MinneapoliMedia Community Feature | Snowfall, Civic Pride, and Shared Tradition: Coon Rapids Welcomes the 62nd Annual Snowflake Days

From January 30 through February 8, 2026, the city of Coon Rapids will once again transform winter into a season of connection, creativity, and civic pride as it hosts the 62nd Annual Snowflake Days, one of Minnesota’s longest-running community winter celebrations.

Spanning ten days, Snowflake Days blends competition with celebration, tradition with renewal, and cold-weather endurance with warmth of spirit. Anchored by family-friendly programming and volunteer-driven events, the annual festival invites residents of all ages to step outside, gather together, and reaffirm the shared rhythms that bind a community through winter’s deepest stretch.

Complete event details and updates are available at CoonRapidsSnowflakeDays.com.

A Festival Rooted in Tradition

Snowflake Days has grown over decades into a defining winter tradition, known for hallmark events such as the Community Medallion Hunt, the Snow Sculpture Contest, and the Police vs. Fire Hockey Game. Each year, the festival reflects both continuity and care, relying on community organizations, civic partners, and volunteers to create moments that feel familiar yet renewed.

This year’s celebration continues that legacy with a full calendar of events organized across civic spaces, parks, and community centers throughout the city.

Ongoing and Multi-Day Events

Community Medallion Hunt

The beloved Community Medallion Hunt launches on Friday, January 30, with daily clues posted online. The search continues until the medallion is found or until February 8, whichever comes first. The first participant to locate the medallion will receive a cash prize, keeping the city buzzing with anticipation throughout the festival’s opening days.

Snow Sculpture Contest

Creativity takes center stage in the Snow Sculpture Contest, where teams and individuals transform packed snow into temporary works of art.

• January 30 – February 2: Sculpture building period
• February 2: Final day to register online
• February 3: Judging
• February 4: Winners announced

The contest remains one of Snowflake Days’ most visually striking and community-driven traditions.

Mayor’s Cup Golf Tournament

The Mayor’s Cup brings a competitive edge to winter recreation, with qualifying rounds held January 28 through January 31 at Bunker Hills Golf Club. The event blends sport, civic pride, and seasonal challenge ahead of the festival’s official kickoff.

Day-by-Day Highlights

Saturday, January 31

Royal Ambassador Coronation

• Time: 1:00 p.m.
• Location: Civic Center, 11155 Robinson Drive

The coronation ceremony celebrates youth leadership and community representation, formally welcoming Snowflake Days’ Royal Ambassadors for the year.

Sunday, February 1

Police vs. Fire Hockey Game

• Time: 12:00 – 3:00 p.m.
• Location: Coon Rapids Ice Center, 11000 Crooked Lake Boulevard
• Admission: $10 adults | $5 kids

A perennial crowd favorite, the friendly rivalry between police and fire departments combines athleticism, humor, and hometown pride.

Thursday, February 5

Chili Challenge

• Time: 5:30 – 7:00 p.m.
• Location: Civic Center
• Tickets:
  • $10 (ages 13 and up)
  • $5 (ages 6–12)
  • Free (5 and under)

Proceeds from the Chili Challenge support 2025 Coon Rapids Community Strength Foundation events, including the Summer Concert Series, Fourth of July Fireworks, Rocky’s Pumpkin Patch, and the Tree Lighting Festival.

Friday, February 6

Senior Snowflake Party

• Time: 11:00 a.m.
• Location: Civic Center

Designed especially for older residents, the Senior Snowflake Party includes lunch and live music, offering a relaxed and celebratory midday gathering. Advance registration is required by calling 763-767-6473.

Saturday, February 7

Winter Fun at Sand Creek Park

• Time: 11:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.
• Location: Sand Creek Park, 1008 Northdale Boulevard

Family-focused winter activities include a kids medallion hunt beginning at 11:15 a.m., along with crafts, games, cookies, and cocoa.

Sunday, February 8

Waffle Breakfast and Senior Bake Sale

• Time: 8:00 a.m. – Noon
• Location: Civic Center
• Cost: Free-will donations

Hosted in partnership with the North Star Lions Club, the breakfast concludes with the Snowflake Days awards ceremony at noon, honoring contest winners and community participants.

Family Fun Day at CRIC

• Time: 5:00 – 7:30 p.m.
• Location: Coon Rapids Ice Center

The festival closes with outdoor skating and games from 5:00 to 6:00 p.m., followed by a free indoor public skate from 6:00 to 7:30 p.m., offering a fitting communal send-off to ten days of winter celebration.

A Collective Effort

Snowflake Days is made possible through the work of the Snowflake Days Committee, the Coon Rapids Community Strength Foundation, Coon Rapids Women of Today, and dozens of volunteers whose coordination and commitment sustain the event year after year.

Together, they ensure that even in the coldest weeks of the calendar, the city remains a place of warmth, welcome, and shared experience.

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