Winter Traditions in 2025

10 cold-weather events you can’t miss

By Rachel Pasche | Jan. 18, 2025

Summertime means the National Cherry Festival, Elk Rapids Harbor Days, Alpenfest, and the dozens of other celebrations scattered between June and August. But wintertime holds its own beloved traditions. They may be a little smaller—and a little colder—but you can count on locals in the crowd, a cup of cocoa at hand, and a new adventure with friends and family. Here are 10 of our favorite winter events happening in January and February. 

1. Mackinaw City Chili Cook-Off, Jan. 18

Fun for kids and adults alike, Mackinaw City’s Winterfest is usually a day full of silly, wintry recreation. But the lack of snow has caused event planners to cancel the Big Freeze Obstacle Course and the Pepsi International Outhouse Races. For 2025, they’ve whittled the lineup down to the Chili Cook-Off, which runs from 11:30am-1pm at Mama Mia’s Restaurant. Taste and vote for your favorite chili concoction for $5. See more at mackinawcity.net. 

2. Winterpalooza at City Opera House, Jan. 25

Each winter, the University of Michigan Friars—an a cappella subset of the U of M Men’s Glee Club—ventures through ice and snow to perform a concert at the City Opera House in Traverse City. The Friars go back more than 60 years and have a penchant for “questionable choreography, bad dad jokes, and boy-band hits.” Tickets range from $10-$20 plus fees at cityoperahouse.org.

3. Midwest Snowkite Jam, Jan. 31-Feb. 2

Snowkiting, the winter version of kiteboarding, is celebrated annually at the Midwest Snowkite Jam in Cadillac. The event kicks off with a welcome party at Up North Arts for the riders on Friday, where participants check in, hang out, and meet other riders. Saturday is free riding on Lake Cadillac or Lake Mitchell, weather permitting. Should the weather be less than optimal, the agenda calls for hitting the slopes at Caberfae Peaks (a lift ticket is included with registration). A closing party with a gear swap and raffle ends the night on Saturday, and Sunday is another day for free riding or hitting Caberfae. Registration starts at $85; the schedule of events can be found at midwestsnowkitejam.com.

4. Harbor Springs Ice Fest, Feb. 7-8

This classic NoMi ice festival features duelling chainsaws, over 50 ice sculptures, and plenty of activities for the family. An interactive ice park is open for photo ops and playing on, and ice games will be held downtown, as well as a scavenger hunt. Attendees can also watch ice carving demonstrations! More information is available at downtownharborsprings.com/ice-fest.

5. Winterfest in Beulah, Feb. 8

Looking for some atypical enjoyment this winter? Your search ends with Winterfest in Beulah, a zany and exciting day of fun and unusual events. The fun kicks off at noon at Beulah Village Park. Visitors can try their hands at frozen turkey bowling, participate in the snowball target competition, compete in the frozen fish toss, or enjoy the parade of decorated outhouses (followed by the outhouse sprint race). Other events include a chili cook-off, horse-drawn wagon rides, a bake sale, a snowmobile poker run, and a 50/50 raffle drawing. See more at clcba.org/event/winterfest. 

6. North American Vasa, Feb. 8-9

The North American Vasa race has a long history in Traverse City. It was first brought to the area in 1977 by three men looking to bring Nordic skiing to the area and has since evolved into a two-day event for Nordic ski, fat tire bike, and snowshoe races. The courses vary in length depending on the event and day. Freestyle ski offers 6K, 15K, and 27K races; the fat tire bike course is a 20K loop that can be done once or twice; classic ski is either a 6K or 15K race; and snowshoe is a quick 3K loop. Last year the race was canceled due to lack of snow, and in 2023 organizers had to shorten or cut events for the same reason. Fingers crossed for great conditions in 2025! Registration ranges from $5 to $90 depending on the event; register at runsignup.com/vasa. 

7. Traverse City Bourbon Fest, Feb. 15

A newer addition to the lineup, the Traverse City Bourbon Fest returns for its third year, hosted at Visions Weddings and Banquets on Bay Shore Drive in Traverse City. This festival features over 100 whiskeys, several beer and wine selections, handmade cocktails to sample, and a food truck for those who want a snack to accompany their liquid libations. The Reverend Jesse Ray will be performing live music for the day. Tickets start at $50 and include event entry, a souvenir tasting glass, and 10 tasting tickets (most tastings will be one ticket). More information and tickets can be found at traversecitybourbonfest.com.

8. Suttons Bay Yeti Fest, Feb. 15

For a full day of Himalayan cryptid fun, Yeti Fest is the perfect winter celebration. The festival starts at 10:30am and runs until 5:30pm. As of press time, activities are still TBD but in past years have include a chili cook-off, sledding, a hockey tournament at the village ice rink, a scavenger hunt, live music, face painting, sledding, and interactive Yeti activities at the library. Visitors can grab a map and tickets at Yeti Central (the event space adjacent to the Village Inn); all activities are within walking distance of Yeti Central. Information can be found at suttonsbaychamber.com/yetifest. 

9. Gaylord’s Alpenfrost, Feb. 15

Gear up for some frigid fun at Gaylord’s Alpenfrost, where the day kicks off with a Frosty 5K run. Warm up afterward at the hot cocoa crawl, then try your hand at snowman building on the country lawn (remember to bring scarf, hat, and glove donations!). In the afternoon, participants can enter or sample at the soup cook-off, while kids can meet Elsa and Anna at Plot Bound Books, and brave souls can take the Frosty Dip. The day ends with Wine and Watercolors at the Rusty Pelican and karaoke at Karma Taproom. For the full schedule, visit gaylordmichigan.net/event/gaylord-alpenfrost. 

10. Petoskey Winter Wonderland Weekend, Feb. 14-16

Get in the spirit of the season at the Petoskey Winter Wonderland Weekend, with ice sculptures, scavenger hunts, deals on shopping and dining, ice carving demonstrations, and more. Sculptures will be hidden throughout the Downtown Social District, and those who find them (and submit their whereabouts via a form) earn the chance to win Downtown Dollars. On Saturday, the festival has a chili cook-off, a glitter party at the library, and more. See all the details at petoskeydowntown.com/events/winter-wonderland.