The Ely Winter Festival is 10 days in February celebrating winter. Activities include the amazing snow carvings in the Park, along with the Ely ArtWalk and other events.

Schedule of Events

February 2, 2023

Snow Sculpting Symposium

The International Snow Sculpting Symposium is one of the premier events during the Ely Winter Festival. The symposium features large, snow sculptures carved by professional artists from around the country and around the globe.

The symposium is an art exhibition of snow sculptures primarily within the confines of Whiteside Park in Ely. (We occasionally have a few sculptures in other locations.) This art exhibition is not a contest. No awards are given. This encourages the artists to be open with their work and fosters camaraderie between teams. The symposium is intended to be an interactive event so viewers can walk through the park and observe artists creating the sculptures. Each sculpture is created by a team of artists led by a team leader.

5:00 pm: EFS - Personalizing Traditional Cornish Pasties

February 3, 2023

Snow Sculpting Symposium

The International Snow Sculpting Symposium is one of the premier events during the Ely Winter Festival. The symposium features large, snow sculptures carved by professional artists from around the country and around the globe.

The symposium is an art exhibition of snow sculptures primarily within the confines of Whiteside Park in Ely. (We occasionally have a few sculptures in other locations.) This art exhibition is not a contest. No awards are given. This encourages the artists to be open with their work and fosters camaraderie between teams. The symposium is intended to be an interactive event so viewers can walk through the park and observe artists creating the sculptures. Each sculpture is created by a team of artists led by a team leader.

10:00 am-4:00 pm: Hot Cocoa Bar & Open House with Save the Boundary Waters

4:00 pm-6:00 pm: EFS - A Taste of Blacksmithing

4:00 pm: ECR Spaghetti Dinner

6:30 pm: Ely Winter Festival Kickoff

February 4, 2023

Snow Sculpting Symposium

The International Snow Sculpting Symposium is one of the premier events during the Ely Winter Festival. The symposium features large, snow sculptures carved by professional artists from around the country and around the globe.

The symposium is an art exhibition of snow sculptures primarily within the confines of Whiteside Park in Ely. (We occasionally have a few sculptures in other locations.) This art exhibition is not a contest. No awards are given. This encourages the artists to be open with their work and fosters camaraderie between teams. The symposium is intended to be an interactive event so viewers can walk through the park and observe artists creating the sculptures. Each sculpture is created by a team of artists led by a team leader.

10:00 am-4:00 pm: Hot Cocoa Bar & Open House with Save the Boundary Waters

10:00 am-1:00 pm: VCC Open House

10:00 am: Downtown Arts Market

10:00 am: Listening Point Snowshoe Tour

11:00 am-2:00 pm: Dorothy Molter Whirlwind! Community Event

12:00 pm-2:00 pm: EFS - A Taste of Blacksmithing

2:00 pm-4:00 pm: EFS - A Taste of Blacksmithing

4:00 pm: Listening Point Snowshoe Tour

7:00 pm-9:00 pm: Courtney Yasmineh Duo Show with Rob Genadek

February 5, 2023

Snow Sculpting Symposium

The International Snow Sculpting Symposium is one of the premier events during the Ely Winter Festival. The symposium features large, snow sculptures carved by professional artists from around the country and around the globe.

The symposium is an art exhibition of snow sculptures primarily within the confines of Whiteside Park in Ely. (We occasionally have a few sculptures in other locations.) This art exhibition is not a contest. No awards are given. This encourages the artists to be open with their work and fosters camaraderie between teams. The symposium is intended to be an interactive event so viewers can walk through the park and observe artists creating the sculptures. Each sculpture is created by a team of artists led by a team leader.

9:00 am: EFS - Make a Beaver Hat

10:00 am-12:00 pm: EFS - A Taste of Blacksmithing

10:00 am: Listening Point Snowshoe Tour

11:00 am-1:00 pm: Courtney Yasmineh Duo Show with Rob Genadek

12:00 pm-2:00 pm: EFS - A Taste of Blacksmithing

1:00 pm: Listening Point Snowshoe Tour

February 6, 2023

10:00 am: Listening Point Snowshoe Tour

4:00 pm: Listening Point Snowshoe Tour

February 9, 2023

5:00 pm: Dorothy Molter Annual Fundraising Dinner

February 10, 2023

10:00 am-4:00 pm: Hot Cocoa Bar & Open House with Save the Boundary Waters

4:00 pm: Sunset Snowshoe at Burntside Islands SNA

February 11, 2023

10:00 am: Listening Point Snowshoe Tour

10:00 am-4:00 pm: Hot Cocoa Bar & Open House with Save the Boundary Waters

1:00 pm: Listening Point Snowshoe Tour

5:00 pm: Candlelight Ski at Hidden Valley

Date: February 2-12, 2023

Locations: Various Venues in Ely, MN 55731.

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