The Best Wintertime Events in Michigan

The fun doesn't stop because of a little cold. In Michigan we celebrate with Ice & Snow Festivals. Find all of the Best Wintertime Events & Adventures and in Michigan right here. Enjoy Life Michigan Life!

Michigan's Best Wintertime Activities and Events

Michigan Life's Wintertime Fun Menu
Michigan Ice Skating Locations Michigan Sledding, Tobogganing, and Snow Tubing Locations Michigan Dog Sledding Locations
Michigan Snowmobiling & Snowmobiling Trail Locations Michigan Cross Country Skiing Locations Michigan Downhill Skiing Locations Michigan Snowboarding Locations Michigan Winter Events Locations

January 30 - February 1, 2026

The Plymouth Ice Festival will take place over three days and include ice carving competitions, food booths, and entertainment. Admission to the festival is free. Ice sculptures available for viewing 24-hours a day (weather permitting).

January 28, 2026 - February 1, 2026

Celebrating Winter Fun for the Whole Family!

February 11-15, 2026

The Michigan IceFest in Munising, Michigan features numerous clinics ranging from Rigging and Rescue to Top Rope Anchor classes.

February 12-16, 2026

The UP200 is one of the top 12-dog mid-distance races in the Midwest, as well as being an Iditarod qualifier. The UP200 trail covers 230 miles of challenging terrain from Marquette to Grand Marais, Michigan and back again through forested land and near-wilderness. Mushers face hills, creek crossings, deep snow, and isolated trail.

Looking for the best Toboggan runs in Michigan? Check out The Toboggan Run at City Forest in Midland Michigan each run is over a tenth of a mile in length!

Janurary 30- February 1, 2026

The cool streets of South Haven will be blazing during the HOTTEST winter festival around!

January 16 & 17, 2026

Looking for a fun outdoor event for your family? The downtown will have over 35 ice sculptures for you to see. Also new this year, life size balloon sculptures will adorn the sidewalks during the event. Try your hand at our Scavenger Hunt through the participating merchants.

January 10 - 11, 2026

(TCSDR) was founded in 1999, operated by volunteers to promote, conduct and support mid-distance sled dog racing in the Midwestern United States and Canada. The race attracts mushers from all over the United States, as well as Canada, South Africa and New Zealand.

2nd Weekend in February

Beulahs Winterfest is not your normal winterfest, this festival looks for the quirky fun-loving events that you don't find everywhere else. Check out this list of events and attractions you will find:

2nd & 3rd Weekends of February

Pentwater’s Winterfest is the second and third weeks in February and includes a fishing tournament, the Snowman Scram 5K and opportunities to go cross-country skiing in the Pere Marquette State Forest.

February 6 - 8, 2026

Join us for the annual Ice Fest sponsored by Silver Beach Pizza to celebrate the winter season! It’s a weekend that brings frosty fun to downtown St. Joe. Enjoy professional Ice Carving Competitions, a SnowBiz Scavenger Hunt, Ice Interactives and more!

Saturday, February 7, 2026

Come join us for the Annual International I-500 Snowmobile Race and experience all the thrills of NASCAR on a one-mile oval ice track. The I-500 is the biggest event in the Upper Peninsula and in the entire snowmobile-racing world. When drivers accelerate to speeds exceeding 100 miles per hour on the straightaways, your heart will race.

Great family fun during the winter months! Groomed specifically for snow tubing, riders will speed down one of many thrilling 16 ft wide sculpted snow lanes as you drop 50-60 feet over a course of 500-600 feet. A magic carpet uphill conveyor lift transports riders to the top of the hill.

Crossroads Village & the Huckleberry Railroad is an authentic Great Lakes town from the turn of the last century, with over 34 historic structures and a thriving community to welcome you. Ride the Huckleberry Railroad, catch a show at the Colwell Opera House or learn a trade from one of our craftspeople.

With horseback, carriage, stagecoach, and hayrides to choose from, The Rockin' R is confident everybody will be able to fully enjoy the natural beauty of Northern Michigan.

January 22 -24, and 30-31, 2026

The premier ice fishing festival in north central Michigan that happens Friday, Saturday and Sunday, on the last two weekends in January. The festival is held at the southern DNR boat launch, off of M-55 near the Pines theater and Pineview Golf Course.

March 11 - 15, 2026

A festival to benefit Gilda's Club features 200 free and ticketed events at 50-plus locations throughout Grand Rapids. The 10-day festival concludes this weekend and features stand-up, improv, film, authors, community showcases, and more! For a complete list of events, laughfestgr.org.

February 4–7, 2026

Organized by Blue Key National Honor Society since 1934, Winter Carnival started in 1922 and has grown into one of the biggest annual winter celebrations in the nation.

Echo Valley Kalamazoo's Premier Winter Sports Park where you race 60 mph down one of eight ¼ mile long tracks on ultra-fast toboggans. Enjoy the 500-foot tubing hill. The warming lodge offers a fireplace, snack bar and viewing platform. Tubes and toboggans are free with admission. Ice skate rentals are available.

2026 dates tba

Each year in April as the frozen grounds of Lake Superior’s shore attempts its thaw, Festival of the Angry Bear comes out of hibernation and takes over Spring Street in downtown Marquette. Modeled after some of the great beer festivals of Europe, the festival is a showcase of barrel-aged beer, live music, and delicious food.

March 24 - 29, 2026

The Ann Arbor Film Festival is the longest-running avant-garde and experimental film festival in North America, fouded in 1963.

March 11-14, 2026

Numerous activities are planned for the biggest event that Clare puts on. You don't have to be Irish to celebrate this phenomenal gathering-EVERYONE'S IRISH DURING THIS EVENT!

An estimated 10,000 people attend the Clare Irish Festival to participate in the fun!

January 30-31 2026

Welcome to Harrison, Michigan where 20 lakes in 20 minutes is all the rage in the summer months but we don't only enjoy the warm weather we also embrase the beauty of our winters with the Frostbite Winter Festival. Please join us for all the warmth of a small town.

February 19-22, 2026

Live your best life this summer by getting ready at The Cottage & Lakefront Living Show with all you need in one place whether you own a cottage, rent a cabin or live on a lake. Find expertise, advice and ideas to get the most out of summer at a Cottage Conversations Seminar.

February 6 - 8, 2026

Heikki Lunta Winter Festival kicks off with the lighting of the traditional bonfire at Tobin and Iron Streets. The weekend is full of fun outdoor events for the entire family including an Ice Fishing Tournament. Spend your evenings at local restaurants and pubs serving great food and drinks.

Open All Year - 9am to 5pm Daily

Upper Peninsula Antique & Vintage Snowmobiles
"Where the history of snowmobiling comes to life."

December 1 - 31, 2025

Downtown Rochester is accepting applications from artists for the Snowman Stroll, a public art event that will bring (12) 5’ fiberglass snowmen to Main Street! The Snowman Stroll is open to all artists, whether professional or amateurs. Artists of all ages are encouraged to submit designs.

January 22-25, 2026

Winterfest is a full weekend of winter fun in Grand Haven, Michigan during the last week of January. The snow is upon us, and with Michigan’s winters being long and cold, this is a perfect time to get out and be active. There are plenty of activities to keep everyone warm and having a great time.

January 31st, 2026

A sure-fire way to beat cabin fever is with Ludington’s premier winter event, the Pure Ludington Brrrewfest! At past events, more than 15 breweries came to Ludington to offer patrons a taste of the best and most unique flavors of beers, wines, ciders and meads from all around Michigan.

Saturday, February 21, 2026

Join us at the annual Alpena Ice Festival a day of winter fun in Alpena, including ice sculptures on display throughout downtown and Mich-e-kewis Park, a huge bonfire, and a variety of activities for kids, adults and the family.

February 13-15, 2026

Winter Wonderland Weekend will feature ice carving demonstrations, Downtown shopping and restaurant specials, a scavenger hunt through the Downtown shops, and a Downtown Dollars shopping contest, all held within the boundaries of the Downtown Petoskey Social District.

February 17 - 18, 2025

Frost Fest promises a weekend filled with icy delights, from stunning under the sea themed ice sculptures to a carving competition, topped off with a shopping and dining Bingo game that will have you exploring the heart of our city!

February

The Higgins Lake/Roscommon WinterFest is a two-day celebration of winter in the Higgins Lake/Roscommon Area, held the same weekend as Michigan DNR’s Free Fishing weekend. Your badge will get you entry to events including pancake breakfast, cardboard sled race, broomball, Kids Karnival, chili cook-off and more.

February 07, 2026 10:00am - 4:00pm

Staged in Dowagiac's Central Business District downtown, the Ice Time Festival celebrates winter fun. Watch ice carvers as they create works of art before your eyes from 300 pound blocks of ice. Gather ‘round the campfire for warm and chocolaty s’mores and taste restaurant samples in our annual Chili Crawl.

February 07, 2026 at 01:00 PM

Select a charity, raise money and take the plunge!

January 17, 2026

The Dexter Ice Festival is a free, winter celebration that takes place in downtown Dexter, centered around Monument Park.

January 16 - 18, 2026

The Hunter Ice Festival is a popular winter tradition held in downtown Niles, Michigan, celebrating both ice artistry and the city’s history. During the festival, visitors can explore downtown streets lined with beautifully carved ice sculptures while watching live carving demonstrations that bring the artwork to life.

January 31 - February 1, 2026

Whether you’re strolling downtown, watching artists carve live, or warming up with the kids, this is a can’t-miss winter weekend tradition.

February 6 & 7, 2026

Don't miss Holland's winter festival in downtown Holland where the main attraction is watching skilled ice carvers transform large blocks of ice into detailed sculptures throughout the weekend.

--- Wintertime Events Across All Michigan Regions ---

January 10 - 11, 2026

(TCSDR) was founded in 1999, operated by volunteers to promote, conduct and support mid-distance sled dog racing in the Midwestern United States and Canada. The race attracts mushers from all over the United States, as well as Canada, South Africa and New Zealand.

2nd Weekend in February

Beulahs Winterfest is not your normal winterfest, this festival looks for the quirky fun-loving events that you don't find everywhere else. Check out this list of events and attractions you will find:

2nd & 3rd Weekends of February

Pentwater’s Winterfest is the second and third weeks in February and includes a fishing tournament, the Snowman Scram 5K and opportunities to go cross-country skiing in the Pere Marquette State Forest.

February 6 - 8, 2026

Join us for the annual Ice Fest sponsored by Silver Beach Pizza to celebrate the winter season! It’s a weekend that brings frosty fun to downtown St. Joe. Enjoy professional Ice Carving Competitions, a SnowBiz Scavenger Hunt, Ice Interactives and more!

Saturday, February 7, 2026

Come join us for the Annual International I-500 Snowmobile Race and experience all the thrills of NASCAR on a one-mile oval ice track. The I-500 is the biggest event in the Upper Peninsula and in the entire snowmobile-racing world. When drivers accelerate to speeds exceeding 100 miles per hour on the straightaways, your heart will race.

January 30 - February 1, 2026

The Plymouth Ice Festival will take place over three days and include ice carving competitions, food booths, and entertainment. Admission to the festival is free. Ice sculptures available for viewing 24-hours a day (weather permitting).

Great family fun during the winter months! Groomed specifically for snow tubing, riders will speed down one of many thrilling 16 ft wide sculpted snow lanes as you drop 50-60 feet over a course of 500-600 feet. A magic carpet uphill conveyor lift transports riders to the top of the hill.

January 28, 2026 - February 1, 2026

Celebrating Winter Fun for the Whole Family!

February 11-15, 2026

The Michigan IceFest in Munising, Michigan features numerous clinics ranging from Rigging and Rescue to Top Rope Anchor classes.

February 12-16, 2026

The UP200 is one of the top 12-dog mid-distance races in the Midwest, as well as being an Iditarod qualifier. The UP200 trail covers 230 miles of challenging terrain from Marquette to Grand Marais, Michigan and back again through forested land and near-wilderness. Mushers face hills, creek crossings, deep snow, and isolated trail.

Looking for the best Toboggan runs in Michigan? Check out The Toboggan Run at City Forest in Midland Michigan each run is over a tenth of a mile in length!

Janurary 30- February 1, 2026

The cool streets of South Haven will be blazing during the HOTTEST winter festival around!

January 16 & 17, 2026

Looking for a fun outdoor event for your family? The downtown will have over 35 ice sculptures for you to see. Also new this year, life size balloon sculptures will adorn the sidewalks during the event. Try your hand at our Scavenger Hunt through the participating merchants.

Saturday, February 21, 2026

Join us at the annual Alpena Ice Festival a day of winter fun in Alpena, including ice sculptures on display throughout downtown and Mich-e-kewis Park, a huge bonfire, and a variety of activities for kids, adults and the family.

February 13-15, 2026

Winter Wonderland Weekend will feature ice carving demonstrations, Downtown shopping and restaurant specials, a scavenger hunt through the Downtown shops, and a Downtown Dollars shopping contest, all held within the boundaries of the Downtown Petoskey Social District.

February 17 - 18, 2025

Frost Fest promises a weekend filled with icy delights, from stunning under the sea themed ice sculptures to a carving competition, topped off with a shopping and dining Bingo game that will have you exploring the heart of our city!

Crossroads Village & the Huckleberry Railroad is an authentic Great Lakes town from the turn of the last century, with over 34 historic structures and a thriving community to welcome you. Ride the Huckleberry Railroad, catch a show at the Colwell Opera House or learn a trade from one of our craftspeople.

February

The Higgins Lake/Roscommon WinterFest is a two-day celebration of winter in the Higgins Lake/Roscommon Area, held the same weekend as Michigan DNR’s Free Fishing weekend. Your badge will get you entry to events including pancake breakfast, cardboard sled race, broomball, Kids Karnival, chili cook-off and more.

With horseback, carriage, stagecoach, and hayrides to choose from, The Rockin' R is confident everybody will be able to fully enjoy the natural beauty of Northern Michigan.

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