Here’s your day-by-day guide to the 2023 St. Paul Winter Carnival, including new events

The St. Paul Winter Carnival is back — and this year’s schedule is packed.

Live entertainment, ice and snow carving, community gatherings and more are on the horizon for the 10-day festival that celebrates the legend of King Boreas, Queen Aurora, the Vulcans, and the age-old battle between cold and warm.

This year’s event lineup is a “rich offering,” said Lisa Jacobson, the CEO of the Saint Paul Festival and Heritage Foundation, the independent nonprofit organization that runs the Winter Carnival. This year’s carnival is co-presented with local shipping company Priority Courier Experts.

“I’m looking forward to bringing back traditional Winter Carnival activities,” she said, “but also introducing new, fun events where everyone feels welcome.”

New happenings on the Winter Carnival calendar this year include a light show in Rice Park to kick off the festival, a lip-sync contest, and Rondo Night to highlight the historically Black neighborhood. Another notable change: The Vulcan Victory Torchlight Parade is moving to the same route as the King Boreas Grande Day Parade; it’ll still end at Rice Park, but the procession will now start on W. 7th Street rather than near Mears Park. Plus, the Winter Carnival is partnering with Children’s Hospital to have ice carvers bring kids’ drawings to life.

Here’s a selection of Winter Carnival events to add to your calendars. Most are free, and many take place in or near Rice Park or the Landmark Center, including the historic building’s indoor cortile.

This day-by-day guide is divided into two categories — ongoing events you should stop by, and events at specific times you should make sure to be there for. If you want even more, you can find the entire event schedule online at wintercarnival.com/events.

Throughout the Carnival

Daily: Warming House at Landmark Plaza, Market and 5th streets. Inside the heated tent: a variety of drinks including spiked cocoa, mulled wine, and a Winter Carnival exclusive pop flavor from Northern Soda — plus local musicians and DJs. Outside: Morrie’s Bonfire, Bailey’s Lodge and Hamernick’s Hideaway.

Most days: Vulcan Snow Park at the Minnesota State Fairgrounds. Vulcanus Rex and his Krewe are taking over the fairgrounds with a snow maze and family activities. Plus, from Friday, Jan. 27, to Sunday, Jan. 29, teams of snow sculptors will carve art from 8-foot cubes of snow, which will be on display the rest of the carnival.

Various times: Live music at Rice Park Stage. Local bands will take the stage throughout the carnival. Headlining acts are listed here by day.

Thursday, Jan. 26

BE THERE FOR

Light Up The Park — The Kickoff to Carnival at Rice Park: Hang out with the Royal Family, the Vulcans and the Klondike Kates at 5:30 p.m. and catch a laser light show at 6 p.m. presented by Securian Financial. And if you’re one of the first 200 people there, you’ll nab a free glow wand.

Vocal Interpretations Prelims at Landmark Plaza Warming House: It’s a lip-sync contest! Vocally interpret your favorite songs solo or in groups at 7 p.m. for the chance to win cash prizes during the final round on Sunday. Ages 21+ only, with a $15 entry fee to support the carnival.

Ice Carving Competition at Rice Park: A 48-hour odyssey that sees teams of sculptors tasked with creating massive masterpieces from multiple blocks of ice kicks off at 7 p.m. Twenty ice blocks per team, to be specific, that each weigh in around 300 pounds. After the sculptures are done, they’ll stay at Rice Park for the rest of the Winter Carnival, which makes sense — at several tons apiece, they’re not moving.

Friday, Jan. 27

STOP BY

23rd Hour at Rice Park Stage: The music series presented by Priority Courier Experts continues from 5 to 6:30 p.m. with 23rd Hour, a local band playing “hot rock and sexy soul.”

Uncle Chunk at Rice Park Stage: Next up, from 6:30 to 10 p.m., are local alt-rockers Uncle Chunk, playing hits of the 90s and today.

BE THERE FOR

Royal Coronation at RiverCentre: This is a ticketed event, so you’ll need to have registered in advance to watch as King Boreas LXXXVI, Aurora, Queen of the Snows and the 2023 Royal Family members are crowned at 8 p.m. Like much Winter Carnival programming this year, the coronation is presented by Priority Courier Experts.

Saturday, Jan. 28

STOP BY

Jigsaw Puzzle Competition at Landmark Center Cortile: The local puzzling mavens at PuzzleTwist, along with Priority Courier Experts, are putting on perhaps the country’s largest jigsaw puzzle competition from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Saintly City Cat Show at RiverCentre: Millions of cats! OK, maybe closer to 200ish — but still, the best of the best from the U.S. and Canada will vie for the title of Best Cat. $10 for general admission from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.; $7 for kids under 10 and seniors.

Warm-Up With the Library at George Latimer Central Library: The event runs from 10:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Winter Wonderland Storytime runs from 11 a.m. to noon, and a historical Winter Carnival slide show will be playing on loop. Plus, hot cocoa or hot apple cider.

Lipstick&Dynamite at Rice Park Stage: Catch the band Lipstick&Dynamite as they pay tribute to ’80s classics from 7 to 10 p.m.

BE THERE FOR

Vulcan Reveal: Vulcanus Rex LXXXV and his 2023 Krewe will be introduced at 10 a.m. at Como Lakeside Pavilion; 1360 N. Lexington Parkway.

King Boreas Grande Day Parade at West 7th Street to Rice Park: Starting at 2 p.m., catch a glimpse of the new Royal Family and plenty of other bands and floats as they make their way from the corner of W. 7th Street and N. Smith Ave. to Rice Park — same route as last year. Shameless plug: Say hello to the Pioneer Press car!

Klondike Kate Cabaret at kj’s hideaway: At 7 p.m., join the carnival’s favorite “mistresses of song and merriment” at their raucous annual fundraiser — known to sell out. Register beforehand ($25) at klondikekates.org.

Royal Guards’ Rock the Palace at Saint Paul Hotel: King Boreas’s Royal Guard throws this annual dance party, which starts at 9 p.m., with live music from 8Foot4 to welcome the new ruler and his Royal Family to the carnival. $15 at the door.

Sunday, Jan. 29

STOP BY

Saintly City Cat Show, Day 2 at RiverCentre: If you weren’t “feline” up to it yesterday, today’s event, which runs from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., is a second chance to see some of the country’s best cats. King and Queen Cats are crowned in the afternoon, too. $10 at the door, or $7 for kids and seniors.

Legacy of the Loud at Rice Park Stage: The local six-piece band will be covering classic rock hits from 1 to 4 p.m.

BE THERE FOR

Ice Carving Single-Block Competition at Rice Park: Starting at 8 a.m., ice artists have five hours to carve something breathtaking from a single (but massive) block of ice. After time’s up, the sculptures will stay on display at Rice Park.

Fire and Ice Winter Run at Minnesota State Fairgrounds: Runners and walkers among us can register for a 5K, 10K, 15K, and 20K — and for everyone else, there’s a “NoK” that still lands you the same long-sleeved carnival shirt and coupon book, with no sweat. There’s also a kids’ run; they get cool stocking hats instead. The event begins at 8:45 a.m. Sign up by Jan. 24.

“Song and Dance” Symphony performance at Landmark Center Cortile: Warm up for a bit in the afternoon with the Saint Paul Civic Symphony, who will perform music by Ruth Gipps, Rachmaninoff and more, starting at 2 p.m.

Vocal Interpretations Finals at Rice Park: E. White from 101.3 KDWB will emcee the final round of the carnival’s new lip-sync contest starting at 4:30 p.m. Cheer on your favorite performers!

Tuesday, Jan. 31

STOP BY

Free and Easy Band at Rice Park Stage. These masters of funk are in the Minnesota Music Hall of Fame, so catch them in Rice Park from 6 to 10 p.m.

BE THERE FOR

Frozen Family Fun Night at Landmark Plaza Warming House: Legend of King Boreas must’ve reached the “Frozen” universe too, because Disney characters Anna, Elsa and Kristoff will be at the warming house starting at 5:30 p.m. for storytime, sing-alongs, and other activities and giveaways presented by Priority Courier Experts and the Carnival’s Junior Royalty.

Wednesday, Feb. 1

BE THERE FOR

Steak Out meat raffle at Landmark Plaza Warming House: Starting at 5:30 p.m., win some meat and taste some hotdish from Apostle Supper Club, courtesy of the Star Tribune’s Taste team, Angus Meat Market and Cry Baby Craig’s Hot Sauce. Free to stop by, but there’s an entry fee for the meat raffle.

Thursday, Feb. 2

BE THERE FOR

Rondo Night at Landmark Center Cortile: Celebrate St. Paul’s historic Rondo neighborhood at 5 p.m. with live performances (including a few special guests), art, food and organizations elevating Black voices. This new event is made possible by Xcel Energy, Priority Courier Experts, The Rondo Roundtable, Taste of Rondo and the city’s Cultural STAR Grant program.

Friday, Feb. 3

STOP BY

Winter Carnival Day of Good at Landmark Center: It’s a full day devoted to community service, thanks to Hamernick’s Interior Solutions. Give blood at Landmark Center. Bring mittens, gloves and non-perishable food items to support the Winter Carnival Ambassadors’ Cold Hands, Warm Hearts drive for Hallie Q Brown Community Center. And more!

BE THERE FOR

Klondike Kate Arctic Sizzle at Camp Bar: The Kates are back for more song and dance at 2:30 p.m.! Join them all — including the 2023 Kate, Maret Bylander — and enjoy some light appetizers, too. Register in advance online; tickets are $35.

Saint Paul Bouncing Team tryouts at Landmark Center Cortile: So you think you can bounce? The team has been part of the Winter Carnival for 137 years, your chance to join — or just watch and cheer happens at 6 p.m.

Saturday, Feb. 4

STOP BY

Warm-Up With the Library at George Latimer Central Library: Enjoy a hot cocoa or cider and brush up on your Winter Carnival history from 10:30 a.m. to 5 p.m., thanks to your friendly neighborhood librarians.

Doggie Depot at Union Depot: Move over, cats — you had your time last weekend. From 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on both Saturday and Sunday, dog-lovers can browse booths with treats and toys, as well as adoptable dogs. Then, King Boreas and Aurora, Queen of the Snows, will crown the Canine King and Queen on Sunday afternoon.

Kids and Family Day at Landmark Center Cortile: Kids can let all their physical and creative energy out from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. with sports activities, arts and crafts, and more. There’ll also be food and beverage stands. The event is sponsored by NFL Flag Football League and Priority Courier Experts.

Music at Rice Park Stage: In a Funk, a local 10-piece funk ensemble, is taking the stage from noon to 3 p.m. Then, PJ the DJ from KDWB’s Friday Night Party Zone plays from 4 to 10 p.m., with a brief break for the Torchlight Parade.

BE THERE FOR

Vulcan Victory Torchlight Parade at West 7th Street to Rice Park. The Vulc is on the move — this year, the parade, which starts at 5:30 p.m., follows the same route as the Grande Day procession down West 7th Street toward Rice Park.

Overthrow of King Boreas + Fireworks at Rice Park: Playing out on the library steps immediately after the parade, usually around 7 p.m., the dramatic culmination of the Winter Carnival legend sees fiery Vulcanus Rex retake control of the season from icy King Boreas. Then, fireworks.

Vulcan Victory Dance at InterContinental Saint Paul Riverfront Hotel: Close out the Winter Carnival by partying with the Vulcans into the night, starting at 7:30 p.m. Local big-band The R Factor will be in the house, so come ready to dance. Tickets are $25, either at the door or in advance at vulcanvictorydance.com.

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