Saint Paul Winter Carnival – Jan. 28, 2027

Expected Saint Paul Winter Carnival Deals

As the Saint Paul Winter Carnival approaches, local businesses and national brands often roll out special promotions to celebrate the frosty festivities. Expect area hotels like The Saint Paul Hotel and InterContinental Saint Paul Riverfront to offer carnival packages, while restaurants such as Cossetta Alimentari and Mancini’s Char House feature themed menus and warm beverages. Retailers like REI and Dick’s Sporting Goods might promote winter apparel and outdoor gear. Look for deals from local breweries and distilleries, too. We will update this page with confirmed live deals as January 2027 approaches.

History of Saint Paul Winter Carnival

New York reporters visiting Saint Paul in the fall of 1885 made the mistake of likening it to Siberia, also calling it unfit for human habitation. And so, the Saint Paul Chamber of Commerce decided to prove their city was not just liveable but fun too. Seeing their neighbors over in Montreal hold a Winter Carnival sparked an idea. Saint Paul decided they would host their own carnival, basing it on their neighbors’ model. They worked with the city of Montreal, adapting their tradition of creating ice sculptures, among other activities. Saint Paul also adapted the legend of Boreas, originally written by newspaper columnist Frank Madden in 1937.

As the legend says, the union of two gods — Astraios and Eos — produced five sons. The oldest, Boreas, was given the title of “King of the Winds.” Boreas chanced upon a winter wonderland called Minnesota while traveling and decided it would be the capital of his entire domain. Vulcanus Rex, aka the god of Fire, aka Boreas’s enemy, didn’t like this at all. He vowed to stop all of Boreas’s celebrations. Boreas was not afraid and declared a celebration — a carnival — to celebrate winter in Saint Paul. And so, for 10 days, there were celebrations and festivities, and special guests like the Queen of Snows and a lady of song and merriment called Klondike Kate.

All year round, volunteers dressed as characters from this legend visit local and national festivals, nursing homes, schools, and hospitals, on behalf of Saint Paul’s Winter Carnival and the city of Saint Paul.

The festival is produced by the Saint Paul Festival and Heritage Foundation. Hundreds of corporate and individual members, along with specially employed staff, support the Board of Directors to pull off this event, with donations coming in from individuals and corporate organizations.

How Businesses Can Celebrate Saint Paul Winter Carnival