The feature this year is a drive-through ice- and snow-sculpture park at the Minnesota State Fairgrounds. Tickets are $20 per vehicle, $35 for theme packages, and available only in advance.

There will also be three scavenger hunts, pop-up outdoor concerts, ice-fishing, softball and puzzle tournaments and Frozen Family Fun Night.

• Event website

In this lake town, there's music, magic shows, a human sled-dog race, ice bars and an ice castle, plus the U.S. snow-sculpting championship.

• Event website
• MidwestWeekends Lake Geneva story

There's snow sculpting, an arts walk and Ely Folk School classes. Much of the festival also can be enjoyed virtually.

• Event website
• MidwestWeekends story

There will be geocaching, bird-watching, a fat-tire bike race, a corn-hole tournament and drive-through moon glows.

Other events will be virtual.

• Event website
• MidwestWeekends Hudson story

For recreational skiers, the highlight of this big cross-country ski festival are the nightly Luminary Loppets on Lake of the Isles, with glowing ice pillars and "ruins.'' 

There are also classical and free-style races, orienteering, fat-tire, snowshoeing and skijoring races in Theodore Wirth Park, location of most events.

• Event website

There's nothing better than skiing (or snowshoeing or hiking) through a twinkling forest or across a luminary-lined lake. There's usually a bonfire and hot chocolate to enjoy afterward.

• MidwestWeekends list

Watch the pros carve sculptures in this Lake Michigan town. There's also entertainment, a scavenger hunt and magic and crafts for kids.

• Event website

More than 100 mushers compete, and there will also be skijoring, children's and celebrity races.

• Event website