The 30th annual celebration means Lake Geneva amps it up with a bigger competition, bonfires, ice sculptures, even human dog sled racing on Sunday!
Lake Geneva’s 30th Annual Winterfest is set to captivate you starting Wednesday, with events really ramping up for the weekend through Sunday, February 2nd – which doubles as Groundhog Day! 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 features a new name and a new level of competition: the U.S. National Snow Sculpting Competition has been rechristened America’s Snow Sculpting Invitational – and they’re bringing in previous champion snow sculptors from all over the country (literally from Alaska to Florida!) 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.
- 2025 TEAMS
- Block #1: Team Minnesota 2: House of Thune
- Block #2: Team Illinois: The Band of Misfit Boys
- Block #3: Team Florida: Flozen
- Block #4: Team Vermont 1
- Block #5: Team Wisconsin 1: Snowblind
- Block #6: Team Washington: WA Awesome
- Block #7: Team Wisconsin 3: Sculptora Borealis
- Block #8: Team Vermont 2: The Pour Saps
- Block #9: Team Colorado: The Enchanted Forest
- Block #10: Team Minnesota 1: The KWE
- Block #11: Team New Hampshire: Granite State Snow Carvers
- Block #12: Team North Dakota: North Dakota Sculpting Team
- Block #13: Team Alaska: AK Department of Snow
- Block #14: Team Wisconsin 2: Team USA
- Block #15: Team Michigan: The Three Amigos





- 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 31, and Saturday, February 1, 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.
- The Baker House Festivities: From January 30 to February 1, The Baker House will transform its front winter garden into an ice-themed wonderland with glowing fire pits under cozy pavilions. Warm drink specials will be available from the Garden Bar and Speakeasy Bar, accompanied by live entertainment on Friday and Saturday nights. There is no cover charge for these events.
- Human Dog Sled Racing: On Sunday, February 2, you can enjoy – or even participate – in human dog sled races on Riviera Beach. Teams of 6 will include one musher, one rider, and four runners acting as the sled dogs. Come cheer them on!
- 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 2025 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!