These Illinois Winter Events Offer Family-Friendly Fun In 2026

Winter festivals make cold weather fun for Illinois residents seeking an antidote for cabin fever that can set in at this time of year. If it feels like the season will never end, check out some of these Illinois winter events that might just be fun enough to make the time fly.

One of the biggest winter draws in Illinois is ice-skating in Millennium Park and at the Skating Ribbon at Maggie Daly Park. We’ve rounded up seven other winter events that bring people together and create warmth against the cold.

Before we get to them, a reminder:

If you’re planning a winter event, feature it, so nearby readers see it all across Patch — including in roundups like this!

Millennium Park Ice Skating

Native Chicagoans and tourists alike enjoy ice skating in Millennium Park each winter with views of the city's skyscrapers and the iconic "Bean" or Cloud Gate sculpture. The McCormick Tribute Rink is open daily from 11 a.m. to 10:30 p.m. through Feb. 1. Click the link to snag a spot to ice skate at Millennium Park.

Winter Carnival Weekend in Galena

From Feb. 13 through Feb. 16, Eagle Ridge Resort & Spa in Galena will host Winter Carnival Weekend. The festivities include live ice carving, sledding, ice skating, ice fishing and an ice bar that serves up marshmallow shots. Campfires, ice and fire performances and hayrides round out the weekend's offerings. Click the link to learn more about Winter Carnival Weekend.

Downers Grove Ice Fest

More than 60 ice sculptures will be on display during the annual Ice Festival in Downers Grove. Slated for Jan. 30 through Feb. 1, the festival also features live ice carving demonstrations.

Illinois Snow Sculpting Competition

Rockford Park District hosts the 2026 Illinois Snow Sculpting Competition Jan. 28 through Jan. 31. Teams will craft large snow sculptures of Chilly Willy, a meditating toad, a human heart and more for a chance to win state and local titles. Alternative dates (in case weather doesn't cooperate) for the Illinois Snow Sculpting Competition are Feb. 11 through Feb. 14.

Groundhog Days in Woodstock

As the setting for the movie "Groundhog Day," Woodstock goes all out for its Groundhog Days celebration Jan. 29 through Feb. 2. The festival centers around the storied emergence of Woodstock Willie, but features a variety of other family-friendly events. The festivities also include a dinner dance, walking tours of film sites, screenings of "Groundhog Day" and a 5K race.

Winter Chilly Fest in Skokie

Snowshoeing, ice games, hayrides and campfires are just some of the ways to embrace the season at Skokie's Winter Chilly Fest. As the name hints, vegetarian chili (and other eats) is available at this celebration, which raises funds for the Skokie Park District.

Winter Fest at Twin Lakes

Sledding huskies will be on hand for a meet-and-greet and demonstration during Palatine's Winter Fest at Twin Lakes. The event, slated for Jan. 17 at Twin Lakes Golf & Recreation Area, also features pony rides and a campfire for warming up and roasting s'mores. Visitors can also ice skate if they bring their own skates.