Winterfest Weekend in Lake Geneva 2023

Take a stroll with me through Walworth County during Lake Geneva Winterfest Weekend.

Winterfest weekend in Lake Geneva, WI is typically a busy weekend filled with events throughout the County. Luckily, Interlaken is perfectly situated to easily get to many of the events with just a short drive. Winterfest - the annual event that takes place in February, is a much-anticipated winter celebration for locals and tourists alike. It’s a multi-day festival that showcases the best of winter in beautiful Lake Geneva. 

US National Snow Sculpting Championship in Lake Geneva, Wisconsin during Winterfest.

The festivals main attraction is the U.S. National Snow Sculpting Championship. This is followed by a wide range of events and activities throughout the weekend, catering to people of all ages and interests.

Another attraction that occurs during Winterfest are the Ice Castles at Geneva National. These enchanting ice structures are built using icicles and LED lights and offer a magical winter wonderland experience. Visitors can explore the ice castles, take photos, and even go on winter sleigh rides.

Nite National Championship on Geneva Lake.

For the thrill seekers over in Fontana, there was the U.S. Nite National Ice Boat Regatta. If you are unfamiliar with the sport picture a bob sled like fuselage paired with two skates in the rear set approximately 3 feet beyond the body on each side for stability. Up-front you will find the third skate for steering. These boat come in a variety of shapes and sizes - commonly referred to as classes. The boats achieve terrific speeds often going 30+ MPH. The conditions were perfect with plenty of smooth ice and a steady breeze.

The best part was that our base camp - Interlaken was conveniently located less than 15 minutes from all of these events. Making it easy to grab extra gear to stay warm in-between activities!