Is there any more iconic winter tradition than building a snowman? Sure, most childhood snowmen are pretty rudimentary affairs – three big balls of snow topping each other, jazzed up with whatever accessories can be found around the house. The snow sculptures you’ll see in Dubuque this winter are something else entirely – unique creations from some of the Hawkeye State’s best snow artists. Every year, the Dubuque Museum of Art and the city’s Office of Art and Cultural Affairs work together to bring the Winter Arts Snow Sculpting Competition and Festival to light, and the dates for 2023 will be announced soon. What will this year’s creations look like? Let’s take a look back into the past of this fascinating competition.

Winter is settling in over Dubuque, and that means that the city's most exciting winter event is coming soon.
City of Dubuque Office of Arts and Cultural Affairs/Facebook
This is a four-day event, and the first day finds the snow sculptors met with massive blocks of snow carefully assembled by volunteers.
City of Dubuque Office of Arts and Cultural Affairs/Facebook
It's their job to slowly reveal the figure within by carving away the snow delicately over several days - creating a body out of a brick.
City of Dubuque Office of Arts and Cultural Affairs/Facebook
Once the foundation is complete, the artists will carefully polish the sculpture to get all the precise details right before judgment.
City of Dubuque Office of Arts and Cultural Affairs/Facebook

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The park will be transformed into a walkway of massive snow sculptures as the judges pick which one blew them away the most.
City of Dubuque Office of Arts and Cultural Affairs/Facebook
Some of the sculptures are whimsical, featuring clever twists on childhood favorites.
City of Dubuque Office of Arts and Cultural Affairs/Facebook
Others are almost stunningly realistic, capturing nature in snow and frost.
City of Dubuque Office of Arts and Cultural Affairs/Facebook
Some defy gravity itself, as the snow sculptors carefully push the flexible material to its breaking point. No matter who wins, the true winners are the Dubuque residents who get to see this dazzling display.
City of Dubuque Office of Arts and Cultural Affairs/Facebook

Have you visited the Winter Arts Snow Sculpting Competition and Festival in past years? Let us know about your visit to some of the most stunning snow sculptures in Iowa in the comments section. For all the details on next year’s event, follow the city’s cultural office on Facebook for all the latest details. And while it’s still the holiday season, why not visit the state’s most charming Christmas town?

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Washington Street, Washington St, Dubuque, IA 52001, USA
Dubuque Museum of Art, 701 Locust St, Dubuque, IA 52001, USA