Best of the Great Northern Festival: A guide to the celebration's finest winter events

A little snow and ice shouldn't stop your crew from enjoying the best that Minne-snowta has to offer. That's the thinking behind the Great Northern, a brand-new festival that unites three familiar (and beloved) winter celebrations. Kicking off this week, the Great Northern injects food and art to the usual mix of ice sculptures, ski races and pond hockey. Want to hit an outdoor winter dance party? Or try al fresco dining in the freezing cold?

new ART AND FOOD EVENTS

B-LECTRIC: A CELEBRATION OF ART AND LIGHT: Outdoor projections and film screenings on ice, art shanty projects and performances by DJ Jake Rudh and Infiammati Fire Circus. 4:30-9 p.m. Sun. Barbette, 1600 W. Lake St., Mpls. blectricnorth.com.

A WINTER TABLE: A seven-course candlelit feast with wine and cocktail pairings served outdoors. 5:30 p.m. Jan. 30. $395. N. 1st Street in the North Loop neighborhood, Mpls. thebachelorfarmer.com.

THE GREAT NORTHERN: ST. PAUL CHEF'S EXPERIENCE: A selection of sweet and savory dishes under the awnings of the St. Paul Farmers Market. 6 p.m. Jan. 31. $30. 290 E. 5th St., St. Paul. eventbrite.com/e/the-great-northern-saint-paul-chefs-experience-tickets-30972214728.

SURLY KRAFTSKIVAN: A crayfish and Scandinavian delicacy party with Surly beer pairings. Sweat it out in a mobile sauna. 6-9 p.m. Feb. 1. Surly Brewing Beer Garden, 520 Malcolm Av. SE., Mpls. surlybrewing.com.

U.S. POND HOCKEY CHAMPIONSHIPS

FAMILY SKATING RINK: 8:30 a.m.-6 p.m. Sat.; 8 a.m.-6 p.m. Sun. Lake Nokomis, 4955 E. Lake Nokomis Pkwy., Mpls.

TOURNAMENT PLAY: 8:50 a.m. today-Sun. Lake Nokomis, 4955 E. Lake Nokomis Pkwy., Mpls.

LABATT BLUE BLUE ZONE: Beer tent. 10 a.m.-10 p.m. today; 10 a.m.- 6 p.m. Sat.; 10 a.m.-5:30 p.m. Sun. Lake Nokomis, 4955 E. Lake Nokomis Pkwy., Mpls. uspondhockey.com.

WINTER CARNIVAL

MEMORABILIA DISPLAY: Today-Feb. 5. Landmark Center, North Gallery, 75 W. 5th St., St. Paul. 651-223-4700. winter-carnival.com.

WONDERLAND: Live music and entertainment, ice bar, carvings and mini palace. For detailed schedule, see website. Today-Feb. 5. Rice Park, 5th and Washington Sts., St. Paul.

WINTERSKATE: See website for hours. Today-Feb. 5. Free, $4 skate rental. Landmark Plaza, 5th and Washington Sts., St. Paul. wellsfargowinterskate.com.

ROYAL CORONATION: Social hour, dinner and royal ball. 5:30 p.m. today. $10-$90. RiverCentre, 175 W. Kellogg Blvd., St. Paul.

SNOW PARK: Snow sculpture competition and display and family activities and attractions. Times vary, today-Feb. 5. Minnesota State Fairgrounds, 1265 N. Snelling Av., Falcon Heights.

NEED A LIFT? Metro Transit will offer free rides to all Winter Carnival events on Jan. 28. Free passes must be downloaded in advance by visiting wintercarnival.com.

SAINTLY CITY CHAMPIONSHIP CAT SHOW: The highest scoring male and female will be crowned Winter Carnival Household Pet King and Queen. 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sat.; 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sun. $3-$4. RiverCentre, 175 W. Kellogg Blvd., St. Paul. 651-265-4800. rivercentre.org.

KIDS DAY: Activities and games. 2 to 6 p.m. Sat. Landmark Center, 75 W. 5th St., St. Paul.

WINTER JAZZ FEST: Sat.-Sun. Various locations and times, see website for details. twincitiesjazzfestival.com.

AUTONOMOUS SNOWPLOW COMPETITION: 8 a.m.-4 30 p.m. Sat.-Sun. Rice Park, 109 W. 4th St., St. Paul. autosnowplow.com.

WINTER ON THE HILL: Celebrate indoor and outdoor activities of winter. Special displays with Winter Carnival memorabilia. 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sat.; 1 to 4 p.m. Sun.; 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Feb. 4; 1 to 4 p.m. Feb. 5. $6-$10. James J. Hill House, 240 Summit Av., St. Paul. 651-297-2555. mnhs.org.

CINCO NIGHT: Boca Chica Restaurante and El Burrito Mercado present an evening of Latin flavors and live entertainment. 5-8 p.m. Wed. Rice Park, 109 W. 4th St., St. Paul.

FROZEN FILM FESTIVAL: Feb. 1-4. Times vary, see website for details. Landmark Center, 75 W. 5th St., St. Paul. tpff.com.

FAMILY DIVERSITY DAY: Family activities, DJ and live performances. Noon-5 p.m. Feb. 4. Landmark Center, 75 W. 5th St., St. Paul. wintercarnival.com.

BEER DABBLER: 2:30-6:30 p.m. Feb. 4. State Fairgrounds, 1265 N. Snelling Av., Falcon Heights. $45-$55. beerdabbler.com.

VULCAN VICTORY TORCHLIGHT PARADE: Followed by the Overthrow of Boreas and fireworks. 5:30 p.m. Feb. 4. Rice Park, 109 W. 4th St., St. Paul. 651-223-4700. wintercarnival.com.

LOPPET: A festival of cross-country skiing and winter activities. 4 p.m. Feb. 3; 8 a.m. Feb. 4; 9 a.m. Feb. 5. Various locations, see website for details. loppet.org.

OPENING CEREMONIES FIREWORKS DISPLAY: 8 p.m. Feb. 3. Lake Calhoun, Mpls.

SURLY BEER GARDEN AND FOOD TRUCKS: 5-9 p.m. Feb. 3; 10 a.m.-10 p.m. Feb. 4; 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Feb. 5. Loppet Village, Lake Calhoun, Mpls.

VENDOR VILLAGE: 5-9 p.m. Feb. 3; 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Feb. 4; 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Feb. 5. Loppet Village, Lake Calhoun Center, Mpls.

MINNESOTA YOUTH SKI LEAGUE SUPERCARNIVAL: Relays, obstacle course and more. 2-5 p.m. Feb. 4. Calhoun Commons, Mpls.

NEED A LIFT? Metro Transit will offer free rides to the City of Lakes Luminary Loppet Race on Feb. 4. Free passes must be downloaded in advance by visiting loppet.org.