If you like the cold, then you probably love these things to do this January in Minnesota. It’s cold, like really cold. Like so cold people who have never lived here really don’t understand how cold it can get. Currently it is 10° F. That’s cold, but it’s going to get even colder.
Thursday it’s forecasted to be -5°F, and being a Minnesota Blogger, I’m scheduled to be outside getting a sneak peak of Ice Castles in Stillwater. Don’t get me wrong, it is a spectacular thing to see with all those stalagmites, or maybe it’s stalactites, of ice inside caves of ice. Whichever it is, it’s a lot of ice.
Anyway, if you like the cold, there’s plenty to do in January in Minnesota. January is the month we hardy folk thumb our nose at Winter and instead of curling up on the couch with a good book and some cocoa, head outside to prove, once again, that we are no wusses.
There is all kinds of merriment, debauchery (as much as a Minnesotan can debauche) and excitement as it becomes time for the St. Paul Winter Carnival once again. But yeah, it’s cold. For those who are determined and can layer properly, there is the great treasure hunt put on by the Pioneer Press. Buy a button, get a subscription to the paper and try your hand at figuring out the clues (Hint: It’s usually in Como Park).
Looking for other fun winter things to do in the Twin Cities? Then check out all of these great activities.
Things to do this January in Minnesota
Polar Dash
When: January 1st, 2017
Where: Harriet Island Pavilion
St. Paul, MN
Both the 10K and the Half Marathon are chip-timed races on a USATF-certified course that takes runners along the Mississippi River. See Course Information here. All runners get their Polar Dash fleece as well as a finisher’s medal. Click here to see the Great Gear! Once you complete this race we’ll have Hot Chocolate waiting for you at the finish line!
Nordic Holidays: Celebrations of Light
When: Now through January 8th, 2017
Where: American Swedish Institute
2600 Park Avenue
Minneapolis, MN
Nordic Holidays: Celebrations of Light at the American Swedish Institute is an exhibition on display November 12, 2016–January 8, 2017 that annually showcases Nordic and other holiday traditions through decorated rooms in the historic Turnblad Mansion. The rooms are designed by groups from Sweden, Denmark, Finland, Iceland and Norway to reflect their own distinctive customs. This year, as part of Celebrations of Light, the ASI has partnered with the Jewish Community Relations Council of Minnesota and the Dakotas for a space to honor Hanukkah.
Gridiron Glory
When: Now through January 15th, 2017
Where: Minnesota History Center
345 W. Kellogg Blvd.
St. Paul, MN
Celebrate America’s gridiron history with this major traveling exhibit produced by the Pro Football Hall of Fame. See over 200 rare pro football artifacts, photos and more. Thrill to the dynasties, the pioneers and the champions through state-of-the-art audio/visual.
Bruce Munro: Winter Light
When: Now through April 9th, 2017
Where: MN Landscape Arboretum
3675 Arboretum Drive
Chaska, MN
The Minnesota Landscape Arboretum will glow after dark this winter when it hosts the stunning evening exhibition Bruce Munro: Winter Light at the Arboretum from Nov.12 through April 9, 2017.
Munro’s work has been displayed internationally, from the Guggenheim Museum in New York to Waddesdon, Buckinghamshire, UK. He will unveil three new works at the Arboretum exhibition, which is his 12th in the U.S. and the most Northern U.S. show, which is currently being installed on the Arboretum grounds.
St. Paul Winter Carnival
When: January 26th – February5th, 2017
Where: Various locations in St. Paul
Join us for the 131st Saint Paul Winter Carnival, the “Coolest Celebration on Earth™” since 1886! It continues to bring family-friendly events and community pride to Saint Paul and the Twin Cities metro area. The Saint Paul Heritage and Festival Foundation manages and produces the Saint Paul Winter Carnival.
Ice Castles Stillwater
When: January
Where: Lowell Park
201 Water Street N.
Stillwater, MN
Imagine a magical collision of the Apostle Island ice caves, frozen waterfalls, and glaciers — formed into towering organic archways, tunnels, and more!
Crashed Ice St. Paul
When: February 3rd – 5th, 2017
Where: Cathedral of St. Paul
239 Selby Avenue
St. Paul, MN
For the past three freezing-cold winters, Saint Paul has hosted the ice cross downhill competition, with a huge crowd of more than 100,000 people converging under the gaze of the imposing Cathedral of Saint Paul to witness the high-speed action that features skaters competing in four-man heats in a race to the bottom of a long ice track full of obstacles. The sport appeals to what Americans like most in sports – a physically challenging, rough, tough sport coupled with high-speed action and agility. Americans have done surprisingly well as neophytes in their first few years in the 15-year-old sport, despite having far less experience than established nations like Canada, Finland, Germany, Switzerland, and the Czech Republic.
The Great Northern
When: January 26th – February 5th, 2017
Where: Various Twin Cities Locations
Minneapolis and Saint Paul’s premier winter events have joined forces to celebrate the best of the season together. The Great Northern is here to showcase The North at its wintry best.
Includes the St. Paul Winter Carnival, Pond Hockey Championships and Loppet Ski Festival.
US Pond Hockey Championships
When: January 26th – 29th, 2017
Where: Lake Nokomis
Minneapolis, MN
The 12th annual Labatt Blue U.S. Pond Hockey Championships (USPHC) will once again bring hockey the way nature intended it to Lake Nokomis, Minneapolis, MN, January 26-29. The event brings thousands of players and fans together for an incredible weekend of fun and fierce competition.
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