Have you ever been to Minnesota’s St. Paul Winter Carnival? This traditional event has been going on since 1886! It’s well known for its festivities, which include parades, competitions, food, art, and – in some years – a majestic ice palace. If you ever get a chance to attend, it’s well worth the effort to do so. But it’s also fun to look back on the carnival of years gone by. Today, we want to share some photos from the St. Paul Winter Carnival of the 1940s! These fun images show not only how different things were back then, but how similar they still are today.

The St. Paul Winter Carnival has long been known for its fun, magical parades. The Grand Day Parade and Torchlight Parade are two modern-day examples. This amazing dragon from a 1940 parade shows that the event has always been full of whimsy.
Joe Haupt/Flickr
There's also a traditional coronation of carnival royalty. This image shows the 1942 King Boreas and his queen. The carnival has a large royal family today, borne out of many decades of tradition.
Joe Haupt/Flickr
Art has also been a traditional part of the carnival. Ice carvings such as this one, created in 1939, are always memorable.
Joe Haupt/Flickr

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Of course, there are other ice carvings that get even more fanfare. The St. Paul Winter Carnival's most famous attraction is without a doubt its ice palace.
Joe Haupt/Flickr
The palace isn't built every year. The most recent palace was in 2018. But this beautiful example from 1940 is what the event is all about!
Joe Haupt/Flickr
The St. Paul Winter Carnival is awash with colorful traditions, art, art, and more, in this celebration of Minnesota's coldest season. You will love taking part in this winter tradition if you are ever able to attend!
Joe Haupt/Flickr

The St. Paul Winter Carnival is just as fun today as it was decades ago! Have you ever gone? For more historic images of Minnesota, check out our past articles of 34 vintage photos from Minneapolis and 11 photos of Minnesota in the early 1900s.

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Saint Paul Winter Carnival, 75 W 5th St #429, St Paul, MN 55102, USA