The past couple of weeks in the Twin Cities have been heavy. Between extreme weather, political tension, and real fear in parts of our community, it can feel strange to talk about events and weekend plans like everything is normal. When so much is happening around us, it’s hard not to carry that weight with you.
But this is also a moment to show up for our neighbors. Support local immigrant-owned businesses. Try a food you’ve never had before. Visit a neighborhood you don’t normally spend time in. Small choices still matter, and they’re one way we keep our city connected when things feel uncertain. Even in difficult weeks, the Twin Cities keeps moving forward, and there are still good moments worth sharing.
Here are some highlights from the past couple weeks:
World Snow Sculpting Championship
The World Snow Sculpting Championship too over Lowell Park in Stillwater with 16 teams from around the world shaping massive snow blocks into incredible works of art.
Art Ice Shanty Project
Each winter Art Shanty Projects hosts an immersive art program on a frozen lake in Minneapolis.
Artists embrace the challenges and opportunities of winter and the ephemeral nature of a frozen winter landscape to create a temporary vibrant and colorful public art community. This started on January 17 and runs through February 8.
UPCOMING EVENTS
Stop by Lake Harriet for a fun-filled winter day, featuring kites, sights, and sounds you won’t want to miss!
S’mores, courtesy of the Linden Hills Neighborhood Council. Food trucks, kid’s DJ, and more!
More info HERE
Luminiscence
Now illuminating Minneapolis, discover a world of wonder and enchantment at The Basilica of Saint Mary with Luminiscence. A dazzling immersive celebration of light, sound, and story, prepare to be transported by breathtaking 360 visuals that map a vibrant canvas on the stone walls of this great building, supported by live music and storytelling.
More info HERE
Teams don’t win prizes but go down in history with their names etched into the Golden Shovel. More info HERE.
Too cold outside?
Say goodbye to the winter blues, at least for one day, and soak up the sun at our Indoor Beach Party on Saturday, Jan. 24 at the Minnesota Children’s Museum. It’s summer in January!
More info HERE.
The 140th Saint Paul Winter Carnival officially kicks off on January 22 and runs through February 1, turning the capital city into a winter playground.
The celebration packs more than 60 events into ten days, including ice sculptures and block ice carving competitions in Rice Park that stay lit into the evening, family-friendly activities like the Food Festival and Orchid Show, and signature moments such as the King Boreas Grande Day Parade on January 24 and the Torchlight Victory Parade with fireworks on January 31.
A long-running tradition, the Pioneer Press Treasure Hunt started releasing clues on January 18, with a new clue each day. Are you braving the cold to get out there and try to win $15,000?
More information HERE.
UPCOMING OUTDOOR ACTIVITIES
Click each image for more information.
The First Annual Lift Bridge Frozen Classic is a one-day broomball showdown on the scenic banks of the St. Croix River in downtown Stillwater
Stay warm with your neighbors at this outdoor party! The community will gather with good cheer, pit fires, hot cocoa and puppy dog tails from Isles Bun & Coffee. There will also be ice skating with free rentals available.
The Great Northern's annual winter festival invites people to change their perspective on the coldest months of the year. This year they’re bringing The Great Northern to the Saint Anthony Main riverfront. Enjoy the wildly popular Sauna Village and dozens of events that celebrate the arts, the outdoors, and the vibrant Minneapolis food scene. The festival serves as a call to action to protect the season that makes this place unique.
FOOD TO LOOK FORWARD TO
If eating out is your love language, 2026 is already shaping up to be a very good year. Here are the new restaurants, relocations, and revivals coming soon across the Twin Cities.
Pig Ate My Pizza – Travail Collective’s creative pizzeria and brew-centric spot now open in Bloomington.
PaperBoy – Tuscan-style sandwich shop in downtown Minneapolis skyway.
Caphin – Vietnamese coffee shop expanding with a downtown Minneapolis location.
Aubergine – French-inspired restaurant on Cathedral Hill, St. Paul moving into the old Revival spot.
Dahlia (with MN Nice Cream) – Pop-up favorite turning into a bakery/cafe plus soft-serve shop in Northeast Minneapolis.
Kitchen & Rail – Eagan transplant opening in Golden Valley with globally influenced comfort fare.
Owamni (relocation) – Sean Sherman’s Indigenous restaurant moving to the Guthrie.
ŠHOTÁ Indigenous BBQ – Indigenous barbecue counter service launching in Seward Co-op Creamery building.
A to Z Creamery – Creamery turning into a soft-serve walk-up shop in Hopkins.
Maison Rose – Large cafe and pastry/retail space coming to Lilydale from the folks behind Patisserie 46 and Rose Street Patisserie.
Blue in Green – Upscale bistro from the Get Down Coffee Co. team.
Smithson – Steak and seafood restaurant coming to Southdale Center, Edina.
Ate Ate Ate – A multi-vendor food hall planned at Burnsville Center with vendors like Urban Oasis Cocktail and Spirits, Mason’s Famous Lobster Rolls, Amazing Momo, Saigon Meats Manila and more.
Saffron (revival) – Chef Sameh Wadi plans to bring back this Middle Eastern/Mediterranean fine-dining spot.
