LAKE GENEVA WINTERFEST 2019

Every winter, Lake Geneva hosts Winterfest, a nine day festival that celebrates art, winter, family, and fun with over a dozen amazing events.

2019 Winterfest will be Saturday, January 26th to Sunday, February 3rd, 2019.

Winterfest is home to dozens of events including the United States National Snow Sculpting Championship (January 30th to February 2nd) , where fifteen teams of the most talented snow sculptors and artists from around the country gather to compete for a national title. The entire competition is open to the public, so Winterfest attendees can actually watch the artists at work!

The festival doesn’t stop there – Winterfest is also home to a Hovercraft competitions, Human Dog Sled Race, The Amazing Ice Castles, Live Music, Magic shows, Helicopter Rides, a Chili Cook-off, Ice Bars and so much more. There is something for everyone in Lake Geneva!

Excited about Winterfest? Check out the upcoming events!

Lake Geneva Hovercraft Experiences

Saturday, January 26th

Saturday, January 26^th 12:30 – 2:00 PM – Hovercraft Experiences and Meet & Greet - Wrigley Drive & Boat Launch

Saturday, January 26^th 2:00 – 4:00 PM – Lake Geneva Hovercraft Challenge (On Geneva Lake/Viewing on Wrigley)

World Speed Record attempt at 3:30 PM

Saturday, January 26th 4:00 – 6:00 PM – Hovercrafts Up Close & Personal – Wrigley Drive & Boat Launch

Winterfest Showcase

Thursday, January 31st

Join us for a wonderful evening of Music, Comedy, and Magic at the Riviera Ballroom.
Music: Unhitch’d
Comedy: Steve Iott
Magic: Tristan Crist Magic and Illusion Show
Food Samples & drinks are available. **First two drinks included in price**
Where: Riviera Ballroom

Cocoa Crawl

Friday, February 1st | 4:30 PM - 6:00 PM

The Cocoa Crawl is a family-friendly event taking place as a compliment to the many Winterfest activities happening in the area from January 26th – February 3rd. This event is free and will take place downtown Lake Geneva. 

You can check in at the Geneva Theater to pick up a map and list of participating businesses. From there, feel free to visit as many businesses as you would like and come back to the Geneva Theater to vote on your favorite. 

New this year, the Geneva Theater will be hosting a free showing of the movie Frozen, with Elsa and Ana meet and greet, for those who participated in the Cocoa Crawl.

If you’re a downtown business and would like to participate, please email Bridget at : bridget@streetsoflakegeneva.com

Location: Various Locations Downtown Lake Geneva

Snow Sculpting Championship Judging and People’s Choice

Saturday, February 2nd 2019

Vote for your favorite sculpture!

Voting will take place Saturday, February 3rd and will end at 2:00 P.M. The voting areas are located in the Riviera Ballroom and in the Visitor Center in Flat Iron Park.

The Awards Ceremony will start at 3:00 P.M. in the Riviera Ballroom. 

Be sure to pick up your informational guide when you arrive!

Chili Cook-off

Saturday, February 2nd

Do you have a great chili recipe, love to eat chili or are you just looking for a fun winter event? Come to the Fourth Annual Lake Geneva Chili Cookoff presented by Lake Geneva Country Meats and Hawk’s View Golf Course on February 2nd, 2019! Hosted at Hawk’s View Golf Course, this event is just $10 to attend, kids under 10 are free, and a family of 4 gets in for $25! After 1 PM, tickets are just $5 for entertainment, sledding, s’mores, and hot chocolate. Tickets to attend are sold at the door when you arrive. Check out what we have planned:

• Enjoy a Bloody Mary Bar starting at 11:00 AM.
• Sample the chili starting at 11:30 AM until we’re out!
• Vote for your favorite chili for the People’s Choice award winner! Voting ends at 1:00 PM when we announce the winners!
• Enjoy live music from the Barnacles from 11:00 AM – 2:00 PM.
• Beer and wine sampling.
• Food specials.
• Get the kids a cup of hot cocoa from the hot cocoa bar and make s’mores by the fire.
• Bring a sled to go sledding on Hawk’s View’s big hill! Weather permitting, of course.
• Take part in fun kid’s activities like face painting, bean bag toss, mini golf and more.

Time: 11AM – 4PM

Winter Carnival

Saturday, February 2nd

Join us at The Mountain Top at Grand Geneva Resort & Spa for the annual Winter Carnival. Bring your friends and family for a day filled with skiing, snowboarding, and fun snow activities!

• Saturday, February 2, 2019
• Begins at 9:00 AM
• Open to guest and the public
• Games and competitions include Ski Boarder Cross and Rail Jam
• Kids activities and fireworks show are complimentary, lift ticket needed to access skiing and snowboarding events on the ski hill
• Beer Tent
• Torch Light Hillside parade at 8:30 PM