Best Bets: Jan. 16-22

Things to do this week: Ice Castles, Night Trains, and an urban wellness retreat.

Editor’s Note: The Joffrey Ballet at Northrop, an event featured in a previous version of this story, has been postponed.

Remembering MLK

What: Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day Celebration
When: Jan. 16, 11 a.m.-2 p.m.
Where: Powderhorn Park, Minneapolis

Powderhorn Park celebrates MLK Day with live performances, art activities, food, local artists, awareness-raising about local causes, and more.

All Aboard

What: Night Trains
When: Jan. 14-Feb. 25, 3-7 p.m.
Where: Twin City Model Railroad Museum, 688 Transfer Road, Suite 8, St. Paul  

Like trains? How about fancy displays? Check out the Twin City Model Railroad Museum’s collection of model trains, the perfect evening activity for all ages. View trains from all decades amid snow, glowing lights, and winter décor.  

Ice Castles

PROVIDED

Winter Wonderland

What: Winter SKOLstice
When: Jan. 15-Feb. 19
Where: Viking Lakes, 2685 Vikings Circle, Eagan 

Winter doesn’t have to be dreary and gloomy! Explore the new Minnesota Ice Maze, with the Warming Haus with provided food and beverages, and an open skate.   

Delightfully Icy

What: Ice Castles
When: Jan. 15 through Mar. 6
Where: Long Lake Regional Park, 1500 Old Hwy. 8, New Brighton 

There’s something for everyone at the Ice Castles. Explore the lantern passage, order a drink at the Polar Pub, or race down an ice slide. And, of course, examine of the many ice sculptures that are hand-carved by local artists.   

The World Snow Sculpting Championship

PROVIDED

Snow What? 

What: The World Snow Sculpting Championship  
When: Jan. 18-22 
Where: Lowell Park, 201 Water St. N, Stillwater 

The Second Snow Sculpting Championship competition features artists from all over the world building snow creations that are larger than life. There are a handful activities for visitors as well, such as an indoor market and warming house on Friday and Saturday. 

Tales and Tunes 

What: Ruckus in the Bearbrush Concert 
When: Jan. 20, 7-9 p.m. 
Where: Heart of the City Music Factory, 2665 Fourth Ave., Anoka 

Adrian Rainer, Emma Nistler, and Paul Imholte are ready to entertain your ears. Their band, Ruckus in the Bearbrush, tells the story of those who immigrated to Appalachia, bridging sounds of American folk, Celtic, and Appalachian Mountain melodies.  

Fun in the Frost 

What: Frosty Festival 
When: Jan. 20, 5:30-7:30 p.m. 
Where: Eagan Community Center, 1501 Central Parkway, Eagan 

Shake the winter blues by enjoying sledding, tubbing, and snowmen building. Hot cocoa, cookies, and other snacks will also be available for guests. 

Chill Out 

What: Winterfest 2023 
When: Jan. 21, 11 a.m.-2 p.m. 
Where: Springbrook Nature Center, 100 85th Ave. NW, Fridley 

Can’t pick just one thing to do this weekend? Springbrook Nature Center’s Winterfest guarantees an afternoon of endless entertainment: ice bowling, snowshoeing, campfires, snow painting, a candy cane hunt, and much more.  

Retreat With Peace 

What: Rise and Vibe: An Urban Wellness Retreat 
When: Jan. 22, 8 a.m.-12 p.m. 
Where: Hewing Hotel, 300 N Washington Ave., Minneapolis 

Melt away stress and tension by engaging in this four-hour retreat experience of vinyasa yoga, group breathwork, and BLCND oil tincture massage. Each workshop is divided by 20-minute breaks, and aims to leave participants feeling more whole, healthy, and energized.   

Climb For a Cause 

What: Climb 2 Feed Kids 
When: Jan. 22 
Where: Mt. Kato Ski Area, 20461 Old State Highway 66, Mankato 

Register in a team of 10 in this team-relay style climb and slide race to support students who struggle with food insecurity. Each team will commit to raising $1,500 toward the cause. If the sidelines are more your speed, supporting a climb team with donations is also appreciated.