Talkeetna is proud to host the 4th Annual Talkeetna Ice Festival! This collaborative event kicks off on Saturday, January 25th with the start of the Ice Carving Competition and runs through Sunday, February 2nd. The festival is family-friendly and mostly free, offering something for everyone to enjoy!

Schedule of Events

January 25, 2025

The sculpting begins!

Calling all wannabe sculptors! Join us for our fourth annual Talkeetna Ice Sculpting Competition! The competition will be held in the downtown Village Park. Novice and expert sculptors welcome and this year we have a youth category! No experience necessary! Ice blocks will be set up for sculpting by 12noon on Saturday, January 25th and sculptors can work at their own pace between that time and Saturday, February 1st. Public sculpture viewing and voting will officially begin at 12pm on Saturday, February 1st.

Talkeetna Ice Festival Kick Off Party!

Gather in the Talkeetna Village Park for hot soups (sales benefit the Talkeetna Elementary PTA), fires, hot chocolate, s’mores, and music as we cheer on our carving competitors!

After the kick off party, join us at the Sheldon Community Arts Hangar for the 20th annual Backcountry Film Festival!

Backcountry Film Festival Ticket Link

January 26, 2025

International Guitar Night

Join us for the 25th Annual North American Tour of International Guitar Night at the Sheldon Community Arts Hangar on Sunday, January 26th at 7pm.

This is a celebration of the world’s most innovative and diverse guitar talents. Brian Gore has curated a stellar lineup featuring Lulo Reinhardt (Germany), Alexandra Whittingham (Britain), Niwel Tsumbu (Democratic Republic of The Congo) and Sönke Meinen (Germany), promising a night of breathtaking performances that span the global spectrum of guitar artistry.

IGN Tickets

January 27, 2025

Talkeetna Ice Festival

January 27th: (3:30pm to 7:00pm) Ice Block Making workshop at Denali Education Center 

January 28, 2025

Talkeetna Ice Festival

January 28th: (3:30pm to 9:00pm) Hangar Door Cinema at the Sheldon Community Arts Hangar. Family friendly ice themed films and art projects. Taco’s available for purchase from 5pm to 9pm.

January 29 , 2025

Talkeetna Ice Festival

January 29th: (3:30pm to 7:00pm) Igloo Building – Community igloo build in the Talkeetna Historical Society Garden

January 30, 2025

Talkeetna Jeopardy

Talkeetna Jeopardy is a production of Talkeetna Historical Society and part of the 2025 Talkeetna Ice Festival. This fun, family friendly show will be held at the Sheldon Community Arts Hangar. Doors open at 6:30pm and the show starts at 7pm. Spectate or compete! If you have a team of 3 interested in competing, sign up by calling the museum or email [email protected]

January 31, 2025

Art Walk

The Talkeetna Art Walk will be on Friday, January 31st from 3pm to 6pm. There are multiple participating businesses featuring local artists. This free, family friendly event will have you enjoying beautiful art, interactive art installations and games, hot beverages and light snacks. Art walk passports will be available for pickup on Friday, January 31st at the Flying Squirrel Bakery and Cafe and Denali Arts Council’s Sheldon Community Arts Hangar. Passports can be turned in at the Sheldon Community Arts Hangar between 5pm and 7pm that day to be entered into a drawing.

January 31, 2025

Fiber and Ice Art Show

As part of the Talkeetna Ice Festival, Denali Arts Council presents the Fiber and Ice Art Show. This is a community art show, and represents a variety of local artists. The show is on Friday, January 31st  from 3pm to 6pm. Bring your art walk passport to the Hangar between 5 and 7pm to be entered into a drawing for great prizes from the participating businesses! At 6pm join us for a beautiful fire spinning performance outside!

Candlelit Concert

Denali Arts Council presents Myles from Dublin. This trio features John Walsh, Pat Broaders, and Jannell Canerday. This lovely concert of traditional Irish music and song will be by candle light. This beautiful event is free to the community. Donations are welcome.

February 1, 2025

Talkeetna Ice Festival Downtown Events

Bring your whole family to Downtown Talkeetna for the Talkeetna Ice Festival! Walk around the Talkeetna Village Park and explore the incredible ice sculptures created by your neighbors!

Talkeetna Village Park

12:00-5:00pm Ice sculpture viewing and voting, hot beverages, kid activities, an ice carving demonstration.

Sheldon Community Arts Hangar

12:00-6:00pm Warm Up Station

12:00-1:00pm Chili Drop Off

1:00-5:00pm Chili Cook-Off

7:00pm Frostbitten documentary film

Main Street, Talkeetna

Kick Sled Race Times 1:00-2:00pm

Dog Sled Rides

Tandem Ski Race (put on by the Talkeetna Chamber of Commerce) 2:00-3:00pm

Dog Keg Pull Race (put on by Denali Education Center) 3:00-4:00pm – Dog Keg Pull Registration

Ice Sculpture and Dog Keg Pull Winners Announced in the Park at 5:00pm

February 2, 2025

Poker Ski

If you are looking for a fun way to work work off the biscuits and gravy, you can join the Frozen Basil! The 13th annual Poker Ski starts at the Flying Squirrel at 12pm and ends at the Denali Brew Pub. This 7.5 mile ski is fun for all ages!

Date: January 25 - February 2, 2025

Location:  Various Venues in Talkeetna

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