ELY — Thursday marked the Ely Winter Festival’s kickoff event in Whiteside Park as community members gathered to light a bonfire.
The Ely Winter Festival returns Feb. 5-15, 2026, anchored by its signature International Snow Sculpting Symposium in Whiteside Park. Professional sculptors will transform massive blocks of snow into intricate works of art while the community celebrates with dozens of events ranging from candlelight ski tours to blacksmithing classes at the Ely Folk School.
“It’s going to be 10 days just packed full of activities. We’ve got 14 professional carving teams coming this year, as far away as Germany and the UK,” Shauna Vega, Ely Winter Festival coordinator, said.
New this year is a lodge party that will give people the chance to mingle with the carvers, which will take place at the Silver Rapids Lodge at 7 p.m. on Feb. 5.
“Come and meet the carvers. There’s going to be appetizers for everybody. They’re going to do a signature winter festival drink and the carvers will be there to socialize,” Vega said.
What began in 1984 as a simple cross-country ski race has evolved into one of Minnesota’s premier winter celebrations. The original Wilderness Trek, organized by the Ely Ski Club (now the Ely Nordic Ski Club), ran from Tower to Ely with local businesses setting up booths at the finish line. That history will be honored during the opening event.
“We have the kickoff in the park at 6:30 on Friday night where the ski team will ski in,” Vega said. “We’ll light our fire, and the ice rink will be opened. There’s going to be a drum circle from Bois Forte. It’s just going to be a really good time for everybody. Cookies and hot chocolate will be served.”
This year’s festival headquarters is Northern Grounds coffee shop at Central Avenue and Sheridan Street, where visitors can purchase festival merchandise and warm up between events. The snow sculptures in Whiteside Park will be illuminated by hundreds of ice candles each evening, creating what organizers call a “truly magical” atmosphere in the heart of downtown Ely.
“It’s just a really great time, and there’s something for everybody,” Vega said.
For more information, visit elywinterfestival.com.