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Polar Fest Plunge - Detroit Lakes Winter Guide

Detroit Lakes Polar Fest

Feb 9 - Feb 25

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2024 Detroit Lakes Polar Fest

Name: Detroit Lakes Polar Fest
Start: 2024-02-09T00:00:00+00:00
End: 2024-02-25T23:59:59+00:00
Location: Detroit Lakes Minnesota

Join us for the 28th Annual Detroit Lakes Polar Fest on February 9-25, 2024. Polar Fest is a 17-day winter festival that features a multitude of both indoor and outdoor winter activities. It is held in mid-February with the Polar Plunge and Frozen Fireworks on the last Saturday of Polar Fest.

Polar Fest was started by local residents who loved winter and wanted to a celebration of winter by the lake. They had heard of people jumping into a hole in the lake to raise money for an organization. Taking that idea to the Boys & Girls Club, “Polar Fest Plunge” and the annual much-loved event was born!

Most events are in Detroit Lakes and center around the lakes, with some at nearby Detroit Mountain Recreation area. Refer to the featured Polar Fest events below with links to event details. Following the featured events is a link for the full Polar Fest schedule. Photo Credit (above): Jack Davis Photography

Featured Polar Fest Events

2/9-11/24 Vern Turner Memorial Bonspiel:Curling Tournament; 4 pm. Lakes Curling Club Details
2/9/24 Daddy’s Little Sweetheart Dance: 6-9 pm; Historic Holmes Theatre. Details
2/10/24 Freeze Your Buns Run: 12p-3p | Location (Starting & Ending): Detroit Lakes Community and Cultural Center, 826 Summit Avenue, Detroit Lakes, MN. Time: Registration 8 AM; Run begins at 9 AM. Details
2/10/24 Poles N Holes Fishing Derby: 12p-3p | Little Detroit Lake, 720 West Lake Drive, Detroit Lakes, MN. Prizes will be awarded for the 30 largest fish, with prize packages valued at over $30,000 to be up for grabs. Details
2/10/24 Frozen Fireworks: 7p – 7:10p | Detroit Lakes Pavillion. There are two fireworks displays this year (also see February 24). You can watch from the north side of Detroit Lake, by the Detroit Lakes Pavilion. There is parking in the park next to the pavilion. You might want to get here early to get a parking spot as this event can get very busy!
Details
2/10/24 Way North of Nashville 3.0: Feb 10 @ 7:00 pm – 10:00 pm | The Historic Holmes Theatre. Polar Fest Way North of Nashville 3.0 at the Historic Holmes Theater on Saturday, February 10, 2024 is a Nashville “Listening Room” experience in Detroit Lakes that features four singer/songwriters from Nashville who will tell stories and sing their hits made famous by Morgan Wallen, Tim McGraw, Kenny Chesney, Luke Combs, and more!
Details
2/11/24 Snowshoe Sundays at Tamarac National Wildlife Refuge: 12p-4p – Tamarac Refuge Visitor Center, 35704 County Highway 26, Rochert, MN 56578 | 19 mi from The Lodge. Details
2/13/24 Mardi Gras Kings: 7:00 pm – 8:30 pm – The Historic Holmes Theatre Ballroom. Allow yourself to be carried away to Bourbon Street with the enthralling performances of the Mardi Gras Kings. Brace yourself for a soulful blend of traditional New Orleans melodies and contemporary repertoire. Details
2/16/24 Polar Fest Ice Tee Golf Tournament: 6p-7p; Holiday Inn, 1155 US Highway 10, Detroit Lakes, MN, 56501. Details
2/17/24 DL Vintage Snowmobile Rally & Swap Meet: 8a-5p | Little Detroit Lake, 720 West Lake Drive, Detroit Lakes. Join us on the frozen lake for a vintage snowmobile rally & swap meet! Details
2/17/24 Fabulous Armadillos: Up North & Down Under: 7:30p–9:30p | The Historic Holmes Theatre, 806 Summit Ave, Detroit Lakes. In their “Up North & Down Under” show The Fabulous Armadillos tap into all the great artists and groups from our neighbors to the North in Canada. They also cross the international date line, going South for all the definitive music that emanated from Australia. Details
2/18/24 Snowshoe Sundays at Tamarac National Wildlife Refuge: 12p-4p – Tamarac Refuge Visitor Center, 35704 County Highway 26, Rochert, MN 56578 | 19 mi from The Lodge. Details
2/24/24 Polar Plunge: 1p-3p | Detroit Lakes Pavillion. Get ready to freeze, have some fun, and make this year the BIGGEST and BEST Polar Fest Plunge to-date! The best thing is, your efforts directly support the Club’s mission and the hundreds of local youth who have a safe and fun place to grow academically, socially, and civically. Register at www.bgcdl.org as an individual or team. This event takes place on the lake in front of Lakeside Tavern. Details
2/24/24 Frozen Fireworks: 7p-7:10p | Detroit Lakes Pavillion. There are two fireworks displays this year (also see February 10). You can watch from the north side of Detroit Lake, by the Detroit Lakes Pavilion. There is parking in the park next to the pavilion. You might want to get here early to get a parking spot as this event can get very busy! Details
2/25/24 Snowshoe Sundays at Tamarac National Wildlife Refuge: 12p-4p – Tamarac Refuge Visitor Center, 35704 County Highway 26, Rochert, MN 56578 | 19 mi from The Lodge. Details

View FULL Polar Fest Schedule

Video Credit: Boys & Girls Club of Detroit Lakes | Polar Fest Plunge Short Recap

About Detroit Lakes Polar Fest

Detroit Lakes Polar Fest is is a 17-day winter festival that features a multitude of outdoor winter activities. It is held in early and mid-February with the plunge and fireworks on the last Saturday night of Polar Fest. Polar Fest was started in 1996 by Erika Johnson, previous owner of Lakeside Tavern. She loved winter and wanted to see some sort of celebration of winter by the lake and outside her restaurant. Coincidentally, Ron Zeman, former Develop DL board member, heard of people jumping into a hole in the lake to raise money for an organization. He took that idea to the Boys & Girls Club and the “Polar Fest Plunge” was born. Unfortunately, in 2002 a lack of support left Polar Fest with only its key event, the Polar Plunge.

In 2005, a group of crazy, winter-loving citizens came together to reinvigorate and warm up Polar Fest. Since then, Polar Fest has since continued with the pinnacle event being the Polar Fest Plunge into Little Detroit Lake. However, many other activities including golfing on the lake, polar explorer presentations, dances and more have been added. In 2008, fireworks on the last Saturday evening were added, becoming one of the highlights of the week-long winter celebration. Don’t miss one of Minnesota’s most fun winter festivals!

Mark your calendar today so you don’t miss the next Polar Fest in Detroit Lakes, Minnesota in February!

Tags: Detroit Lakes Polar Fest, Detroit Lakes Ice Palace, Detroit Lakes Beer Tasting, Polar Fest Plunge, Vern Turner Memorial Bonspiel, Detroit Lakes Winter Activities

Best Polar Fest Hotels in Detroit Lakes, Minnesota

The Lodge on Lake Detroit & The Spa Within

The only way to improve Polar Fest is staying in one of the best Polar Fest Hotels in Detroit Lakes. However long your stay, you will find our Detroit Lakes Minnesota lake resort the perfect place to unwind after a busy day. What better way to relax than in The Lodge’s beautiful Fireside Lobby and LoLa D’s Lobby Bar & Bistro? Nestled in a lovely tree-filled setting on a private sandy beach, you’ll find the latest hotel style and amenities. The Lodge is independently owned and operated by Holland Hospitality, Inc., now providing a generation of hospitality excellence.

With our modern amenities and thoughtful design, we stand out among other lodging choices in Detroit Lakes, MN. For couples or family getaways, we offer a variety of rooms and suites with king, queen or two queen beds. Our free daily hot breakfast, free local calls, indoor heated pool and fitness center make the hotel a great place to recharge between enjoying Detroit Lakes attractions and activities. View Hotel Detail

Your room features lakefront views, free Wi-Fi and wired internet, flat-screen TVs with extended channels. It is also equipped with mini-fridge, microwave, and coffee maker, and is pet and smoke free. View accommodation detail.

Detroit Lakes Day Spa: You will experience extensive menu of select spa treatment services at The Spa Within at The Lodge, many of which are exclusive signature treatments. A variety of facials and massage therapies will provide you a deeply relaxed state as part of your spa experience. Some of these revitalizing treatments include the use of warm and cold basalt stones for face and body.