Ice Castles Marks 15 Years of Winter Magic with Return to Minnesota

Step into a frosty fairytale as Minnesota once again transforms into a land of ice and wonder. Ice Castles is set to make its second appearance at the Minnesota State Fairgrounds, offering guests a fresh design and magical, fairytale experiences.

Guests will be immersed in a world where frozen tunnels, archways, and caverns spark the imagination. The one-acre playgrounds feature towers, slides, fountains, and caves—all sculpted entirely from ice—that come alive at night with color-changing, LED lights glowing from within the walls.
“Winter is such a magical time of year,” said Ice Castles CEO Kyle Standifird. “We’re honored to be returning to the iconic Minnesota State Fairgrounds, and we’re excited to introduce fun new enhancements to the experience as we celebrate our 15th anniversary.”

Ice Castles construction will begin in November where a team of approximately 20 ice artisans will spend several weeks building the experience using icicles that they grow, harvest, and hand-place one-by-one. Ice Castles typically opens in late December, depending on the weather, and remains open until late February or early March, weather permitting. The Utah-based company will have a total of 5 locations this year with other locations in Colorado, New Hampshire and an international location.

Advanced tickets to visit the frozen fortresses will be available on December 2, 2025 and can be purchased on the attraction’s website, icecastles.com.