Polar Fest Polar Palooza on February 21, 2024 at Detroit Mountain Recreation Area offers a fun night of tubing races. Groups of 4 people can register as a team. Team check in and practice is between 5-6pm, with the race starting at 6:30pm. Polar Fest Polar Palooza is a double elimination format! Awards for the top three team finishers and top two team costumes will be presented at the end (around 9pm). Polar Palooza is for a good cause, with funds going to the Ski Angel Program.

Polar Fest Polar Palooza Features & Information

Polar Palooza Registration Form

Mark your Calendar Today

You don’t want to miss the next Polar Fest Polar Palooza, or any of the other great Detroit Lakes Polar Fest events in February!

Tags: Polar Fest Polar Palooza, Polar Fest, Detroit Mountain Polar Palooza, Polar Fest Ice Palace Lighting Ceremony, King Isbit’s Ice Palace, Detroit Lakes Polar Fest, Detroit Lakes Winter Activities, Detroit Lakes Winter Guide

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!

About Detroit Mountain Recreation Area

Detroit Mountain Recreation Area, located just minutes from Detroit Lakes is Minnesota’s newest ski destination. Complete with a main lodge and tubing park lodge and 15 runs for alpine skiing and snowboarding, it represents the growing popularity of ‘tubing’ with designated runs for that purpose.

The Landslide Tubing Park, a recent addition at Detroit Mountain, has its own 2500 sf lodge siting astride the tubing hill. It also offers one of the two Magic Carpet lifts. This tubing hill lodge features a cafe with a variety of food options and the Ace’s Wild Bar that is perfect for indoor Apres Ski socializing (outdoors a large fire pit warms you while you gather with friends).

Detroit Mountain Details

Polar Fest Ice Tee Golf Tournament is a fun, festive 4-person team golf scramble held on the ice on February 20, 2026, between 12p-7p in front of the Holiday Inn on Highway 10. Proceeds from the Polar Fest Ice Tee Golf Tournament will benefit the Detroit Lakes Community and Cultural Center. This Polar Fest social sporting event is a great way to build camaraderie in your company (and earn bragging rights!) or get a group of friends together and enjoy the opportunity to be involved in a unique event, celebrating winter fun in Detroit Lakes.

Ice Tee Golf Tournament General Information

Ice Tee Golf Tournament Team Details

While 2026-specific registration forms often list “TBD” for certain final details, traditional tournament structures include the following (contact Polar Fest Detroit Lakes for updated information at polarpetedl@gmail.com or 218-234-2501):

Mark your Calendar Today

You don’t want to miss the next Polar Fest Ice Tee Golf Tournament, or any of the other great events that begin with the Ice Palace Lighting Ceremony in Detroit Lakes, Minnesota in February!

Tags: Polar Fest Ice Tee Golf Tournament, Polar Fest, Detroit Lakes Ice Tee Golf, Ice Tee Golf, Polar Fest Ice Palace Lighting Ceremony, King Isbit’s Ice Palace, Detroit Lakes Polar Fest, Detroit Lakes Winter Activities, Detroit Lakes Winter Guide

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!

About Propel DL

Propel DL is a nonprofit organization whose purpose is to advance and promote Detroit Lakes and the surrounding region. This goal will be achieved through educational, charitable and recreational programs, festivals and events like the Detroit Lakes Polar Fest.

Detroit Lakes Polar Fest is held annually in mid-February. The Propel DL Board is responsible for the overall branding, advertising, and administration of Polar Fest. We work to bring more events like this to the area and the look committee members, sponsors and event volunteers.

This year, the Detroit Lakes Polar Fest Frozen Fireworks show is back and better than ever! Be on time for parking and a great viewing spot.

The fireworks fun will begin at 7 PM or dusk.

What to expect at Polar Fest Frozen Fireworks?

Mark your Calendar Today

You don’t want to miss the next Polar Fest Frozen Fireworks show, or any of the other great events during Polar Fest in Detroit Lakes, Minnesota in February!

Tags: Polar Fest Frozen Fireworks, Polar Fest, Detroit Lakes Frozen Fireworks, Polar Fest Ice Palace Lighting Ceremony, King Isbit’s Ice Palace, Detroit Lakes Polar Fest, Detroit Lakes Winter Activities, Detroit Lakes Winter Guide

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!

About Propel DL

Propel DL is a nonprofit organization whose purpose is to advance and promote Detroit Lakes and the surrounding region. This goal will be achieved through educational, charitable and recreational programs, festivals and events like the Detroit Lakes Polar Fest.

Detroit Lakes Polar Fest is held annually in mid-February. The Propel DL Board is responsible for the overall branding, advertising, and administration of Polar Fest. We work to bring more events like this to the area and the look committee members, sponsors and event volunteers.

Join us on Little Detroit Lake for the 2023 Polar Fest Kitefest and some colorful, Polar Fest fun! Professional Show Kite Flyers will dazzle us with their kites of all shapes and sizes!

What to expect at Polar Fest Kitefest?

Mark your Calendar Today

You don’t want to miss the next Polar Fest Kitefest, or any of the other great events that begin with the Ice Palace Lighting Ceremony in Detroit Lakes, Minnesota in February!

Tags: Polar Fest Kitefest, Polar Fest, Detroit Lakes Kitefest, Polar Fest Ice Palace Lighting Ceremony, King Isbit’s Ice Palace, Detroit Lakes Polar Fest, Detroit Lakes Winter Activities, Detroit Lakes Winter Guide

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!

About Propel DL

Propel DL is a nonprofit organization whose purpose is to advance and promote Detroit Lakes and the surrounding region. This goal will be achieved through educational, charitable and recreational programs, festivals and events like the Detroit Lakes Polar Fest.

Detroit Lakes Polar Fest is held annually in mid-February. The Propel DL Board is responsible for the overall branding, advertising, and administration of Polar Fest. We work to bring more events like this to the area and the look committee members, sponsors and event volunteers.

2022 Detroit Lakes Polar Fest Ice Palace at City Beach

Don’t miss the annual Detroit Lakes Polar Fest Ice Palace Lighting Ceremony on February 11, 2022 at the Detroit Lakes City Beach at 7:00 p.m. The Polar Fest festivities begin with the lighting of King Isbit’s Throne, Royal Courtyard and Polar Fest Ice Palace. The Ice Palace and other related activities will be open to the public through February 11-27, 2022.  The typical 10-day event will be 17 days this year. Professional ice sculptures will be on display in the nearby Detroit Lakes City Park starting the following day as a part of the MN Sn’Ice competitions. The second part, a snow sculpture competition for area high school students, will be held later in the event (check schedule).

A lot of planning and advance work go into creating this wonderland of ice. In January, huge ice blocks are hand-harvested from Detroit Lake. Over the next month, a volunteer crew will construct a Royal Palace fit for a “King Isbit”. Over the course of Polar Fest an Ice Palace evening light show and so much more will amaze and entertain. Come enjoy the snow and ice because it is so Sn’Ice! NOTE: Photo Credit (above): Jack Davis Photography

Event Location:
Detroit Lakes City Beach
Corner of Washington Avenue and West Lake Drive
Ice Harvest DL Face Book Page
Ice Harvest DL website
Phone: 218-847-2938 | Email: info@iceharvestdl.org

Photo Credit: Jack Davis Photography

From Idea to Reality: The Denison Polar Fest Ice Palace
An idea was sparked by Ken & Helen Foltz while visiting the 2017 St. Paul Winter Carnival where they toured the St. Paul’s Ice Palace. Problems occurred with early plans that looked likely to doom the project, but after encouragement from local business owners and prospective sponsors, the Ice Harvest DL Committee embraced optimism and altered those plans. With the support of the City of Detroit Lakes, the foundation plans were moved to the DL City Beach. The DL City Park was made available for a Palatial Playground. The Pavilion was made available for a History Exhibit and warming house. New ideas and dreams began to sketch a new, crazy, bigger, better plan!

On the morning of January 11th, 2018, the wind chill was just about -35* below zero. A dedicated group of local volunteers and a professional lake ice cutting company, Wee Kut Ice, began the first DL harvest. For the next three days, they would work in the brutal cold from dawn to sunset. Due to the brutally cold weather, the ice was around 22″ thick. Each block being harvested was about 22″ x 44″ x 25″. About 1,300 blocks were harvested over three days, weighing in at a total of over one million pounds of ice. Construction of the Ice Palace began on January 17th, 2018. When the Palace was completed, work began on smaller ice structures such as couches, benches, and even a bookcase with a lamp; all carved entirely out of lake ice. Other ice blocks were used to create a border fence around what became known as the Palatial Playground. Ice was even used to build giant bonfire pillars!

The Grand Lighting took place on February 7th, 2018 as a kickoff event for Polar Fest. On February 18th, 2018, the Ice Palace was demolished. The clear, clean lake ice was absorbing the light of the sun every day and puddles were forming in the streets of Detroit Lakes. As a safety precaution, the Palace had to come down. The Ice Harvest DL Committee met again the next week and began to ask, “What’s next?” and has done that since. Be there for the lighting ceremony and get the answer to that question!

Volunteer to Help
There’s a lot of work that goes into the harvest, construction and demolition after Polar Fest ends – and that doesn’t include the “Palace Volunteers” needed during Polar Fest! See the Ice Harvest DL Committee Website or Face Book Page for more information, online forms, etc.

About Polar Fest

Polar Fest is held annually in mid-February with the plunge and fireworks on the Saturday night of President’s Day weekend. 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, at the same time, Ron Zeman, former board member for Develop DL, heard about 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. Polar Fest continued until 2002 when lack of support left Polar Fest with only its key event — the Polar Plunge, but no other activities. In 2005, a group of crazy, winter-loving citizens came together to reinvigorate and warm up Polar Fest. Since then, Polar Fest has continued with the pinnacle event being the Polar Fest Plunge into Little Detroit Lake plus many other activities ranging from golfing on the lake to presentations by polar explorers to dances in the sand. In 2008, fireworks on the last Saturday evening were added and that has become one of the highlights of the week-long winter celebration.

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

Tags: Polar Fest Ice Palace, Detroit Lakes Polar Fest Ice Palace, Polar Fest Ice Palace Lighting Ceremony, King Isbit’s Ice Palace, Detroit Lakes Polar Fest, Detroit Lakes Ice Palace, Detroit Lakes Winter Activities