A wacky winter festival
47th Annual Icebox Days
January 14–24, 2027 | International Falls, Minnesota
Welcome to winter in the Icebox of the Nation!
For 47 years, International Falls has celebrated the coldest season the only way we know how: by getting outside and having some fun with it.
Icebox Days is our annual winter celebration packed with the traditions, friendly competition and wonderfully wacky events that have made January in International Falls famous. From frozen turkey bowling and the legendary Smoosh Races to winter recreation, community events and plenty of reasons to bundle up and get outside, there’s something happening throughout the celebration.
At the heart of it all is the iconic Freeze Yer Gizzard Blizzard Run on Saturday, January 23. Runners come from near and far — including competitors from around the world — to take on the legendary winter 5K and 10K in the place proudly known as the Icebox of the Nation.
Over the years, Icebox Days and International Falls have caught the attention of national and international media, with coverage from CBS, NBC, ABC, The Travel Channel, The Weather Channel and more. But around here, Icebox Days has always been about something much simpler: embracing winter, gathering with friends and neighbors, and proving that a little cold has never stopped us from having a good time.
Coordinated by the International Falls Area Chamber of Commerce with the support of local organizations, businesses, sponsors and volunteers, Icebox Days is a true community tradition.
So grab your warmest jacket, embrace the cold and join us for the 47th Annual Icebox Days.
It’s winter. We might as well have some fun with it.
2027 SCHEDULE OF EVENTS TO BE ANNOUNCED AT A LATER DATE
ICEBOX DAYS 2026 Icebox Days Schedule of Events
Friday, January 16th
- Choice Therapy-Free Screen Event from 1pm-3pm at 1610 Highway 11-71
- History on Tap: Controversy of Conservation: Creating Voyageurs National Park. Presented by Koochiching County Historical Society at the Cantilever Distillery at 6:00 p.m.
- Prohibition Party @ Loony's starting at 8pm
Saturday, January 17
- MN North College Pickleball Tournament 9am
- 10:30 am The International Falls Public Library - with winter stories. Ages 8 and under welcome to come with their caregiver and enjoy stories, rhymes and more.
- Dodgeball Tournament @ Loony's. 12:00 final sign up, $10/ team with teams of 6
- Board games at the library. Noon - 2 pm All ages are welcome to come and enjoy playing board games with friends and family and enjoy snacks and hot cocoa.
- 12p-2p Soup for Troops at the Elks. Enter in a soup and vote for your favorite soup at this heartwarming fundraiser serving our servicemen and women.
- 11am-2pm Sammy’s-$5 Mimosas and $2 off chips and salsa
- Loony’s- Second annual beer pong tournament 8pm start time, final signups at that time
Sunday January 18th
- IceBox Days Brunch Buffet at the Thunderbird Lodge from 10-2
- Bridge Tournament (bring a partner) First Lutheran Church Doors open at 1 Tournament starts at 1:30 Contact Will Awe: 218-349-7178 for more information
- Loony’s- Kids cookie decorating hosted by Cake & Crust Artisan Bakery from 1 to 4. Free will donation along with kids karaoke at that time as well.
- 11am-2pm Sammy’s-$5 Mimosas and $2 off chips and salsa
Monday, January 19th
- Beach Party 12:00 pm-8:00 pm | Open Swim @ Americinn by Wyndham. $5 per person for 2 hours in pool or hot tub. Tropical theme from Noon to 4pm. Glow pool party from 4 to 8pm. Sloppy Joe Basket and Beverage available for an additional $5.
Tuesday, January 20th
- 6:00 PM-8:00PM | Gourmet Pasta bar with cocktail hour starting at 5:00 PM @ The Library Bistro
Wednesday, January 21st
- Loony's Icebox Trivia 7pm
Thursday, January 22nd
- RLMC Foundation’s Icebox Bingo at VFW. Bingo sales start at 5pm, games start at 7pm.
- Loony’s - Icebox Idol 7pm. Sign up from 6pm-7pm start time of 7:30pm
Friday, January 23rd
- Loony’s-Ranier bakery fundraiser from 1pm - 5pm
- Choice Therapy-Free Screen Event from 1pm-3pm at 1610 Highway 11-71
- Candlelight Snowshoe Hike Time: 5:30–7:30 PM Location: Rainy Lake Visitor Center Step into a winter wonderland as you snowshoe through the boreal forest along a path glowing with candlelit luminaries. Snowshoes will be available to borrow (final loans at 7:00 PM), and a cozy campfire will be waiting when you’re done hiking. Stop by anytime between 5:30 and 7:30 PM for a magical winter evening on the trail!
- Freeze Yer Gizzard Race Registration @ Backus Community Center 5-7:30pm
Saturday, January 24
- FEF Pancake Breakfast 8-11am @ Backus
- 8:00–9:30 AM – Pre-registration for Freeze Yer Gizzard Blizzard 5K/10K Run @ Backus Community Center
- 9:00 AM – Freeze Yer Gizzard Blizzard 5K Run Starts
- 10:00 AM – Freeze Yer Gizzard Blizzard 10K Run Starts
- 11:00 AM – Signup for Dart Tourney @ Border Bar
- On Saturday the 24th: 11-2 - Pulled Pork lunch fundraiser for St. Thomas School held at Aquinas Hall
- 11am-2pm Sammy’s-$5 Mimosas and $2 off chips and salsa
- 11:30 AM – Freeze Yer Gizzard Race Awards @ Backus
- 12:00–1:30 PM – Turkey Bowling (Adults/Kids) @ Timber Pins
- 12:00–1:30 PM – Toilet Seat Toss (Adults/Kids) @ Timber Pins
- 1:00 PM – Finals: Dart Tourney @ Border Bar Sponsored by Hazelwood Corp.
- 1:30–3:00 PM – Smoosh Races (Adults/Kids) @ Timber Pins
- 6:00 PM – FIREWORKS @ Smokey Bear Park
- Loony’s-Karaoke 7pm
- 8Pm-1AM-Beach Party @ Border Bar
Sunday, January 25th
- Int’l Falls Figure Skating Club’s Icebox Days Competition is Sunday, January 25th at 9:30 a.m. at Bronco Arena.
- 11am-2pm Sammy’s-$5 Mimosas and $2 off chips and salsa
- Loony’s- Chili Contest 2pm start time with voting ending at 4pm. All are welcome to come eat
- Icebox Days Baker Doubles Tournament at Timber Pins. No need to be a Pro, EVERYONE IS WELCOME, so find a partner and sign up! Teams can be men, women or mixed! To sign up call Timber Pins at 218-373-2695 Cost: $30/person or $60/team. Check in starts at 12:30 pm.
- The International Falls Figure Skating Club’s 40th Annual Skating Exhibition at 3:00 p.m at Bronco Arena.
  
