MidwestWeekends.com — Your Travel Guide to the Upper Midwest

Fall festivals 2020

July

  • (Jul 24 – 25)La Crosse Storytelling Festival

    La Crosse, WI

    Listen to local, regional and national storytellers spin tales at the Pump House. There will also be music and arts and crafts.


August

  • (Aug. 14 – 15)Quad Cities Balloon Festival

    East Moline, IL

    This festival at the Rock Island County Fairgrounds includes balloon glows, launches, tethered rides and a play area for children.


  • (Aug. 21 – 23)Art & Big Fork Festival

    Evanston, IL

    This downtown festival features live music and local food, beer, wine and fine art.


September

  • (Sep. 5)Mural Fest

    Ashland, WI

    Go on guided tours of Ashland's famous murals, meet the artists and go on a mural scavenger hunt. There's also food, music, crafts and a car show.


  • (Sep. 9 – 13)Defeat of Jesse James Days

    Northfield, MN

    In this college town south of the Twin Cities, there's a fine-arts festival, tractor pulls, a bike tour, reenactments of the famous bank raid and a Sunday parade.


  • (Sep. 9 – 13)Sandwich Fair

    Sandwich, IL

    This northeast Illinois fair, held since 1888, features exhibits, entertainment and music plus harness racing, tractor pulls and demolition derbies.


  • (Sep. 11 – 13)James J. Hill Days

    Wayzata, MN

    This Minneapolis suburb features a street market and carnival; dachshund races, a craft-beer fest, logrolling and fireworks on Saturday; and a parade on Sunday.


  • (Sep. 11 – 13)Villa Louis Carriage Classic

    Prairie du Chien, WI

    The Victorian estate on the Mississippi River hosts horses, restored carriages and drivers in period dress for competitive arena and cross-country sport driving, a passion of the frontier aristocrats who built it.


  • (Sep. 11 – 13)Pufferbilly Days

    Boone, IA

    This festival in central Iowa, just west of Ames, is named for a steam engine and features a spike-driving contest, mud volleyball and rides on the Boone and Scenic Valley Railroad. A parade is Saturday.


  • (Sep. 11 – 27)World Music Festival

    Chicago, IL

    There will be more than 80 artists performing at more than 30 venues across the city, including the Chicago Cultural Center. Admission is free. On the last day, World Dumpling Fest will be at Navy Pier.


  • (Sep. 11 – 13)Festival of the Vine

    Geneva, IL

    There's an arts and crafts show, flower market, music, wine tasting and sampling of food from local restaurants.


  • (Sep. 11 – 13)Paw Paw Wine & Harvest Festival

    Paw Paw, MI

    This big festival in southwest Michigan wine country features music on three stages, Friday fireworks, an art fair, motorcycle and bicycle tours, grape stomps and a Sunday parade.


  • (Sep. 11 – 13)Wauktoberfest

    Waunakee, WI

    This town just north of Madison celebrates with a craft-beer tasting, bike tour, music and lots of contests: frau carrying, yodeling, beer keg race, dachshund dash and Limburger cheese and sauerkraut eating.


  • (Sep. 11 – 13)Harvest Moon Festival

    Ely, MN

    In Whiteside Park, there's an arts fair plus music, an old-time medicine show and pony rides and a petting zoo for kids.


  • (Sep. 11 – 13)Classic Boat & Schooner Rendezvous

    Bayfield, WI

    Schooners and sloops will gather in this Lake Superior town. There will be activities for children, an open house at the Coast Guard station and a Saturday boat parade.


  • (Sep. 12 – 13)Rock Bend Folk Festival

    St. Peter, MN

    This free, easygoing festival is in this Minnesota River town's Minnesota Square Park.


  • (Sep. 12 – 13)Laura Ingalls Wilder Days

    Pepin, WI

    The famous author's birthplace  celebrates with kids' pioneer games, a spelling bee and traditional music and crafts; pie-eating, fiddle and Laura contests; and a Sunday parade.


  • (Sep. 12)Ethnic Fest

    Walker, MN

    Alphornists, Scandinavian dancers and Anishinaabe drum and dance corps perform in this town on the shores of Leech Lake. There's also a parade.


  • (Sep. 12)Taste of the Trail

    Lanesboro, MN

    In Lanesboro, Whalan and Peterson on the Root River State Trail, enjoy music, wagon rides and free samples from local restaurants and growers. 


  • (Sep. 12)Sputnikfest

    Manitowoc, WI

    Help celebrate the 1962 crash landing of a 20-pound piece of Russia's Sputnik on a street in Manitowoc. There's a wacky costume contest, a Miss Space Debris pageant, a pet costume contest, a space-themed movie and music.


  • (Sep. 12)Whooping Crane Festival

    Princeton, WI

    Celebrate the whooping-crane migration with voyageur canoe trips, a marketplace, crane trivia, children's activities and bird walks.


  • (Sep. 12)Monarch Festival

    Minneapolis, MN

    This festival at Lake Nokomis celebrates the monarch migration from Minnesota to Mexico and includes a costume parade, music, dance, art activities and monarch games.


  • (Sep. 12 – 13)Little Falls Arts & Crafts Fair

    Little Falls, MN

    This large fair, with nearly 600 artists, includes a car show and an antiques and collectibles section as well as a Man Cave.


  • (Sep. 13)St. Paul Classic Bike Tour

    St. Paul, MN

    Ride a 15-, 30- or 45-mile route along the Mississippi, lakes Como and Phalen and St. Paul parkways, starting and ending at the University of St. Thomas and punctuated by food and live music.


  • (Sep. 13)Scandinavian Day

    South Elgin, IL

    This festival in Vasa Park, along the Fox River, features music, dancing, food and crafts from the Nordic countries.


  • (Sep. 16 – 19)Pumpkin Festival

    Morton, IL

    This town near Peoria, home of the Libby's pumpkin-packing plant, calls itself the Pumpkin Capital of the World. The festival features pumpkin-boat races, pumpkin decorating, pie-eating contests, a craft fair, a pumpkin-pancake breakfast and a 10:30 a.m. Saturday parade.


  • (Sep. 17 – 20)Michigan Irish Music Festival

    Muskegon, MI

    There's music on three stages, plus dance and session tents, a cultural village, Celtic Kitchen and limerick contest.


  • (Sep. 18 – 20)Wo-Zha-Wa Days

    Wisconsin Dells, WI

    There's a juried arts and crafts show, a flea maraket, a street carnival and a parade Sunday.


  • (Sep. 18 – 19)Oktoberfest

    Chippewa Falls, WI

    Meet the Narren, enter a sauerkraut-eating contest, listen to polka and zydeco and watch the daily parade.


  • (Sep. 18 – 19)Unplugged & Birch Bark Bash

    Grand Marais, MN

    The harbor-side North House Folk School celebrates with storytelling, traditional workshops, a fish boil and concerts by songwriter/musicians.


  • (Sep. 18 – 20)World Food & Music Festival

    Des Moines, IA

    In downtown's East Village, eat at more than 50 cultural cafes for $5 or less (or taste for $1), shop at the world marketplace or listen to musicians strolling the streets or on stage.


  • (Sep. 18 – 20)Cheese Days

    Monroe, WI

    This festival is held every other year in the capital of cheese country, the home of Swiss Colony and the last Limburger factory. There's a cow-milking contest, yodeling, dancing, tours and a big parade Sunday.


  • (Sep. 18 – 20)Grape Stomp

    Alexandria, MN

    Carlos Creek Winery hosts this festival, which features music on three stages, crafts, a logging show, Friday fire dancing and fireworks, grape stomps, "I Love Lucy'' look-alike contests and a reenactment of the Lucy "Grapes of Laugh'' episode.


  • (Sep. 18 – 20)Gemuetlichkeit Days

    Jefferson, WI

    This festival between Madison and Milwaukee is named for the German word for a cozy and congenial atmosphere. It includes sauerkraut-eating, nail-driving, facial hair and costume contests, a vintage car show, music and a parade at noon Sunday.


  • (Sep. 19 – 20)Wine & Harvest Festival

    Cedarburg, WI

    There's a pumpkin regatta — yes, people paddling hollowed-out pumpkins across Cedar Creek — at the fest in this historic mill town just north of Milwaukee. There's also a scarecrow contest, grape stomp, hay rides, juried arts fair and lots of food.


  • (Sep. 19 – 20)Vintage Illinois Wine Festival

    Matthiessen State Park, IL

    This festival in northwest Illinois features live music and wine-tasting from 25 Illinois vineyards.


  • (Sep. 19 – 20)World War II Days

    Rockford, IL

    Midway Village Museum hosts one of the largest World War II battle re-enactments in the nation, with more than 1,200 uniformed re-enactors and more than 60 vintage tanks and other armored vehicles.


  • (Sep. 19)Parade of Nations and Multicultural Festival

    Hancock/Houghton, MI

    The parade begins in Hancock and ends in Houghton at Dee Stadium, where there's a festival with music, dancing and food from around the world.


  • (Sep. 19)Taste of the Trail

    Fountain/Preston/Harmony, MN

    On the Harmony-Preston Valley State Trail, sample local treats, listen to music, visit the National Trout Center, take wagon rides and play games.

     


  • (Sep. 19 – 20)Bacon Bash

    River Falls, WI

    There will be pig races, a pig-calling contest, pig crafts, an amateur bacon cook-off and many bacon dishes, including ice cream.


  • (Sep. 19)Bay View Bash

    Milwaukee, WI

    This street festival in the Bay View neighborhood includes music on four stages, a children's area, cooking demonstrations and a strong man competition.


  • (Sep. 19)Apple Day

    Excelsior, MN

    On the shore of Lake Minnetonka, there's an artisan fair, apple pie-eating contest, music and a street dance.


  • (Sep. 19)Harvest Fest & Street Art Auction

    Sturgeon Bay, WI

    This street party includes a car show, cornhole and chalk-art contests, music and artisans and winds up at 5 p.m. with the auction of 25 artist-created cherries.


  • (Sep. 20)Minneapolis Bike Tour

    Minneapolis, MN

    Ride 16, 25 or 32 miles on parkways along the Mississippi and the Chain of Lakes. Start and finish is Boom Island, along the river in northeast Minneapolis; there's a party afterward with food, music and beer.


  • (Sep. 24 – 27)Oktoberfest

    La Crosse, WI

    At this big riverfront festival, there's food, music and carnival rides, plus the opening Torchlight Parade and the Maple Leaf Parade on Saturday morning.


  • (Sep. 24 – 26)Boats and Bluegrass

    Winona, MN

    This family-oriented festival in Prairie Island Park, on the Mississippi River, features disc golf and paddling as well as music. A weekend pass includes camping and canoeing, and kids under 16 are free with an adult ticket. Buy tickets early to save money.


  • (Sep. 24 – 27)Oktoberfest

    New Glarus, WI

    There will be music, wagon rides, chainsaw carving, children's activities and, of course, beer from New Glarus Brewing.


  • (Sep. 25 – 27)Cornish Festival

    Mineral Point, WI

    In the old lead-mining district in southwest Wisconsin, play shove ha'penny in the Kiddleywink Pub, eat figgyhobbin and pasties, listen to tommyknocker tales and tour Cornish miners' cottages.


  • (Sep. 25 – 27)Apple Festival

    Gays Mills, WI

    There'll be arts and crafts and music in this southwest Wisconsin village. The big parade is Sunday.


  • (Sep. 25 – 26)German Fest

    Guttenberg, IA

    There will be music, dancing, children's games and lock and dam tours in this antebellum town on the Mississippi River.


  • (Sep. 25 – 26)Fall Fest

    Cable, WI

    In the colorful northwest Wisconsin woods, there'll be hay rides, corn maze, a chili cook-off, fish boil, arts and crafts and fireworks.


  • (Sep. 25 – 27)Cranberry Festival

    Warrens, WI

    At this huge festival in west-central Wisconsin, there'll be marsh tours, pie-eating contests and more than 1,000 booths selling antiques, produce and arts and crafts. The big parade is at 1 p.m. Sunday.


  • (Sep. 25 – 26)Kalona Fall Festival

    Kalona, IA

    This Mennonite community just southwest of Iowa City, famous for its quilts, offers pony rides, a pumpkin-carving contest, demonstrations of Old World artisanry, music and homemade potato chips, apple fritters, ice cream and chicken, biscuits and gravy.


  • (Sep. 25 – 26)Oktoberfest

    Des Moines, IA

    Take polka-dancing lessons, enter the Bier Maiden or stein-holding contests and win costume prizes at this outdoor fest under tents downtown.


  • (Sep. 26 – 27)Civil War Weekend

    Greenbush, WI

    Battles are reenacted at this festival at the Wade House historic site near Sheboygan. There's also a traveling medicine show, court martials, a sutler's row, period concerts and appearances by Abraham Lincoln.


  • (Sep. 26 – 27)Tour of Historic Galena Homes

    Galena, IL

    Tour five private homes and the History Museum in this picturesque town in northwest Illinois.


  • (Sep. 26 – 27)Spirit of the St. Croix Art Festival

    Hudson, WI

    Music, food and a juried art show along the St. Croix River, in Lakefront Park.


  • (Sep. 26)Fall Festival

    Hayward, WI

    There's an arts and crafts fair, children's games, contests and live music downtown.


  • (Sep. 26 – Oct 4)Fermentation Fest

    Reedsburg, WI

    This fest in the scenic hills of southwest Wisconsin is not only about pickles and sourdough bread but also cheese, chocolate, beer and wine. There are classes, tastings and the 50-mile Farm/Art DTour, punctuated by art installations.


  • (Sep. 26)Taste of the Trail

    Rushford/Houston, MN

    On the Root River State Trail, sample local food, listen to music, tour a museum and visit the International Owl Center.


  • (Sep. 26)Beef-A-Rama

    Minocqua, WI

    In this northern Wisconsin lake-resort town, there's a Rump Roast Run, beef-eating contest and Parade of Beef.


  • (Sep. 26)Johnny Appleseed Festival

    Crystal Lake, IL

    In this northwest suburb of Chicago, there's pumpkin bowling, a pumpkin train and petting zoo, apple contests, music and a craft fair.


  • (Sep. 26 – 27)Doors Open Milwaukee

    Milwaukee, WI

    More than 150 historic buildings — theaters, breweries, mansions, cathedrals, hotels, museums — are open to the public, and many offer free guided tours.

    More than three dozen in-depth walking tours also are offered but sell out quickly. Check in July for the program.


  • (Sep. 26)Octoberfest

    Appleton, WI

    This large downtown festival is more general civic celebration than German festival, with an arts and crafts show, car show and music on five stages.


  • (Sep. 27)Millstream Arts Festival

    St. Joseph, MN

    In addition to a juried art show, the festival in this town at the start of the Lake Wobegon Trail also features music, street performances, history tours and a vintage car and tractor show.


  • (Sep. 27)World Dumpling Fest

    Chicago, IL

    The mighty dumpling, comfort food in many cultures, will be celebrated at Navy Pier as part of World Music Festival. There will also be cultural performances and art.


October

  • (Oct. 2 – 4)Apple Festival

    Bayfield, WI

    It's the 59th year of this big festival on Lake Superior, which features  orchard tours, history walks, an apple-peeling contest, live music and a big parade at 2 p.m. Sunday.


  • (Oct. 2 – 4)Oktoberfest

    Amana, IA

    There's German music and food at this Amana Colonies village, plus contests that include the Eisenmann, or Iron Man, competition: Teams roll kegs, walk a balance beam with full steins of beer and saw logs. The parade is at 10 a.m. Saturday.


  • (Oct. 2 – 4)Northeast Iowa Artists' Studio Tour

    Decorah area, IA

    Drive through bluff country to see 56 artists at 43 sites around Decorah, Burr Oak, St. Lucas, Waukon, West Union, Cresco, New Albin, Lansing, Elgin and Clermont.


  • (Oct. 2 – 3)Chain O' Lakes Blues Festival

    Waupaca, WI

    Listen to the blues at the historic Indian Crossing Casino.


  • (Oct. 3 – 4)Big Island Rendezvous and Festival

    Albert Lea, MN

    This southern Minnesota festival is great for families, with a voyageur encampment of more than 1,000 reenactors dancing, demonstrating, competing and pulling visitors back into the fur-trade era.


  • (Oct. 3)Apple Affair

    Galesville, WI

    In the bluffs above Trempealeau, this festival features a 10-foot apple pie, a hunt for a Silver Apple, a race of floating wooden apples and a bicycle tour with a 20-mile route through apple orchards and hillier 35- and 60-mile routes.


  • (Oct. 3 – 4)Oktoberfest

    Cedarburg, WI

    This festival just north of Milwaukee features music and food plus goofy contests: best lederhosen/dirndl, sauerkraut-eating, a German spelling bee and a live Glockenspiel show.


  • (Oct. 3)Oktoberfest

    Galena, IL

    The Lions Club puts on this riverfront festival, which includes wiener-dog races, polka lessons, nail-driving, pumpkin-decorating and a beanbag tournament.


  • (Oct. 3 – 4)Rivertown Fall Art Festival

    Stillwater, MN

    This juried arts festival along the banks of the St. Croix River includes music and food vendors.


  • (Oct. 5 – 11)Iowa City Book Festival

    Iowa City, IA

    The first North American town to be named a UNESCO City of Literature offers talks, readings, panels, exhibits and a walking tour of literary Iowa City.


  • (Oct. 9 – 11)Scenic Drive Festival

    Van Buren County, IA

    In the southeast corner of Iowa, 11 villages feature quilt shows, scarecrow contests, bake sales, tours of historic sites, wine tasting and street fairs.


  • (Oct. 9 – 11)Apple Festival

    Charlevoix, MI

    In this Lake Michigan town, there's a pumpkin-carving contest, children's activities and an arts and crafts show.


  • (Oct. 10 – 11)Madison County Covered Bridge Festival

    Winterset, IA

    John Wayne was born there, George Washington Carver lived there and the famous covered bridges still are there. The festival in this town southwest of Des Moines features guided bus tours to the bridges, free horse-drawn wagon rides to Wayne's house, Old West shootouts, live music and a parade at 2 p.m. Sunday.


  • (Oct. 10 – 11)Galena Country Fair

    Galena, IL

    There's a juried fine arts/arts and crafts fair, farmers market, wine garden, bake shop, music and children's games in Grant Park.


  • (Oct. 10 – 11)Pumpkin Patch Festival

    Egg Harbor, WI

    There'll be music, children's games and arts and crafts in this Door County village.


  • (Oct. 10 – 11)Oktoberfest

    Lake Geneva, WI

    There will be pony rides, music, magic, free pumpkins and crafts on downtown streets.


  • (Oct. 10)Harvest & Wine Festival

    New Buffalo, MI

    This Lake Michigan beach town offers wine and craft-beer tasting, hay rides, pumpkin painting, live music and fine arts.


  • (Oct. 10 – 11)Burgoo Festival

    Utica, IL

    The street party in this northern Illinois town, gateway to Starved Rock State Park, features vats of "pioneer'' stew, a crafts fair and music.


  • (Oct. 10 – 11)Shadows of the Blue and Gray

    Princeton, IL

    This Civil War festival off I-80, half an hour west of Starved Rock State Park, includes battle re-enactments both days.

    There will also be a Grand Entrance parade with the Lincolns, a Lincoln look-alike contest, medical scenarios and period music and dance.


  • (Oct. 11)Harvest Fest

    New Glarus, WI

    See old-time artisanry at the Swiss Historical Village, including sausage-stuffing and cheese-making in the 1890s cheese factory.


  • (Oct. 16 – 18)Moose Madness Festival

    Grand Marais, MN

    This Lake Superior town offers  a medallion hunt, family geocaching contest, fun run, appearances by Murray the Moose and family courses at the North House Folk School.


  • (Oct. 16 – 18)Fall Festival

    Sister Bay, WI

    This Door County festival features pumpkin bowling, chainsaw carving, a pingpong-ball drop and a parade at 11 a.m. Saturday.


  • (Oct. 16 – 18)Southwest Wisconsin Fall Art Tour

    Southwest, WI

    This popular studio tour includes artists at studios between Mineral Point, Spring Green, Dodgeville and Baraboo.


  • (Oct. 17 – 18)Open House Chicago

    Chicago, IL

    The Chicago Architecture Foundation sponsors this free, behind-the-scenes peek at more than 200 mansions, clubs, churches, hotels and theaters.

     


  • (Oct. 17)Oktoberfest

    Elkhorn, WI

    This downtown festival near Lake Geneva features wine and beer tasting, music, a car show, arts and crafts and a chili cookoff.


  • (Oct. 17)Pumpkin Chuckin Fest

    Union Grove, WI

    The festival in this town, just west of Racine, features a pumpkin catapult contest, barbecue cook-off, pie auction, pumpkin-baking contest, children's games and music.


  • (Oct. 17)Jack O' Lantern Festival

    Spooner, WI

    There's a pumpkin-carving contest, kids' inflatables, pumpkin roll and, in the evening, a zombie run in the forest, bonfires and live music.


  • (Oct. 17)Family Fall Fest

    Madeline Island, WI

    On the largest of the Apostle Islands, there will be a vintage-car show, cider- and soap-making, pumpkin decorating, a pie-eating contest, street vendors and a kids' costume parade.


  • (Oct. 21 – 25)Pumpkin Festival

    Sycamore, IL

    In this town between Rockford and DeKalb, there will be a pie-eating contest, carnival, craft shows, decorated pumpkins and a parade Sunday.


  • (Oct. 24 – 31)Halloween

    Anoka, MN

    This town, just north of Minneapolis, calls itself the Halloween Capital of the World. Festivities include a Light up the Night parade Oct. 24, pumpkin-carving and house-decoration contests and a 1 p.m. Grand Day Parade Oct. 31.


  • (Oct. 24 – 25)Earth Wood & Fire Artist Tour

    Lake Mills, WI

    Visit artists in their studios in and around Lake Mills, Cambridge and Fort Atkinson, between Madison and Milwaukee.


  • (Oct. 30 – Nov 1)Jack O'Lantern Days

    Fish Creek, WI

    There will be mask making, pumpkin carving, trick or treating and haunted trolley tours.


  • (Oct. 31)Halloween Parade

    Galena, IL

    The town's annual parade is along Main Street at 6:30 p.m.


November

  • (Nov. 1)Wisconsin Dog Fair

    Madison, WI

    Attend demonstrations and seminars on more than 150 breeds at Alliant Energy Center.


  • (Nov. 1)Day of the Dead Xicago

    Chicago, IL

    In the National Museum of Mexican Art and Harrison Park, families can create ofrendas (altars), eat pan de muerto, listen to musical performances and get faces painted. It's 3-8 p.m. and admission is free.


  • (Nov. 4 – 7)Big Water Film Festival

    Ashland, WI

    See a variety of shorts, full-length films and documentaries at the Bay Theater downtown.


  • (Nov. 6 – 8)Lake Superior Storm Festival

    Grand Marais, MN

    This festival features a wave dash, shipwreck stories, and children's activities.


  • (Nov. 6 – 8)Art Attack

    Minneapolis, MN

    In the northeast arts district, 350 artists open their studios and offer demonstrations and workshops. There's music, too.


  • (Nov. 6 – 7)Gales of November

    Duluth, MN

    Listen to experts discuss Lake Superior shipwrecks and maritime history and join tours of the aquarium and Coast Guard Center.


  • (Nov. 10)Beacon lighting at Split Rock Lighthouse

    Beaver Bay, MN

    This event, which commemorates the 1975 sinking of the ore freighter with 29 men, is the only time the public can see the interior of the light tower when the beacon is lighted.


  • (Nov. 14 – 15)Winter Art Fair Off the Square

    Madison, WI

    Art Fair Off the Square presents its winter edition in Monona Terrace, with 140 fine artists from around Wisconsin.


  • (Nov. 14 – 15)Art & Gift Fair

    Madison, WI

    This event at the Museum of Contemporary Art and Overture Center features fine art, music, treats and the Rediscovered Art & Treasures Sale.


  • (Nov. 14 – 15)Trainfest

    West Allis, WI

    The nation's largest operating model railroad show includes more than 60 scenic railroads, clinics for hobbyists and many children's activities.


  • (Nov. 14)Pangea

    Moorhead, MN

    Celebrate global cultures at the Hjemkomst Center, with folk dancing, storytelling, music and foods from seven countries. Children can pick up a passport to get stamped at booths.


  • (Nov. 14 – 15)Art on the Prairie

    Perry, IA

    This free festival northwest of Des Moines showcases more than 100 Iowa artists, poets and musicians in seven venues, including the Hotel Pattee, in the downtown historic and cultural district. There will also be children's activities.


  • (Nov. 20 – 22)Outdoor Adventure Expo

    Minneapolis, MN

    The expo at the Midwest Mountaineering store on the West Bank includes dozens of speakers and seminars about skiing, sled-dog racing and ice-climbing as well as camping, backpacking and other year-round adventures.


  • (Nov. 20 – 22)Winterer's Gathering

    Grand Marais, MN

    There's a tent encampment, winter skills seminars, Arctic film festival and chili feed at the North House Folk School.