2026 WinterFest in Crosslake

Description

For 24 years we've been celebrating WinterFest in Crosslake with good old-fashioned winter fun for the entire family! Three days of indoor and outdoor activities throughout Crosslake for all ages to enjoy! 

BUSINESS PARTICPATION OPPORTUNITIES

Participation Deadline: January 7, 2026

There are many exciting ways to participate as a business in WinterFest! Check out these fun opportunities:

• Become A Sponsor: Please consider a financial sponsorship to help support the event. In exchange, we'll provide marketing exposure to help you highlight and showcase your business!
  
• Host an Event: Showcase your business by hosting a fun event.
• SoupFest: Prepare and serve your best soup for hundreds of participants to taste and vote for your delicious recipe.
• Wristband Special: Offer a special deal to patrons wearing the 2025 WinterFest Wristband, and help sell them for $5 each to support the event.
• WinterFest Coors Light Souvenir Koozie Promotion: Serve $4 Coors Light bottled beer & Coors Banquet, and $5 White Claw to patrons who have the 2026 WinterFest Souvenir Koozie.
• Treasure Hunt: Contribute an item for the prize basket for the finder of the WinterFest Medallion.

Click here to download fillable participation form

2026 WINTERFEST GEAR 

Coming January 30 to participating businesses

• Official WinterFest Koozies
• Official WinterFest Wristbands  

EVENT LIST SUBJECT TO CHANGE

EVENTS

THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 5, 2026

• 9AM // Find the Lost Medallion! First of three daily clues released at local merchants, on the Crosslake App, and here! Find the Lost Medallion and cash in on a prize package courtesy of Chamber member businesses!
• 6 - 8PM // Loons & Lakes Trivia hosted by WAPOA, and the National Loon Center. Free to play.  Bring lead tackle for points toward prizes (14 Lakes Craft Brewing 36846 CR 66)
• 8PM // Trivia (Moonlite Bay 37627 CR 66)

 FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 6, 2026

• 9AM // Find the Lost Medallion! 2nd clue released 
• 3:30 - 5:30PM // Cabin Fever 2024/25 Enrollment Kickoff (Crosslake Community School 35808 CR 66)
  •  Games, activities, school info, tours, snacks, and prize drawings - Free event! 
• 5:30 - 6:30PM // Meat Raffle (Crosslake Fifty Lakes American Legion 35112 CR 3)
• 5:30 - 7:30PM // Celebrate WinterFest! (Crosslake Community Center 14126 Daggett Pine Road) 
  • Outdoor Family Fun with prizes! Chuck-a-Puck, Sledding, Horse Drawn Wagon Rides, Scavenger Hunt, Bonfires, Smore's, Cocoa & Cider, Chili, and more!
• 10PM-Close // Dance with DJ's JP and Dana (Moonlite Bay 37627 CR 66)

SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 7, 2026

• 9AM // Find the Lost Medallion - 3rd and final clue released
• 10AM-2PM // Open House & Tours (Northern MN Railroad Trackers 36184 CR 66) 
• 10AM-3PM // WinterFest Craft & Vendor Show (The Gathering Event Center 34212 CR 3)
• 11AM // WinterFest Brunch & Bingo (Manhattans 39051 CR 66)
  • Register by 10:45am for Bingo 
• 11AM-1PM // Kids WinterFest Tote Decorating (Moonlite Bay 37627 CR 66)
• 11AM - 3PM // WinterFest Family Fun Zone - (Crosslake Town Square 14195 Gould Drive)
  • Crafts, snow volcanoes, and building ice fairy gardens - Indoor and Outdoor 
• 12PM // SOUPFEST
  • Soup samples served at participating businesses throughout Crosslake.
  • Download the Crosslake App and vote for your favorite soup by 3pm.
• 12-2PM // Italian Olympics (Maucieri's 36450 CR 3)
• 12-3PM // Bonfire & Smores', Color a T-shirt, Coloring Contest (weather permitting) (US Army Corps of Engineers/Paul Bunyan Scenic Byway 35507 CR 66)
• 1-4PM // Radar Runs on the Bay weather permitting -  (Moonlite Bay 37627 CR 66)
• 1:30 - 4PM // Bingo Crosslake Fifty Lakes American Legion 35112 CR 3)
• 4:30-6PM // Surf & Turf Raffle (Andy's Bar & Grill 35453 CR 3) 
• 10PM-Close // Dance with DJs JP and Dana (Moonlite Bay 37627 CR 66)

WinterFest Committee
The Crosslake Chamber extends a sincere thanks to the 2026 WinterFest Chairperson Jessica Eide, Moonlite Bay Family Restaurant & Bar, and Committee Members: Dawn Maucieri, Maucieri's Italian Bistro; Heather Jones, Pine View Child Care and Learning Center; Pat Netko, Crosslaker; Corrine Hodapp, US Army Corps of Engineers Crosslake Campground; Melissa Krueger, Simply Rustic Floral Design; Tim Schalow, NMN Inc./Northern Lakes Embroidery; Marlene Mingo, Crosslake Chamber Volunteer; Jackie Wipper, Squirrelly Mama; TJ Gaumann, Crosslake Park & Rec Director; Cassidi Herrlich, Manhattan's; and Brittany Davis & Cindy Myogeto, Crosslake Chamber.