Join us February 7-9 for the 2025 Ice Fest sponsored by Silver Beach Pizza to celebrate the winter season! It’s a weekend that brings frosty fun to downtown St. Joe. Enjoy professional Ice Carving, a Scavenger Hunt, Ice Interactives + more exciting events happening throughout SWMI!
FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 7
Ice carvers begin revving their chainsaws for the Professional Individual Carving, presented by Caffe Tosi, on Friday from 5:00p-8:00p. Along Pleasant Street blocks of ice will be transformed into works of art!
At 7:00p, guests are in for a treat with a downtown Fire & Ice Tower sponsored by Tru by Hilton. To make this happen, a large tower of ice is packed with firewood. We light it, and it becomes a unique site for all - a breathtaking bonfire (a little bit of ice and fire magic).
All weekend long, Ice Fest attendees can explore downtown with a Scavenger Hunt. Start the search by picking up a map from the St. Joe Today Welcome Center, located at 301 State Street! The Scavenger Hunt is fun for all ages and has its rewards too - turn in the form at the end for a chance to win a $25 Love Local SWMI Gift Card.
While you’re downtown, stroll Light up the Bluff (through February 15) in Lake Bluff Park! This local park is transformed into a winter wonderland, featuring 1 million holiday lights. Grab a hot chocolate and continue your stroll through downtown St. Joe to take in all of the winter lights!
Join Vineyard 2121 on the first Friday of every month for Karaoke with DJ Dale Owen from 6:00p-9:00p!
The Acorn hosts An Evening with May Erlewine, a Midwest songwriter, from 8:00p-11:00p. Attendees will be captivated by her lyrics and story crafting! For more information and tickets, visit acornlive.org!
SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 8
The Professional Team & Individual Carving takes things to a whole new level from 7:30a-4:00p downtown St. Joe! Watch as carvers create epic sculptures with eight blocks of ice. Some carvers team up, while others will carve solo! It's awesome to watch the progress of the sculptures throughout the day.
Challenge your friends and family to the Frozen Fish Toss (sponsored by Silver Harbor Brewing), Frosty Tic-Tac-Toe and Ice Bowling. These ice interactives will be located along State Street between (Broad and Pleasant) and are open from 11:00a-4:00p on Saturday only!
Family fun can be found throughout Ice Fest weekend. John Dudley, a professional magician, will visit downtown and offer three free shows. On Saturday, the Magic Tour begins in downtown St. Joe on the corner of State and Pleasant Streets at 1:00p, followed by the Silver Beach Center at 2:30p and 4:00p. Special thanks to the Silver Beach Carousel, Curious Kids’ Discovery Zone and Shadowland on Silver Beach for hosting!
Join The Culinary Cottage for Breakfast with Frozen’s Elsa on Saturday at 9:30a or 11:00a! Attendees will enjoy delicious snowflake pancakes, cookie decorating, a sing-along and a Frozen photo op! Registration required.
Head to Bridgman for O&Co’s Plant Propagation and Plant Swap event from 11:30a-2:30p! Purchase a plant propagator and receive a free plant start. Donate to the free plant shop shelf and receive $5 off $25!
Pick up some tasty European sweet and savory baked goods from Suissef Chalet during the Lazy Ballerina Winery Pop-Up on Saturday from 12:00p-3:00p!
The Livery hosts live music featuring deadbeatdad (formally Lipstick Jodi) at 8:00p. Grab a tasty brew and some delicious food and get ready for a night of great music!
Chicago-based Second Hand News host a Tribute to Fleetwood Mac at The Acorn on Saturday at 8:00p! Attendees will enjoy an exciting live show featuring spot-on vocal harmonies and some of their favorite Fleetwood Mac hits.
SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 9
The Ice Throne provides a magical photo op all weekend long! Find it find it at the corner of Pleasant and State Streets all weekend long. Be sure to get a photo and share it with us on social media!
INSIDER TIP: There's still time to complete the Scavenger Hunt,
so swing by the Welcome Center to pick up a form and
drop it off by 4:00p!
Sunday offers a great opportunity to enjoy downtown St. Joe and all the sculptures created throughout the weekend. Many stores and restaurants will be open offering the perfect place to warm up while enjoying the icy art.
INSIDER TIP: On Saturdays and Sundays, diners will enjoy a Vino &
Flatbread Special at Tabor Hill Winery & Restaurant! For just $20,
you get a delicious flatbread and two glasses of wine.
Interested in Tarot but don’t know where to start? Check out O&Co’s Tea & Tarot 101 class from 1:00p-3:00p with Elyse of Sky Apothecary! Attendees will enjoy a one-hour class and learn the basic principles of Tarot + spend the last hour practicing with your new deck and/or asking questions.
Test out your trivia skills during the weekly Sunday Trivia at Round Barn Brewery from 1:00p-3:00p. Gather your friends, form a team (max team of 6) and compete for prizes while sipping on tasty brews. Each week enjoy four trivia rounds and five questions - reservations are recommended!
Get crafty with Lazy Ballerina Winery as they host a Valentine Wine Glass Painting class from 1:00p-2:30p! The class costs $25 and includes one glass of wine or hard cider, two glasses to paint and all supplies/instructions. Space is limited and reservations are required.
The Lilac Loft hosts two Candle Making Workshops on Sunday - 2:00p-3:15p and 4:00p-5:30p! Attendees get to choose their own container, scent and toppings to decorate their candle + you get to take your candle home that day! Check out their website for all of their upcoming classes and workshops.
Join JLN Studio for an art-filled afternoon at their Gouache Painting class from 3:00p-5:30p! Attendees will create a gouache flower painting on 14”x17” acrylic paper (gouache is between watercolor and acrylic). No experience necessary; all painting supplies and instructions are included! Recommended for ages 12+.
We hope you find all the frosty fun this weekend! ❄️
