Lake Geneva Winterfest is a five-day festival dedicated to art, winter, and fun. The program features many amazing events, taking place in a picturesque resort city of Lake Geneva, located right next to Geneva Lake in southeastern Wisconsin, about an hour away from Milwaukee.
The US National Snow Sculpting Championship
The major highlight of Lake Geneva Winterfest is the United States National Snow Sculpting Championship, the only one of its kind throughout the country. Fifteen teams of snow sculptors and artists from all around the US compete for a national title at Riviera Plaza and Flat Iron Park along the sweeping shore of Geneva Lake. You can attend for free and watch how the huge snow blocks are transformed into larger-than-life masterpieces with simple hand tools. The epic competition spans three exciting days, starting at 11 am on Wednesday and lasting through 1 pm on Saturday. The competition is followed by the US National Snow Sculpting Championship Award and the Peoples' Choice Award. You can still marvel at the sculptures on display until Sunday and then they usually melt.
Other Winterfest attractions include a hovercraft competition with rides, ice castles, human dog sled races, magic shows, and helicopter rides. You can join in the Downtown Ice Sculpture Walk, absorb live entertainment and relax in Ice Bar in the evening or cozy up at the bonfires on the beach. The festival promises a fun-packed weekend for the whole family.
Parking is available in the lakefront and surrounding Downtown area at $2 per hour from Monday to Thursday, and $4 per hour on the weekends. You can pay at nearby kiosks. Handicap parking stalls are free of charge. Also note that overnight parking is now allowed from 2 am to 6 am. You can also take advantage of free shuttle bus services. More information is provided on Lake Geneva's official website or Facebook (see External Resources below).
