Anoka-Ramsey Community College Celebrates 60 Years with Candlelight Ski/Hike Festival

Annual winter event brings community together with music, s'mores, and outdoor activities.

Published on Feb. 9, 2026

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Anoka-Ramsey Community College is hosting its 23rd annual Candlelight Ski/Hike Friluftsliv Festival on February 21, 2026, celebrating the college's 60th anniversary. The event features luminaries along the trails, complimentary s'mores, hot cider, cocoa, and tea, sledding, outdoor games, live music, and more. The festival is an invitation for the community to come together, embrace the Scandinavian philosophy of 'open-air life,' and strengthen the connections that sustain us, especially during the winter months.

Why it matters

The Harvard Study of Adult Development has found that genuine human connection, not wealth or status, is what sustains us as human beings. The Candlelight Ski/Hike Festival is an opportunity for the community to come together, embrace winter traditions, and build the 'social fitness' that leads to happier, healthier lives.

The details

The Candlelight Ski/Hike Friluftsliv Festival will feature luminaries along the trails, complimentary s'mores, hot cider, cocoa, and tea, sledding on the back-patio hill, outdoor games, cozy propane-heated seating, and live music by local musician Drew Peterson. The event is open to the public and encourages attendees to come as they are and bring anyone who could use a little winter light.

  • The 23rd annual Candlelight Ski/Hike Friluftsliv Festival will take place on Saturday, February 21, 2026 from 5:30-8 p.m.
  • Anoka-Ramsey Community College is celebrating its 60th anniversary this year.

The players

Anoka-Ramsey Community College

A community college located in Cambridge, Minnesota that is celebrating its 60th anniversary this year.

Drew Peterson

A local musician who will be providing live music at the Candlelight Ski/Hike Festival.

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What they’re saying

“Connection, of course, doesn't end with one evening. The Harvard study also suggests that maintaining strong relationships takes intention: spending time with loved ones, listening deeply, offering support, forgiving freely and bringing a spirit of positivity into our interactions.”

— Shannon Kirkeide, Dean of Academic and Community Outreach at Anoka-Ramsey Community College (hometownsource.com)

What’s next

The Candlelight Ski/Hike Friluftsliv Festival is an annual event, so the community can look forward to it returning next winter.

The takeaway

The Candlelight Ski/Hike Festival is more than just a winter event - it's an opportunity for the community to come together, embrace traditions, and strengthen the connections that sustain us, especially during the colder months. By participating in events like this, we can build the 'social fitness' that leads to happier, healthier lives.