The 134th Saint Paul Winter Carnival: “Coolest Celebration on Earth” Rice Park Jan. 23 – Feb. 2, 2020
Carnival activities and attractions include lively musical performances from local musicians, the ever-popular Ice Bar, as well as merchandise and food vendor sales. The Ice Carving Competition, will return its sparkle to Rice Park. Teams of four will transform 20 huge blocks of ice into beautiful masterpieces using a 48-hour timeframe from Jan. 23 to 25. Then, on Jan. 26, individual ice artisans will create smaller works of frozen art in just six hours.
Rice Park will once again be the culmination point for Winter Carnival’s King Boreas Grand Day Parade (Jan. 25) and Vulcan Victory Torchlight Parade (Feb. 1). New this year, Winter Carnival festivities will expand across the street on Landmark Plaza and Market Street between 5th and 6th. On Market Street, the Winter Carnival Warming House will not only provide a cozy respite from the outdoors, but guests may enjoy assorted tasty signature cocktails, St. Paul craft beers, games (trivia, bingo, pull tabs), snacks as well as live entertainment from local musicians.
A new, gold-medal-worthy attraction is coming to the Landmark Plaza: The Team USA Journey presented by OREO. This traveling vehicle — which will be free and open to the public — will bring its one-of-a-kind social media experience to the Winter Carnival for three days, Jan. 31 through Feb. 2. Its multiple social interactive elements capture the energy and excitement of the Olympic and Paralympic Games Tokyo 2020 and will have several Team USA athletes in attendance.
Landmark Center will continue to host Winter Carnival events including the Memorabilia Display; an expanded Jigsaw Puzzle Contest on Jan. 25; and Family Day on Feb. 1. Landmark Center is also the location of the offices of the Saint Paul Festival and Heritage Foundation, the producers of the Saint Paul Winter Carnival. A collection of Winter Carnival merchandise and souvenirs are available for sale in the office located on fourth floor.
The Saint Paul Festival and Heritage Foundation is a nonprofit membership organization that produces Minnesota’s Iciest and Spiciest festivals – Saint Paul Winter Carnival and Cinco de Mayo West Side Saint Paul. The Saint Paul Winter Carnival was started in 1886 and is the oldest winter festival in the United States. For information, please visit wintercarnival.com.
