The Coolest Celebration on Earth returns for its 126th year, turning downtown St. Paul into the play place of the Winter Carnival royal family and resident revelers.

What’s new in 2012? Just a couple of things, including more food and booze in Rice Park and some cold-weather yoga. But the big changes are in schedules and locations for a few key events, like the royal coronation and the route of the Grande Day Parade.

WHAT’S NEW

Moon Glow reroute: The Moon Glow Pedestrian Parade, an open-to-the-public meander that opens the Winter Carnival at 5:30 p.m. Jan. 26, changes course and will start at the St. Paul Chamber offices at 401 Robert St. It will then continue to Rice Park, where participants will be greeted by tethered hot-air balloons. In years past, the parade made its way to the Capitol on John Ireland Boulevard.

Coronation: The big night, when a new King Boreas, Queen of the Snows and the rest of the royal family are revealed, moves to 8 p.m. Jan. 27 (Friday) at St. Paul River Centre. Organizers said the “old” night (a Thursday) wasn’t festive enough for the public unveiling.

Beers leave Mears: The Winter Carnival Beer Dabbler, a smorgasbord of local and regional brews served al fresco, moves from its original home in Mears Park down Fourth Street to the St. Paul Farmers Market space in Lowertown. The ticketed event runs from 4 to 8 p.m. Jan. 28.

Grande Day Parade changes course: Instead of wending through downtown St. Paul, the King Boreas Grande Day Parade, at 2 p.m. Jan. 28, will travel down West Seventh Street from the Smith High Bridge to Rice Park.

Food and booze in the park: In addition to the cheese curds and kettle corn standards at Rice Park during carnival, a “Food Truck Round Up” is in the works. As of early January, just a couple of trucks had signed up – Gastro Truck and Barrio – but more are likely to participate, organizers said. And once you’ve grabbed some grub, swing by the ice bar for the new carnival-themed “Vulcan’s Revenge” wine from Cannon River Winery and an exclusive beer from St. Paul’s Flat Earth Brewery.

Yoga in the cold: Lululemon will host an outdoor yoga session amid the ice sculptures in Rice Park beginning at 9 a.m. Jan. 28.

It’s a drag: But in a good way. The carnival unveils the “It’s So Hot, It’s Cool” drag show at 8 p.m. Feb. 2 at the Lowry Lab Theatre. Tickets are $10.

WHAT’S MISSING

Dogsleds on White Bear Lake: The St. Paul Winter Carnival North Star Sled Dog Races on White Bear Lake were canceled due to a lack of snow and safe ice. It would have been the first time the races were run after a 13-year absence.

Snow sculptures: The Vulcans’ snow-sculpting contest at the Minnesota State Fairgrounds also was canceled due to a lack of snow. But organizers decided to build a single block of snow in Rice Park for a team of sculptors.

Hot dish: Maybe we should quit hoping. After a brief two-year run that began in 2007, the lauded hot dish tent near Rice Park closed and has been absent for a few years. A Winter Carnival rep said it was too costly to run. How much do Tater Tots and cans of cream of mushroom soup cost?

Ice Palace: Organizers said no palace this year, which they also said last year, the year before and the year before … . It will take a lot of money, elbow grease and volunteers before another of these magnificent structures graces St. Paul. The last, in 2004, drew about 750,000 folks downtown.

John Brewer can be reached at 651-228-2093.

For more information, go to winter-carnival.com.

Copyright 2012 Pioneer Press.