There are lots of winter festivals out there, but nobody does it quite like Lake Geneva's Winterfest. Between the snow sculptures, food tastings, cocoa crawls and snow races, Winterfest has no shortage of winter family fun.
Winterfest U.S. Snow Sculpting Competition (Wednesday-Saturday)
The U.S. Snow Sculpting Competition, "Where Art Meets Winter," features the best snow sculpting teams from across the country that create gorgeous spectacles you won't want to miss.
Winterfest Ice Bar at the Historic Hotel of Lake Geneva - Baker House 1885 (Thursday-Sunday and Feb. 9-12)
Join in on the seventh annual Fire and Ice Lounge, where the Baker House transforms their lakefront garden into a winter wonderland. There's a 20-foot ice bar, fire pits, fur-covered benches, Ice Angels who serve vodka snow cones, and fireside drinks in cups made of ice.
Lake Geneva Cocoa Crawl (Friday)
Explore downtown Lake Geneva and sip on some great cocoa recipes during this free, family-friendly event.
Winter Carnival at the Grand Geneva (Saturday)
The Mountain Top at Grand Geneva Resort and Spa hosts its annual Winter Carnival - a day filled with skiing, snowboarding, games, a beer tent, a torch light parade and grand finale fireworks.
Winterfest U.S. Snow Sculpting Competition Final (Saturday)
The sculptors officially end their work at 11 a.m., and the Riviera Marketplace offers entertainment, food and souvenirs from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. "People's Choice Award" voting goes from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. with the award ceremony at 3 p.m.
Lake Geneva Chili Cook-off (Saturday)
Enter your best chili recipe or just come to taste the most delicious red chilies, white chilies and vegetarian chilies, where sampling will start at 11:15 a.m. and end when winners are announced at 1 p.m. Also available is a bloody mary bar, hot chocolate bar, chili brats, s'mores, sledding, live music and indoor family activities.
MaXXX Winter FUN - Rides and Display at the Abbey Resort (Saturday)
Head to the Abbey Resort for some real winter fun, including Side x Side rides, a snowmobile and ATV exhibition, turkey bowling, ice skating, a fire pit, food and drinks.
Super "Tailgating" Bowl Party at Lake Geneva School of Cooking (Sunday)
What's a Super Bowl without tailgating? The Lake Geneva School of Cooking does tailgating right, with parmigiano popovers, sausage meatballs, colossal shrimp cocktail, sausages with caramelized onions, Italian sausage, a hands-on cooking class and, of course, a large-screen TV to watch the game on.
Winterfest - Soup-er Magical Evening Sponsored by Harbor Shores (Feb. 8)
Sample delicious soups from area restaurants, and then enjoy an evening of magic and music. Bring a non-perishable item or $2 donation to benefit the Lake Geneva local food pantry.
Human Dog Sled Race Sponsored by Lake Geneva Canopy Tours & George Williams College (Feb. 11)
Partake in a dog sled race, sans dogs. Teams consist of six people: Four sled-pullers, a sled-rider and a sled-pusher. Dress in wacky costumes and win a prize for most creative attire.
Sky Circus on Ice at Lake Lawn Resort (Feb. 10-12)
This unique event features gigantic kite displays and airborne performances by incredible kite teams over Delavan Lake. Attendees also enjoy kite-making workshops, expert-led kite-flying lessons and family winter activities.
What better way to celebrate winter than at Lake Geneva's Winterfest? Which events will you be attending? Share with us on social media using #DiscoverWisconsin.
- Kristen Finstad is a crew member of the nation's longest-running tourism TV show, "Discover Wisconsin." The column is published Tuesday on the Life page in the Times.
Winterfest U.S. Snow Sculpting Competition (Wednesday-Saturday)
The U.S. Snow Sculpting Competition, "Where Art Meets Winter," features the best snow sculpting teams from across the country that create gorgeous spectacles you won't want to miss.
Winterfest Ice Bar at the Historic Hotel of Lake Geneva - Baker House 1885 (Thursday-Sunday and Feb. 9-12)
Join in on the seventh annual Fire and Ice Lounge, where the Baker House transforms their lakefront garden into a winter wonderland. There's a 20-foot ice bar, fire pits, fur-covered benches, Ice Angels who serve vodka snow cones, and fireside drinks in cups made of ice.
Lake Geneva Cocoa Crawl (Friday)
Explore downtown Lake Geneva and sip on some great cocoa recipes during this free, family-friendly event.
Winter Carnival at the Grand Geneva (Saturday)
The Mountain Top at Grand Geneva Resort and Spa hosts its annual Winter Carnival - a day filled with skiing, snowboarding, games, a beer tent, a torch light parade and grand finale fireworks.
Winterfest U.S. Snow Sculpting Competition Final (Saturday)
The sculptors officially end their work at 11 a.m., and the Riviera Marketplace offers entertainment, food and souvenirs from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. "People's Choice Award" voting goes from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. with the award ceremony at 3 p.m.
Lake Geneva Chili Cook-off (Saturday)
Enter your best chili recipe or just come to taste the most delicious red chilies, white chilies and vegetarian chilies, where sampling will start at 11:15 a.m. and end when winners are announced at 1 p.m. Also available is a bloody mary bar, hot chocolate bar, chili brats, s'mores, sledding, live music and indoor family activities.
MaXXX Winter FUN - Rides and Display at the Abbey Resort (Saturday)
Head to the Abbey Resort for some real winter fun, including Side x Side rides, a snowmobile and ATV exhibition, turkey bowling, ice skating, a fire pit, food and drinks.
Super "Tailgating" Bowl Party at Lake Geneva School of Cooking (Sunday)
What's a Super Bowl without tailgating? The Lake Geneva School of Cooking does tailgating right, with parmigiano popovers, sausage meatballs, colossal shrimp cocktail, sausages with caramelized onions, Italian sausage, a hands-on cooking class and, of course, a large-screen TV to watch the game on.
Winterfest - Soup-er Magical Evening Sponsored by Harbor Shores (Feb. 8)
Sample delicious soups from area restaurants, and then enjoy an evening of magic and music. Bring a non-perishable item or $2 donation to benefit the Lake Geneva local food pantry.
Human Dog Sled Race Sponsored by Lake Geneva Canopy Tours & George Williams College (Feb. 11)
Partake in a dog sled race, sans dogs. Teams consist of six people: Four sled-pullers, a sled-rider and a sled-pusher. Dress in wacky costumes and win a prize for most creative attire.
Sky Circus on Ice at Lake Lawn Resort (Feb. 10-12)
This unique event features gigantic kite displays and airborne performances by incredible kite teams over Delavan Lake. Attendees also enjoy kite-making workshops, expert-led kite-flying lessons and family winter activities.
What better way to celebrate winter than at Lake Geneva's Winterfest? Which events will you be attending? Share with us on social media using #DiscoverWisconsin.
- Kristen Finstad is a crew member of the nation's longest-running tourism TV show, "Discover Wisconsin." The column is published Tuesday on the Life page in the Times.