:30am-1pm Wee Wednesdays showcase free educational programming, fun crafts and great meal deals each Wednesday morning at Midtown Global Market! Dance with them, experience live puppet theater, learn to cook fun items together in the kitchen, and even pet live animals from the Como Zoo. FREE.
Kids at the Castle: Third Friday Playdates (American Swedish Institute) In the hour before the museum opens, join ASI for visual play, storytelling, music, movement and crafts inspired by ASI’s current exhibits- activities that will encourage creative minds and active hands. Recommended for ages 2-5. $5 per family. Registration not required; check in at the Information Desk by 11 a.m. on the day of the program. Adult accompaniment required.
