Spicer, Minn.

Opening ceremonies for the annual WinterFest celebration kick off at 3 p.m. Jan. 19 with sleigh rides, kicksleds, a bonfire, music, food and fireworks. The festival continues through Feb. 10. The festival highlight — the Polar Plunge — will take place at 1 p.m. on Jan. 26 on Green Lake as a benefit for the Special Olympics. Visitors can also enjoy daily ice skating and cross-country skiing and live music in the evening, plus pond hockey, a medallion hunt and more (tinyurl.com/y7u3gmvk).

Hackensack, Minn.

Back to Hack Winter Festival Jan. 17-20 will draw plenty of visitors for a weekend of family-geared fun and activities. The festival begins at 10 a.m. Thursday with a medallion hunt and a meat raffle. Most of the events will be held on Saturday with a few events being held daily through Sunday. Highlights on Saturday include a fun/run/walk, chili feed, ice fishing contest on Birch Lake, snow sculpting and more (hackensackchamber.com; 1-218-675-6135).

Pine City, Minn.

The Snake River Fur Post invites you to experience a 19th-century winter gathering during the Winter Frolic on Jan. 19. Come toss a curling stone on the ice, snowshoe on the nature trails, and learn about the history of fur and goods at the trading company. If you choose to stay inside, you're invited to watch the outdoor activities while warming up by the fireplace with a cup of hot chocolate. Hours are noon-4 p.m. Admission is $12.50 adults, $10 seniors and $8 children (1-320-629-6356; tinyurl.com/ybyg8alu).

Colleen A. Coles