Join us for Bloomington's only winter festival!
The second annual Freezefest will take place from Thursday, January 20 through Saturday, January 22. Gather your friends and family to experience exciting winter festivities, including:
- Magnificent ice sculptures on display
- Live carving demonstrations by internationally-recognized ice sculptors
- A thrilling live ice carving battle at Upland Brewing Co.
- Interactive, winter-themed crafts and games for kids
- And more throughout downtown Bloomington!
Freezefest is a free event and a great opportunity to get out of the house this winter! Be dazzled by frozen art, explore downtown Bloomington, and create fun winter memories with your crew during this one-of-a-kind Bloomington festival.
Use the following links to easily toggle through Freezefest event details:
Ice Carving Battle
Date: Friday, January 21
Time: 7:30-9:00 pm
Location: Upland Brewing Co.
Parking: Metered street parking on 11th, Rogers, and Morton Streets, plus the Morton Street Parking Garage
Attend Freezefest's most thrilling event, an ice carving battle between two internationally-distinguished ice carvers, at Upland Brewing Co. on the brewery's patio. Watch the carvers as they make their frozen creations come to life, and make a game out of the event with family & friends to guess which carver will finish first and what their sculpture will be!
Guests can also enjoy an ice bar from 6:00-10:00 pm, in which Upland will serve a selection of their locally-brewed beers and soda for underage attendees & those who prefer non-alcoholic beverages.
Live Carving Demonstrations
Date: Saturday, January 22
Time: 12:00-3:00 pm
Locations: The Mill, Trades District, B-Line Trail at 4th Street, Monroe County Public Library Plaza, Switchyard Park
Parking: Metered street parking and the Morton Street Parking Garage near The Mill, Trades District, and B-Line; free two hour parking at the library plus metered street parking and Poplars Parking Garage on 6th Street; two free lots at Switchyard Park
Enjoy several live ice carving demonstrations throughout downtown Bloomington, led by some of the world's most prominent ice sculptors. What exactly the sculptures are will be revealed in real-time — exchange guesses with those in your group about what you think each carving will be, and enjoy the unfolding mystery as the sculptures come closer and closer to being finished.
Can't make it to the live demos? Break out your bikes, rent some scooters, or get your steps in on Sunday as you journey from sculpture-to-sculpture. Snap a photo of your favorite and share it on Instagram with #FreezefestBTown!
Sculptures on Display
Date: From Thursday, January 20 until they melt!
Time: All day
Locations: Upland Brewing Co., B-Line Trail at 7th Street, B-Line Trail at 2nd Street, and B-Line Trail at Rogers Street
Parking: Metered street parking on 2nd, 7th, 11th, Morton, and Rogers Streets, plus the Morton Street Parking Garage
Travel through downtown to view four large-scale ice sculptures, each sparkling during day and lit with colorful lights at night. On Thursday, Freezefest's ice sculptors will begin the carving process, and once they're completed, the icy masterpieces will be on display until the sunshine melts them away.
Like the sculptures carved during the live demonstrations, these four sculptures will be a mystery for attendees to try to uncover as the carvings are brought to life.
Activities for Kids
Freezefest at the Library
Date: Saturday, January 22
Time: 12:00-4:00 pm
Location: Monroe County Public Library
Parking: Free two hour parking in the library's parking lot, metered street parking on surrounding streets, or the Poplars Parking Garage on 6th Street
Wrangle the kids and head downtown to the library for a snowflake craft in the Children's Program Room! Before you head in for craft time, check out the live carving demonstration happening outside on the library's plaza. Take a break from the cold to create your snowflakes, then head back to the plaza to get an update on the sculpture carving. Escape the chilly air once more to let the littles pick out a few library books or to have story time, then check out the completed ice sculpture before you set off toward your next Freezefest activity or grab an early bite to eat at a Kirkwood restaurant.
Ice Games and More
Date: Friday, January 21 and Saturday, January 22
Time: 11:00 am-7:30 pm on Friday / 10:00 am-2:00 pm on Saturday
Location: Trades District at Madison Street
Parking: Metered street parking on 11th, Rogers, and Morton Streets, plus the Morton Street Parking Garage
Enjoy a variety of fun activities for kids at the center of Freezefest's happenings! Several ice games will be available for play, including ping pong on a table made of ice, as well as various kid-friendly activities put on by the Boys & Girls Club. Families can also enjoy food trucks, a fire pit warming station, sculptures on display, and live carving demonstrations, all within the Trades District area.
Auxiliary Events
Bloomington Winter Farmers' Market
Date: Saturday, January 22
Time: 9:00 am-12:30 pm
Location: Switchyard Park Pavilion
Parking: Two free lots at Switchyard Park
Photo by the Bloomington Winter Farmers' Market
Before heading to the Trades District for Freezefest's afternoon events, stop by the Bloomington Winter Farmers' Market at Switchyard Park. Pick up a few locally-produced goodies, check out the live carving demonstration happening at the park from 12:00-3:00 pm, then make your way across downtown for event more festival fun.
Winter Palooza
Date: Saturday, January 22
Time: 3:00-5:00 pm
Location: Switchyard Park Pavilion
Parking: Two free lots at Switchyard Park
After you've experienced the many festivities happening throughout the Trades District, head back to Switchyard Park for Winter Palooza, a winter-themed afternoon of kid-friendly crafts and activities put on by the city's Parks & Recreation department. Attendees can also enjoy a snack or early dinner from a food truck at the park from 2:00-4:00 pm. Be sure to stay through sunset so you can see Switchyard's ice sculpture lit up with colored lights in the night!
Do note that times for all Freezefest events are subject to change due to the event being weather-contingent — check our Facebook and Instagram for the most up-to-date information.
Staying in town for the festival? Find a place to stay and browse other things to do during your visit this winter.
Thank you to our generous Freezefest sponsors!
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