Ice Castles Won’t Return to Minnesota for the First Time in Years

Well, Minnesota winter just got a little less magical. If visiting Ice Castles has become one of your favorite ways to embrace the cold, I've got some bad news for you.

Ice Castles will NOT be returning to Minnesota for the 2026–2027 winter season.

Seriously? We live in a literal freezer for several months out of the year... But apparently, despite Minnesota essentially being the frozen tundra, it doesn't guarantee a front row seat to our favorite winter wonderland forever.

I can't help but wonder if Minnesota's recent mild winters have anything to do with this. After all, keeping a giant castle made of ice frozen isn't exactly an easy job when Mother Nature can't seem to make up her mind. Ice Castles hasn't confirmed that's the reason Minnesota is being left off this year's list, but it is curious.

Ice Castles first came to Minnesota back in 2012–2013, setting up at Mall of America. Since then, the attraction has moved around the Twin Cities, popping up in places like Eden Prairie, Stillwater, Excelsior, New Brighton and Maple Grove before finding its way to the Minnesota State Fairgrounds.

That's more than a decade of giant ice formations, frozen slides, glowing tunnels, hot drinks, and photos that make you look like you wandered into a real-life winter fairy tale. Other than one season, 2020-2021, that they had to skip, it's been a winter attraction Minnesotans have been able to look forward to year after year.

I finally made it out there last winter, and now I am SO glad I did. I had not the slightest clue it was going to be my last chance to see them here for who knows how long!

Where Can You Visit Ice Castles This Winter?

If you're REALLY determined to explore a castle made of ice, you'll have two options for the 2026–2027 season, and unfortunately, it's not exactly nearby.

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Ice Castles is returning to North Woodstock, New Hampshire, and opening a new location in Montréal, Québec.

Could they come back to Minnesota down the road? Sure! But there’s no guarantee when OR if that’ll happen. Sad day!