All events during the 133rd St. Paul Winter Carnival, Jan. 24-Feb. 3, take place in the city of St. Paul and are free and open to the public, unless otherwise noted. Most events will take place in downtown St. Paul at Kellogg Mall Park between Kellogg Boulevard and the Mississippi River in the section between Cedar and Robert streets. Other carnival sites include Landmark Center and the Minnesota State Fairgrounds.The schedule is subject to change.

And some of the events are dependent on snow.

For the most up-to-date information, please go to wintercarnival.com.

DAILY EVENTS

Winter Carnival events in Kellogg Mall Park: Music series concerts (Jan. 24-27 and Jan. 31-Feb. 3), ice carvings, ice bars, warming tent, entertainment stage.

Fire & Ice: More than 100 creations from local artists are showcased at this show in AZ Gallery, Lowertown. Through Feb. 17. theazgallery.org

Vulcan Snow Park (opens Jan. 25)

Organized by the Winter Carnival Vulcans, activities take place on the Minnesota State Fairgrounds, 1265 N. Snelling Ave. Daily attractions include a giant snow slide, snow castle and snow sculptures. Special events include the Minnesota State Snow Sculpting Competition, Jan. 25-27, Vulcan Fun Day on Jan. 27, two Polar Plunges for Special Olympics Minnesota and barstool races.

Snow Park highlights

The Giant Snow Slide is two stories tall and a full football field in length, open daily from the first Friday to the last Sunday of Vulcan Snow Park — weather permitting. 5-9 p.m. Mondays-Fridays, 9 a.m.-9 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays during Winter Carnival. Rides are $2 per run or $15 for an all-day wristband and include use of a sled (provided at the top of the slide). Bring a non-perishable food item to Vulcan Snow Park for a free ride. Ten pounds of food items give you a chance to win a four-hour Vulcan firetruck ride for 20 people.

Vulcan Snow Park has its first Fire Castle. It’s about 3,500 square feet and boasts an interior courtyard that houses a Snow Golf Course, with nine of the Vulcans’ favorite golf holes from ShadowBrooke Golf Course (in Lester Prairie, Minn.) recreated out of snow. Golfers use tennis balls and golf clubs (bring your own or get clubs there, but golfers who use a full swing will be disqualified). Each hole is formed by bricks and molded with snow. The course will have black lights at night. Visiting the Fire Castle is free. A round of snow golf is $5 per person. 5-9 p.m. weekdays, 9 a.m.-9 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays.

Vulcan Snow Park also has a Snow Maze, which is 30 fby 40 feet and between 4 and 5 feet tall.  The maze is usually made of snow. The Vulcans say this year there will be a maze, but it  may not be made entirely out of snow.

And the Snow Park’s Snow Mountain (a pile of snow) is always a favorite. The Vulcans say, “It will be as big as we can make it and will be replenished throughout the 10 days of Vulcan Snow Park.”

There are special days at the Snow Park throughout Winter Carnival. For more information, go to mnsnowpark.com.

THURSDAY, JAN. 24

Moon Glow Parade: Walking parade is open to anyone. Participants are encouraged to decorate strollers and wagons and carry lights or glow sticks. Starts at 6 p.m. at Landmark Center, 75 W. Fifth St., and ends in Kellogg Park along Kellogg Boulevard between Robert and Wabasha streets. A reception follows from 7 to 9 p.m. at Hotel 340, 340 Cedar St.

Ice Carving Competition: Multi-block competition begins at 7 p.m. in Kellogg Mall Park. Ice artisans will work around-the-clock for 48 hours, carving and polishing their creations. Quitting time is 7 p.m. Jan. 26.

FRIDAY, JAN. 25

Royal Coronation: 8 p.m., St. Paul RiverCentre. The 2019 Royal Family, led by King Boreas and Aurora, Queen of the Snows, are announced. Ticketed event.

Ice Carving Competition: Multi-block competition continues in Kellogg Mall Park. Ice artisans will work around-the-clock, carving and polishing their creations.

Grand Opening of the Fire Castle: Vulcan Snow Park opens its first Fire Castle. It’s about 3,500 square feet, boasts an interior courtyard that houses a Snow Golf Course. The castle will be opened at 5 p.m.

Food Truck Friday: Food trucks will be parked along Kellogg Mall Park. Take your lunch to the heated tent. City officials on hand for some lunch conversation, 11:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m.

FRIDAY-SUNDAY, JAN. 25-27

Minnesota State Snow Sculpting Competition: Each team (with up to three members) starts with a ready-made 8-foot cube of snow and has 2 1/2 days to carve out a sculpture using only hand tools. Vote for your favorite at noon Sunday. The sculptures will stay up for viewing through the end of the Carnival. 8 a.m. Jan. 25 to 1 p.m. Jan. 27; Vulcan Snow Park, Minnesota State Fairgrounds.

SATURDAY, JAN. 26

Jigsaw Puzzle Competition: Hundreds of puzzle pros from around the country compete in the nation’s largest puzzle competition. 8:30 a.m.-1 p.m., Landmark Center.

Securian Financial Winter Run: The 34th annual run starts at 9 a.m. at Sixth and  Jackson streets downtown and travels down Jackson Street to Shepard Road. The route follows Shepard Road to Interstate 35E. Participants can run a 5K, 10K or a half-marathon.

Ice Carving Competition: Multi-block carving continues in Kellogg Mall Park..

Saint Paul Hotel Hot Chocolate: This is a long-standing Saint Paul Hotel tradition. There is a small cost for a cup of hot chocolate. 1-4 p.m.

King Boreas Grand Day Parade: Daytime procession down West Seventh Street featuring dozens of bands, floats and, of course, the newly crowned Royal Family. The parade starts at 2 p.m. at Smith Avenue and West Seventh and travels on Seventh to Fifth Street, right on Fifth to Cedar Street, right on Cedar to Kellogg Boulevard and left on Kellogg. Ends at Minnesota Street.

Kids Day: Interactive activities and live entertainment for kids in Landmark Center and Kellogg Mall Park starts at 2 p.m..

Klondike Kate Cabaret and Royal Guards’ Rock the Palace: Festivities start at 6:30 p.m. at the M Street Cafe in the basement of the Saint Paul Hotel for a Klondike Kate cabaret showcasing the 2019 Kate. Afterward, the Royal Guards will Rock the Palace at a party in the Saint Paul Hotel ballroom. Tickets are $17 advance at klondikekates.org or royalguards.org; $20 at the door.

Vulcan Krewe Coming Out: Unveiling of the new 2019 Krewe at Vulcan Snow Park. Festivities begin at 9:30 a.m., event at 10 a.m.

Amateur Snow Sculpting Contest: Each team (with up to three members) starts with a ready-made block of snow and has just eight hours to carve out a sculpture using only hand tools. Winners are announced at 4:30 p.m. 8 a.m.-4 p.m., Vulcan Snow Park.

SATURDAY-SUNDAY, JAN. 26-27

The 43rd annual Saintly City Cat Championship Cat Show: Hundreds of cats from the United States and Canada gather to claw their way to the top of the fe-lineup. OK. There’s no intentional clawing, just a lot of kitties, competition and some amazing tricked-out cages. The highest-scoring male and female will be crowned Winter Carnival Household Pet King and Queen. 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Jan. 26, 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Jan. 27; $4 for adults, $3 for seniors and children; St. Paul RiverCenter- Roy Wilkins Exhibition Hall; saintlycitycatclub.org

45th annual Winter Carnival Orchid Show at Como Park Zoo & Conservatory: Instead of Boreas, blossoms rule as hundreds of orchid plants owned by Marjorie McNeely Conservatory transform the conservatory into a tropical wonderland. It’s billed as the largest display of privately owned orchids in the region. 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Jan. 26-27; Marjorie McNeely Conservatory, 1225 Estabrook Drive, St. Paul; $5 for adults and $3 for children ages 3-12 ($1 off admission for Como Friends Members or for visitors with a Winter Carnival button). Admission is usually voluntary, but the fee for the Winter Carnival Orchid Show is required to enter the conservatory on Jan. 26-27. comozooconservatory.org

SUNDAY, JAN. 27

Vulcan Fun Day: Vulcan firetruck rides (11 a.m.-1 p.m.), giant slide, Vulcans and the Royal Family, a Kids’ Snow Treasure Hunt (11 a.m.-3 p.m. or until they run out of prizes) and more family fun. 9 a.m.-3 p.m., Vulcan Snow Park

Fancy Hotdish Contest: Local culinary greats compete for the grandest hotdish at The Lexington, 1096 Grand Ave. The chefs are judged on creativity, taste, presentation and the use of ingredients. Sample their concoctions after the cooking is complete. Tickets are $50 per person, which includes samples, two drinks and more. 1-4 p.m.

Individual Block Ice Carving Competition, Artisan Division: Each carver has just six hours to turn a couple of blocks of ice into a frozen masterpiece. 9 a.m.-2 p.m. Kellogg Mall Park.

Purse Bingo: Bingo prizes are new purses. 1-4 p.m. at Kellogg Mall Park in the new heated tent.

The Saint Paul Civic Symphony: Presents a free concert of “Hot and Cool Classics.” 2 p.m., Landmark Center Cortile.

Vulcan Snow Park Polar Plunge: Two opportunities to leap into an icy pool to benefit Special Olympics Minnesota. noon-1:30 p.m. or 6:30-8 p.m. Details and registration at mnsnowpark.com/polar-plunge.

Frozen Family Fun Night: Actors portraying Anna and Elsa from “Frozen” will visit, along with more live entertainment, skating with the Royals and more. 5-8 p.m., Landmark Center.

MONDAY, JAN. 28

Sensory Friendly Day at Vulcan Snow Park: Lower lights, no overhead sound and a dedicated sledding lane for those families with Autism Society of Minnesota.

FRIDAY, FEB. 1

Berners in the Park: Dogs of Bernese Mountain Dog Club of the Greater Twin Cities (and their owners, we assume) will be at Kellogg Mall Park from 5 to 7 p.m.

FRIDAY-SUNDAY, FEB. 1-3

Freeze Your Bags Off Bean Bag Tournament: This competition will feature five 16-team competitions. $25 advance registration requested at wintercarnival.com. noon, 2 and 4 p.m. Friday-Saturday with championship round Sunday. Kellogg Mall Park

SATURDAY, FEB. 2

Ledgermann Boot Hockey Tournament: No experience is necessary but participants must be at least 21 years old. Registration is requested at wintercarnival.com. 7 a.m. to noon at WinterSkate near Landmark Center.

Family Day: Family-friendly activities, live ice carvings and live music. Starts at 11 a.m., Kellogg Mall Park and Landmark Center.

Doggie Depot: St. Paul’s Union Depot goes to the dogs, with the folks from Sidewalk Dog on hand to share tips about the Twin Cities’ most pet-friendly restaurants, retailers and more. Guests are encouraged to bring their dogs. 10 a.m.-2 p.m., Union Depot.

BEAR’ly Open: There will be an 18-hole course on the frozen shores of White Bear Lake for this 12th annual event, which features pine trees, a hospitality tent, food and entertainment. 11 a.m.-4 p.m., White Bear Lake County Park at Ramsey Beach (5050 Lake Ave. in White Bear Lake). Tickets are $15-$30 at wintercarnival.com. The event raises money for White Bear Area Emergency Food Shelf.

Vulcan Victory Torchlight Parade: Starts at 5:30 p.m. at Mears Park in Lowertown and travels up Fifth Street to Cedar, then turns toward the river and ends on Kellogg Boulevard. Followed by the Overthrow of Boreas, which will take place on the stage in Kellogg Mall Park, and fireworks over the Mississippi.

 

Vulcan Victory Dance: The Vulcans like to call it the hottest party of Winter Carnival. Music by the Dweebs starts at 7:30 p.m. This is a ticketed event (wintercarnival.com) and is open to the public.

SUNDAY, FEB. 3

Hops and Hounds: New event from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. features beer, door prizes, people, pets, contests, games, treats, adoptable pups on Kellogg Mall Park.

Cinco de Mayo Happy Hour: The folks who bring you the Winter Carnival also produce Cinco de Mayo West Side. Preview the heat from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.

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