- Exploring the hidden gems of Western Wisconsin—curating unforgettable stays and sharing the places locals love most.
People assume January and February on the river are quiet months, and in some ways they are. The boats are put away and the patios are closed. But step outside of Prescott and the region is full of winter traditions: hot air balloons glowing like lanterns over a frozen field, a hundred-year-old carnival, eagles fishing the open water, and a ski hill that stays open until 3 in the morning.
Here are the winter events I’m telling guests about for January and February 2027, all within about an hour of Prescott. Some dates for 2027 haven’t been announced yet, so I’ve noted the usual timing. Check before you book.
The winter season kicks off right here at home. Prescott Winterfest takes over town on Saturday, January 9, 2027, starting at 9 a.m., with cold-weather fun all day. Live music comes from The Dweebs and The Prescott Garage Band, and there are meat raffles (a very Wisconsin tradition) and specials at businesses around town. Check the Prescott Area Chamber’s Winterfest page for the full schedule and locations as the day gets closer.
Insider tip: Stay downtown so you can walk to everything, and warm up between events with a North Pole Mocha at The Kitchen Table or a latte in the loft at the Twisted Oak.
The Saint Paul Winter Carnival has been around since 1886, and it’s about 35 minutes from Prescott. Over 11 days, Rice Park downtown fills with ice carvings, the State Fairgrounds host the snow sculpture contest, and there are events at Landmark Center and a puzzle hunt at Union Depot. Most events are free or need just a carnival button. The parades are the highlights: the King Boreas Grande Day Parade and the Vulcan Victory Torchlight Parade. Check the carnival’s website for 2027 parade dates and times.
Insider tip: See the ice carvings at night, when they’re lit up. Then drive back to Prescott for a late dinner at the bar at Muddy Waters, a quieter end to a big day.
This one is magic. Every year on the first full weekend in February, hot air balloons fill the winter sky over Hudson, about 30 minutes north of Prescott. The 2027 dates haven’t been announced yet, but based on the pattern, expect Friday, February 5 through Sunday, February 7.
It’s free to attend. There are no balloon rides, but standing in a snowy field at sunrise while dozens of balloons lift off around you is a memory you’ll keep.
Winter is eagle season on the river. When the backwaters freeze, bald eagles gather wherever the water stays open, and you can see them from Freedom Park in Prescott, along the river road and around Red Wing and Wabasha.
For the full experience, drive about an hour and 15 minutes down the river to the National Eagle Center in Wabasha. It’s open daily from 10 to 4, with live eagle programs every day at 1 p.m. (plus 11 a.m. on Fridays and Saturdays). Admission is $14 for adults. This winter, they’re also running guided field trips into the countryside: a bald eagle trip on January 2, and golden eagle trips on January 30 and February 6, 13, 18, 20 and 27. Golden eagles are rare here, so this is a special chance. Book ahead.
Every Friday all winter, Trollhaugen in Dresser, Wisconsin, keeps the lifts running from 9 p.m. until 3 a.m. with live bands and a crowd that often tops a thousand. Late-night tickets ran about $25 last season. For something more low-key, Afton Alps, 25 minutes from Prescott, runs night skiing until 9 most evenings. See my full ski guide.
Red Wing’s historic Sheldon Theatre, a gilded 1904 jewel box about 35 minutes from Prescott, has a busy winter. The shows listed for early 2027 include Water Street Dance Milwaukee in late January, comedian Tommy Ryman on January 30 and Black Angels Over Tuskegee in late February. Check the Sheldon’s calendar to confirm. Here’s how to plan a night at the Sheldon.
In late February, Buck Hill in Burnsville turns its tubing hill into a light show, with lights synced to music for evening sessions. Last year it ran two weekends at the end of February, and a similar schedule is likely for 2027. Riders need to be at least 42 inches tall.
February 13, 2027, falls on a Saturday, which makes it the perfect weekend to bring your friends to the river. Here are my favorite Galentine’s ideas in and around Prescott.
Make downtown Prescott your home base and book direct with us: The Port of Prescott for boutique king suites steps from the river, Port After Dark for romantic suites made for couples, The Harbor Hotel for themed rooms and extended stays, and The Cove Guest House for downtown condos and group getaways.
