Polar Fest

About the Event

We have a variety of activities going on throughout our festival, so you’re sure to find one you’ll enjoy! From the Polar Fest Plunge to vintage snowmobiles to our famous Frozen Fireworks, there’s something for everyone.

Schedule of Events:

22nd Annual ULTRA Vintage Snowmobile Rally & Swap Meet
8 AM - 5:00 PM
Location: On Little Detroit Lake just off of the W Lake Ave/Rossman Avenue Lake Access
The 14th annual ULTRA Vintage Snowmobile Rally & Swap Meet takes place on Saturday, February 18 on Little Detroit Lake (near the Zorbaz). Registration is from 8:00 a.m. - 11:00 a.m. with the Ride from Noon - 5:00 p.m.

Paddling from MN to the Artic Ocean: with Zach Fritz
1:00 PM
Location: 1000 Washington Ave, Detroit Lakes, MN 56501
Join us for our special Polar Fest presentation with Zach Fritz. Hear about how he and his friend Taylor Raw Spent 106 days paddling over 2,200 miles from MN to the Artic Ocean.

Adult Pinewood Derby
1:30 PM - 5:00 PM
Location: Boys and Girls Club, 150 Richwood Road, Detroit Lakes, MN 56501
Join the Detroit Lakes American Legion for an Adult Pinewood Derby in support of our local Boy Scout Troop. Build your car and come out to have some fun while supporting a great group of young men! Trophies will be awarded to the top three places in the individual and Team categories, as well as one trophy for the Outlaw class and one for the People's Choice!

Polar Fest Art Show

1:00 PM - 8:00 PM
Location: Historic Holmes Theatre, 806 Summit Ave, Detroit Lakes, MN 56501
The Historic Holmes Theatre will be hosting a Poler Fest art show in the Foltz trucking lounge from February 10th to the 22nd. These are dazzling examples of art done by local members of our Holmes Artist Collective. Works will be for sale, and there will be a closing reception on February 22nd. Gallery hours are as follows: Monday-Friday open 9am-5pm Saturday-Sunday open 1pm-8pm Closing reception on February 22nd is from 1-2:30 in the Foltz trucking lounge. Snacks will be provided, and is open to the public!

Date Night on the Ice
5 PM - 11 AM
Location: On Detroit Lake
Take advantage of this unique destination for your next date! Double dates are welcome, too. Stay for a few hours, or stay overnight it's up to you! You don't even need fishing equipment. All couples will also get access to discounted rental equipment.

The Fabulous Armadillos present Hit the Road
7:30 PM
Location: Historic Holmes Theatre, 806 Summit Ave, Detroit Lakes, MN 56501
"Hit The Road" with the Fabulous Armadillos! Hit The Road (Songs About the Highway of Life) is a vast collection of songs written about avenues, boulevards, freeways, highways, roads, and streets. It is one of the MOST popular subjects for any artist to write about as they all spend a great deal of time on the road. If you could create the perfect Hit The Road playlist…what songs would you want to hear? Songs like Route 66, Six Days On The Road, Main Street, Everyday Is A Winding Road, King Of The Road, Goodbye Yellow Brick Road, Where The Streets Have No Name, Holiday Road, Hit The Road, Jack, Bless The Broken Road, On The Road Again … just to get you started. They like to cross as many musical genres as possible, so expect the unexpected! You know the Fabulous Armadillos and their special guests will have some big fun with this one! The Fabulous Armadillos came out of their shell in 2006 and have since established a large and loyal following in Minnesota and beyond with their spot on recreations of songs from many genres of music from Country to Motown to Heavy Metal to 70's Soft Rock and play them just like you remember."

The Great Polar Hunt
All Day
Location: Detroit Lakes, MN 56501
Individuals and groups are invited to join the Great Polar Hunt! Find the signs around Detroit Lakes, solve the puzzle and register to win prizes! Participation forms are at the Chamber or call 218-847-9202. Registered participants will be emailed the puzzle at noon on February 7th. The email will contain the puzzle you will need to solve by finding hidden signs around Detroit Lakes and surrounding area. All signs will be at area businesses; driving is required. Find the signs and return the completed puzzle to the Detroit Lakes Chamber Office by 12noon, February 24th, 2025. Each completed puzzle will be entered into a drawing for prize packages filled with goodies and local gift cards! One puzzle per paid registration. Winners be drawn on February 24th at 12noon and notified by phone.

Polartry Poetry Walk
All Day
Location: DL City Park
This event is free and open 24/7! Come out and enjoy our Fourth Annual Polartry Poetry Walk! It's a fun, free public art project with original poetry on display under the beautiful lights in the City Park. Our goal is to celebrate a love of language that inspires and promotes poets of all ages, while also providing outdoor public art that encourages people to get outside and make the most of winter in Minnesota.

Bobber Bingo
2 PM - 6 PM
Location: Detroit Lakea Armory

Polar Bean Bag Tournament
2:00 PM
Location: Bucks Mill Brewing, 824 Washington Avenue, Detroit Lakes, MN 56501
Join us for an afternoon of fierce but friendly competition for our annual Polar Fest Bean Bag Tournament.

Beer Quaffing Competition
2 PM
Location: Hub 41

Click here to Buy Tickets

We want to hear from you if you have an event to share or updates to this event.