Things to Do in February 2026 in Winona County, Minnesota
February in Winona County, Minnesota offers a wonderful mix of winter festivals, arts and culture, outdoor adventures, and community events. From the world-renowned Winona Ice Fest to the acclaimed Frozen River Film Festival, there’s no shortage of activities to enjoy across the county. Explore events in Winona, St. Charles, Lewiston, Goodview, and the surrounding communities!
Featured Festivals & Major Events
🧗 Winona Ice Fest
📍 Winona Ice Park, 825 E Lake Blvd, Winona
The 3rd Annual Winona Ice Climbing Festival brings climbers from across the country to experience one of the largest man-made ice climbing parks in North America. Enjoy climbing clinics for all skill levels, equipment demos, live music, professional talks, morning yoga sessions, and a DJ dance party at the illuminated Ice Park. Registered guests receive demo cards, complimentary food and drinks at select downtown locations, and entry into the Saturday gear giveaway.
Learn More🎬 Frozen River Film Festival
📍 The ARC, Winona County Historical Society, Winona Arts Center – Downtown Winona
Celebrating 21 years of documentary filmmaking! The Frozen River Film Festival (FRFF) returns with approximately 60 thought-provoking documentary films that inspire, challenge, and expand understanding of the world. Weekday events include panel discussions, educational screenings, and community collaborations. The main festival weekend (February 7-8) features full schedules of screenings, filmmaker Q&As, and special events across multiple downtown Winona venues. Films focus on environmental justice, adventure, activism, arts and culture, and human resilience.
Get Festival PassesEvents by Date – Winona
🎨 Curator Talk: Isabel Ruiz Cano
📍 Minnesota Marine Art Museum, 800 Riverview Drive, Winona
Join a special curator talk featuring Isabel Ruiz Cano from The Eric Carle Museum of Picture Book Art. Learn about the intersection of illustration, storytelling, and marine art at this engaging presentation at MMAM.
More Info📚 Community Builders Book Club
📍 Winona Public Library, 151 W 5th St, Winona
Engage Winona and the Winona Public Library host the Community Builders Book Club at 4:30 PM. February’s selection is “This Is Where You Belong” by Melody Warnick, exploring how communities can grow stronger through civic participation. Free and open to all.
Learn More🧠 SPARK! Cultural Programming for Memory Loss
📍 Minnesota Marine Art Museum, 800 Riverview Drive, Winona
A meaningful art experience designed for people living with memory loss and their care partners. This specialized program creates a welcoming environment for engagement with art.
More Info🖼️ Grand Panorama Advancement
📍 Minnesota Marine Art Museum, 800 Riverview Drive, Winona
Experience the historic Grand Panorama of a Whaling Voyage ‘Round the World – a massive 1,275-foot long painting from 1848 that tells the story of Benjamin Russell’s whaling voyage. Special advancement and viewing opportunities.
Visit MMAM🎨 Oil Painting Workshop with Casey Wicka
📍 Minnesota Marine Art Museum, 800 Riverview Drive, Winona
Learn the basics of oil painting in this hands-on workshop led by local artist Casey Wicka. Perfect for beginners and those looking to refine their technique. “Oil Painting Made Easy” provides approachable instruction for all skill levels.
Register Now🎬 Frozen River Film Festival – Main Weekend
📍 Multiple venues throughout Downtown Winona
The primary festival weekend brings the best documentary films, filmmaker Q&As, food, drinks, live music, and community conversations to downtown Winona. Pass options include All Access ($135), Festival Pass ($100), and Online-Only ($65). Winona students attend free.
Get Tickets👶 Toddler Tuesday
📍 Minnesota Marine Art Museum, 800 Riverview Drive, Winona
A special morning program designed for toddlers and their caregivers to explore art together. Enjoy hands-on activities and age-appropriate art exploration in a welcoming museum environment.
More Info🏫 February Guided Field Trip Week
📍 Minnesota Marine Art Museum, 800 Riverview Drive, Winona
Schools and educational groups are invited for guided museum tours during this special field trip week. Experience world-class marine art with educational programming designed for students of all ages.
Schedule a Visit📖 Tales of Winona’s Past
📍 Winona Public Library, Central Exchange Room, 151 W 5th St
Local historians Merle Hanson and Joe Hughes share captivating stories from Winona’s rich history on the third Thursday of every month. Previous tales have featured colorful characters like Charley Goddard, Leon Bronk, Anton Pehler, and audience favorite Lena Weinberg. Free and open to the public.
Library Events🌙 Third Thursday at MMAM
📍 Minnesota Marine Art Museum, 800 Riverview Drive, Winona
The museum stays open late until 8 PM on the third Thursday of every month. Enjoy special programming, extended hours, and a unique evening museum experience.
Plan Your Visit🔫 Adult Capture the Flag Laser Tag
📍 Winona Public Library, 151 W 5th St, Winona
Get zapped out instead of tagged out at this popular adults-only event! Teams compete in the library after hours from 5:45-7:00 PM on the third Friday of the month. Each game features new rules for added excitement. Registration required; participants must be 18 and older.
Register Here🛷 Anything But A Sled Building Challenge
📍 St. Mary’s University Sledding Hill, Winona
The Winona Family YMCA invites adventurers of all ages to this creative winter competition! Build a sled out of anything BUT a traditional sled and race down the hill. Creativity, teamwork, and plenty of laughs guaranteed. A perfect family-friendly winter activity!
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Get Your Free ConsultationEvents in Winona County Communities
📍 St. Charles, Minnesota
Located 20 miles east of Rochester and 20 miles west of Winona, St. Charles is known as the “Gateway to the Whitewater Valley.” This charming community of nearly 4,000 residents hosts various community events throughout the year.
🏛️ City Council Meeting
📍 St. Charles City Hall
Regular City Council meetings are open to the public. A great opportunity to stay informed about local government activities and community developments.
City Calendar🏛️ City Council Meeting
📍 St. Charles City Hall
Regular Council meeting open to the public.
Visit St. Charles📍 Goodview, Minnesota
A close-knit suburb of Winona, Goodview offers community events and easy access to all Winona County activities. The Goodview Farmers’ Market is a local favorite when in season.
Check local community boards and the Visit Winona events calendar for February happenings in the Goodview area.
📍 Lewiston, Minnesota
Home to the annual Lewiston Auto Holiday Basketball Classic and a proud Winona County community. The Lewiston-Altura School District provides various winter activities and events for families.
Visit the Winona Post events page for the latest Lewiston community happenings.
Recurring Weekly Events
Every Week in February 2026
- Wednesdays, Thursdays & Fridays – Live Jazz Music
The Lafayette Cocktail Lounge, Downtown Winona | 6:00-9:00 PM
Visit Winona Events - Thursdays – Taproom Trivia
Two Fathoms Brewing, Downtown Winona
Test your knowledge with general trivia and prizes!
Two Fathoms Events - Thursdays – Mics & Brews Karaoke Night
Two Fathoms Brewing, Downtown Winona
Sing your favorite tunes in a fun, supportive atmosphere. - Tuesdays – Stitch ‘n Bitch Craft Night
No Name Bar, 252 E. 3rd St, Winona
Bring your crafts – knitting, crochet, embroidery, or whatever you’re working on – for a relaxed evening. - Saturdays – Winter Farmers Market
Morrison Annex Event Center, 363 E. 2nd St, Winona | 9:00 AM – 12:00 PM
Fresh local produce, baked goods, honey, meats, and handcrafted items from regional vendors.
KQAL Community Calendar - River Road Line Dancers – Winona Practice
Select Thursdays – Winona Athletic Club, 773 E 5th St
Line dancing lessons and practice for beginners and intermediate dancers. 7:00-8:00 PM
Art Exhibits & Museums
🎨 “Mystical Waters” by Robert Gonzalez
📍 Minnesota Marine Art Museum, 800 Riverview Drive, Winona
San Antonio artist Robert Gonzalez presents work depicting the role of water in pre-Columbian Mexican mythology and religions. His imagery combines historical research, Mayan iconography, archaeology, dream-based imagery, and the writings of Carl G. Jung to imagine the past lives of ancient cultures.
Current Exhibitions🖼️ Grand Panorama of a Whaling Voyage
📍 Minnesota Marine Art Museum, 800 Riverview Drive, Winona
Experience the incredible 1,275-foot long Grand Panorama created in 1848 by Benjamin Russell and Caleb Purrington. This massive painting documents a whaling voyage around the world and represents one of the most unique marine art installations in the Midwest.
Plan Your Visit🏛️ Winona County History Center
📍 160 Johnson Street, Winona
The Winona County Historical Society is updating exhibits through late February. The History Center’s main exhibition areas will reopen on weekends beginning February 28th. The museum shop, rental spaces, and select programming remain available. Full exhibits return May 2026.
Visit History CenterWinona State University Athletics
🏀 Warriors Basketball
📍 McCown Gymnasium, Winona State University
Cheer on the Winona State Warriors men’s and women’s basketball teams during NSIC conference play! The Warriors compete against regional rivals throughout February. Check the official schedule for game times and ticket information.
Men’s Basketball ScheduleNearby Regional Events
💕 “Meet Cute: Love Stories from Lanesboro”
📍 St. Mane Theatre, Lanesboro (30 minutes from Winona)
Lanesboro Arts presents a Valentine’s weekend variety show celebrating love in its many forms. Enjoy a sweet and humorous collection of poems, songs, and stories performed by local talent. A perfect romantic outing!
Lanesboro ArtsPlan Your Visit to Winona County
Winona County is located in southeastern Minnesota along the beautiful Mississippi River. The county seat, Winona, is home to approximately 26,000 residents and two universities – Winona State University and Saint Mary’s University of Minnesota.
Getting Here:
- 90 minutes southeast of Minneapolis/St. Paul via US Highway 61
- 45 minutes southeast of Rochester via US Highway 14
- La Crosse, Wisconsin is just 30 minutes south
Visitor Resources:
- Visit Winona – Official tourism website
- Winona Area Chamber of Commerce – Business and community events
- Winona Post Events – Local news and events
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