The 31st annual celebration means Lake Geneva amps it up with a bigger competition, bonfires, ice sculptures, and more!
Lake Geneva’s 31st Annual Winterfest is set to captivate you starting Wednesday, with events really ramping up for the weekend through Sunday, February 1st! Presented by VISIT Lake Geneva and the City of Lake Geneva, the 2025 edition is a milestone for year 30. They continue to add events throughout the days of Winterfest, but the cornerstone event continues with the new name from last year: the U.S. National Snow Sculpting Invitational. They’re bringing in previous champion snow sculptors from all over the country and world (literally from Alaska to Florida to Turkey!) to convene in Lake Geneva for epic competitions.
Key Events in the Winterfest Spotlight
- America’s Snow Sculpting Invitational: Witness these teams at work during an epic 72-hour competition where their artistry is put to the test in creating remarkable, larger-than-life snow sculptures.
- It’s “Tools Up” at 11am Wednesday, where members of the 15 teams go at it and begin carving their snow sculptures out of 10-ton MASSIVE blocks of snow, thanks to The Mountain Top at Grand Geneva’
- “Tools Down” at 11am Saturday, when their creations are on full display and ready for judging by both official judges, other teams, and the general public – they determine the “People’s Choice” award.
- 2026 TEAMS
- Block #1: Illinois – Team Cave People From Space
- Block #2: Michigan 2 – Team Soggy Mitten Boys
- Block #3: Wisconsin 2 – Team Snow Cronies
- Block #4: Mexico – Team Mexico
- Block #5: Wisconsin 1 – Team Sculptora Borealis
- Block #6: Minnesota 1 – Team Doing Our Best
- Block #7: Wisconsin 3 – Team Snow Blind
- Block #8: Turkey – Team Turkey
- Block #9: Pennsylvania – Team Jack of All Lanterns
- Block #10: Minnesota 2 – Team Snow Van Gogh
- Block #11: Alaska – Team AK Department of Snow
- Block #12: Iowa + Vermont – Team A NorEaster in Dubuque
- Block #13: Michigan 1 – Team Smith Family
- Block #14: Wisconsin 4 – Team Up To Snow Good
- Block #15: Colorado – Team Enchanted Forest
- Downtown Ice Sculpture Walk: Winterfest also features the 6th annual Downtown Ice Sculpture Walk runs throughout downtown Lake Geneva, with dozens of artfully crafted ice sculptures adorning business entrances. These sculptures offer perfect photo opportunities and will remain on display throughout the weekend or until they melt.
- Bonfires on the Beach: On Friday, January 30th, and Saturday, January 31st from 4 PM to 8 PM, visitors can enjoy bonfires at Riviera Beach. Concessions will be available for purchase, with proceeds benefiting a local charity. Live performances by Fox Valley Fire Art are scheduled at 5:30 PM and 6:30 PM on both evenings.
- Live Music and Tons of other events throughout downtown! Shops will have specials, as will bars and restaurants, Topsy Turvy Brewery, and plenty of other venues in a walkable stretch of the city.
Winterfest 2026 is a highlight of winter not just for Lake Geneva, but in Wisconsin. Enjoy the cool mix of artistic displays, interactive activities, and community warmth. It’s all along Highway 50 as it becomes Lake Geneva’s Main Street, just off U.S. 12 and Highway 120 and a few miles east of Highway 67. Easy to get to for a road trip, and a fun time to make for a day trip or a long weekend!
