The Lake Superior Ice Festival is a family-friendly fun event coordinated by the community.  Our vision is to attract people of all ages and abilities to share in Superior’s passion for all things winter and come together to celebrate the coolest aspects of our City.

Schedule :

January 26, 2024

4:00 pm - 10:00 pm : Krystal Kleer Ice Sculptors - Festival Park

See for yourself how cool winter can be and watch the amazing artists from Appleton, Wisconsin.  Krystal Kleer Ice Sculptures, LLC will make magical ice creations before your very eyes! Live, on-site carving by the artists will take place all weekend. Don’t forget to take a selfie with this year’s signature ice carving “throne” that will be on display at the Festival Park on the stage.

5:00 pm - 8:00 pm : Lake Superior Disc Golf - Boat Launch Area

Presented by the Lake Superior Disc Golf Community, this free 9-hole course is open to the public.  Discs will be available at the club booth, as well as a putting area. At the booth, you can also purchase a Club Membership, see free demonstrations, and get instruction from local pros. Discs and prizes will be available for competitors!

Friday – (5-8) includes putting area and driving range, intro to disc golf for beginners

Saturday – All day, includes:

Free 9 hole course to play

Learn to play disc golf, instruction at 11, 1, & 3:00

Putting area by booth

Optional tournament for players to participate, sign up anytime all day

5:00 pm - 8:00 pm : Food and Beverages

You will want to come hungry as we will have multiple vendors located around the island selling food and beverages!

5:00 pm - 8:00 pm : Nemadji Golf Mini-Golf Extravaganza

Nemadji Golf will once again be hosting an 9-hole mini-golf experience! Friday night’s course will be lighted, as will the golf balls, to help you navigate your way through to fun and excitement. Saturday’s round will challenge even the best putters with a multitude of snow hazards you will need to traverse to have a low score.

Stop by and take part of the Nemadji Golf Extravaganza!

5:00 pm - 6:00 pm : 2024 Superior Guns N’ Hoses Kubb Showdown - Beach Ice Area

Lake Superior Kubb is excited to host the 2024 Superior Guns N’ Hoses Kubb Showdown in partnership with the Lake Superior Ice Festival! The Superior Police Department will face off with the Superior Fire Department in an epic kubb showdown! Grab your chairs and come on down to watch the fun, and see which department is ready to show off their kubb skills!!

5:00 pm - 8:00 pm : Superior Sledding Hill - Barkers Island Hill Area

An extremely fun way to get out and enjoy winter while at the Lakes Superior Ice Festival! Although this may not be the largest sledding hill in town, it is the largest constructed sledding hill that you’ll experience in Superior.  The hill will be open and staffed for your enjoyment on Friday and Saturday! Sleds will be provided but you are welcome to bring your own as well!

5:00 pm - 8:00 pm : Barkers Island Marina Ice Carousel - Beach Ice Area

Come and enjoy the quiet majesty of nearly one million pounds of slowing spinning ice.  Relax and watch the world rotate around you on this classic carrousel carved out of Lake Superior ice. Seating and spectacle for all.  100 feet in diameter, the amazing disc of floating ice is rotated by humans simply pushing slowly along the edge.  Come and help give it a spin.

5:00 pm - 8:00 pm : Bonfires & S’mores on Friday - Festival Park

Warm-up by the bonfires around the island and enjoy some s’mores (at some locations)! Most fire pit areas will have food vendors near by as well. Stop by, warm-up, and say hello to the organizations that help maintain the fires!

6:00 pm : Midwest Ice Racing Association - S.S. Meteor Ice Area

Midwest Ice Racing Association is a non-profit group that races Motorcycles and Quads on the ice just next to the S.S. Meteor! This exciting event allows you to get up close to the action. Come one and all to experience how FAST winter can be!
ENTRANCE FEES: $12 per person, kids 5 and under free

3pm : Gates Open

4:30pm : Riders Meeting

5-6pm : Practice

6pm : racing starts!

January 27, 2024

9:00 am - 5:00 pm : Lake Superior Ice Festival Kubb Tournament - Beach Ice Area

Kubb is a traditional Viking game that incorporates elements of horseshoes and bowling while using wooden throwing sticks and blocks. Currently taking the Midwest by storm, this unique and addicting game requires skill, strategy, and luck.

2024  Lake Superior Kubb Tournament: 9am – 5pm on Saturday, January 27th

Lake Superior Kubb will once again be hosting their annual Lake Superior Ice Festival Kubb Tournament! All skill levels are welcome. 24 team limit. Play follows the U.S. National Kubb Championship Rules with the exception of an allowable 2-player minimum per team.

Register your team here: https://fb.me/e/3b8eIWavz

Registration is $35 per team and is open through 1/14/2024

9:00 am - 3:00 pm : Barker’s Island Inn Market & Craft Fair - Barker's Island Inn & Conference Center

Stop over at the Barker’s Island Inn ballroom and browse the wares of crafters from all over the region for the 8th annual Lake Superior Ice Festival Market & Craft Fair.

Want a both in this Market & Craft Fair? You can click the following link for the Barkers Island Inn Craft Fair Form or email [email protected] or call 715-392-7152.

9:00 am - 5:00 pm : Lake Superior Ice Festival Learn-to-Play Kubb Event

Bring the whole family down and learn how to play! Pitches will be open all day to test your skills and see if you can “slay the King”! Live demonstrations held throughout the day.

9:00 am - 7:00 pm : Krystal Kleer Ice Sculptors - Festival Park

See for yourself how cool winter can be and watch the amazing artists from Appleton, Wisconsin.  Krystal Kleer Ice Sculptures, LLC will make magical ice creations before your very eyes! Live, on-site carving by the artists will take place all weekend. Don’t forget to take a selfie with this year’s signature ice carving “throne” that will be on display at the Festival Park on the stage.

10:00 am - 8:00 pm : Hay Bale and DTA Stride Accessible Priority Shuttles - Barker's Island

For the 2024 Lake Superior Ice Festival we will be bringing back the Hay Bale Shuttles and DTA Stride Accessible Priority Shuttle!  These shuttles will make is easier for you to get around the island, making sure you don’t miss any of the fantastic events!

Hay Bale Shuttles

Shuttles will be equipped with safety rails and one entry and exit area only. Riders must remain seated until shuttles come to a complete stop and will only be able to enter or exit at the specified stops. Maps of the routes and stops will be available online and onsite during the event.

Hay Bale Shuttle Routes will be:

Hill Parking area to Festival Park

Festival Park to Beach Area

Beach Area to Barkers Island Inn

Barkers Island Inn to Festival Park

Festival Park to Hill Parking Area

Shuttles will not stop at the beach area when traveling from the Inn.

DTA Stride Shuttle

The priority for this shuttle is those needing accessible access or those needing extra accommodation such as wheelchairs or strollers. This shuttle will also follow a specific route and riders will only be able to enter or exit at the specified stops. Maps of the routes and stops will be available online and onsite during the event.

DTA Stride Shuttle Routes will be:

Bong Center to Fishing Pier

Fishing Pier to Festival Park

Festival park to Beach Area

Beach Area to Barkers Inn

Barkers Inn to Festival Park

Festival Park to Fishing Pier

Fishing Pier to Bong Center

10:00 am - 4:00 pm : Superior and Duluth Curling Clubs – Outdoor Bonspiel - Boat Launch Area

Experience curling on Lake Superior! Have you been wanting to try curling? Now is your chance! Join the Superior and Duluth Curling Clubs on Saturday, January 27th to learn about the sport and try your hand at curling.

Are you already an expert? Join their Bonspiel!

Outdoor Bonspiel Information

8 Team Maximum – Don’t miss your chance – sign up now!

2 Game guarantee

Open format, all games will be 4 ends

First draw at 10am, finals at 3pm

$40/team entry fee is fully refundable if event is cancelled due to weather

10:00 am - 2:00 pm : Lake Superior National Estuarine Research Reserve and Western Lake Superior Trolling Association Ice Fishing - Festival Park

Come join staff and volunteers from the Western Lake Superior Trolling Association and the Lake Superior Reserve to find out what is happening under the ice in the winter. You’ll have a chance to try out ice fishing and see if you can land a big creature OR you can tow for tiny creatures (plankton) under the ice and use a microscope to inspect what you’ve found. You’ll learn that there’s a lot more going on under the ice than maybe you thought!

10:00 am - 4:00 pm : LIVEWELL! Conversation Coves - Beach Ice Area

LiveWell! Northern WI is thrilled to be back at the Ice Festival with our Conversation Coves.

Our Conversation Coves are mobile domes that are designed for folks to sit, share stories and making connections while soaking in the surroundings.

Festival attendees can swing by our domes to warm up and mingle with other community members.

Once the Ice Festival wraps up, these domes will be on the move around Douglas County, giving locals a spot to hang out and connect.

Stay in the loop with our Conversation Coves and #BetterTogether activities by following us on social media!

10:00 am - 7:00 pm : Superior Sledding Hill - Barkers Island Hill Area

An extremely fun way to get out and enjoy winter while at the Lakes Superior Ice Festival! Although this may not be the largest sledding hill in town, it is the largest constructed sledding hill that you’ll experience in Superior.  The hill will be open and staffed for your enjoyment on Friday and Saturday! Sleds will be provided but you are welcome to bring your own as well!

10:00 am - 7:00 pm : Stackpole Forge Blacksmith - Festival Park

Stackpole Forge

Superior, WI

Owner: Christopher Gross

Hailing from northern Wisconsin,  Chris worked as a chemist for 29 years, with the last 21 as the co-owner of an environmental laboratory in Duluth, MN.  He started his adventure in blacksmithing in 2017 with the intention of making knives, but fell in love with blacksmithing as a whole, and in 2018 Stackpole Forge was brought to life.  His passion for learning and pursuit of the the craft led to a total career change in 2022, when he left the laboratory business and went to work for a precision tool manufacturer in Superior, as a manager and blacksmith.

Chris creates many different items, from small hooks, ornaments, and bottle openers to fire pokers, coat racks, and tables. He uses  mostly scrap and reclaimed materials such as rebar, saw blades, wrought iron, driftwood, and reclaimed lumber – and the combination  of forged metal and old wood has a special appeal.  For more information look up Stackpole Forge on Facebook and Instagram.

Chris will be located in Festival Park selling some of his items and doing some demonstrations.

10:00 am - 5:00 pm : Lake Superior Estuarium Open - Lake Superior Estuairum

The Lake Superior Estuarium is a gateway to the headwaters of the Great Lakes.  Beautiful interactive displays tell stories of the St. Louis River Estuary, Lake Superior, and the communities on their shores.  The exhibit hall includes a play area for young children, maps to orient you to the largest estuary on Lake Superior, and information to help you get out and explore.  Take some time to warm up and learn about all the great things happening on the St. Louis River Estuary in the Lake Superior Estuarium.

Take a self-guided tour or try out a scavenger hunt in the exhibits!  

10:00 am - 4:00 pm : UW-Superior Campus Recreation Adult and Youth Show Shoeing - Festival Park

UW-Superior Campus Recreation will be on site offering snow shoeing for the whole family! Take a walk on some adult or youth snowshoes, available to use on site, or take part in a snow shoe obstacle course. This is a great way to learn a new outdoor activity that everyone can take part in! You might even see Buzz while you are there!

10:00 am - 7:00 pm : North Shore Saunas

This year North Shore Sauna will be offering the chance to warm up in one of their sauna tents. These portable saunas offer not only a place to warm up, but a variety of health benefits as well. Some benefits include stress reduction, enhanced circulation, and detoxification for your skin. There will be tents located in a few places around the island, including one that will allow you to do a “Polar Dip” into the frozen lake and then enjoy the heat of the sauna. You will want to check these out!

10:00 am - 4:00 pm : Lake Superior Disc Golf - Boat Launch Area

Presented by the Lake Superior Disc Golf Community, this free 9-hole course is open to the public.  Discs will be available at the club booth, as well as a putting area. At the booth, you can also purchase a Club Membership, see free demonstrations, and get instruction from local pros. Discs and prizes will be available for competitors!

Friday – (5-8) includes putting area and driving range, intro to disc golf for beginners

Saturday – All day, includes:

Free 9 hole course to play

Learn to play disc golf, instruction at 11, 1, & 3:00

Putting area by booth

Optional tournament for players to participate, sign up anytime all day

10:00 am - 5:00 pm : Unlock the Chest of Heroes Escape Room Preview at the Bong Center - Richard I. Bong Veterans Historical Center

Join the Richard I. Bong Veteran’s Historical Center for a preview of their “Unlock the Chest of Heroes” Escape Room! The Bong center will feature four challenging and exciting Escape rooms February 9 – 11, 2024.

COST: $12 for individuals, $20 for two to four people, and $5 for each additional person up to six maximum. Museum admission is included. Purchase day of events.

10:00 am - 1:00 pm : Be the Solution to Water Pollution! - Lake Superior Estuairum

Swing by the City of Superior Environmental Services Division’s “Be the Solution to Water Pollution!” Water Quality table to learn seasonal practices that protect Superior streams. Water resources specialists will be at the table ready to discuss the importance of winter salt wise practices that reduce road salt from collecting in our waterways. A water game will also be available with a chance to win prizes!

10:00 am - 7:00 pm : Bonfires & S’mores on Saturday - Festival Park

Warm-up by the bonfires around the island and enjoy some s’mores (at some locations)! Most fire pit areas will have food vendors near by as well. Stop by, warm-up, and say hello to the organizations that help maintain the fires!

10:00 am : Midwest Ice Racing Association - S.S. Meteor Ice Area

Midwest Ice Racing Association is a non-profit group that races Motorcycles and Quads on the ice just next to the S.S. Meteor! This exciting event allows you to get up close to the action. Come one and all to experience how FAST winter can be!

7am Gates Open

8:30am Practice Begins

9:45am Riders Meeting

10am Racing Starts

11:00 am - 6:00 pm : indiGO Track Chair Demonstrations - Festival Park

indiGO is a non-profit agency empowering people with disabilities in Northwestern Wisconsin. As a consumer controlled organization, at least 51% of their staff and board are people with disabilities. indiGO staff provides information, training and support to people with disabilities in making informed decisions about disability related needs. All services are consumer controlled, each individual decides which services they wish to participate in while working with staff to establish goals and determine steps to meet those goals.

Join them in Festival Park for demonstrations of their new Track Chair as well as to learn more about the services they offer!

11:00 am - 2:00 pm : UMD Recreational Sports Outdoor Program – Kite Skiing Demo - Festival Park Ice Area

Harness the power of the wind!

Did you know…

Frozen inland lakes and the St. Louis River Basin near Duluth offer steady winds and open spaces for you to explore the excitement of snow kiting.   The concept behind snow kiting is very basic: use the power generated from a large controllable kite to propel yourself across the snow or ice while riding a snowboard, alpine skis or even ice skates.  Kites come in many sizes for use in specific wind conditions and are designed with open cell foils or inflatable chambers. Equipment consists of a kite, lines, control bar, harness and helmet.  A Minnesota winter is the best time to learn the basics and snow kiting skills are very useful for those who wish to pursue kiting on the water. Come on out and see it live in action!

11:00 am - 2:00 pm : Superior Douglas County Family YMCA Kids Zone - Lake Superior Estuairum

The Superior Douglas County is excited to host the Kids Zone again this year! We’ll be making buttons, also making a little bird feeder to bring home to feed the birds during out cold winter, and (of course) coloring. We’ll see you there! We will be located inside the Lake Superior Estuarium so come warm up and do some crafts with us!

11:00 am - 7:00 pm : Food and Beverages

You will want to come hungry as we will have multiple vendors located around the island selling food and beverages!

11:00 am - 6:00 pm : Nemadji Golf Mini-Golf Extravaganza - Festival Park Ice Area

Nemadji Golf will once again be hosting an 9-hole mini-golf experience! Friday night’s course will be lighted, as will the golf balls, to help you navigate your way through to fun and excitement. Saturday’s round will challenge even the best putters with a multitude of snow hazards you will need to traverse to have a low score.

Stop by and take part of the Nemadji Golf Extravaganza!

11:00 am - 6:00 pm : Barkers Island Marina Ice Carousel - Beach Ice Area

Come and enjoy the quiet majesty of nearly one million pounds of slowing spinning ice.  Relax and watch the world rotate around you on this classic carrousel carved out of Lake Superior ice. Seating and spectacle for all.  100 feet in diameter, the amazing disc of floating ice is rotated by humans simply pushing slowly along the edge.  Come and help give it a spin.

11:00 am - 2:00 pm : Sterling Silver Studios Ice Characters and Princesses - Fairlawn Mansion

Kids – join our Princesses at the Fairlawn Mansion for a meet and greet and photo opportunities. Keep your eye open in front of the museum for some sightings as well!

While you are there, you can take a free tour of the first floor of the mansion as well!

12:00 pm - 12:30 pm : Humane Society of Douglas County Pet Voting Contest - Fairlawn Mansion

The Humane Society of Douglas County, Inc. Proudly Presents your Lake Superior Ice Festival

Canine King & Queen Contest, Felines of the Festival Contest and Lord & Lady of the Festival Contest!

To submit an entry for your Perfect Pup, your Fancy Feline or ANY other pet you want to include please go to https://IceFest2024HSDC.givesmart.com  from January 1st – January 18th for a fee of $5 per entrant. You will be asked to submit 1-3 pictures that capture their fanciest side and answer some pet specific questions to help our community vote for this year’s Canine King & Queen, Felines of the Festival, and Lord & Lady of the Festival.

One male and one female winner will be chosen from each category.

Voting will commence on January 19th and will end on January 22nd for a fee of $1 per vote. All proceeds from this event will continue to help HSDC provide essential life-saving care to the lost, homeless, and abandoned animals of Douglas County. Canine winners will be crowned on Saturday, January 27th at noon at Fairlawn Museum! All contestants are invited to join in the fun and see the Coronation Ceremony complete with the Sterling Silver Dance Studio Princesses! If your Canine wins this contest it is expected that you and your Furry Best Friend will be at the ceremony. Feline & Other pet winners are not expected to attend.

HSDC is so excited to be part of the Lake Superior Ice Festival again this year! They have also partnered with the Fairlawn Mansion to have a beautiful sculpture at the mansion! Stop by the Coronation Ceremony and see them!

12:00 pm - 4:00 pm : ORB365: a community art collaborative - Festival Park

Superior residents, businesses, classrooms, and organizations are encouraged to join the ORB365 community art collaborative!

Participants will pledge to prevent water pollution for the year. The participant’s pledge is symbolized by ice orb(s). The ice orbs represent each day that clean water is important to them. The community goal is to make 365 ice orbs!

The ice orbs will be assembled in the shape of Lake Superior to create a community art sculpture as part of the Lake Superior Ice Festival.

Pledge examples:  I pledge to pick up trash on daily walks.

Pictured: Brooks Granlund posing next to the ice orbs that he and his family made together. Thank you, Brooks and Granlund family!

12:00 pm - 12:30 pm : Duluth Figure Skating Demonstration - Boat Launch Area

Duluth Figure Skating Club will be showing their skills in an ice skating demonstration at noon on Saturday. Head down to the ice just off the boat launch parking lot to take in this show! Join them later in the day for some free lessons and open skating.

12:00 pm - 4:00 pm : Duluth Figure Skating Free Lessons and Open Skating - Boat Launch Area

Duluth Figure Skating Club will be offering free lessons and open skating with their group on Saturday. Join them on the ice by the boat launch parking lot. Bring your own skates and take part in a free lesson or simply enjoy skating with them. They will be playing some games, giving out some prizes and have a table with information available as well.

1:00 pm - 4:00 pm : Complete Weddings & Events Lake Superior Ice Festival Photo Booth

We are excited to partner with Complete Weddings and Events to add an Ice Festival themed photo booth to this year’s event! The photo booth will be located inside the Barkers Island Inn, and will offer visitors the opportunity to have photos taken, either individually or in a group, in a fun Ice Festival themed picture! Each person will receive a FREE copy of your picture strip as a fun memento from the day!

5:00 pm - 7:00 pm : Complete Weddings & Events DJ - Beach Ice Area

Join Complete Weddings and Events as they crank up the party with some music leading us into the Fireworks Grand Finale of the 2024 Lake Superior Ice Festival!

6:30 pm - 6:50 pm : Fireworks - Beach Ice Area

Celebrate winter with a bang. Join us Saturday evening, for fireworks. The fireworks are best viewed from the Beach Ice area.

10:00 pm - 10:00 pm : Twin Ports Cornhole Open Boards and Tournament

Have you ever played Cornhole at an Ice Festival? We are excited to add this event to our lineup this year!

Come out and throw some bags during open boards. Never played before? This is a great chance to learn and get some tips from the Twin Ports Cornhole group. Open boards are free for anyone to play. There is a $20 fee to join the tournament which can be paid the day of the event.

You can now pre-register for the tournament one of three ways:

Go to https://share.scoreholio.com/7saZNQGNqEb

OR Visit the Twin Ports Cornhole Facebook Page

Call or text Josh at 218-428-0731

Date : January 26, 2024 - January 27, 2024

Location : Various Location

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