9th Annual Ice Hole Festival Draws Divers to Lake Okoboji

100 scuba divers from across North America and beyond descend on Iowa lake for annual ice diving event.

Published on Feb. 14, 2026

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The 9th annual Icehole Festival, a premier gathering for cold-water and ice-diving enthusiasts, returns to West Lake Okoboji in north central Iowa. The festival continues to drive unprecedented growth in ice diving, with ice-diving certifications more than doubling in the past five years thanks to the event's hands-on education model and instructor-development focus. Divers and dive centers from across North America and as far as Mexico City and Sweden will attend the four-day festival, which is backed by major industry sponsors and local partners.

Why it matters

The Icehole Festival has established West Lake Okoboji as a destination for winter tourism and global dive interest, bringing international exposure and economic benefits to the region. The event also plays a crucial role in promoting safe ice diving practices and growing the community of certified ice diving instructors and enthusiasts.

The details

The Icehole Festival features daily on-ice activities from approximately 10 AM to late afternoon, Thursday through Sunday. The event is open to the public, allowing spectators to watch the divers in action. In addition to the hands-on diving activities, the festival includes educational sessions, equipment demonstrations, and social events that foster a sense of community among the participants.

  • The 9th annual Icehole Festival takes place from January 28 to February 2, 2026.
  • The festival has been held annually since its launch in 2017.

The players

Richard Thomas

Owner of Dallas/Fort Worth-based International Scuba and one of the event organizers, along with scuba diving shops in Missouri, Florida, Indiana, Michigan and Texas.

Fourth Element

Longtime Icehole Festival title sponsor.

PADI

The world's largest training agency, has supported the Icehole Festival since its inception, sending top ice-diving experts each year to promote instructor development and safe-diving standards.

SSI

Joining PADI as an official participant in the Icehole Festival for the first time, marking a rare and powerful example of cross-agency collaboration in the diving industry.

The Dry Suit Lady

A special guest at the festival, traveling from California to provide professional drysuit repair and support throughout the event.

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What they’re saying

“This event is about building a safe, knowledgeable, and passionate community. Our mission has always been to teach divers how to safely operate beneath a roof of ice—and to make it an unforgettable adventure.”

— Richard Thomas, Owner of International Scuba (EINPresswire.com)

What’s next

The Icehole Festival is expected to continue its annual tradition, drawing more divers and dive centers from around the world to West Lake Okoboji in the coming years.

The takeaway

The Icehole Festival's success in promoting safe ice diving practices and growing a dedicated community of enthusiasts has helped establish West Lake Okoboji as a premier destination for winter tourism and global dive interest, bringing economic and cultural benefits to the region.