Bold & Cold Winter Festival

Bold & Cold Winter Festival- January 2026

When the air gets cold, Owatonna’s activities heat things up. Owatonna’s 8th 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 19-25 in partnership with Owatonna Park and Recreation, Owatonna People’s Press, Owatonna Business Partnership, and Owatonna Main Street. Owatonna Park & Recreation is back again with their 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.

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!

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.

Open Outdoor Ice Skating

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.

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.