Luminary Loppet: A Celebration of Winter in Minnesota

Luminary Loppet: A Celebration of Winter in Minnesota

Enjoy a fun-filled, candlelit night at Lake of the Isles

Come out to Lake of the Isles and enjoy the Luminary Loppet and enjoy a candlelit trail. Experience 1,200 luminaries lining the trail with unique ice features and much more – all in the heart of Uptown. The Luminary Loppet is also the Loppet Foundation’s largest fundraiser of the year – supporting our year-round programs as we live out of mission of connecting people to the outdoors through experiences that grow community.

The candlelit Luminary Loppet is the Twin Cities’ most magical event of the season. Come out to Lake of the Isles and enjoy the Luminary Loppet where you can walk, snowshoe, or ski on the candlelit trail winding across the lake. Experience 1,200 luminaries lining the trail with unique ice features and much more – all in the heart of Uptown. Refreshments such as hot chocolate will be offered at tents across the lake. Food trucks, beer, and music are located at the Luminary Party

The Luminary Loppet is the Loppet Foundation’s largest fundraiser of the year – supporting our year-round programs as we live out our mission of connecting people to the outdoors through experiences that grow community. Learn more about the Loppet’s mission here.

2025 Map


Photo by Todd Bauer at TMBimages.com

Event

Luminary Loppet: A Celebration of Winter in Minnesota

Location

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The Great Northern in Minnesota: The Foundations of an Empire

ICYMI

10 Twin Cities Chefs, Restaurants, and Bars Are James Beard Awards Semifinalists for 2025

DNMI: Ice Sculptures Return to Mia – Minneapolis, MN

DNMI: Ice Sculptures Return to Mia – Minneapolis, MN

Courtesy of Mia

Walk through the ice sculpture-filled winter wonderland!

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10 Twin Cities Chefs, Restaurants, and Bars Are James Beard Awards Semifinalists for 2025

10 Twin Cities Chefs, Restaurants, and Bars Are James Beard Awards Semifinalists for 2025

Every winner walks out of the James Beard awards ceremony with the same medal. Eliesa Johnson/James Beard Foundation

 

Minneapolis’s Ann Ahmed of Khâluna is in the running for Outstanding Chef with Spoon and Stable under consideration for Outstanding Restaurant

 

The James Beard Foundation announced its 2025 list of semifinalists on Wednesday, January 22nd, giving a nod to 10 Twin Cities restaurants and one in Saint Joseph, Minnesota, six of which were featured in national categories. For comparison, the city had seven semifinalists in 2024. Ann Ahmed of Khâluna in Minneapolis, made the so-called “long list” last year and has been under consideration in prior years.:

Outstanding Chef

Ann Ahmed, Khâluna, Minneapolis

Outstanding Restaurant

Spoon and Stable, Minneapolis

Best New Restaurant

Bûcheron, Minneapolis

Vinai, Minneapolis

Outstanding Hospitality

Mucci’s, Saint Paul

Outstanding Wine and Other Beverages Program

Bar Brava, Minneapolis

Best Chef: Midwest

Shigeyuki Furukawa, Kado no Mise, Minneapolis

Abraham Gessesse, Hyacinth, St. Paul

Mateo Mackbee, Krewe, Saint Joseph

Diane Moua, Diane’s Place, Minneapolis

Karyn Tomlinson, Myriel, St. Paul

This semifinalist list reflects the restaurant and chef categories; finalists in these categories will be announced on Wednesday, April 2nd. Winners will be awarded at the James Beard Restaurant and Chef Awards Ceremony on Monday, June 16th at the Lyric Opera of Chicago.

Disclosure: Some Vox Media staff members are part of the voting body for the James Beard Awards.

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The Essential James Beard Cookbook: 450 Recipes That Shaped the Tradition of American Cooking

ICYMI

ICYMI: The Ice Palace returns in a new Central Park location for a bigger and better experience! – Delano, MN

 

Winter Family Weekend – Sandstone, MN

Winter Family Weekend – Sandstone, MN

Winter Family Weekend

Spend quality time with your family in the North Woods this winter, making memories that last a lifetime!

Embrace winter over the long Presidents’ day weekend! Treat your family to three nights/four days of discovery, learning and fun. This exciting family program offers age-specific and all-family program options to choose from. Whether you’re looking for snow activities, skiing/snowshoeing, nature learning or quality family time, we have something for the whole family.

Winter Family Activities

Indoor climbing wall

High ropes course

Cross-country skiing

Snowshoeing

Quinzee-Building & survivor skills

Ice Fishing

Kicksledding

Arts & crafts

Orienteering

Campfire, and more!

Weekend Accommodations

You’ll find our accommodations are perfect for a weekend of adventure, relaxation and retreat. Each spacious room in Crosby or Lowry Lodge has bunk style beds and sleeps up to 6 or 8 people (each family has their own room). Delicious, healthy, scratch-made meals are served in our large dining room with beautiful stone fireplace and wonderful views of the woods and lake.

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Frozen River Film Festival – Winona, MN

Frozen River Film Festival – Winona, MN

Frozen River Film Festival

The art of documentary. The warmth of Winona. Celebrating 20 Years!

The Frozen River Film Festival offers programs that engage, educate and activate viewers to become involved in the world. These programs provide a unique perspective on environmental issues, sustainable communities, adventure travel and sports, and diverse cultures while showcasing the art of documentary film. Our films often explore issues, concerns, and life’s successes that are usually not covered in the local media.

We connect our viewers with people at the heart of current events, organizations at the forefront of social change, and distinct cultures in an increasingly global community.

Our high-caliber documentary films feature interviews, exciting stories, or perspective on current affairs that will often captivate and engross the viewer. Films often hit home on a personal note for viewers. Films encourage attendees to learn more about an issue, volunteer with an organization, get outside, or help financially support a cause they believe in.

In addition, face-to-face Q&A sessions with filmmakers and producers are a rewarding bonus to our festival screenings Q&A sessions with the filmmaker or producer. This happens immediately after showing of the film when the audience has the story fresh in its mind. Viewers then delve into details of how the film was made, what the film’s characters are doing now, or how the celebrity found inspiration to make the documentary. Those follow-ups keep the audience engaged. Periodic workshops and forums throughout the year can keep viewers engaged as well.

Frozen River Film Festival - Apps on Google Play

20th annual frozen river film festival schedule!

Event

Frozen River Film Festival

Sunday, February 9th through Sunday, February 16th

Location

Winona State University

175 West Mark Street

Winona, MN

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