LAKE GENEVA WINTERFEST 2019
January 26 - February 3, 2019
NINE DAY CELEBRATION OF THE SEASON
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 Nine Day Festival has so much more during every day you come. Winterfest hosts a Hovercraft Competition with Rides, Human Dog Sled Races, 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!
Ice Castles is an awe-inspiring, must-see winter phenomenon that brings fairy tales to life. The experience is built using hundreds of thousands of icicles hand-placed by professional ice artists. The castles include breathtaking LED-lit sculptures, frozen thrones, ice-carved tunnels, slides, and fountains.
WORLD SPEED RECORD ATTEMPT AT 3:30 PM
Witness the nation's most skilled hovercraft pilots competing against each other in a technically challenging timed obstacle course. Meet the drivers and their hovercraft during and after the event.
Hovercraft rides open to the public! Tickets available onsite; $20 for Adults and $15 for children 12 and under.
Finally, catch the Hovercraft Lighted Regatta on Geneva Lake at 6:00 PM.
More information here.
january 27
What are the Human Dog Sled Races?
Think traditional dog sledding – with a twist. Each team consists of six people: which include four sled pullers, a sled rider and a sled pusher. All sleds and harnesses are provided. Once registered, simply show up ready to race to the finish! Teams compete against each other in a double elimination tournament to determine the winners.
The event will take place at the Grand Geneva Mountain Top Chalet.
Further Registration information to come!
Can You Escape?
Experience exceptional fun and excitement in an extremely challenging environment! You have just 60 minutes to unravel the mystery and escape the room. Bring your friends, family, or colleagues for this fun and challenging experience where you are locked in a room and must decode the clues, solve the puzzle, and make your escape!
Splurge on your Sunday with a lavish all you can eat spread and bottomless champagne and mimosas. Enjoy breakfast favorites such as a build your own omelet station made fresh to your liking, waffles, hometown bacon or sausage, seafood delicacies such as crab legs and peel n' eat shrimp, as well as fresh carved prime rib and seasonal carving stations. Brunch culminates with an unforgettable dessert spread that will leave you feeling complete.
The Grand Geneva Chophouse Sunday Champagne Brunch is a must for discerning guests and visitors alike.
Come join us for the most amazing vegetable-infused Bloody Mary in one of the best local bars in Wisconsin. The key is in the secret mix and special infused vodka that will delight you! Don't forget the beer chaser!
Enjoy great people with your favorite music on the Jukebox. See you there!
january 28
Join us for our Winterfest Souper Family Fun Night at Harbor Shores. Enjoy a variety of soups provided by local restaurants from around the county! To participate, each person must donate 2 non-perishable items or pay a $4 cash donation for 5 soups.
It's a fun night for the entire family because children of all ages will be able to enjoy some music, balloon animals, jokes, and then join in the interactive game show at 6:30pm.
All proceeds of this event go to benefit Lake Geneva's local food pantry.
Experience incredibly realistic golf with the comfort and convenience of being indoors.
4k graphics make the experience feel as if you are at a real course!
Choose to play one of 22 world renowned courses, including Doral Blue Monster, Hazeltine National, Oakmont CC, and Torrey Pines; or groove your swing on the practice range.
Book your time today!
Take a trip back in time to the roaring 20's and enjoy an Original Wisconsin Supper Club evening at Mars Resort.
Come experience where the gangsters of the era hung out after moving the illegal booze for prohibition.
Leave your Tommy Gun at home but be sure to wear your best 1920's attire and join in the revelry while you hang out and sing at the piano while enjoying delicious food with friends.
No cover charge!
Personal Chef Julie Tominaro of Crafty Kitchen and The Bottle Shop Present a special Winterfest Four Course Wine and Food Pairing Event.
Enjoy a reception wine, followed by a four course meal — with a new wine expertly chosen for each course!
Reservations are required by January 25. Click here for more information!
january 30
The building of the snow blocks has been completed, and sculpting teams are beginning to work on their masterpieces! Watch as 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!
Be sure to vote for your favorite sculpture on February 2 and watch the award ceremony at 3:00 PM, February 2, in the Riviera Ballroom.
Come watch local students in action as they transform mini snow blocks into their own creations. The students will pick out a design, make a drawing, plan out the sculpture and then create the image from a block of snow. All of the sculptures will be on display in Flat Iron Park for all to see along side the U. S. National Snow Sculptor Teams.
january 31
Join us for a wonderful evening of Music, Comedy, and Magic at the Riviera Ballroom.
Come experience an evening of fun overlooking Geneva Lake. Only $10 at the door (Under 6 Free)
Music: Unhitch’d
Comedy: Bob Jay
Magic: Tristan Crist Magic and Illusion Show
Snacks and Drinks will be available. **First drinks included in price**
Where: Riviera Ballroom
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 start point (TBD) 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 start location to vote on your favorite.
If you’re a downtown business and would like to participate, please email Bridget at : bridget@streetsoflakegenev
Location: Various Locations Downtown Lake Geneva
Get together for a fun cocktail workshop and four course dinner. Learn to make professional cocktails, and then enjoy a delicious meal.
Be sure to stick around for the Tony Ocean performance at the After Hours event!
february 2
Vote for your favorite sculpture!
Lake Geneva Region High School Bands will play in the Riviera Ballroom at 10:00am.
Voting for People's Choice Snow Sculpture will begin 11:00am and end at 1:00pm. 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!
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 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 1:30 PM, entry is free 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.
- Judge tasting starts 11:00 AM – 12:00 PM
- Chili sampling will be open to the public from 12:00 PM – 1:30 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.
Visit www.lakegenevachilicookoff.com for more information
Registration for Competitors Will Open in January - Registration form to come.
Ice Fishing Derby at The Ridge Hotel
See if you can catch the next big thing while enjoying this time-honored Wisco tradition! The Ridge Hotel will have augurs and shanties available for rent as well as food, drink and bait for purchase. Big catch prizes, too!
The contest runs from dawn to 3:00 PM. At 3:00 PM there will be live music, and then the awards ceremony at 4:00 PM.
To reserve your place in the Ice Fishing Derby, call 262.249.3800. Click here for more information.
Would you like a beautiful aerial view of Lake Geneva?
Come and visit MF Helicopters, LLC at Winterfest!
Landing location TBD. Up to three people per ride for only $40 per person.
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!
- Begins at 9:00 AM
- Open to guests 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
february 3
Come enjoy entertainment from the musicians of Lake Geneva House of Music. Playing from 11:00 AM to 2:00 PM in the Riviera Ballroom. This is a free event - Food and drinks will also be available for purchase.
Splurge on your Sunday with a lavish all you can eat spread and bottomless champagne and mimosas. Enjoy breakfast favorites such as a build your own omelet station made fresh to your liking, waffles, hometown bacon or sausage, seafood delicacies such as crab legs and peel n' eat shrimp, as well as fresh carved prime rib and seasonal carving stations. Brunch culminates with an unforgettable dessert spread that will leave you feeling complete.
The Grand Geneva Chophouse Sunday Champagne Brunch is a must for discerning guests and visitors alike.
Come join us for the most amazing vegetable-infused Bloody Mary in one of the best local bars in Wisconsin. The key is in the secret mix and special infused vodka that will delight you! Don't forget the beer chaser!
Enjoy great people with your favorite music on the Jukebox. See you there!
Start the month with our soon-to-be-famous Bloody Mary bar, perfectly mixed sweet-savory menu, and spinmaster Kyle Woods dropping the beat. Pajamas optional.