It’s that time of year again: Minnesotans are bracing frigid temps to come together and celebrate the beauty of winter at outdoor festivals. One such celebration is The Great Northern (TGN), an annual 10-day festival across the Twin Cities that brings people together during the most isolating time of year—and whether you’re a film buff, outdoor enthusiast, foodie, art lover, or otherwise, you’re sure to find something you enjoy.
TGN works to celebrate the “perspectives, communities, cultures, and ecosystems that make this region special” through a range of multidisciplinary events, including outdoor activities, live music, dining experiences, conversations, and more.
This year’s programing will take place Jan. 23-Feb. 2, and the full events calendar is available online. But here’s a preview of some things to look forward to from TGN’s 2025 lineup:
Thursday, Jan. 23:
The Great Northern Sauna Village: Opening Night Steam Session (5:30-6:30 p.m.)
In true Minnesota fashion, kick off this year’s festival with an Open Steam sauna experience. The Sauna Village, located at the Market at Malcolm Yards, has over 22 unique wood-fired saunas to try, and a ticket purchase includes access to the launch party (more details below). Open Steam sessions are available daily through the festival’s duration.

Photo by Jayme Halbritter
The Great Northern Launch Party 2025 (6 p.m.)
The launch party will be located right next to the Sauna Village. Head over to the Market at Malcolm Yards for delicious food and drinks from the food hall vendors and live entertainment from The Current host Zach McCormick. At 7 p.m., cozy up by the fire pits and enjoy Prince’s iconic “Sign O’ The Times” concert film, projected onto the United Crushers building across the street.
Friday, Jan. 24:
The Great Northern Ice Bar (4-9 p.m.)
This 50-foot bespoke ice bar from TGN and Minnesota Ice will feature a curated menu of cocktails from local mixologists, breweries, and distilleries. Located right outside Union Depot in downtown St. Paul, the ice bar will be open every day throughout the festivals’ duration (specific hours available on TGN’s website).
Jeremy Dutcher: Motewolonuwok ᒣᑏᐧᐁᓓᓄᐧᐁᒃ (7 p.m.)
Jeremy Dutcher is an Indigenous Two-Spirit singer and composer based in Canada, who is making his Minnesota debut with this performance at Ice House in Minneapolis. Sung in English and Wolastoqey, the language of the Wolastoqiyik people, Dutcher’s sophomore album Motewolonuwok blends neoclassical, jazz, and pop influences to deliver a moving and powerful performance. Advance tickets are available for purchase online.

Photo by Kirk Lisaj
Saturday, Jan. 25:
The Great Northern Sauna Village: Sound Bowl Sauna (10:30 a.m. and 6:30 p.m.)
This practice combines the benefits of sauna steam aromatherapy and sound bowl vibrations to provide more sustained relaxation for your thermic bathing experience. Several weekend sessions are available throughout the festival.
HOTTEA: A Public Art Opening (5 p.m.)
TGN has teamed up with Lake Street Lift to present “Stories,” a project by Twin Cities-based installation artist Eric Rieger, also known as HOTTEA. This large-scale public art piece is a celebration of the stories and experiences of those who call East Lake Street in Minneapolis home, inspired by the artist’s conversations with community members. The installation incorporates Rieger’s signature street-art style and uses yarn as a featured medium.
At this celebratory event, attendees will hear from Rieger, warm up around fire pits, sip complimentary hot tea, grab a bite to eat from Taco Taxi’s food truck, and enjoy music from DJ Walter “Q Bear” Banks of 89.9FM KMOJ Radio.

Courtesy of The Great Northern
Saturday, Jan. 26:
The Great Northern Sauna Village: Forest Bathing (11 a.m.)
Ground yourself and reconnect with nature at this rejuvenating forest bathing session in Prospect Park, led by the founders of Silvae Spiritus, a wellness retreat in Northern Minnesota. Guests will be led through a one-hour journey of reflection and mindfulness, followed by a healing sauna session.
Live Podcast: Vibe Check (11 a.m.)
“Vibe Check” is a weekly news and culture series hosted by journalist and Tony Award-winning Broadway producer Zach Stafford, pop-culture podcaster and NPR host Sam Sanders, and author/poet Saeed Jones. Join the hosts at the American Swedish Institute for a brunch and live podcast session, during which they will discuss climate advocacy, action, and future in a post-election landscape.
(Note: This event is sold-out, but standby tickets are available on a first-come, first-served basis.)
Sauna Rituals with SAUNAWAVE (2:30-4:30 p.m.)
SAUNAWAVE brings the rejuvenating power of nature to life by blending Finnish sauna traditions such as leaf whisking with yoga-style stretching and movement. Head to TGN’s Sauna Village for a guided sauna ritual that will bring together the cultivation of Löyly and Qi energy within your body and mind through sauna and cold exposure.

Photo by Jayme Halbritter
Wednesday, Jan. 29:
Mack Lecture: James Thornton, ClientEarth (7 p.m.)
Join leading environmentalist and founder of ClientEarth, James Thornton, comes to the Walker Art Center to discuss new ways to think about and tackle global environmental challenges.
Thursday, Jan. 30
Role of Sci-Fi + Imagination in Climate Solutions (Virtual) (noon)
This virtual session will explore the themes of the upcoming Cli-Fi anthology, “Metamorphosis“, published in partnership with GRIST, featuring global contributors. With insights from authors and curators, the discussion will cover the imaginative of a new world, and how these resonate locally in Minneapolis.
Friday, Jan. 31
Expanding Landscapes & Impossible Futures (5 p.m.)
Augsburg University’s Schwartz School of the Arts is hosting an evening of narrative, performing, and visual arts that explore the impact of climate change on our physical and psychological worlds. Attendees can expect installations, live performances, and interactive experiences in various mediums running concurrently throughout the evening.
Floresta: Soundbath (6 p.m.)
Inspired by trees’ underground communication network, composers/performers Angélica Negrón, Darian Donovan Thomas, and Raquel Acevedo Klein collaborate in an evening of live unfolding soundscapes at Minneapolis’ Public Functionary using voices, violin, plants, flowers, bells, synths, accordion, water, found objects, and mechanical percussion. Moving fluidly between dreamy immersive soundscapes and more dynamic, rhythmically driven compositions, the trio will explore a wide range of musical ideas.
Saturday, Feb. 1
The Great Northern Winter Run (5k) (8:30 a.m.)
Presented with Fleet Feet Minneapolis, this frosty 5k is open to all ages and abilities. The run is free with registration, and will start and finish at TGN’s Sauna Village.
The Great Northern Sauna Village: Poetry Reading with Michael Bazzett and Claire Wahmanholm (2:30-4 p.m.)
This Open Steam sauna session will feature a special poetry reading by Michael Bazzett and Claire Wahmanholm. The reading will take place inside the sauna, where guests can come and go at their leisure.
The Last of the Sea Women – Film Screening (7 p.m.)
“The Last Sea of Women” follows the haenyeo divers of South Korea’s Jeju Island, renowned for centuries of diving to the ocean floor without oxygen to harvest seafood. Today, with most haenyeo now in their 60s, 70s, and 80s, their traditions and way of life are in imminent danger. But these fierce, funny, hardworking women refuse to give an inch, aided by a younger generation’s fight to revive their ancestral lifestyle through social media. Hosted by MSP Film, the documentary screening will take place at The Main Cinema, with co-producer Courtney Crockett in attendance.
Sunday, Feb. 2
K’óoben Pop-Up (5 p.m.)
This pop-up by food collective K’óoben brings together some of Minnesota’s most celebrated chefs and mixologists for an unforgettable culinary experience. The tasting menu will feature flavors by Gustavo Romero (Oro by Nixta), José Alarcón (Oro by Nixta), Noe Lara (Pints & Paddles), Thomas Boemer (Revival), Russel Klein (Meritage), and Alex Roberts (Alma).
Midwinter Melt (5 p.m.)
Get outdoors with the whole family at Silverwood Park. Indoor and outdoor activities include a live show of Brains On!, kicksledding, illuminated fat biking, luminary trails, and campfires for making s’mores.