Sometimes it can be hard to get outside in winter when the temperatures are dropping and the wind is whipping. But the benefits of getting outside, including lifting your mood, getting vitamin D, and boosting creativity are worth making the effort to get everyone bundled up.
Here are some fun events that are happening in our area to help you get your family outside this winter.
NOTE: Events are subject to change or cancellation due to weather. Please check the Frostival website or Facebook page for the most accurate information.
Frostival 2024
Days: January 13th – February 24th, 2023
Location: Various locations throughout the Fargo, Moorhead, West Fargo area
Most events are free, but a few events that require pre-registration may have a fee.
Frostival provides winter fun for the whole family! Below is a list for some of the offerings at this year’s Frostival. For a complete listing of all activities, please see the full schedule of events.
Ongoing Frostival Events
Snow Much Fun, Yeti, Bigfoot, Sasquatch, Oh My!
Days: January 13th – February 24th
Location: POW/MIA Plaza, West Fargo
Come on out to the POW/MIA plaza and check out the larger than life snow sculptures! Sculptures will be up starting January 13th.
Enchanted River Walk
Days: January 13th – February 24th
Location: Moorhead
Stroll through the Enchanted River Walk along Moorhead’s River Corridor from Woodlawn Park to Viking Ship Park. Enjoy interactive art installations from KidCo and the Fargo Moorhead Community Theater.
Frostival Coloring Contest
Days: January 12th – 22nd
Location: Virtual
Embrace the season by coloring a winter-themed coloring page! All participants will be entered to win a sled. Visit the Frostival website for additional information and where to find coloring sheets.
Snowman Competition
Days: January 12th – 22nd
Location: Virtual
West Fargo Parks is looking for the best snowman builders in the area! You can build a snowman in your yard, at your business, or at any West Fargo Park between January 12 and January 22, 2024. After you are done, snap a photo and e-mail it to West Fargo Parks. Details and more information are on the Frostival website.
Silver Snowflake Search
Days: Starts January 12th
Location: Around West Fargo
Hunt for the Frostival Silver Snowflakes in West Fargo for a chance to win one of four extravagant prize packages! New clues will be posted daily at the Rustad Recreation Center information center and on wfparks.org website by 9:30 a.m. More details at the Frostival website.
Frostival Events by Date
FrosTAKular
Days: January 13th, 1:00 p.m.
Location: TAK Music Venue
This will be a live music concert featuring songs from musicals geared towards children. Some songs performed at last year’s show were “Let It Go” and “Can You Feel The Love Tonight?”. Kids are encouraged to dress up in costumes. Concessions will be available.
Bouncin’ Bash
Days: January 15th, 10:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
Location: Rustad Recreation Center
Take full advantage of a day of no school and bring the kids to the Rustad Recreation Center for a fun day of indoor fun and inflatable games! All participants must be accompanied by an adult. This event is recommended for ages 13 and under and will have a fee.
S’Mores & More
Days: January 15th, 5:00 – 7:00 p.m.
Location: Clara Barton Park
Brrr-illiant 10-minute Plays
Days: January 19th from 7:30 – 9:00 p.m.
Location: FMCT Community Stage at the Hjemkomst Center
Check out this 10-Minute play festival put on by the FM Community Theater. Cost is $10 per person.
Winter Birding Festival
Days: January 20th, 9:00 a.m.- 12:00 p.m.
Location: Forest River Park
Enjoy winter birding at its finest. This festival is free for birders of all skill levels and a limited number of binoculars will be provided.
Cardboard Sled Races
Days: January 20th, 11:00 a.m. registration, 11:30 a.m. race
Location: Mickelson Sledding Hill
Join in the fun with races and games! Bring your own cardboard sled from home and race down the hill. Register onsite for this free event.
Moorhead American Legion Chili Cook Off
Days: January 20th, 12:00 – 8:00 p.m.
Location: Moorhead American Legion
See which chili is your favorite! Chili Feed is open to the public at 5:00 p.m. with music starting at 7:00 p.m.
Movie on Ice
Days: January 21st, 1:00 – 3:00 p.m.
Location: The Lights Ice Rink at the Essentia Health Plaza
Bundle up and head to The Lights for ice skating and a family-friendly movie! Free hot cocoa and cookies will be available while supplies last. And skate rental is available for a fee.
Brrr-illiant 10-minute Plays
Days: January 21st at 5:00 p.m.
Location: FMCT Community Stage at the Hjemkomst Center
Check out this 10-Minute play festival put on by the FM Community Theater. Cost is $10 per person.
S’Mores & More
Days: January 22nd, 5:00 – 7:00 p.m.
Location: Longfellow Park
Enjoy s’mores, hot chocolate, music, and ice skating at this free event.
Brrr-illiant 10-minute Plays
Days: January 26th at 7:30 p.m.
Location: FMCT Community Stage at the Hjemkomst Center
Check out this 10-Minute play festival put on by the FM Community Theater. Cost is $10 per person.
Fun at Frozen Fortress
Days: January 27th, 11:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.
Location: Viking Ship Park
Embrace the cool of winter with a day of outdoor activities and events: The Moorhead Business Association’s Snow Sculpture Contest, free cross-country ski and snowshoe rentals, outdoor games, a hot chocolate station, a marshmallow roast, and more!
Free museum entry, plus a chili cook-off by the Kiwanis Club.
Snow Sculpture Competition
Days: January 27th, 11:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.
Location: Viking Ship Park
The Moorhead Business Association (MBA) invites you to be a part of this free and family-friendly event. Stroll through Viking Ship Park and vote for your favorite sculpture during the Frozen Fortress! Voting is open from 11:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m., with winners before 3:00 p.m.
Beyond the Wonderland
Days: January 27th, 5:00 – 8:00 p.m.
Location: The Lotus Center
Get your blood flowing with some energy pumped dance music provided by DJ IV of Icebreaks Entertainment. Food with nonalcoholic beverages from Flannel Fizz will be up for sale. Additional Games and Activities for family and friends will be provided.
Brrr-illiant 10-minute Plays
Days: January 27th at 7:30 p.m.
Location: FMCT Community Stage at the Hjemkomst Center
Check out this 10-Minute play festival put on by the FM Community Theater. Cost is $10 per person.
Uffda It’s Cold Outside, It’s Hotdish Time!
Days: January 28th at 11:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.
Location: Moorhead American Legion
Join the Moorhead Legion in a Hotdish contest! Public hotdish feed starts at 2:00 p.m.
Brrr-illiant 10-minute Plays
Days: January 28th at 5:00 p.m.
Location: FMCT Community Stage at the Hjemkomst Center
Check out this 10-Minute play festival put on by the FM Community Theater. Cost is $10 per person.
S’Mores & More
Days: January 29th, 5:00 – 7:00 p.m.
Location: Centennial Park
Enjoy a night out with family! S’more supplies are available for you to cook your own at the winter bonfires. And don’t forget to bring your ice skates so you can skate to the music on the outdoor rink.
Freezin’ for a Reason
Days: February 2 – 4
Location: Moorhead American Legion
Join the Legion for a weekend filled with fun! There will be a silent auction all weekend long, music Friday and Saturday at 7:00 p.m., Saturday donuts, cider, and coffee, a soup cook-off and corn hole tournament, Sunday breakfast, Bingo, and burgers!
Family Movie Night at Ignite
Days: February 2nd, 7:00 p.m.
Location: Ignite Church
Ignite Church will be hosting a family movie night featuring the movie Cool Runnings. Popcorn and hot cocoa will be served. Admission will be free, first come first serve for seating.
Youth Pond Hockey Day
Days: February 3rd, 9:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.
Location: Lindenwood Park
Enjoy a day of playing on the pond! Register your team at fargoparks.com!
Snow Painting Party
Days: February 3rd, 1:00 – 3:00 p.m.
Location: Viking Ship Park
Open Spaces will be on site with watercolors, powdered paint, and other painting accessories. Come and let your imagination run wild!
Sleigh Rides
Days: February 3rd, 1:00 – 4:00 p.m.
Location: M.B. Johnson Park
Enjoy sleigh rides through beautifully scenic M.B. Johnson Park. Frostival treats and refreshments will be available. The cost is $5/person, call to reserve tickets for a specific time slot: (218) 299-5340.
Winter Warm-Up at the Rourke
Days: February 3rd, 1:00 – 4:00 p.m.
Location: Rourke Art Gallery + Museum
Get cozy in downtown Moorhead! Hit up their complimentary cocoa bar after browsing their handmade mug market, gather around the fire pits in the M. Dorian Clemedtson Memorial Sculpture Court, and shop for toasty mittens, hats, and scarves from local fiber artists. And drop off winter weather accessories for their community hat and mitten drive!
Winter Trails Day
Days: February 4th, 12:00 – 4:00 p.m.
Location: M.B. Johnson Park
Volunteers of the North Country Trail Association’s Dakota Prairie Chapter will be on hand to help participants try out cross-country skiing, snowshoeing, and/or skishoeing at the trails within M.B. Johnson Park.
Cops vs. Kids Hockey Game
Days: February 4th, 6:00 p.m.
Location: Moorhead Sports Center
The Moorhead Spuds take on the Moorhead Police Department in a friendly game of hockey.
Candlelight Trail Walk
Days: February 6th, 6:00 – 8:00 p.m.
Location: Viking Ship Park
Take a scenic stroll around Viking Ship Park! Play outdoor games, enjoy s’mores, hot dogs, and hot chocolate, and take advantage of free cross-country ski and snowshoe rentals.
Sleigh Rides
Days: February 17th, 1:00 – 4:00 p.m.
Location: M.B. Johnson Park
Enjoy sleigh rides through beautifully scenic M.B. Johnson Park. Frostival treats and refreshments will be available. The cost is $5/person, call to reserve tickets for a specific time slot: (218) 299-5340.
Frozen Frost-Off
Days: February 19th, 10:00 a.m.
Location: Black Cat Bakery
This new bakery will be hosting a cookie decorating event, plus a cake decorating contest!
Coffee & Cocoa Crawl
Days: February 24th, 10:00 a.m.
Location: Downtown Fargo
Sample coffee and cocoa samples from local businesses in Downtown Fargo. Ticket prices include a mug. Get tickets here.
Youth Ice Fishing Derby
Days: February 24th, 2:00 – 3:00 p.m.
Location: South Woodhaven Pond
For ages 15 and younger: bring your ice fishing rod and try your luck at the annual Youth Ice Fishing Derby. South Woodhaven Pond is stocked with perch, bluegill and northern pike. And holes are pre-drilled for participants. Please bring your own fishing rods and tackle. Participants must be supervised by an adult.
Silent Disco Skate Party
Days: February 24th from 6:00 – 8:00 p.m.
Location: Broadway Square
Skate the night away at Broadway Square! Rental available, and food and drink will be available for purchase.
More Outdoor Activities
For more ideas on winter fun, see our Guide to Winter Activities in Fargo!