Snofest Winter Festival

❄️ SnoFest 2026 at Carlos Creek Winery – January 17, 2026 | Alexandria, Minnesota ❄️
Your new favorite Minnesota winter festival has officially arrived.

If you love Grape Stomp, if you love Oktoberfest, and if you really love embracing everything that makes Minnesota winters magical — then SnoFest at Carlos Creek Winery & 22 Northmen Brewing Co. is your new must-attend winter tradition.

Happening January 17, 2026, SnoFest brings together the best of Minnesota winter fun, local food and drinks, and a cozy-meets-chill atmosphere that you can only find in Alexandria, MN. FREE ADMISSION!

What to Expect at SnoFest 2026 (activites are weather dependent):

• Jaw-dropping ice sculptures by MN Ice — truly next-level artistry you have to see to believe
• Live ice sculpture carving demos 12-4 pm (2 sculptures carved - 2 hours each)
• An epic outdoor Ice Bar serving seasonal cocktails, craft beer, mulled wine, mocktails + winter warmers
• 3pm 'Craziest Winter Hat' contest, 21+ only (winner gets a 'hibernation stash!')
• Bring your own sled for hillside fun!
• 2pm kid sled parade, meet by winery tasting room (prizes for participation!)
  • bring your own sled decorated in 'winter olympic' theme
• Hot cocoa bar
• Afternoon and evening live music
• Beer poking (yes, it’s a real thing — and it’s delicious)
• Carlos Creek wine, 22 Northmen beer, winter cocktails, NA options, and comfort-food eats
• Sculpture lighting at 5:00 pm
• Snowshoe and cross-country ski trail available + snowshoe rentals (weather dependent)

A full day celebrating community, winter, and the best of Minnesota living

Outdoor activities run until 6pm, and indoor live music from 6-9 pm in the 22 Northmen Brewing Co. taproom.

Perfect for anyone searching for:
• Minnesota winter festivals
• Things to do in Alexandria MN in winter
• Winter events near me
• Holiday and seasonal pop-up events in Minnesota
• Ice bars, ice sculptures, and outdoor winter experiences

 Bundle up, rally your people, and join us for a day of icy wonder, warm drinks, and signature Minnesota fun.

A huge thank-you to our incredible local sponsors for helping bring this community winter festival to life: ACE Hardware, Alex Rubbish & Recycling, Alomere Health, Explore Alexandria, Zimny Insurance Agency, Vantage Bank, Winning Edge, Leighton Media, Geneva Capital.

SnoFest 2026: Where winter magic meets Minnesota nice. See you January 17! ❄️