Shipshewana Ice Festival 2025 in Fort Wayne, IN

The annual Shipshewana Ice Festival, held during the last week of December, transforms Morton Street in Shipshewana, Indiana, into a winter wonderland. The entire small town is illuminated with beautiful Christmas lights, and visitors from across the country come to see the ice sculptures that turn into exceptional works of art. The event is a highlight of the holiday season, drawing crowds eager to experience the festive atmosphere and stunning ice creations.

Ice Sculpture Carving Contest

Throughout the Shipshewana Ice Festival, professional carvers work their craft, shaping blocks of ice into stunning sculptures all around the town. These talented artists drill and shave the ice, creating intricate designs that are part of the ice carving contest. Each sculpture is either submitted by the sponsor or chosen by the carver, and the creations are evaluated for their artistry and craftsmanship.

Schedule

To see more of the carving process, visitors should come on Friday at 10 am and stay until Saturday to witness the finished results. The final ice competition will take place in the parking lot behind the Davis Mercantile on Saturday. Several stores in the area will have extended hours on Friday night, offering more opportunities for shopping and exploring.

Chili Cookoff

At the same time, chefs showcase their culinary talents during the annual chili cook-off. Visitors are invited to enter their best chili recipe and compete for cash prizes, trophies, and the title of Shipshewana's best chili. The Shipshewana Chili Cook-Off will take place during the Ice Festival on Saturday, starting at 11 am until sold out. Attendees can sample a variety of chilis, chat with the cooks, confer with fellow judges, and cast their votes for the best chili. A wing sauce competition will be held on Friday from 4 to 7 pm.

Location & Entrance Fee

Both the cook-off and wing sauce competition will take place downtown at the Smokehouse Grills & Supply store on Morton Street. Entrance fees for the Chili Cook-Off are $10 for tasting or $20 for an Ice Festival Pin, which grants access to both the Wing Sauce Competition and the Chili Cook-Off Tasting.