Zehnder's Frankenmuth Snowfest 2024 | Events, Dates, Schedule | Incredible Ice Carving Festival and Competition in Michigan! Live Entertainment!
Article: Zehnder's Frankenmuth Snowfest 2024 | Events, Dates, Schedule | Incredible Ice Carving Festival and Competition in Michigan! Live Entertainment!
- Don't you just love Michigan winter ice carving festivals?
Every January, Zehnder's in Frankenmuth Michigan throws one heck of a Frankenmuth Snowfest festival. It's one of the top snow sculpting events in North America!
It's a great excuse to bundle up in the middle of Michigan's winter and eat some famous Frankenmuth fried chicken, shop at the River Place Shops and of course, watch amazingly talented ice artists carve massive slabs of ice into submission!
Zehnder's Snowfest is one of my favorite things to do in Michigan in winter! Plus, you can get some shopping in at the Frankenmuth Riverplace shops! Plus, it's fun for the entire family!
There are so many fun things to do at Zender's Snowfest! Enjoy the warming tent, a fireworks display, ice sculptures, exhibit booths, pony rides, petting zoo and children’s activities and more! So many fun winter things to do!
While you are there, grab our Frankenmuth Michigan travel guide!
Oh, and tag your photos with the Official Snowfest hashtag: #ZSnowfest
When is the 2024 Zehnder’s Frankenmuth Snowfest?
January 24-28, 2024
Frankenmuth Snowfest Table Of Contents
- Frankenmuth Snowfest Insider Tips
- Wednesday, January 24, 2024 Schedule and Things To Do
- Thursday, January 25, 2024: Snow Carving, Dueling Pianos Luncheon, Bingo!
- Friday, January 26, 2024: Ice Carving Exhibition, Petting Zoo, Pony Rides!
- Saturday, January 27, 2024: Fireworks + Warming Tent, Live Music Entertainment, Rock Concert!
- Sunday, January 28, 2024: Magic Shows, Children's Play Area, Completed Ice Sculptures!
- Best Time to Attend the Frankenmuth Snowfest
- Where to Park
- Fun Things to Do Nearby
Insider Frankenmuth Snowfest Insider Tips
- Arrive early. See my notes in the next section about that.
- If you want to indulge in a famous chicken dinner, I would make reservations immediately upon arriving.
- Notice the tiny clay sculptures on display in front of the ice sculptures. It shows you the intent of what the finished ice sculpture will look like.
- Weekday visits have less visitors so it's easier to park and navigate.
- Bathrooms are located in the Bavarian Inn and Zehnder's restaurants.
- If the weather is exceedingly cold at Frankenmuth Snowfest, check out the warming tent located in Zehnder's parking lot. They also have maps of the festival.
- If you are limited on time, the majority of the sculptures are located within Zehnder's and Bavarian Inn's parking lots.
Zehnder's Snowfest Schedule 2024
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Did you know that Zehnder's Snowfest is one of the top snow and ice sculpting events in North America?
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Wednesday, January 24, 2024-Ice Sculpting and Carving Begins | Live Entertainment!
Frankenmuth Snowfest 2024 Schedule
- World Class Snow Carving Teams will work in Zehnder’s Parking Lot. These are Double and Single Block Competitions.
- Children’s Snow Sculpting at Frankenmuth River Place.
- State of Michigan Snow Sculpting Begins at 6 p.m. in Bavarian Inn Restaurant’s Parking
Lot.
- Zehnder’s Snowfest Warming Tent Open 10 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.
- Food, Refreshments, Exhibit Booths & Entertainment
10:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.
- Entertainment by the Halsey Old Timers
11:30 a.m. – 3 p.m.
- Pioneer Sugar’s “All Things Chocolate” Baking Contest. Located at Zehnder's Snowfest Warming tent. 10:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. Sponsored/hosted by Michigan Sugar, Le Creuset and WSGW. Free admission, door prizes, recipes, food sample, demonstrations and more! Fun for the entire family!
Thursday, January 25, 2024: Snow Carving, Dueling Pianos Luncheon, Bingo!
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World Class Snow Carving Teams will work in Zehnder’s Parking Lot. These are Double and Single Block Competitions. Sponsored by Dow, Birch Run Premium Outlets, Frankenmuth Brewery and more.
- Children’s Snow Sculpting at Frankenmuth River Place.
- High School Snow Sculpting Competition begins at 9 a.m. at Frankenmuth River Place.
- State of Michigan Snow Sculpting Continues throughout the day.
- Zehnder’s Snowfest Warming Tent Open 10 a.m. – 3:00 p.m. with Food, Refreshments, Exhibit Booths & Entertainment.
- Bingo! Free for everyone from 1:00 p.m. - 3:00 p.m. at the Zehnder's warming tent.
Friday, January 26, 2024: Ice Carving Exhibition, Petting Zoo, Pony Rides!
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Professional Ice Exhibition, see Greg Butauski, Award Winning Certified
Master Ice Sculptor and his team create a 100-block masterpiece featuring a "Under the Sea" theme.
Located in Zehnder’s Parking Lot behind Rau’s Country Store.
- World Class Snow Carving Teams will work in Zehnder’s Parking Lot. These are Double and Single Block Competitions. Time for pubic voting! Sponsored by Dow
- State of Michigan Snow Sculpting continues throughout the day. Public voting begins.
- High School Snow Sculpting Competition Continues throughout the day, 9 a.m. – 5 p.m. Located at Frankenmuth River Place. Sponsored by
Northwood University
- Zehnder’s Snowfest Official Information Tent Opens 12 noon – 6 p.m.
- Zehnder’s Snowfest Warming Tent Open 10 a.m. – 12 midnight.
- Food, Refreshments, Exhibit Booths and Entertainment
Featuring Country Night:
- 11:30 a.m. – 2:00 p.m. – Music by the Swift Brothers
- 3 p.m. – 4:30 p.m. – U.S. 338th Army Band Country Concert
- 6 p.m. WKCQ Karaoke Contest Finals
- 8 p.m. – Midnight – Hatchwing Rider, ($5.00 Cover Charge after 6 p.m. – Children 12 and Under Free)
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Children’s Play Area Open – Next to Frankenmuth Toy Company.
- Free Petting Zoo 4 – 7 p.m.
Children’s Pony Rides 4 – 7 p.m. Musical Carousel Rides 4 – 7 p.m. Children's Pony Rides 4 – 7 p.m. $3.00
- Collegiate Alumni Ice Carving Challenge and Contest: 4 – 7 pm – Former Collegiate Alumni compete in
a multi-block ice carving challenge.
King and Queen Chairs at Zehnder's Snowfest in Frankenmuth MichiganSaturday, January 27, 2024 - Fireworks Tonight! + Warming Tent, Live Music Entertainment, Rock Concert!
- World Class Snow Carving Teams will work in Zehnder’s Parking Lot. These are Double and Single Block Competitions. Time for pubic voting! Sponsored by Dow. Concludes at 10:00 am.
- Zehnder’s Snowfest Official Information Tent Opens 10:00 am – 5:00 p.m.
- Zehnder’s Snowfest Warming Tent
Open 9:30 a.m. – 12 midnight.
- Food, Refreshments, Exhibit
Booths and Entertainment Featuring Classic Day
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9:30 a.m. – 10:00 a.m. U.S. 338th Army Brass & Wind Ensemble
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10:00 a.m. – 11:00 a.m. U.S. 338th Army Band Patriotic Concert
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11:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. Magician Joel Tacey (3) Shows
- 11:30 a.m. – 3:30 p.m. Music by Stone Street Revival
- 2:00 p.m. Snow Carving Awards
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4:00 p.m. – 5:30 p.m. – U.S. 338th Army Band Rock Concert
- 8 p.m. – 12 a.m. Music by the Rock Show ($5.00
Cover Charge after 6 p.m. – Children 12 and under Free)
- Children’s Play Area Open – Next
to Frankenmuth Toy Company
- Free Petting Zoo 11 a.m. – 5 p.m.
- Children’s Pony Rides 12 noon – 5 p.m. $3.00
- Musical Carousel Ride 11 a.m. – 5
p.m.
- Collegiate Alumni Ice Carving
Competition 11 a.m. – 3 p.m. Former Collegiate Alumni compete in a multi-block
ice carving challenge.
- Annual Fireworks Display – 6:45
p.m.
Sunday, January 28, 2024: Magic Shows, Children's Play Area, Completed Ice Sculptures!
All Ice and Snow Sculptures
Completed for Public Viewing-Come check out the incredible larger than life snow sculptures!
- Zehnder’s Snowfest Official Information Tent Opens 12: 00 pm – 3:00 p.m.
- Zehnder’s Snowfest Warming Tent
Open 10 a.m. – 5 p.m.
- Food, Refreshments, Exhibit
Booths and Entertainment.
- Magician Joel Tacey (3) Shows
11:00 – 4:00 p.m.
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1:00 – 5:00 p.m.
Music by The Saucecats
- Children’s Play Area Open 12 p.m - 5 p.m.
- Free Petting Zoo 12 noon – 5 p.m.
- Children’s
Pony Rides 12 noon – 5 p.m, $3.00
- Musical Carousel Ride 12 noon – 5
p.m.
All Scheduled Outdoor Activities and Events May Be Changed Due to Weather Conditions. Check Zehnder's Snowfest website for more info.
Best Time to Attend the Frankenmuth Snowfest
If you are looking to enjoy this Frankenmuth ice festival without mass crowds, I would recommend going during the week and arrive before noon. The only thing to know is that the sculptures will not be finished yet.
But that's also my favorite time to go! I relish in watching the talented snow artists perfect their sculptures. It's like magic as they transform the massive blocks of ice or snow into realistic rabbits, spiders, dragons or anything the artist can fathom!
I like going to Frankenmuth Snow Fest about two days after the festival starts because the artists are well into their sculptures but it's not the last day so they have time to talk and interact with you. In other words, they are not panicked as the time frame creeps near.
Watch an Artist Wield a Massive Saw to transform a Giant Ice Sculpture During the Frankenmuth Ice Festival!
Where to Park During Frankenmuth Snowfest
Like I mentioned above, I would arrive well before noon at Frankenmuth Snowfest if you want to park near the sculptures.
The best place to park, in my opinion, is right behind Zehnder's Restaurant. They have a monster paved lot, but it will be packed after noon.
Parking is also available in the Bavarian Inn lot and River Place Shops.
Fun Things To Do Nearby
Share This Post With Friends Planning to Attend the Festival!
Author: Sherry Trautman
Author | Sherry Trautman is a seasoned business owner and a multifaceted content creator, deeply entrenched in the world of travel in Michigan. With her extensive background in writing, editing, photography, marketing, website design, web mastering, social media, and publishing, she is the driving force behind the acclaimed Michigan Travel site "Travel-mi.com." A lifelong Michigander...read more about Sherry Trautman
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