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.
Outdoor Winter Events in Fargo 2026
Location: Various locations throughout the Fargo, Moorhead, West Fargo area
Most events below are free, but a few events that require pre-registration may have a fee.
Open Skate at Broadway Square or The Lights
Days: Ongoing through March. See schedule links below.
Location: Broadway Square Ice Rink (Downtown Fargo) & The Lights Ice Rink (West Fargo)
Strap on some skates and head to a nearby ice rink to skate! Both The Lights and Broadway Square have open skate throughout the week, and both have skate rentals available. See the Broadway Square schedule here, and The Lights schedule here.
Check out our Guide to Open Skate & Skating Rinks to find more outdoor rinks in local parks, and indoor arenas as well!
Silver Snowflake Search
Days: January 17-24, 9:30 a.m. – 1:30 p.m.
Location: Rustad Recreation Center, 601 26th Ave E, West Fargo
The Snowflake Search is back! Five snowflakes are hidden throughout West Fargo, and it’s your job to find them! Check the Rustad Recreation Center or wfparks.org by 9:30 AM each day for your next clue, starting January 17th. All winners will be featured on the West Fargo Park District social media pages and may not be anonymous, but you’ll win a cool prize!
Winter Days Coloring Contest
Days: January 17th-24th
Location: Rustad Recreation Center, 601 26th Ave E, West Fargo
Calling all little artists! Pick up a FREE coloring page starting Saturday, January 17 at the Rustad Recreation Center, West Fargo Fire Departments, or West Fargo Police Department. You can also download the page from their Winter Days webpage.
Contest Details:
• Ages 12 & under
• One entry per child
• Entries accepted January 17–24 at Rustad Recreation Center
• Ten winners chosen at random
• Winners contacted Monday, January 26
• Prizes picked up Tuesday, January 27 at Rustad Recreation Center from the Police and Fire Departments
• Winners posted online Wednesday, January 28
Include the child’s first name and last initial on the entry.
Rec on the Snow: Snowman Building Contest
Days: January 17th, 1:00 – 3:00 p.m.
Location: Maplewood Park, West Fargo
Head to Maplewood Park for a snowman building contest! Don’t forget to bring your own snowman accessories to outfit your frosty creation—there will be prizes for the Best Theme, Most Creative, and Funniest Snowman!
This event is open to everyone, but kids 10 and under must be accompanied by an adult. They will be serving FREE s’mores, hot chocolate, and hot apple cider.
S’Mores and More: Longfellow Park
Days: January 19th, 5:00 – 7:00 p.m.
Location: Longfellow Park, Fargo
At this family fun event series, cook your own S’mores, drink hot chocolate, listen to music, and bring your own skates to skate on an outdoor rink! The rink and warming house are available to use during this event.
S’Mores and More: Centennial Park
Days: January 26th, 5:00 – 7:00 p.m.
Location: Centennial Park, Fargo
At this family fun event series, cook your own S’mores, drink hot chocolate, listen to music, and bring your own skates to skate on an outdoor rink! The rink and warming house are available to use during this event.
Glow Skate at The Lights
Days: January 30th, 6:30 – 9:30 p.m.
Location: The Lights Rink, West Fargo
Cardboard Sled Races
Days: January 31st, 10:30 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
Location: Mickelson Sledding Hill, 901 Oak St. N, Fargo
This is such a fun annual event the kids will love! Get your creative juices flowing in a contest for the most creative sled. Registration begins at 10:30 am in the warming house with races starting at 11:00 am. Pre-registration is not required for this free event.
Fun at the Frozen Fortress
Days: January 31st 11:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m.
Location: Viking Ship Park, 202 1st Ave. N, Moorhead
Embrace the magic of winter with a full day of outdoor fun and community connection. Bring your skates to W.H. Davy Memorial Park for open skating, then head to Viking Ship Park for the rest of the festivities. Enjoy a guided snowshoe nature walk with the Audubon Society, warm up with hot chocolate, marshmallows, and hot dogs by the fire, and try unique experiences like the log sauna and snowga.
Viking Ship Park will also feature a guided snowshoe nature walk, a Scouting America scavenger hunt, a talk by a Mount Everest climber, kids’ activities like a sledding hill, and complimentary snowshoe rentals.
Schedule:
- 11:30 AM – Mount Everest Adventure Talk — Kids Session
- 12 PM – 5 PM – Free Skate at W.H. Davy Memorial Park
- 12 PM – 6 PM – Log the Sauna (hourly sessions)
- 1 PM – Mount Everest Adventure Talk — Adult Session
- 2 PM – 3 PM – Snowga by Studio Nomo
- 2 PM – 4 PM – Live Music by Meat Rabbits
- 3 PM – 4 PM – Audubon / River Keepers Trail Walk
- 5 PM – 6 PM – Bonfire
S’Mores and More: Roosevelt Park
Days: February 2nd, 5:00 – 7:00 p.m.
Location: Roosevelt Park, Fargo
At this family fun event series, cook your own S’mores, drink hot chocolate, listen to music, and bring your own skates to skate on an outdoor rink! The rink and warming house are available to use during this event.
Powder Putt
Days: February 5th, 4:00 – 8:00 p.m.
Location: Rheault Farm, Fargo
Are you ready to try miniature golf in the winter? Step into a winter wonderland as this course transforms into a snowy paradise with twinkling lights, festive decorations, and frosty obstacles.
Youth Pond Hockey
Days: February 7th, 9:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.
Location: Lindenwood Park, 1905 Roger Maris Dr., Fargo
Each team plays three games in this jamboree-style event, with two 10-minute halves. There are divisions for 10U, 8U, and 6U (all coed). Register here, cost is $136/team of up to 8 players. And when you’re not cheering on your team, head over to our cozy warming tent for snacks, drinks, and toast some marshmallows on outdoor fire pits.
Golden Pond Classic at The Lights Rink
Days: February 6th-7th, schedule TBD
Location: The Lights, West Fargo
Coffee and Cocoa Crawl
Days: February 14th, 10:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.
Location: Downtown Fargo
Bundle up the kids and grab your friends for a day of sipping and shopping! Admission includes a local, hand-made clay mug and coffee, cocoa, and tea samples at 20+ locations in Downtown Fargo. Tickets are $30 in advance, and may be more if you get them day of the event.
More Outdoor Activities
For more ideas on winter fun, see our Guide to Winter Activities in Fargo!
