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World Snow Celebration
Event Activities
Stay tuned for exciting updates on the World Snow Celebration 2026!
EVENT BUTTONS FOR 2026
CONTEST RUNS: July 7-September 30, 2025
Calling all local young artists, doodlers, and visual creators! We want YOUR help making event discount buttons for guests of all ages to purchase this winter at the 2026 World Snow Sculpting Celebration!
Children and teens from toddlers up to Grade 12 are eligible to submit, with a maximum of 1 entry per person. You must be a resident or within the boundaries of the Stillwater School District (834) to enter. The contest runs from July 7-September 30, 2025
Winning entries will be used as artwork for 2" pinback Event Discount buttons for purchase prior to the World Snow Sculpting Championship January 13th - 25th, 2026.
Design Guidelines:
- Must be the original work of the person entering.
- Can be done by hand, digitally, or any other two dimensional medium.
- Can be in color or black and white; color designs should also look good in black and white.
- For color designs, the colors used need to be easily reproducible online and on paper.
- Copies of the art need to be able to scale down clearly to 2 inches for printing
- Content must be family friendly
- The artwork should fit the themes of or be related to any of the following topics:
- World Snow Sculpting Championship
- Stillwater/River Valley Area
- Community/Togetherness
- Snow/Winter
Submission Rules
All Submissions:
- Must be accompanied by a submission form (whether print or digital) that includes a 1-3 sentence description of the art
- For digital submissions, artwork must be jpg or png (png preferred), 450x450 pixels, with a maximum size of 5MB
- ONLY 1 submission per person
- Due date: September 30, 2025
Below is a list of participating businesses that will have entry forms if you would like to pick up a physical copy:
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Bayport Public Library
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Stillwater Public Library
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Stillwater School District (handing out entry forms through their summer children's programming)
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Mathnasium of Stillwater
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Hullabaloo
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Water Street Inn
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Leo's Grill and Malt Shop
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Valley Bookseller
Valley Bookseller
Midwest Witchery and Healing
FIND STILLY THE SNOWMAN SCAVENGER HUNT
January 2 - 31, 2026
Find Stilly the Snowman Scavenger Hunt around Downtown Stillwater! Pick up your stamp card at participating businesses and collect 12 or more stamps at the locations where you find Stilly! Stamps can be collected starting January 1, 2026 - January 31, 2026.
WORLD SNOW CELEBRATION PHOTO CONTEST
January 1 - February 5, 2025
Calling all photography enthusiasts! 🎥❄️
Show off your talent and share your stunning captures of the 2025 World Snow Celebration in Stillwater, Minnesota! We’re looking for incredible photos that highlight the magic of the event, from snowy landscapes to joyful moments.
📸 How to Enter:
Submit your amazing photos and a few details about yourself.
🏆 Prizes:
The winning photo will be announced on February 5, 2025, and the photographer will receive an exciting prize featuring $500 in Chamber Bucks (Greater Stillwater Chamber of Commerce), exclusive World Snow Celebration swag + more!
Don’t miss this chance to showcase your skills and be part of the celebration. Submit your best shot today! 🌟
Be sure to also post your pics to social media and tag @WorldSnowSculptingChamp
TASTE OF THE NATIONS
January 1st - January 31st, 2025
12 locations in Stillwater, MN will create a cultural experience and feature a team’s homeland in their business during this year's World Snow Sculpting Championship!
Join us in celebrating the competing teams from around the world and stop into the following locations for specials and more!
Feller at Lora
Featuring: India
Leo’s Grill & Malt Shop
Featuring: Canada
Tilted Tiki
Featuring: Mongolia
Mad Capper
Featuring: Spain
Melt Pizza Company
Featuring: Taiwan
Woody’s Bar & Grill
Featuring: USA
Lowell Inn
Featuring: Denmark
Ziggy's On Main
Featuring: Peru
Crisp & Green
Featuring: Malta
Stillwater Proper
Featuring: Wales
Lolito
Featuring: Mexico
Big Guys BBQ
Featuring: Finland
EVENT KICK-OFF CEREMONY
Wednesday, January 15th, 2025
8:30 AM
Hosted by: Mayor Ted Kozlowski
The public is invited to attend the World Snow Sculpting Championship Event Kick-Off Ceremony where we welcome the competing teams to Stillwater, MN, USA and the official countdown to sculpting begins! Everyone is welcome!
SCHEDULE:
- Welcome by Mayor Ted Kozlowski
- Introduce Button Contest Winner
- Introduction of 12 Snow Sculpting Teams
- National Anthem by Obed Floan, St. Croix Valley Opera
- Tools Up COUNTDOWN! Teams begin sculpting!
- Bloody Mary Bar at Charlies Irish Pub/Water Street Inn
OPENING CEREMONY
Wednesday, January 15th, 2025
5:00 PM - 8:00 PM
Join us for the World Snow Celebration Opening Ceremony ~ an Olympic-Style Fanfare celebration kicking off this event! Entertainment by Frosted Glass Productions!
Be a part of this Celebration to Welcome the world-class Snow Sculpting teams to Stillwater, Minnesota, USA!
LAKEVIEW LODGE INDOOR MARKET
January 17th - 19th, 2025
The 4th annual World Snow Celebration features a very popular Indoor Market that will be located INSIDE of Water Street Inn.
Step inside to warm up and see displays from our partnering sponsors, and other winter and snow-related vendors! *
These vendors will be showing & selling items that are related to winter, snow and event-themed. Grab & go type items - Cash/Card accepted!
The World Snow Celebration Snow Store will also be located inside the ballroom to purchase the commemorative event items such as Hats, Gloves, T-shirts & more!
World Snow Celebration Indoor Market & Warming House - Hours
Chat and Shop with these vendors during the event at these times:
Friday hours: 3:00 pm-9:00 pm
Saturday hours: 10:00 am-5:00 pm
Sunday hours: 10:00 am-5:00 pm
All located in the ballroom on the main level of Water Street Inn
Also, enjoy drinks and food in Charlie's restaurant!
2025 Event Vendors:
All Energy Solar
Chopper Mill
Discover Stillwater
LifeSource
Minnesota Made
Renewal by Andersen
Sailor Mercy
Simple-Trends
Sota Clothing
Sticks, The Ice Pop Shop
Xcel Energy
Wild River Running
SNOW SLIDE
January 17th - 19th, 2025
Join us for a kid-friendly snow slide experience! Open hours are below:
Friday, January 17th, 2025: 4:00 PM - 9:00 PM
Saturday, January 18th, 2025: 10:00 AM - 9:00 PM
Sunday, January 19th, 2025: 10:0 AM - 6:00 PM
CONCESSION TENT
January 17th - 19th, 2025
Take a break from the frosty fun and step into the cozy Concession Tent at the World Snow Celebration! Here, you’ll find warmth, comfort, and all the essentials to recharge during your snowy adventures. Enjoy hot beverages, tasty treats, and a welcoming atmosphere to relax and connect with fellow event-goers. Whether you’re seeking a quick warm-up or a moment to unwind, our tent is the perfect spot to keep the celebration going!
OPEN HOURS:
Friday, January 17th, 2025: 10:00 AM - 10:00 PM
Saturday, January 18th, 2025: 10:00 AM - 10:00 PM
Sunday, January 19th, 2025: 10:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Menu: COMING SOON!
Note: Bring in an event button for one free hot chocolate Friday, January 17th, 2025 - Sunday, January 19th, 2025.
WORLD SNOW SCULPTING CHAMPIONSHIP
January 15-19, 2025
Come watch the World Snow Sculpting Championship sculptors compete starting Wednesday, January 15th, 2025 through Saturday, January 18th, 2025! The sculpting schedule is as follows:
Tools up: Wednesday, January 15th, 2025 at 9:00 AM in Lowell Park
Progress Viewing:
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Wednesday, January 15th, 2025 from 9:00 AM - MIDNIGHT in Lowell Park
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Thursday, January 16th, 2025 from 9:00 AM - MIDNIGHT in Lowell Park
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Friday, January 17th, 2025 from 9:00 AM - MIDNIGHT in Lowell Park
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Saturday, January 18th, 2025 from 9:00AM - 4:00 PM in Lowell Park
Tools Down: Saturday, January 18th, 2025 at 4:00 PM in Lowell Park
Viewing of completed sculptures will continue to be available once tools are down on Saturday. January 18th, 2025 until they become unsafe to remain up in Lowell Park due to weather or sculpture integrity.
CLOSING CEREMONY
Saturday, January 18th, 2025
Attend the Closing Ceremony and watch the snow sculpting teams be awarded 1st, 2nd and 3rd Place, Artist Choice, and the coveted People's Choice award! Trophies will be given to winning teams along with prize money!
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Start at 6pm
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On the Main Stage by the river
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Standing room only - Limited amount of seating will be available
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National Anthem and Closing Remarks
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Followed by the World's Coolest Block Party: Music and Entertainment, Hospitality Tent and more fun! This includes a jaw-dropping laser show by Laserencore!
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The Closing Ceremonies will be hosted by the
charismatic Lindsey Brown of KSTP! Lindsey’s dynamic presence will bring energy and excitement as we wrap up this incredible event in style. Don’t miss the final moments filled with reflections, celebrations, and inspiration!
CANDLELIGHT WINTER WALK
Friday, January 17th, 2026
5:00 PM -8:00 PM
Experience the beauty of the Browns Creek Trail and embrace the winter fresh air as you walk along a candlelit path next to the scenic St. Croix River. The walk is approx. 1 mile and begins at the North end of Lowell park. Hot cider will be hosted by HealthPartners. Join us at your leisure anytime between 5:00 - 8:00 pm
SUNDAY FUNDAY
Sunday, January 19th
8:30am - 1:00pm - Bloody Mary Bar at Water Street Inn/Charlie's Restaurant and Irish Pub
9:00am - 10:30am - Three Pancakes and scrambled eggs for $ 8.95 they can add Bacon, sausage or ham for $5
Kids pancake meal one pancake and scrambled eggs $4.00 at Charlie’s Irish Pub within Water Street Inn
10:00am - 5:00 pm- Beer tent, Indoor Market and slide
11:00 am - 5:00 pm - DJ, Mark Haugen playing music in Lowell Park
11:00am - 1:00pm - Bingo at Charlie’s Irish Pub within Water Street Inn brought to you by the Bayport American Legion
12:00pm - Mascot dance off
ICE SKATING
Enjoy performances from the Saint Croix Valley Figure Skating Club on the TRIA Rink at Water Street Inn in downtown Stillwater.
Performance dates and times:
Wednesday January 15th 4-4:30PM: Skating Kick Off
Monday January 20th : 12PM-3:30PM Figure Skating Performance
Thursday January 23rd : 5:30PM-6:30PM Figure Skating Performance / PWHL Frost Players Appearance in the Water Street Inn Lobby for Photos/Autographs from 6-7 PM followed by skating on the TRIA Ice Rink from 7-8PM
Friday January 24th: 7PM-8PM Figure Skating Performance
Sunday January 26th : 10AM-12PM Open Skate with Saint Croix Valley Figure Skating Club
BIKE RALLY
Sunday, January 25, 2026
10:00 AM- 2:00 PM
The Fat Bike Rally Presented by Chilkoot Velo Cycling Club, is the perfect winter outdoor activity to include in the World Snow Celebration. The event will take place on Sunday morning in downtown Stillwater. It will have a large window of time during the day to complete the course (more than once if you choose). Participants can either ride or race the 3 timed segments on the course. The earliest start is 10am, and all need to finish by 2pm.
