We Now Know When Minnesota’s Ice Castles Is Opening

Minnesota winters may be cold, but we know how to embrace the chill and make the most of it. One of the most stunning winter attractions is opening soon, offering a magical experience that families won’t want to miss.

This year, the Ice Castles is moving to a new home—the Minnesota State Fairgrounds! And what better way to celebrate the change in location than by offering a classic fair favorite? Pronto pups will be available for guests to enjoy while they explore the festivities.

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The Ice Castles are an amazing sight, with huge ice sculptures, winding tunnels, and even ice slides, all made by hand from thousands of icicles grown right on-site. If you can, try to visit after dark—the castles are lit up with colorful LED lights!

The team behind the Ice Castles, based in Utah, has been creating these winter masterpieces for years, and they’ve been bringing the magic to Minnesota for quite some time.

Here are some photos from previous years, along with details on the opening date and ticket information.

The Minnesota Ice Castles will be open from January 3rd through late February or early March, depending on weather conditions. Tickets are on sale, so make sure to plan your visit to this spectacular winter wonderland while you can!

The Story Behind the Ice Castles

What started as a dad’s simple idea to get his kids off the couch during the long winter has now become one of the most talked-about winter attractions in the country. Brent Christensen, wanting his children to spend more time outdoors, built an ice cave in his backyard to encourage them to get active. It didn’t take long for kids from around the neighborhood to start showing up to see the "Ice Castle" in the Christensen's yard.

The backyard creation, which included frozen thrones, tunnels, and slides, quickly turned into a local sensation. The idea grew into something much bigger over the years, eventually evolving into the Ice Castles, now an international winter attraction.