Lake Geneva Winterfest 2020

One of the highlights of the winter season in Walworth County is the annual Winterfest festival in Lake Geneva! Whether you’re looking for a romantic getaway or something a little more adventurous, this festival has you covered. The festival activities surround the main event – the US National Snow Sculpting Championship. There are 15 HUGE blocks of snow that artists from around the country carve into amazing works of art. Check out 2018 & 2019″s sculptures at the end of this post.

Are you heading to Lake Geneva’s Winterfest? We want to see your pictures!
Enter to win a Walworth County Experience by submitting your photos. The public will then vote for the winner. Two easy ways to enter – use hashtag #lgwinterfest20 in Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram OR follow this link – https://woobox.com/279rqu. See official rules for details – https://woobox.com/279rqu/rules

Here is a breakdown of the events happening this weekend as part of Winterfest:

WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 29 – Snow Sculpting Began!

The artists have arrived and are creating art from nature.

THURSDAY, JANUARY 30

ALL DAY | The snow sculpting continues around the clock in the Riviera Plaza and Flat Iron Park in downtown Lake Geneva
10 AM – 10 PM | Lake Geneva Clue Room Winterfest Special | Book the Double Agent room on Thursday, January 30 for $5 off per person. Use the Code: SpyThursday. Offer is good for Thursday, January 30 only.  No refunds or rescheduling.
5 – 9 PM | Fireside S’mores & Sounds | Riviera Beach | Warm-up around a fire pit with some sweet treats and live music right on the beach
6 PM | Dueling Bourbon Whiskey Dinner Pairing | Champs Sports Bar & Grill | Indulge in 6 different bourbon whiskeys along with a paired cocktail and a 6-course meal. Tickets are $50 each and you can register here.
7:30 PM | Winter Film Fest FREE Movie Night: The Shining (R) | Geneva Theater | Warm up in the theater with a free movie right downtown.

FRIDAY, JANUARY 31

ALL DAY | The snow sculpting continues around the clock in the Riviera Plaza and Flat Iron Park in downtown Lake Geneva
ALL DAY | Ice Sculpture Walk | Downtown Lake Geneva | Hand-carved ice sculptures line the streets. Check out all 31 locations.
10 AM – 10 PM | Lake Geneva Clue Room Winterfest Special | $5 off per person in the Gangsters’ Gamble room on Friday, January 31 only.  Use Code: GangsterFriday  No refunds or rescheduling.
12 PM, 2:15 PM, & 4:30 PM | Winter Film Fest Feature Movie: Frozen II | Geneva Theater| A great way to get out of the cold! Advance tickets are required – only $6 per ticket.
4 – 6:30 PM | Downtown Cocoa Crawl | Downtown Lake Geneva | How delicious it is – and FREE! No signup is required. Check-in at either The Bottle Shop or Frank’s Original. You’ll receive a map of participating businesses and a list of what is being served. And then vote for your favorite chocolate treat and receive a free gift for your participation.
5 – 9 PM | Fireside S’mores & Sounds | Riviera Beach | Warm-up around a fire pit with some sweet treats and live music right on the beach
7 PM & 9 PM | Fire Spinner Performances | Riviera Beach | You will be amazed by the incredible performances of Fox Valley Fire Arts as they dance, spin, and breathe fire.
7 PM, 8 PM, & 9 PM | Winterfest Chills Ghost Walks | Lake Geneva Ghost Tour | Is it the cold weather or a spirit walking next to you causing that chill? Experience the haunted history of Lake Geneva with a winter walking tour of downtown.
7 – 11 PM | Winter White Ball at the Mansion | Baker House 1885 | The lakefront garden is transformed into a dance floor with dancing, scrumptious bites, and craft cocktails. Guests are encouraged to wear all white. Tickets are $35 per person.
7:30 PM | Human Dog Sled Races | Riviera Beach | You are invited to be a spectator OR compete in… yes, HUMAN DOG SLED RACES! Sleds and harnesses will be provided. Watch as the humans pull the sleds with a rider. Be prepared… to laugh. Team check-in is from 6 – 7 pm. Check out the details and register.

SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 1

ALL DAY | Snow Sculpture Viewing | Riviera Plaza and Flat Iron Park
ALL DAY | Ice Sculpture Walk | Downtown Lake Geneva | Hand-carved ice sculptures line the streets. Check out all 31 locations.
9 AM – 2 PM | People’s Choice Award Voting | Riviera Ballroom and Lake Geneva Visitor Center | Vote for your favorite snow sculpture!
9 AM – 5 PM | Winterfest Marketplace | Riviera Ballroom | Come on in to the upstairs of the Riviera to warm up, get a beverage or a bite to eat, and check out the sponsor exhibits. Winterfest souvenirs will also be available.
9 AM – 10 PM | Winter Carnival | The Mountain Top at Grand Geneva Resort & Spa | Enjoy a day filled with skiing, snowboarding, and fun snow activities. The day includes games, face painting, racing, rail jam competition, balloon artist, toboggan race, kayak race, sky lantern release, and fireworks.
10 AM – 10 PM | Lake Geneva Clue Room Winterfest Special | $5 off per person in the Pilfered Playbook room on Saturday, February 1 only.  Use Code: PlaybookSaturday  No refunds or rescheduling.
11 AM | Snow Sculpting ConcludesSnow Sculpting Concludes | Riviera Plaza and Flat Iron Park | Artists drop their tools and are judged! A team will be awarded the US National Snow Sculpting Champion.
11 AM – 3 PM | Lake Geneva Chili Cook-Off | Hawk’s View Golf Club | Enter your chili in this annual chili cook-off or be a sampler. There are 3 different chili categories (red, white, or vegetarian) – taste the dozens of different chili recipes and vote for your favorite. The cost is $10 per person at the door until the chili runs out.
11 AM – 3 PM | Snow Sisters Character Meet & Greet | Riviera Ballroom | Get your picture taken with the magical Snow Sisters.
11 AM – 4 PM | Winterfest Family Art Activities | Gallery 223 | Create winter-themed art at this free event at Gallery 223.
11 AM – 5 PM | The Polar Bar | Gino’s East | Featuring beer from Lakefront Brewery, Tito’s hand-made Bloody Mary Bar & ice shots, food, Big Green Egg demonstration, games, & hot cocoa bar.
12 – 2 PM | Miss Wisconsin Meet & Greet | Riviera Ballroom | Alyssa Bohm, the current state titleholder, of the Miss America Pageant, will be on hand and sharing her social impact initiative.
12 PM, 2:15 PM, & 4:30 PM | Winter Film Fest Feature Movie: Frozen II | Geneva Theater | A great way to get out of the cold! Advance tickets are required – only $6 per ticket.
12 PM | Winter Beer Garden Craft Distillery Tasting | Champs Sports Bar & Grill | Head out into Champs’ Beer Garden for a tasting from 4 distilleries.
3 PM | U.S. National Snow Sculpting Championship Awards Ceremony | Riviera Ballroom | See first-hand the crowning of the champion!
5 PM & 7:30 PM | Fire Spinner Performances | Riviera Beach | You will be amazed by the incredible performances of Fox Valley Fire Arts as they dance, spin, and breathe fire.
5 – 9 PM | Fireside S’mores & Sounds | Riviera Beach | Warm-up around a fire pit with some sweet treats and live music right on the beach
6 PM | Laser Light Show Finale | Riviera Plaza | Laser Fusion is lighting of the Riviera with a choreographed production in sync with music.
7 PM, 8 PM, & 9 PM | Winterfest Chills Ghost Walks | Lake Geneva Ghost Tour | Is it the cold weather or a spirit walking next to you causing that chill? Experience the haunted history of Lake Geneva with a winter walking tour of downtown.
7 – 11 PM | Winterfest Dinner Show & Dance Party | Celebrations on Wells | Enjoy a magical supper club dinner and dance party with John Ludy.
8:30 – 10 PM | Winter Carnival Laser Light Show | The Mountain Top at Grand Geneva Resort & Spa | Laser Fusion will be projecting on the snow covered slopes – captivating, immersive, & exciting!
10 PM | Winter Film Fest: 80’s Ski Bum Movie: Better Off Dead | Geneva Theater | $5 per person or FREE admission and costume contest for those wearing 80’s ski attire. Continue the party at Champs’ Winter Beer Garden after the movie.

SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 2

ALL DAY | Snow Sculpture Viewing | Riviera Plaza and Flat Iron Park
ALL DAY | Ice Sculpture Walk | Downtown Lake Geneva | Hand-carved ice sculptures line the streets. Check out all 31 locations.
10 AM – 3 PM | Winterfest Marketplace | Riviera Ballroom | Come on in to the upstairs of the Riviera to warm up, get a beverage or a bite to eat, and check out the sponsor exhibits. Winterfest souvenirs will also be available.
11 AM – 3 PM | Snow Sisters Character Meet & Greet | Riviera Ballroom | Get your picture taken with the magical Snow Sisters.
11 AM – 4 PM | Winterfest Family Art Activities | Gallery 223 | Create winter-themed art at this free event at Gallery 223.
12 PM | Winter Film Fest Movie: Groundhog Day (PG) | Geneva Theater | What better way to spend Groundhog Day – than watching Groundhog Day. There is a $10 suggested donation with proceeds going to Fellow Mortals Wildlife Rehabilitation and Animal Hospital.
12 PM, 2:15 PM, & 4:30 PM | Winter Film Fest Feature Movie: Frozen II | Geneva Theater | A great way to get out of the cold! Advance tickets are required – only $6 per ticket.

ONGOING

The Ice Box Out Back: Ice Skating, Igloos, Ice Bar & More – Hours vary by activity | The Ridge Hotel
Ice Castles – *Opening 1/31* | Hours vary | Geneva National Resort & Club

For information on these events and more, go to VisitWalworthCounty.com/Events.

2019’s Snow Sculptures

2018’s Snow Sculptures

13 Fantastic Fall Festivals in Walworth County

With Labor Day unofficially kicking off fall, there are plenty of fun festivals just around the corner here in Walworth County!

1. Darien Cornfest

Sept. 6 – 8, 7 am – 11 pm | West Park, Darien

The small town of Darien celebrates corn and community in a BIG way. Yes, there is FREE CORN on Saturday & Sunday of this festival, but that’s not all! Enjoy carnival rides, fireworks, a parade, tractor pulls, bingo, tournaments, live music, and more! Did we mention free corn?

2. East Troy Bluegrass Festival

Sept. 7 – 8, 10 am – 5:30 pm | East Troy Village Square

The sweet sounds of bluegrass and banjos will once again fill East Troy’s village square. Something of a musician yourself? Participate in banjo, fiddle, guitar, and mandolin contests! Get a weekend wristband for only $10 and enjoy two full days of bluegrass music, great food, and marketplace vendors.

3. Scarecrow Fest

Sept. 14, 10 am – 4 pm | Downtown Delavan

The 19th annual Scarecrow Fest is a community-wide, family-oriented event that will feature scarecrows on parade and free activities throughout historic downtown Delavan! With pumpkin decorating, a petting zoo, mural tours, food trucks, scarecrow building, live music, and more, there’s a little something for everyone!

4. Wise Fest

Sept. 14, 12 pm – 11 pm | Walworth County Fairgrounds, Elkhorn

If you’re looking to expand your musical horizons, this one is for you! The Wise Fest lineup is carefully curated to include original music, a variety of genres, and incredible talent. Take in the great music of these diamonds in the rough while supporting the biggest county fair in Wisconsin!

5. Geneva Lakes Antique & Classic Boat Show

Sept. 27 – 29 | The Abbey Resort, Fontana

This annual event is returning to the harbor at The Abbey Resort! Over 100 antique and classic boats from all over will be featured along with a boatload of activities, live music, and BBQ.

6. Antique Flea Market

Sept. 29, 7 am – 3 pm | Walworth County Fairgrounds, Elkhorn

Elkhorn’s flea market boasts OVER 500 vendors inside and outside! Don’t miss the last one of the year — these dealers will offer everything from furniture to pottery to dolls to linens and everything else in between. The walkways are paved, the food is delicious, admission is only $5, and the parking is free!

7. Family Fall Festival

Oct. 11 – 13 | Lake Lawn Resort, Delavan

Lake Lawn Resort has a jam-packed weekend of fall fun! Attendees can enjoy events such as unlimited mini golf, pumpkin decorating, doughnut making, hayrides, movie nights, and more. Still hungry for more? Feast on the Fall Harvest Buffet on Sunday or even enter the pie-eating contest! Activities will be open to resort guests and the public.

8. Lake Geneva Oktoberfest

Oct. 12 – 13, 11 am – 5 pm | Downtown Lake Geneva

Lake Geneva’s annual Oktoberfest celebration is back! Enjoy fest classics such as brats, cider doughnuts, pony rides, bounce houses, a craft fair, and Oktoberfest beer tent. Don’t forget the FREE pumpkin giveaway! Stop by Flat Iron Park to play Knockerball which is fun for all ages and hilarious to watch.

9. Elkhorn Oktoberfest

Oct. 19, 9 am – 5 pm | Downtown Elkhorn

There’s fun for all at Elkhorn’s Annual Oktoberfest celebration! Stroll through the square downtown to see over 100 crafters and vendors showcasing handcrafted items, antiques, produce and plants, and more. Stop by the Oktoberfest Car Show at government center or warm up with some chili over at the Chili Cook-Off! There will be plenty of kids activities such as games, pumpkin decorating, slides, and a bounce house. For the adults, there will be a Beer & Wine Tasting at Pocket Park!

10. Delavan Oktoberfest

Oct. 19, 3:30 pm – 9 pm | Community Park, Town of Delavan

Calling all lovers of polka and German food! Delavan’s Oktoberfest kicks off with the Dank Folk Dancers followed by an Alphorn demonstration. Enjoy beer, wine, and traditional German fare all evening. Bring your dancing shoes and polka away with the Steve Meisner Band!

11. Halloween Brew Walk

Oct. 25, 4:30 pm – 8:30 pm | Downtown Delavan

Sip, stroll, and shop through the historic brick streets of Delavan while tasting a variety of craft brews! All attendees will receive a souvenir glass and tasting passport which can be stamped at over a dozen downtown locations. Costumes are welcome and encouraged!

12. Boos & Brews Halloween Bash

Oct. 25 – 26, 5 pm – 11 pm | Lake Lawn Resort, Delavan

Celebrate Halloween with Lake Lawn Resort! Have a smashing good time with live music, spooky spirits, and wicked brews under the large beer tent. Costumes are optional, but encouraged (and necessary to enter their Halloween costume contest)! Enjoy seasonal concessions such as white chicken chili, turkey sliders, stadium nachos, and more!

13. Beer & Spirits Festival

Nov. 16, 1 pm – 5 pm | The Ridge Hotel

This one is for lovers of craft beers and spirits! Your ticket to the Beer & Spirits Festival gets you UNLIMITED tastings from over 35 craft breweries and distilleries. The fun continues with a dance party, photo booth, and more! A commemorative tasting glass is included with admission and early admission tickets are available that include three exclusive beer tastings.

 

To discover more events in Walworth County, visit our event calendar at www.visitwalworthcounty.com/events!

 

Walworth County: Food Festival Heaven

What’s a summer in Wisconsin without meat on the grill, corn on the cob, and a cold beer in hand? It’s no secret that food has the power to bring people together whether it be a backyard BBQ or the Largest BBQ Festival in the state of Wisconsin. Walworth County is home to several summertime food festivals that will fulfill your foodie fantasies.

 

Elkhorn Ribfest | Elkhorn, WI | Thursday, July 11 – Sunday, July 14, 2019

Part competition and part festival, Elkhorn Ribfest is a 4 day long barbecue lover’s dream. The Walworth County Fairgrounds hosts this enormous event that features world renowned BBQ professionals. These ribbers are competing for the title of Grand Champion and festival-goers even have the opportunity to cast a vote for their favorite! Once you’ve had your fill of mouth watering ribs, there’s still plenty of festival left to enjoy! You can take a stroll around artisan village and enjoy carnival rides. Not to mention, there’s no shortage of live entertainment. The festival features artists such as Bella Cain, Too White Crew, Cherry Pie, Hairbanger’s Ball and more. Free admission and free parking make this a fun, affordable event for all!

Steak Cookout | Elkhorn, WI | Wednesday, July 17, 2019

If you’re still hungry for more after Elkhorn Ribfest, the annual Steak Cookout at the Walworth County Fairgrounds shortly follows. Stop by for a delicious steak or burger hot off the grill from 4-7 pm and don’t forget to check out the bake sale! This event supports the Walworth County Junior Beef Members.

Big Foot Lions Club Lobster Boil & Steak Fry | Fontana, WI | Saturday, July 27, 2019

Indulge at the biggest social event in Fontana! The fun begins at noon in Reid Park with live music and lighter fare such as hamburgers and hot dogs. Lobster and steak dinners will be served from 2-9 pm and all meals include boiled red potatoes, peas, boiled onions, buttered rolls and a dessert! Yum! There will be a children’s area set up and live entertainment from Al’s Blues Band, Mr. Myers Band and The Eddie Butts Band. Lobster dinner tickets are $38 in advance/$40 at the door and steak dinner tickets are $24 in advance/$26 at the door. All proceeds from the fundraiser go back to the public through contributions from the Lions Club. 

Corn & Brat Days | Elkhorn, WI | Friday, August 2 – Saturday, August 3, 2019

Formerly known as Festival of Summer, this event kicks off a big month for corn and brats in Walworth County. Downtown Elkhorn will host artisans, vendors, bounce houses, and performances from local groups. Some of this year’s performers include the martial arts group Elkhorn Flying Dragons, Walworth County Cloggers, Toe to Toe Ballet and live music by The Amazing Farm Boys.

Corn and Bratwurst Festival | Walworth, WI | Saturday, August 3, 2019

Join the Geneva Lake West Rotary Club for their 58th Annual Corn and Bratwurst festival! Held in Heyer Park, the fest will feature delicious roasted corn on the cob and beer brats from 11 am to 9 pm. Enjoy live entertainment all day and try your luck at the dunk tank for a chance to soak local celebrities! Tickets are $9 in advance or $13 day of.

Corn & Brat Fest | Williams Bay, WI | Friday, August 9 – Sunday, August 11, 2019

Sweet corn and Wisconsin brats…a match made in heaven. The Williams Bay Lions Club is hosting this massive, 3 day event at Edgewater Park. There will be multiple raffles and live music from The Andrew Gelles Band, Rebel Grace, Katie Mack, and the Big Al Wetzel Band. Don’t miss the fireworks show on Saturday night!

Darien Cornfest | Darien, WI | Friday, September 6 – Sunday, September 8, 2019

We hope you’re still hungry for corn because these ears are FREE! The 59th Annual Darien Cornfest returns this September with live entertainment, carnival rides, a craft fair, tournaments, tractor pulls, fireworks, a parade, and more corn than you could ever dream of. This festival has it all and you won’t want to miss it. Enjoy free corn from 11 am to 3 pm on Saturday & Sunday of the event!