What To Know About Northern Wisconsin’s 2026 Lake Superior Ice Festival
One of the fun winter traditions in the Northland is the annual Lake Superior Ice Festival, hosted in Superior, Wisconsin. This year's event marks the 10th anniversary of this family-friendly weekend festival, with plenty of fun for everyone!
Even better, a vast majority of the events and activities at the Lake Superior Ice Festival are free! Aside from grabbing food or a beverage from a vendor or a couple of the event's tournaments, you can enjoy what the festival has to offer without spending any money.
Here's what to know about the 2026 Lake Superior Ice Festival.
When and where is the 2026 Lake Superior Ice Festival?
This winter's event will be held on the last weekend of January, happening Friday, January 30, and Saturday, January 31, 2026. Festivities for the 10th annual Lake Superior Ice Festival will be held around Barkers Island in Superior, Wisconsin.
A few of the activities tied to the festival get going earlier in the day, but things ramp up with ice sculpting starting at 4 pm, and an ice carousel, ice racing, and many other events and activities getting going at 5 pm on Friday, with many events wrapping up for the day by 8 pm.
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Saturday sees activities starting up at 9 am, with things going on through the day until the festival's grand finale laser light show, scheduled from 6:30 pm until 6:50 pm Saturday night.
Is the event free? What do I need to plan for to attend the Lake Superior Ice Festival?
As I mentioned earlier, attending the event and most of the activities are free through the weekend. Attending the ice racing, sled dog rides, buying food or beverages, or participating in a handful of the competitive tournaments does involve a cost of some form.
Parking is available on and near Barkers Island. There is limited parking near the Barkers Island Inn and boat launch area, otherwise there is parking on the hill as you enter Barkers Island, at the Bong Center, with shuttles available.
Parking will not be allowed along Marina Drive, and vehicles will be ticketed and towed.
You can see more information about parking and shuttles here.
What is happening at the 2026 Lake Superior Ice Festival?
In short, there's a lot going on during these two days! Along with an escape room at the Bong Center, free tours at Fairlawn Mansion, a warming tent available for gathering and enjoying food & drinks, and activities at the Estuarium, there are a bunch of outdoor activities and other fun
Here's a rundown of the major highlights on the schedule:
Friday Events & Activities Include:
Orb 365 Community Art Exhibit: Noon - 4:00 pm in the Festival Park Area
Professional Ice Sculpting: 4:00 pm - 8:00 pm in the Festival Park Area
Ice Carousel: 5:00 pm - 8:00 pm at the beach area
Midwest Ice Racing: 5:00 pm - 8:00 pm behind the SS Meteor
Superior Snow Slide: 5:00 pm - 8:00 pm
Disc Golf: 5:00 pm - 8:00 pm in the Festival Park Area
Winter Mini Golf: 5:00 pm - 8:00 pm at Capt'n J's Mini Golf Course
Great Lakes Pond Hockey Classic: 5:00 pm - 8:00 pm in the Boat Launch Area
READ MORE: What is the Orb365 Art Exhibit?
Saturday Events & Activities Include:
Market & Vendor Fair: 9:00 am - 3:00 pm at Barkers Island Inn
Princess Makeovers at the Mansion: 9:00 am - 11:00 am at Fairlawn Mansion
Kids' Snowshoe Obstacle Course: 10:00 am - 3:00 pm in the Festival Park Area
Kids' Ice Fishing: 10:00 am - 2:00 pm at the Beach Area
Midwest Ice Racing: 10:00 am - 4:00 pm behind the SS Meteor
Twin Ports Cornhole Tournament: 10:00 am - 6:00 pm in Festival Park Area
Superior Snow Slide: 10:00 am - 6:00 pm
Professional Ice Sculpting: 10:00 am - 4:00 pm in the Festival Park Area
Disc Golf: 10:00 am - 4:00 pm in the Festival Park Area
Hypothermia Challenge: 10:00 am - 4:00 pm at the Lake Superior Estuarium
Ice Bowling: 10:00 am - 6:00 pm at the Beach Area
Outdoor Curling Exhibition Bonspiel: 10:00 am - 2:30 pm at the Beach Area
Great Lakes Pond Hockey Classic: 10:00 am - 6:00 pm in the Boat Launch Area
Dog Sled Rides: 10:00 am - 4:00 pm between Beach Area & Boat Launch, near Fishing Pier
YMCA Kids Zone: 10:00 am - 2:00 pm at the Lake Superior Estuarium
Winter Mini Golf: 10:00 am - 6:00 pm at Capt'n J's Mini Golf Course
Orb 365 Community Art Exhibit: 1:00 pm - 4:30 pm in the Festival Park Area
Ice Skating & Lessons: 1:00 pm - 4:30 pm at the Beach Area
Fire Twirler Show: 6:00 pm - 6:30 pm at the Festival Park Stage
Laser Light Show: 6:30 pm - 6:50 pm at the Festival Park Stage area
You can see the full event schedule on the Lake Superior Ice Festival website.