Saint Paul Winter Carnival

Overview

The 138th Saint Paul Winter Carnival, the “Coolest Celebration on Earth™”, is back Thursday, January 25 through Sunday, February 4, 2024. This will be the festival’s 138th anniversary further fortifying the fact that it is the oldest winter festival in the United States.

The 2024 Saint Paul Winter Carnival will kick off on Thursday, Jan. 25 at 5:30 p.m. with the second annual “Light The Park” event in Rice Park. The 2023 Royal Family will lead the festivities with the telling of the Winter Carnival Legend to confirm the start of the “Festival in Old Saint Paul.” A Countdown to Carnival will be conducted with attendees lighting up provided glow sticks to officially start the 10-day celebration.

New this year: A huge 120’ x 50’ warming tent will make Rice Park home for the duration of the Winter Carnival. The tent will be the perfect gathering place for Carnival goers to warm up and enjoy live entertainment and music, beverages for all ages, play bingo and pull tabs, and get some Winter Carnival merchandise. Guests are encouraged to bring non-perishable food donations for Hallie Q. Brown Community Center and the Winter Carnival Day of Good.

Here are highlights of the 2024 Saint Paul Winter Carnival schedule. The majority of events are free or low cost. For the most current information, event registration, and tickets (if necessary), visit wintercarnival.com.

Thursday, Jan. 25 – Sunday, Jan. 28 - Ice Carving Competitions

Rice Park will be a-buzz with creativity as artists carve 300-pound blocks of ice during the first weekend of Carnival. The multi-block teams will have 48 hours to finish their masterpieces with 20 blocks of ice. On Sunday, artists will have five hours to carve in the single block competition.

Friday, Jan. 26 – Sunday, Feb. 4 - Vulcan Snow Park and the Minnesota State Snow Sculpting Competition

Organized by the Saint Paul Winter Carnival Vulcans, the State Fairgrounds will be full of family fun activities. The Minnesota State Snow Sculpting Competition kicks off on Friday, Jan. 26 and sculpting culminates with the awards announcement on Sunday, Jan. 28.

Saturday, Jan. 27 - King Boreas Grande Day Parade

This daytime procession will feature dozens of bands, floats, and of course, the newly crowned King Boreas and his Royal Family. The parade will begin at 2 p.m. near Smith Ave., travel down West 7th Street, and conclude in Rice Park.

Saturday, Feb. 3 - Vulcan Victory Torchlight Parade

Vulcanus Rex and his Krewe will bring the heat and light up the streets of downtown Saint Paul. This evening parade starts at 5:30 p.m. at 5th and Wacouta and makes its way to Rice Park. Afterwards, follow the 2024 Krewe to the library steps for the ever-dramatic Overthrow of Boreas. The ceremony will be followed by fireworks.

If you’d like to support the “Coolest Celebration on Earth” by becoming a member or sponsoring an event, visit www.wintercarnival.com or email Lisa Jacobson at lisaj@spfhf.org