11 Winter Festivals In Iowa That Are Simply Unforgettable
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There’s no denying it, winter is upon us. But that doesn’t have to mean holing up in your house and hibernating until spring. There are plenty of fun things to do here when the weather turns colder that allow you to fully take part in all that winter has to offer. Here are 11 winter festivals In Iowa that are simply unforgettable.
Located in Iowa’s own antique city, this antique walk provides a fun and leisurely day that beats the maddening holiday crowds at the mall. Get ready for plenty of Christmas cheer and great finds. Runs November 25th through November 27th.
Winterfest in the charming Amana Colonies provides plenty of indoor and outdoor winter fun. Activities include sledding, winter wreath toss, the Great Amana Ham-Put, Best Beard Competition, log sawing competition, ice rink, kids activities, ice harvesting demonstrations and more. Takes place on January 23rd.
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This fun winter event is hosted by Iowa’s fictional university. Activities include broomball, snowball softball, flag football, the freeze-your-fanny bike ride, a polar plunge, the annual Burning of the Greens and fireworks. Runs on January 28th through the 31st.
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It's all about bacon, so it’s pretty much the most awesome event you can imagine. This festival takes place at the Iowa State Fairgrounds and sells out quickly, so it's a good idea to buy tickets in advance.
The Ice Fest features historic ice harvesting, snow and ice sculptures, open water rescue demonstrations, winter crafts, eagle watching and more. It takes place at the National Mississippi River Museum & Aquarium and is included with your museum admission. Runs January 16th through the 18th.
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Eagle Watch & Cabin Fever Day in Guttenberg features ice carvers transforming blocks of ice into river creatures, a live raptor presentation and bald eagle spotting. Runs February 13th.
This fun winter Olympics event includes a full weekend of activities including a chili cook-off, ice fishing derby, ATV races, kid’s winter wonderland activities and snowmobile rides. Runs January 21st through the 23rd.
Coralville Winterfest is a fun celebration of winter, including live entertainment, indoor snowball fights, ice carving, trolley rides, wassail tasting and more. Runs January 24th.
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The Beat the Bitter event features the Indomitable Snow Run 5k-ish obstacle run, Porcupine’s Revenge obstacle course, kickball tournament, fat tire bike races and a Siberian Scavenger Hunt. Beat the Bitter will be held in conjunction with the bald eagle watch and expo, a free event that includes exhibitors, activities and guest speakers. Runs February 6th.
The Clinton Eagle Watch is a full day of eagle watching, exhibits and educational programs, with naturalists available to share their knowledge of bald eagles and other large birds of prey. Runs January 9th.
With the largest concentration of bald eagles on the Mississippi, Keokuk’s Bald Eagle Appreciation Days will be a memorable event. During this event, you can view eagles in their natural habitat, view conservation and environmental exhibits, and see the insect zoo and live bird shows. Runs January 16th and 17th.
What are your favorite winter festivals? For more fun winter activities, Here Are 10 Spots In Iowa You Must Explore This Winter.
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