Bold & Cold Winter Festival
When the air gets cold, Owatonna’s activities heat things up. Owatonna’s 7th Annual Bold & Cold Festival is a perfect way to enjoy a Minnesota winter!
Throughout the entire month of January, Owatonna will WOW you with Bold & Cold activities that will keep you moving.
Plan your winter to coincide with our special BOLD & COLD events and activities January 21-26 in partnership with Owatonna Park and Recreation, Owatonna People’s Press, Owatonna Business Partnership, and Owatonna Main Street.
Stay Awhile
Whether you’re taking a family trip, getting away for the weekend without the kids, or planning a trip with friends, you have a place to stay at one of our clean, comfortable and affordable hotels in Owatonna. End your evening warm and cozy after a full day of Bold & Cold. Find a place to stay here!
Bold & Cold Map by Visit Owatonna
Official Bold & Cold Mittens
Make sure you dress warmly for Owatonna’s Bold & Cold Festival! One sure way to keep your hands warm is with official Bold & Cold Mittens, produced by an Owatonna business, Century Leather Products. A limited supply is available for purchase, now at the Owatonna Chamber of Commerce & Tourism, 120 South Oak Ave, during regular business hours, 8am-5pm, Mon-Fr.
January 22, 2025, 3pm in Central Park
What better time to start thinking about summer ball than in the depths of winter? Come and build a snowman at 3pm in Central Park with your favorite Minnesota Baseball team! The Minnesota Twins will be arriving in Owatonna Wednesday January 22— helping to kick off our snow sculpting contest! They will be arriving around 3pm that day. Help us welcome them to Owatonna!
January 22-26, Central Park
January 6: Team Registration Deadline (call 507-444-4321 or register online)
January 22-25: Team Sculpting
January 26: Vote for your favorite Sculpture online- watch facebook for details.
Discover the artist within you by carving out a stunning sculpture from a block of snow measuring 8x8x8. This is your chance to showcase your creativity to the world. You will have four days to craft your masterpiece, and on Sunday, the public will vote for their favorite works of art. Don’t miss out on this opportunity to unleash your imagination and create something truly extraordinary. Register now to claim your block of snow. Rules, details, and registration.
Starting January 26th, the sculptures’ grading will be posted on Facebook or via signage in Central Park.
- Best Overall Design/Sculpture- Rewards excellence across creativity, technique, visual impact, ambition, and theme execution. The sculpture wows from top to bottom.
- This is our town- The sculpture captures the Owatonna community and our values.
- Most Playful- Goes to the sculpture that impresses with its color, surprise, delight, and fun through whimsical interactions.
Medallion Hunt- The 2025 Medallion has been found!
The hunt is on! Simply watch for the first clue in the Owatonna People’s Press Tuesday, Jan. 21, edition. Sign up below to receive daily clues emailed directly to you every day at 6 a.m. until the medallion is found.
Don’t forget to visit OwatonnaMotorCompany.com to get your daily additional hints!
When link goes live, sign up for clues here: https://www.southernminn.com/bold/#//
January 23-26, Participating Owatonna Businesses
Check out the Bold & Cold deals at our local businesses through Owatonna’s Business Partnership. The sales are heating up with some BOLD discounts!
Friday, January 24
Main Street is hosting A Winter Walk, with Beverages, Bites, and Brrr-ingo. The premise is simple – On Friday, January 24th, participants will walk from establishment to establishment to eat, drink, or do both. All participating downtown businesses will have brrr-ingo cards for people to pick up. Once you have visited an establishment, have the staff mark off the name of that business on the card. Then take your brrr-ingo card to the next place. When you get a brrr-ingo, you can be finished. OR….if you would like to visit more establishments, you can keep going – the more brrr-ingos, the better chance to win a prize. Then leave your card at the last business you visit. Winners will be drawn on Saturday. And we have some great prizes! Hope to see ya downtown!
Winter Weekend Out
January 24-26
Various Owatonna Locations
The 7th Annual Bold & Cold Festival has plenty of winter events to suit everyone’s favorite cold weather activities.
Owatonna Park & Recreation is back again with their Winter Weekend Out that features fun winter activities! You don’t want to miss these fan favorites, such as Family Swim, and Rock, Ice, Sculpture Building Contest, Snowshoeing, Ice Fishing and Luminary Hike.
Family Open Swim & Pool Bingo
UPDATE: Unfortunately, due to low enrollment we have had to cancel the pool bingo portion of our event. Open Swim will still be taking place from 6:30-8:30pm at the Owatonna Middle School Pool.
Friday, January 24, 6:30pm-8:30pm
Owatonna Middle School Pool
Saturday, January 25, 10am-Noon
Kaplans Woods
Join Owatonna Trails Association and Straight River Sports during Owatonna’s Bold & Cold Winter Festival! Experience the fun of riding through the snowy (hopefully) woods on a fat tire bike. We will have warm beverages and demo bikes to try out. Have a fat bike already? We will have a no-drop group fat bike ride at 11 AM. Check out the event on their Facebook page here!
Snowshoeing– Canceled Due to Lack of Snow
Brooktree Golf Course
A variety of snowshoe sizes will be available for complimentary use.
Experience the magic of winter with a complimentary snowshoeing adventure. This exciting program is perfect for individuals and families of all ages and skill levels, offering a chance to explore and discover the beauty of snow-covered landscapes. Whether you’re an experienced hiker or a novice, snowshoeing is a fun and accessible activity that anyone can enjoy. So bundle up, and get ready for an unforgettable winter experience. All Equipment is first come, first served.
Owatonna Curling Club
1440 South Elm Ave Owatonna, MN 55060
Free to participants
Stop by the Owatonna Curling Club and find out what this sport is all about! Watch some live curling and give this Olympic sport a try. This is a family friendly event open to all!
***Bring clean athletic shoes if wanting to get on the ice.
Morehouse Park Rinks
Free to participants
Glide across the rink under vibrant, colorful lights while enjoying upbeat music. Skaters of all ages will receive glow-in-the-dark accessories to enhance the fun and create a magical atmosphere on the ice. Whether you’re a beginner or a seasoned skater, this illuminated event is perfect for families, friends, and anyone looking to light up the night with some active, outdoor winter fun. Don’t forget to bundle up, and be ready to skate and shine!
Luminary Hike- We regret to inform you that this year’s luminary hike has been canceled due to unfavorable weather conditions, including high winds. We would like to thank everyone who expressed interest in attending and hope you will join us in 2026.
Brooktree Golf Course
Free to participants
Join us for a magical evening stroll through Brooktree Golf Course, lit by hundreds of glowing luminaries. Your journey will take you along winding pathways through snow-covered trees, past frozen streams, and under twinkling stars. Along the way, you’ll enjoy a storybook, warm winter refreshments, and opportunities to enjoy the natural world around you.
Saturday, January 25, Owatonna Arts Center at 7:30pm
Little Fish Improv is a group of local actors and comedians that bring Improv to life. No two shows are the same; please join us as this troupe brings comedy to life through the art of improv. Their improv is family friendly for people of all ages. The evening guarantees to be FULL of laughter for all! Get your tickets here!
Spare Time Entertainment
10am to noon $2.50 per game! Starting at Noon get $5 off an hour of bowling when you mention the Bold and Cold Festival!
Sunday, January 26, 1:30pm-3:30pm
Lake Kohlmier Boat Launch
Free for participants
Are you ready to take the bait and go ice fishing at Lake Kohlmier? Our program will have you hooked from the moment you drop your line! We’ll supply all the gear you need to reel in the catch of the day. Don’t worry about a fishing license – we’ve got you covered. This fin-tastic activity is perfect for all ages. So don’t be koi, come join us and let’s make some memories that are really unforgettable!
Sunday, January 26, 3:30pm-6:00pm
Owatonna Tennis Center
Free for participants
Are you ready to give pickleball or tennis a try? Stop in and check it out, whether you have been playing for years, or wanting to give these great indoor/outdoor sports a try, winter is the perfect time to get started!
Morehouse Park Ice Skating Rinks
350 School Street
Skating Hours
Monday-Sunday: 6 a.m.-10 p.m.
Warming House Hours (Supervised)
Monday-Friday: 3 p.m. to 9:30 p.m.
Saturdays, Holidays, School Vacation Days: 11 a.m. to 9:30 p.m.
Sunday: 12 p.m. to 9:30 p.m.
Amenities
Ice Skate rentals
Warming house and restrooms
Hockey rinks
Concessions
Outdoor Lighting
Additional Ice Skating Rinks: Brooktree Golf Course, Buecksler Park and Countryview Park
Brooktree Golf Course: 1369 Cherry Street
Buecksler Park: 1755 Smith Avenue
Countryview Park: 855 Countryview Lane NE
Skating Hours
Monday-Sunday: 6 a.m.-10 p.m.
Amenities
Outdoor Lighting
Seating area
Cross Country Skiing
The Owatonna Parks and Recreation Department maintains and grooms cross country ski trails in the following areas from mid-December to mid-February (depending on weather and snow conditions). Over 11 miles of cross country skiing trails can be found from Kaplan’s Woods Parkway starting from Morehouse Park through Kaplan’s Woods and into the County Club Golf Course (in excess of 8 miles) and Brooktree Golf Course (2 miles).
Ride Into a Winter Wonderland
If your family is looking for a little more adventure and speed, consider snowmobiling.
Rice Lake State Park and Steele County Trail System are popular locations for snowmobiling. Steele County Trail System is a 175-mile route of groomed snowmobile trails that connects five adjoining counties. Gain a new perspective and appreciation for the beauty of Minnesota’s winter wonderland on the seat of a snowmobile. Check out this map to see active trails in Steele County.
Local Brews, Wine to Warm up With, and Igloo Experiences
Minnesota’s first cooperatively owned brewpub – Foremost Brewing Cooperative is celebrating their fourth year of business this year! This upscale, casual, beer-centric dining experience features locally-produced craft beers. Stay toasty at Mineral Springs Brewery in an outdoor igloo. Bundle up, grab your friends and book your Igloo here today. Owatonna has a brand new addition this year, with Grapeful Wine Bar in Downtown Owatonna, winter and wine- a warm combination!
PARTNERS
