Culver Winterfest is a fantastic 3-day festival for the whole family to enjoy! Join us February 9th, 10th and 11th, 2024, to celebrate all things winter. Come tour the ice sculptures throughout town, all hand-carved live by professional ice carvers. We invite families to peruse the town on Friday night, and participate in Cupid’s Crawl, a town-wide shopping event. Parents can opt to end their night at The Lakehouse Grille for a kick-off party. Saturday begins with the Cupid’s Dart, a fun run 5K, followed by TONS of sledding and more ice carving at the Super Bowl themed beer garden and “Ice Fights” where ice sculptors go blade to blade competing to create the best sculpture. Sunday includes the famous chili cook-off and The Polar Plunge into beautiful Lake Maxinkuckee. The lake is also open for skating and fishing all weekend long! Scroll down for a video featuring 2023 Winterfest, tentative 2024 Winterfest schedule, and more information.

A LETTER FROM THE 2024 CULVER WINTERFEST COMMITTEE

POLAR PLUNGE & CHILI COOK OFF REGISTRATION & ICE SCULPTURE SPONSORSHIP FORMS BELOW!

• POLAR PLUNGE & CHILI COOK OFF REGISTRATION & ICE SCULPTURE SPONSORSHIP FORMS BELOW! •

culver winterfest facebook page CLICK HERE

2024 Schedule (subject to change - please check back for updates):

Friday, February 9

Good News! The weather this weekend is going to be perfect to get outdoors during Winterfest weekend. Unfortunately, that means we won't be able to construct a snow sled hill. Fortunately, there is a fun and newly constructed playground to enjoy in the park. Everything else on the schedule for Winterfest is ON!
Ice Sculpture Tour: All Day. Location: Around Town. Check out crafted ice sculptures sponsored by individuals and businesses all around town! Sponsor an ice sculpture for your business, family or any occasion (sponsorship form below).
Cupid’s Crawl: 4-7:00 pm. Location: Participating businesses around town (The Garden by Elizabeth, One11, Frida’s, Cafe Max, civvies, Legacy Salon, Earthwerks, Handmade Happenings, The Hub Barber Shop, Culver Academies Museum, The Lakehouse Grille, & Subway). SHOP SMALL, WIN BIG
Pick up a punchcard at a participating business, shop & dine locally at at least four participating businesses, verify each purchase using your punch card, then turn in your card by 7:00 pm at Cafe Max (113 S Main St. Culver, IN 46511) to enter the drawing. Winner receives basket of prizes worth over $300! This event is the perfect way to support local businesses, purchase unique and fun gifts, and enjoy dining locally. Be sure to come to the drawing at 7:30 pm at Cafe Max!
Couples Sip & Paint: 5-8:30 pm. Location: Handmade Happenings (109 S. Main Street Culver, IN 46511). Whether it’s a partner or Gal-entine, it will be a great time painting lovely lake pier sunset scenery’s that complete each other. Ticket for two is $50. Please use the following link to register: https://checkout.square.site/merchant/MLBW79JZY8TBY/checkout/FFS5I3PNQZEEWNTHN6MXOKXG?fbclid=IwAR0gqLLG2IH9_WzD1Tq7a_or4n7kcFvHjxEs7ElataCkxDxjPgd7tEykFdQ
Cupids’ Karaoke & Cocktails: 9:30 pm. Sing your heart out at the Lakehouse Grille! (615 E. Lakeshore Dr. Culver, IN 46511)

Saturday, February 10

Good News! The weather this weekend is going to be perfect to get outdoors during Winterfest weekend. Unfortunately, that means we won't be able to construct a snow sled hill. Fortunately, there is a fun and newly constructed playground to enjoy in the park. Everything else on the schedule for Winterfest is ON!
Ice Sculpture Tour: All Day. Location: Around Town. Check out crafted ice sculptures sponsored by individuals and businesses all around town!
Lions Club Pancake Breakfast: 8-11 am. Location: Train Depot (615 E Lakeshore Dr. Culver, IN 46511). Enjoy a savory and sweet breakfast with the local philanthropy group, Culver Lions Club!
Cupid’s Dart 5K and 1 Mile: 9 am. Location: Culver Beach Lodge (819 E. Lakeshore Dr. Culver, IN 46511). Grab those running (or walking) shoes to participate in a casual fun run/walk around town. Maps will be provided, registration NOT required and be sure to show up at least 10 minutes before to prepare.
Free Community Yoga Class: 10 am. Location: Culver Beach Lodge (819 E Lake Shore Dr. Culver, IN 46511). Open to all ages and levels. Be sure to bring a yoga mat and a friend!
Indoor Farmers’ Market: 10 am-1 pm. Location: Culver & Union Township Public Library (107 N. Main Street Culver, IN 46511). Shop locally crafted goods!
Vision Board Workshop: 12-4 pm. REGISTRATION REQUIRED (fee: $120). Location: Culver Beach Lodge (819 E Lakeshore Dr. Culver, IN 46511). During this fun, relaxed workshop, you’ll explore a mix of yin yoga with guided journaling followed by a guided meditation. You’ll also receive a custom workbook, snacks, step-by-step guidance, and all of the supplies needed to build your gorgeous vision board. For more information and to register, please visit www.erinserafino.com.
BC Rentals & Tours Snowmobiles of NWI: 12 - 4:30PM Location: Town Park near Depot Building (819 E. Lake Shore Dr., Culver, IN). Come visit us! Snowmobiles on display, and information available on snowmobiling in NWI. We will have a special giveaway for a snowmobile tour package!
Valentine’s Tequila & Canvas Class: 4 pm. Location: Frida’s Mexican Cuisine & Pancake House (18571 IN-10, Culver, IN 46511). Paint a canvas and celebrate with your valentine, family, and/or friends. $40 per person. Includes one free house margarita, chips & salsa, your canvas and all painting materials! Stop into Frida's to sign up or pay over the phone at 574-842-2414.
Live Band (Acoustically Speaking) & Drinks: 9:30 pm. Location: The Lakehouse Grille (620 E. Lakeshore Dr. Culver, IN 46511). Enjoy some food and drinks while listening to some live music!

~ THE MAIN EVENT ~

Ice Fights, Beer Garden & S’mores: 6-10 pm. Location: Train Depot in the Culver Park (615 E Lakeshore Dr.). Join us for the BIG event of the weekend!!! Watch as ice sculptors compete while enjoying some adult beverages and roasting some marshmallows. Open to all ages. For those drinking alcohol, please obtain a wristband and stay inside the designated beer garden fence.
- The Culver PTO “KID ZONE” will be located inside of the Train Depot building featuring snacks, activities, movie and more! Be sure to pick up your s’mores kit and hot cocoa inside of the Depot building for a sweet treat while you watch the Ice Fights.

Sunday, February 11

Good News! The weather this weekend is going to be perfect to get outdoors during Winterfest weekend. Unfortunately, that means we won't be able to construct a snow sled hill. Fortunately, there is a fun and newly constructed playground to enjoy in the park. Everything else on the schedule for Winterfest is ON!
Ice Sculpture Tour: All Day. Location: Around Town. Check out crafted ice sculptures sponsored by individuals and businesses all around town!
Grab & Go Lions Club Breakfast: 8-11 am. Location: Train Depot (615 E Lakeshore Dr. Culver, IN 46511).
Polar Plunge: 12-2 pm Location: Culver Beach (819 E Lakeshore Dr. Culver, IN 46511). Jump into Lake Maxinkuckee through the ice!!! Want to get a little more creative and fun? Put on a costume and grab a friend! First 50 participants will receive a Culver Winterfest towel. The Culver & Union Township Fire Department will be present. Registration required (registration link below!). Polar Plunge participant registration and waiver signing will take place between 12-12:45 pm. ALL PARTICIPANTS (pre-registered and day of registrants) need to arrive between 12-12:45 pm.
- Polar Plunge Participant Check In:12-12:45 PM. ALL Polar Plunge participants need to arrive between 12-12:45 pm for registration at Beach Lodge Concession Stand. Registration/check in ends @ 12:45 pm.
- Polar Plunge Participant Jumping: 1 pm. Location: Culver Beach (819 E Lakeshore Dr. Culver, IN 46511).
Chili Cook Off: 1-3 pm. Location: Culver Beach Lodge Conference Room (819 E Lakeshore Dr. Culver, IN 46511). Participate for the title of Best Chili or just enjoy the samples :) Participant registration required (registration link below!). It is free to be a chili cook-off participant and $5 to eat/vote on the chili! There will be a bake sale as well by the CCHS swim team so be sure to bring cash for chili and some baked goods!
SUPER BOWL Watch Party: Starts at 3PM. Location: Culver VFW (108 E Washington St, Culver, IN 46511) Open to public, come in and enjoy the Super Bowl. Snacks available, as well as $2 Draft, $7 Pitchers, $14 Buckets.

Be on the look out for ice skaters, ice fishers and ice sailors on Lake Maxinkuckee all weekend long!!! *** Please check local and national guidelines for ice thickness safety before participating on activities on Lake Maxinkuckee. For more information, please visit https://survivalskills.guide/how-to-tell-if-ice-is-safe-to-walk-on/