Culver Winterfest is a fantastic 3-day festival for the whole family to enjoy! Join us February 13-15, 2026, to celebrate all things winter. Starting Friday, come tour the ice sculptures throughout town, all hand-carved live by professional ice carvers from Rock On Ice. The rest of the weekend is packed with more winter fun, from the Cupid’s Dart, to the Polar Plunge, and Chili Cook-Off, there’s no shortage of activities here in Culver during Winterfest. We will also have a sledding hill at the Park, open to the public all weekend long (beginning Friday at 5PM). If you’d like to opt for an indoor activity, we proudly present Cupid’s Karaoke at the Lakehouse Grille, and the Farmer’s Market hosted by our local Library. Saturday night is the can’t miss event, the Ice Fights, which two ice sculptors at a time race against the clock and go head to head to create the most unique sculptures. Enjoy the show while sipping a refreshment in the beer garden on Saturday night. Scroll down for a video featuring 2023 Winterfest, tentative 2026 Winterfest schedule, and more information.
POLAR PLUNGE & CHILI COOK OFF REGISTRATION & ICE SCULPTURE SPONSORSHIP FORMS BELOW!
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POLAR PLUNGE & CHILI COOK OFF REGISTRATION & ICE SCULPTURE SPONSORSHIP FORMS BELOW! •
2026 Schedule
Friday, February 13
Ice Sculpture Tour: BEGINS AT 5PM (Weather permitting). Location: Around Town.
Sledding Hill: All Day Location: Culver Park - Bring your own sled or borrow one of ours! Both kids and adults are welcome to sled, and you can stay warm, by the fire pits located throughout the park.
Check out crafted ice sculptures sponsored by individuals and businesses all around town!
CLICK HERE to sponsor an ice sculpture for your business, family or any occasion.
Cupid’s Crawl: Information coming soon!
Cupids’ Karaoke & Cocktails: 9:30 pm. Sing your heart out at the Lakehouse Grille! (620 E. Lakeshore Dr.)
Saturday, February 14
Ice Sculpture Tour: All Day (weather permitting). Location: Around Town. Check out crafted ice sculptures sponsored by individuals and businesses all around town!
Sledding Hill: All Day Location: Culver Park - Bring your own sled or borrow one of ours! Both kids and adults are welcome to sled, and you can stay warm, by the fire pits located throughout the park.
Lions Club Pancake Breakfast: 9-11am. Location: Train Depot (615 E. Lakeshore Dr.). Enjoy a savory and sweet breakfast with the local philanthropy group, Culver Lions Club!
Cupid’s Dart 5K Run and 1 Mile Walk: 8am. Location: Culver Beach Lodge (819 E. Lakeshore Dr.). Grab those running (or walking) shoes to participate in a casual fun run/walk around town. Maps will be provided, registration NOT required and be sure to show up at least 10 minutes before to prepare.
Free Community Yoga Class: 9am. Sponsored by civvies and Culver Pediatrics. More information coming soon!
Indoor Farmers’ Market: 10am-1pm. Location: Culver & Union Township Public Library (107 N. Main Street). Shop locally crafted goods!
Soup for the Soul: 12-4pm. Location: Culver Beach Lodge (819 E. Lakeshore Dr.). What is soup for the soul? For just $10 you can come and pick out a unique, one-of-a-kind soup bowl hand crafted by a student at Culver Community Schools and enjoy all you can eat soup, dessert and a drink! The proceeds from this event will be going to the local food pantry and animal shelter. More information coming soon!
~ THE MAIN EVENT ~
Beer Garden & S’mores: 5-10pm Location: West Pavilion, Culver Park. Open to all ages. For those drinking alcohol, please obtain a wristband and stay inside the designated beer garden fence.
Ice Fights: 6-10pm Location: West Pavilion, Culver Park. Join us for the BIG event of the weekend! Watch as ice sculptors compete while enjoying some adult beverages and roasting some marshmallows.
Sunday, February 15
Ice Sculpture Tour: All Day (weather permitting). Location: Around Town. Check out crafted ice sculptures sponsored by individuals and businesses all around town!
Sledding Hill: All Day Location: Culver Park - Bring your own sled or borrow one of ours! Both kids and adults are welcome to sled, and you can stay warm, by the fire pits located throughout the park.
Polar Plunge REGISTRATION: 12pm-12:45pm ALL JUMPERS/”PLUNGERS” MUST ARRIVE BY 12:45pm to complete registration by signing the waiver, and line up for jumping. If you are pre-registered, PLEASE ARRIVE BETWEEN 12 and 12:45pm. The first 50 to register will receive a Winterfest branded, Polar Plunge Towel! Registration will be held inside at the concession stand of the Culver Beach Lodge
Polar Plunge JUMPING BEGINS: 1pm. Location: Culver Beach (819 E. Lakeshore Dr.). Pre-register here.
Everyone line up to take the plunge! Jump into Lake Maxinkuckee through the ice!!! Want to get a little more creative and fun? Put on a costume and grab a friend! The Culver & Union Township Fire Department will be on site for safety purposes.
Chili Cook Off: 1-3pm. Location: Culver Beach Lodge Conference Room (819 E. Lakeshore Dr.) Register here to compete in the 2026 Chili Cook Off. Participate for the title of Best Chili or just enjoy the samples. Participant registration required. It is free to be a chili cook-off participant and $5 to eat/vote on the chili! There will be a bake sale as well be sure to bring cash for chili and some baked goods!
Be on the look out for ice skaters, ice fishers and ice sailors on Lake Maxinkuckee all weekend long!!! *** Please check local and national guidelines for ice thickness safety before participating on activities on Lake Maxinkuckee. For more information, please visit https://survivalskills.guide/how-to-tell-if-ice-is-safe-to-walk-on/
Sponsor a Winterfest Ice Sculpture
Celebrate your family, promote your business, or choose another fun design when you sponsor a Winterfest Ice Sculpture.
Ice sculptures will be displayed all weekend beginning Friday at 5PM. If you want to see your sculpture created before your eyes, choose the live sculpting option!
Live sculptures are sculpted on Saturday of the festival and creates an exciting scene for all to see.
Sponsorship form: CLICK HERE
Take the Plunge!
Plunge participants are famous for their creative costumes! Grab a friend or even do a couple’s costume. First 50 registrants receive a Winterfest towel. All Polar Plunge participants receive a cup of hot chocolate to warm up.
Registration link: CLICK HERE
5K & 1 Mile
Cupid’s Dart Routes
9AM, Saturday: The 5K AND 1 Mile run/walk routes will begin and end at the Beach Lodge in the Culver Park.
Maps will be provided at the event.
Please show up at least 10-15 minutes early to get ready and receive a map.
No registration required.
Chili Cook Off
1PM - 3PM at the Culver Beach Lodge
Participant registration required (registration link below!).
It is free to be a chili cook-off participant and $5 to eat/vote on the chili!
There will be a bake sale as well by the CCHS swim team so be sure to bring cash for chili and some baked goods!
Enter your chili!: CLICK HERE