Winter Fun in Minnesota: From the Red Undie Run to the Great Northern Festival

Minnesota turns up the heat this winter with a lineup of unforgettable seasonal events that celebrate community, culture, and the magic of the cold. Kick things off with the Red Undie Run in downtown Minneapolis, a spirited dash supporting the Aliveness Project’s HIV awareness efforts. Then, embrace the chill at the St. Paul Winter Carnival, admire the cosmic beauty of Cook County’s Dark Sky Festival, and experience the creativity and camaraderie of The Great Northern—a five-day celebration of art, music, and outdoor adventure across the Twin Cities. Whether you’re running in your red undies or gazing up at the Milky Way, winter in Minnesota offers something truly extraordinary.

Red Undie Run – December 6 – Downtown Minneapolis

Red Undie Run is a premier community event that brings awareness to World AIDS Day and the work of Aliveness Project, Minnesota's leading community-based organization of services, advocacy, and education for people living with or at risk for HIV. The route is just over a mile in your red undies. Everybody is welcome!

St. Paul Winter Carnival - January 22 to February 1- Downtown St. Paul

Make plans to join us in celebrating Minnesota's Winter from January 22 to February 1, 2026. Experience ten days of festive events, ice sculptures, parades, and family-friendly activities all over Saint Paul! We have something for everyone to enjoy!          

Dark Sky Festival – December 11 to 13 – Cook County

Cook County is home to some of the darkest skies in the world. Every year, explorers, adventurers, artists and photographers from around the world travel to Cook County to experience the northern lights, the Milky Way, and the wonders of the northern night sky. The Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness (BWCAW) has been named as one of only 15 certified International Dark Sky Sanctuaries in the world! And at over a million acres, it is the largest.

The Great Northern – January 28 to February 1 – Minneapolis and St. Paul

The Great Northern festival invites our community out into the cold for five days of outdoor fun, climate engagement, music, art, and food experiences that celebrate the joy and possibility of winter in our region. Join us for groundbreaking climate conversations, an indoor & outdoor music series co-presented by The Current, a youth-led science fair, community arts, vendor markets, and outdoor adventures that make the most of Minnesota winters--from snowshoeing and fat tire biking to communal sauna sessions.