You know, winter gets a bad rap sometimes. Sure, it’s cold, and winter in Indiana can even tip into the “frigid” category at least some of the time, but at the end of the day, we’re Hoosiers, and you know what that means: we can make the best of it and then some. Take, for example, one of the greatest annual winter festivals in Indiana you’ll ever attend – the famous Meltdown Ice Festival in Richmond. It’s a whole weekend filled from top to bottom with only the coolest festivities in the state. This ice festival in Indiana deserves a spot at the top of your bucket list this season.

The Meltdown Ice Festival has become a winter season tradition in Indiana, and it's pretty obvious why.
Richmond Meltdown/Facebook
After all, it's only the best and biggest ice festival in the entire state, and that's saying something.
It's a celebration of the season in a way you may not have ever experienced before - in the coolest way, so to speak.
Richmond Meltdown
....okay, we'll show ourselves out. But first, can we talk about how fabulous this weekend is expected to be?
Admire 20,000+ pounds (ten TONS) of ice carved into the most incredible, intricate sculptures you'll ever see.
Richmond Meltdown
Play ice-based games (on ice boards and platforms, of course), take a carriage ride, and more (like the frosty mug pub crawl for the grown-ups, which we love).

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Local food trucks will be on hand to serve up delicious eats and hot treats.
Richmond Meltdown/Facebook
Of course, the main event is the Meltdown Throwdown, and yes, it's as epic as it sounds.
Watch as the best ice sculptors from around the state compete live, on stage, in an effort to be crowned the competition's winner.
Richmond Meltdown
Cheer on your favorite artist and witness the spectacle that is a weirdly intense ice-carving contest. Seriously, it's a lot more fun than it sounds like it ought to be - it's a delight. You'll find yourself planning next year's visit fairly quickly!
Once the crowd chooses this year's winner, festivities will begin to wind down.
Richmond Meltdown
Come out to Richmond and attend the best ice festival in Indiana! Bring the kids, the significant other, and everyone else - it's going to be a blast.

This season, the Meltdown Winter Ice Festival occurs on January 24-28, 2023. The Meltdown Throwdown will be on January 28th, so plan accordingly! Visit the official event website for all the details about this year’s shenanigans.

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