Frequently Asked Questions
Below you'll find a list of our most frequently asked questions. If you still need assistance, please contact us at info@minnesotaicefestival.com.
Directions and Maps
Directions:
2645 Vikings Circle, Eagan, MN 55121. If coming from the west, take Vikings Parkway past Viking Lakes Innovation Center and turn left onto Vikings Circle. If coming from the east, take O'Neill Road to Ames Crossing Road (left) and turn right onto Vikings Parkway.
Parking: There will be free daily public parking during the Minnesota Ice Festival. Parking is available in the Parking Ramp by the Vikings Museum and the surface lot by Twin Cities Orthopedics Eagan Clinic.
Viking Lakes & The Minnesota Ice Festival offer free parking! The parking lot in front of The Omni Hotel is reserved for guests only. Please utilize one of the many other parking lots located at
2645 Vikings Circle, Eagan MN 55121
The Minnesota Ice Festival is a top-rated destination, and during peak attendance days, we can run short on parking. If that is the case, you are welcome to park in the ramp by the Vikings Museum and the surface lot by Twin Cities Orthopedics Eagan Clinic.
No overnight parking is permitted at Viking Lakes, and all violators will be towed at their own expense. Please plan a safe ride home if you consume any alcoholic beverages.
Parking reminders: Lock your vehicle; lock your valuables out of sight; park within marked stalls; Viking Lakes parking violations will be cited by municipal law enforcement.
Facilities
Yes, The Minnesota Ice Festival has indoor, heated bathrooms on-site.
Amidst the frosty festivities of The Minnesota Ice Festival, discover refuge within our warming haus and outdoor firepits, where you can thaw out and enjoy some refreshments.
Wifi is currently not available at The Minnesota Ice Festival.
General Event Information
The Minnesota Ice Festival will be held from January 5th, 2024 through February 25th, 2024. Of course all dates are weather-permitting and may change depending on temperatures. Sign up for our newsletter to stay informed.
Hours of Operation:
Monday-Friday: 4pm to 10pm
Saturday & Sunday: 10am to 10pm
The Minnesota Ice Festival is thrilled to collaborate with Viking Lakes in Eagan, MN to host the 2024 Ice Maze! When you arrive at Viking Lakes, please park in one of the many parking lots.
The address to the event is:
Vikings Lakes
2645 Vikings Circle Eagan MN 55121
At this time, there are no scheduled shuttles to The Minnesota Ice Festival. Vikings Lakes has provided multilple parking lots that are convenient to the Ice Festival.
The best way to plan your trip via public transportation is to use the MVTA website. Please visit MVTA's home page to learn more - MVTA - Home Page Click Here
Uber & Lyft RIdes: If you are looking to have a safe ride to and from The Minnesota Ice Festival and Winter SKOLstice, please plan for your ride to pick you up from The Omni Hotel Viking Lakes.
Located on the Viking Lakes property, home of The Minnesota Ice Festival and Winter SKOLstice, is The Omni Viking Lakes Hotel.
You can book directly with the Omni Hotel online at Omni Viking Lakes Hotel - Click Here
Come chill with us and indulge in the wide array of food and beverage options at the Minnesota Ice Festival. To preserve the cool atmosphere, please refrain from bringing outside food and drinks.
Formula, breast milk, and baby/toddler food in a clear container is allowed.
All bags are subject to search. If outside food or beverages are found, they may not be allowed in.
Families gliding through The Minnesota Ice Festival with little ones in strollers or wagons are always warmly embraced.
However, due to the snug pathways within the Maze, Please use strollers or wagons only when absolutely required.
Welcome to Minnesota! Expect a frosty adventure most days, so don your Arctic armor with layers aplenty. We recommend gearing up with a toasty jacket, a snug-fitting hat, frostbite-fighting gloves, plushy socks, and boots built for an icebound odyssey (no, you cannot ice skate inside our maze). Your journey will tread upon the terrain of crushed ice and snow, so ensure your attire is as sturdy as it is stylish!
Within our winter wonderland, you'll stumble upon inviting fire pits, or a warming house where you can thaw your chilly toes while enjoying some refreshments.
Please Note: There is no re-entry to The Minnesota Ice Festival.
While the Minnesota Ice Festival welcomes ADA guests, it’s important to note that the ice maze will be built upon a lot that is covered in gravel. Unfortunately, this type of terrain isn’t smooth, which could result in an uncomfortable journey through the maze for ADA visitors. Gravel surfaces also make it more challenging to keep pathways level during and after the snowfall. And while our teams will be diligent about keeping those pathways as clear as possible, foot traffic over snowfall could create ruts and slippery conditions throughout the maze corridors and could be hazardous for those guests who are unsteady on their feet or utilize wheelchairs.
We encourage ADA guests to consider these potential conditions before purchasing tickets. If attending, we highly recommend that a friend or family member inspect pathways when arriving at the maze. If conditions seem unfavorable, we will offer refunds to ADA guests and those accompanying members. If guests decide to join the maze, they do so at their own risk and will not be given a refund.
Get into the chilly spirit by wearing your most cherished costumes, but keep in mind the following guidelines are essential:
- Fake weapons such as knives, guns, whips, etc. are not allowed.
- Clothing must be appropriate and not obscene or offensive.
- Costumes may not interfere with other event goers.
- Full-face masks are not allowed.
The Minnesota Ice Festival staff has the final decision on all costumes permitted.
The Minnesota Ice Festival lost and found is located in the office. Please speak to any of The Minnesota Ice Festival Representatives for assistance.
Lost and Found services are available exclusively during event hours. Articles misplaced at previous events are securely stored for a duration of thirty (30) days or until the conclusion of the event. When The Minnesota Ice Festival reaches its icy finale, any forgotten treasures will either melt into charitable donations or vanish into the snow.
The Minnesota Ice Maze cannot be held responsible for lost or damaged items, including but not limited to, any unattended property or equipment.
While our event only runs from January until Mid-February, the Minnesota Ice Festival will be open on the following Holidays:
- Martin Luther King Jr. Day (Monday, January 15th, 2024)
- Twin Cities School Districts - Professional Development Day (Jan 26th, 2024)
Monday-Friday: 4pm to 10pm
Saturday & Sunday: 10am to 10pm
Due to the nature of The Minnesota Ice Festival, all children under the age of 16 must be accompanied by an adult to enter.
It's our way of saying thank you to our active duty, retired and military veterans, their spouses, and children under 18 with a 10% discount on tickets to the 2024 Minnesota Ice Festival.
Please use the discount code "ThankYou24" at the time of checkout to receive your discount. You will be required to present your military ID at check-in at the ice festival before entering.
Viking Lakes & The Minnesota Ice Festival have a strict clear bag policy. To expedite your entrance into The Minnesota Ice Festival, please use the following guidelines.
○ Clear bags must not exceed 12" x 6" x 12.”
○ No hardware or decor is allowed to conceal the bag. The bag must be a transparent purse, clear tote, or all-clear bag.
○ Logo on one side of the bag and the size of the logo should not exceed 4.5“ H x 3.4” W.
If you are planning on attending The Minnesota Ice Festival, we encourage you to familiarize yourself with this clear bag policy.
We do not offer any storage for bags while you attend the Festival. Please leave all bags that are not clear at home or in your
vehicle.
At The Minnesota Ice Festival, we're dedicated to crafting enchanting memories that stand the test of time. To preserve the pure magic of the season and ensure our guests remain immersed in the spellbinding wonder, we gracefully request that our guests refrain from video-recording.
Cameras will be permitted at The Minnesota Ice Festival, provided they are non-professional cameras (lenses shorter than three inches) and the photos are intended for personal use only (*with the exception of pre-approved photography/videography partnerships directly with The Minnesota Ice Festival).
Engaging in any activity for unapproved commercial purposes is strictly prohibited without prior written permission.
The use of drones is strictly prohibited.
As we guide you through the Ice Maze Festival, we must keep a watchful eye on our capacity. To ensure the safety and tranquility of all our guests, we've established a No Re-Entry Policy. Once you've ventured outside the frosty venue for any reason, re-entry will not be permitted.
For the safety of our guests and visitors, the operation of drones, unmanned aircraft and remote-controlled aircraft at The Minnesota Ice Festival is strictly prohibited without the advance written consent of management. Violators may be subject to civil and criminal penalties.
Yes! At The Minnesota Ice Festival, we're all about preserving the chill vibes. That's why every guest who enters The Ice Maze Festival will be greeted with a frosty yet friendly search of their belongings, in alignment with our event's clear bag policy. Once our vigilant Representative ensures your transparent bags are up to code, you'll be welcomed into the festival. We kindly ask our guests to be ready to reveal the frosty secrets within their bags, and you may even be asked to rearrange or partially empty them. Our entire Ice Maze family would like to extend a heartfelt thank you in advance for helping us keep this event a safe and fun experience for all!
In order to provide the best experience for our guests, Viking Lakes & The Minnesota Ice Festival is a completely non-smoking facility. All guests are prohibited from smoking (including the use of electronic cigarettes, vaporizers, smokeless tobacco, or similar products) inside The Minnesota Ice Festival and on Viking Lakes property.
Weapons and firearms of all kinds are strictly prohibited at The Minnesota Ice Festival and Viking Lakes property with the exception of Law Enforcement officials whom are in uniform and are working the event.
Peace officers licensed in the state of Minnesota are permitted to carry their weapon inside the stadium only after checking-in with uniformed law enforcement on site.
Yes! Viking Lakes and The Minnesota Ice Festival have a zero-tolerance policy and reserve the right to remove any individual whose conduct is deemed inappropriate or violates the law. Please be aware that each ticket holder is accountable for their guest's behavior.
This policy is in place to ensure everyone attending the festivities has the best experience possible.
Viking Lakes & The Minnesota Ice Festival have a strict no tailgating policy. You'll have to save it for the next football game!
We strongly encourage guests to purchase tickets in advance of their preferred attendance date or time.
If you decide to purchase a ticket the day of, there may be a long line or we may be sold out of the specific timeslot. All ticket purchases can be made online or day-of at any ticket window.
While we adore our furry friends, we must keep our frosty wonderland safe and serene. Just as polar bears wouldn't venture into a penguin's lair, we kindly request that our canine companions stay cozy at home for this icy escapade. 🐾 No pets please.
No, your ticket provides full access to the ice festival during all open hours on the day of your ticket reservation.
Guests who purchase tickets for Thursdays and Fridays are welcome to arrive when doors open at 4:00 p.m. and stay until closing at 10:00 p.m.
Guests who purchase tickets for Saturdays are welcome to arrive at 11:00 a.m. and stay the entire day until closing at 10:00 p.m.
Guests who purchase tickets for Sundays are welcome to arrive at 11:00 a.m. and stay the entire day until closing at 9:00 p.m.
Hours of Operation:
Monday-Friday: 4pm to 10pm
Saturday & Sunday: 10am to 10pm
This year's ice rink measures 70X100.
There will be ice skate rentals available.
Yes, ice skates will be available for rent at the ice rink.
Ice Maze
Your ticket provides full access to the ice festival during all open hours on the day of your ticket reservation.
Guests who purchase tickets for Thursdays and Fridays are welcome to arrive when doors open at 4:00 p.m. and stay until closing at 10:00 p.m.
Guests who purchase tickets for Saturdays are welcome to arrive at 11:00 a.m. and stay the entire day until closing at 10:00 p.m.
Guests who purchase tickets for Sundays are welcome to arrive at 11:00 a.m. and stay the entire day until closing at 9:00 p.m.
Returns
The Minnesota Ice Festival will not grant full or partial ticket, or add-on refunds, at any time, as stated in The Minnesota Ice Festival Terms and Conditions. Tickets are non-transferable and are only valid for the original ticket holder and waiver signer. The Minnesota Ice Festival tickets cannot be resold; please do not purchase tickets from any 3rd party websites or other vendors. Tickets purchased must be used during the event and cannot be transfered to future events.
Please review your ticket purchase carefully and ensure you are selecting the correct date and time when booking your reservation.
This policy applies to all Box Office and online ticket purchases.
Please note: Should local weather conditions require an event cancellation or delay, we will have a re-accommodation policy in place. You will be notified via email or text message of our event cancellation and the process for re-booking your new event day. The Minnesota Ice Festival rarely needs to close for any reason, but if we are required to close, including weather-related issues, we will automatically process a refund for the price of the ticket and applicable sales tax. We are unable to issue refunds for processing/service fees. Refunds may take up to ten business days to process and be reflected on your credit card or bank statement.