10 Outdoor Events That Celebrate Winter Weather
1. Frozen Fairways
THURSDAYS AND SUNDAYS THROUGH FEB. 23 | KOHLER
In winter, Destination Kohler turns its world-class golf courses into venues for outdoor sports, including ice skating, hockey, curling, cross country skiing, fat tire biking and snowshoeing. Visitors can defrost with hot chocolate in The Greenhouse or enjoy holiday cocktails at The Winery Bar.
2. New Berlin Winterfest
JAN. 11 | NEW BERLIN
This three-location festival offers families indoor and outdoor activities to make the most of the season. Between Malone Park, the library and activity center, visitors will find arctic mini golf, a snowman-building contest, ice skating, a winter beer garden and a sheepshead tournament.
3. Delafreeze
JAN. 11 | DOWNTOWN DELAFIELD
Ice sculpting is the name of the game at this annual festival. Artists carved the 300-pound blocks of crystal-clear ice that will be scattered around downtown. Visitors can also go ice skating, meet sled dogs and more.
4. Waukesha Janboree
JAN. 17-26 | DOWNTOWN WAUKESHA
This winter festival celebrates its 40th anniversary this year with the theme “Gem of a Jamboree.” A full week of happenings includes opening-ceremony fireworks, a neighborhood beer garden, a scavenger hunt throughout the city, snow and ice sculptures, a drone show, geocaching and more.
5. Big Chill
JAN. 19 | SOUTH MILWAUKEE
Tie your laces tight and dress in layers for this 5k/10k race through Grant Park hosted by the Winter Running Series. If you’re not ready to run, you can grab your parka and cheer from different locations along the course.
6. Chili Fest
JAN. 25 | DOWNTOWN OCONOMOWOC
This chili tasting and bloody mary competition brings together plenty of local restaurants and bars. There will also be a beer garden and food tents on site, a trivia contest, and a treasure hunt for the kids.
7. Lake Geneva Winterfest
JAN. 29-FEB. 2 | RIVIERA PLAZA AND FLAT IRON PARK
The highlight of this celebration – in its 30th year – is the U.S. National Snow Sculpting Championship. Massive frozen works of art will be carved on site by award-winning sculpting teams from around the nation. Other festivities include beach bonfires and live entertainment.
8. Mitten Fest
FEB. 1 | BURNHEARTS
Bay View’s winter block party returns to Burnhearts in its 11th year after one year at Boone & Crockett. Milwaukee musicians will take the stage and brace the cold for the full-day festival. Expect craft beer, cocktails, food trucks and good cheer in between music sets.
9. Wonderful Winter – Early Adventurers
FEB. 1 | RIVERSIDE PARK
Kiddos aged 2 to 5 (accompanied by an adult) can explore the natural world at Riverside Park with the Urban Ecology Center. Adventurers will hike through the park and learn through stories, games and songs.
10. Cedarburg Winterfest
FEB. 15-16 | DOWNTOWN CEDARBURG
This popular festival brings a host of outdoor celebrations across Cedarburg’s downtown. Family-friendly activities include ice carving contests, costumed bed races on ice, barrel racing, a dog sled pull contest and penguin egg hunt. And to warm it all up, enjoy a flight of soup; you can vote for your favorite spoonful.
