Save the you-name-it-on-a-stick deep-fried delectables for the dog days of summer: It's time for the other Minnesota get-together. During its 125th Winter Carnival, our capital city will be bustling with events ranging from ice-carving (Thu.-Sun.) and snow-sculpting (Fri.-Feb. 6) competitions to the ceremonial Torchlight Parade (5:30 p.m. Feb. 5). If that's not your cup of cocoa, take a stab at finding that elusive medallion to win upwards of a cool $2,500. More event details.

Twin Cities beer geeks will have the opportunity to quench their thirst for exotic brews at the Beer Dabbler event at the St. Paul Winter Carnival. This outdoor beer-tasting bonanza kicks off with the inaugural keg-tapping of a rare IPA from Colorado's Odell Brewing Co., normally available only at the brewery. The Dabbler features 70 breweries, from the Far East to the Pacific Northwest, as well as a handful of local gems. Amateur brewmasters can enter their own concoctions in a homebrew contest. Come in costume for a chance to win prizes during this exercise in ingurgitation. More event details.

A signature event for Cliché, the fifth annual Avoid the Grey fashion show highlights the shop's local talent with homespun style. Its ever-busy roster of designers (including Kathryn V., Sarah M. Holm, Ivan Idland and Danielle Everine) have crafted exclusive, pre-spring collections for the store, inspired by spring 2011 trends such as floral, '50s housewife, '60s bohemian, '70s glamour, polka dots and neon. Last year's show finished with a punk ballerina, surrounded by suited men in animal masks, who twirled to Hole's "Violet" in a woodland scene, so expect spring trends to be served up with a healthy dose of quirky absurdity. More event details.