Zehnder's Frankenmuth Snowfest 2022 | Events, Dates, Schedule | Incredible Ice Carving Festival and Competition in Michigan! Eat Famous Frankenmuth Fried Chicken, Visit Bronner's and Shop!
2022 Zehnder's Snowfest in Frankenmuth: Incredible Ice Carving Festival and Competition in Michigan! | By Sherry Trautman | Traveling Michigan
- Don't you just love Michigan winter ice carving festivals?
Every January, Zehnder's throws one heck of a Frankenmuth Snowfest festival. It's a great excuse to bundle up in the middle of Michigan's winter and eat some famous Frankenmuth fried chicken, shop at the River Place Shops and of course, watch amazingly talented ice artists carve massive slabs of ice into submission!
Zehnder's Snowfest is one of my favorite things to do in Michigan in winter!
Insider Frankenmuth Snowfest Tips
- Arrive early. See my notes in the next section about that.
- If you want to indulge in a famous chicken dinner, I would make reservations immediately upon arriving.
- Take note of the tiny clay sculptures on display in front of the ice sculptures. It shows you the intent of what the finished ice sculpture will look like.
- Weekday visits are much less busy so it's easier to park and navigate.
- Bathrooms are located in the Bavarian Inn and Zehnder's restaurants.
- If the weather is exceedingly cold at Frankenmuth Snowfest, check out the warming tent located in Zehnder's parking lot. They also have maps of the festival.
- If you are limited on time, the majority of the sculptures are located within Zehnder's and Bavarian Inn's parking lots.
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Zehnder's Snowfest Schedule 2022
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Did you know that Zehnder's Snowfest is one of the top snow and ice sculpting events in North America? |
Below is the Frankenmuth Snowfest 2021 Schedule.
Wednesday, January 26 , 2022
Frankenmuth Snowfest 2022 Schedule
- See World Class Snow Carving Teams Work Throughout the Day in Zehnder’s Parking Lot.
- Watch Children’s Snow Sculpting at Frankenmuth River Place Shops.
- See State of Michigan Snow Sculpting at 6 p.m. in the Bavarian Inn Restaurant Parking Lot.
- Zehnder’s Snowfest Warming Tent Open 10 a.m. – 5 p.m.
- Food, Refreshments, Exhibit Booths & Entertainment 11:30 a.m. – 2:30 p.m
- Pioneer Sugar’s “All Things Chocolate” Baking Contest
Thursday, January 27 , 2022
- World Class Snow Carving Teams Continue to Work in Zehnder’s Parking Lot
- Public Voting Begins at Frankenmuth Snowfest
- Children’s Snow Sculpting at Frankenmuth River Place Shops
- High School Snow Sculpting Competition Begins at 9 a.m. at Frankenmuth River Place Shops.
- State of Michigan Snow Sculpting Continues Throughout the Day
- Dueling Piano Luncheon at 12 noon. Get reservations early for a chicken luncheon in Zehnder’s Main Dining Room. Tickets $50 per person.
- Zehnder’s Snowfest Warming Tent Open at 10 a.m.
- Food, Refreshments, Exhibit Booths & Entertainment
- 1 p.m. – 3 p.m. Bingo
Friday, January 28 , 2022
- See a Professional Ice Exhibition with Greg Butauski, Award Winning Certified Master Ice Sculptor and his team. Watch them create a 100-block masterpiece featuring a circus “Under the Big Top” theme in Zehnder’s Parking Lot behind Rau’s Country Store.
- World Class Snow Carving Teams Continue to Work Throughout the Day and Public Voting Continues.
- State of Michigan Snow Sculpting Continues Throughout the Day
- High School Snow Sculpting Competition Continues 9 a.m. – 5 p.m.
- Zehnder’s Snowfest Warming Tent Open 10 a.m. – 12 midnight
- Food, Refreshments, Exhibit Booths and Entertainment Featuring Country Night
- 11:30 a.m. – 2:30 p.m. – The Swift Brothers
- 3:30 p.m. – 5:00 p.m. – U.S. 338th Army Band Country Concert
- 6 p.m. – WKCQ Karaoke Contest Finals
- 8 p.m. – Midnight – Music by Alan Turner and the Steel Horse Band ($5.00 Cover Charge after 6 p.m. – Children 12 and Under Free)
- Children’s Play Area Open – Next to Frankenmuth Toy Company
- Free Petting Zoo 4 – 7 p.m.
- Children’s Pony Rides 4 – 7 p.m.
- Collegiate Alumni Ice Carving Competition 4 – 7 pm – Watch Former Collegiate Alumni compete in a multi-block ice carving challenge.
Saturday, January 29 , 2022
- World Class Single & Double Block, and State Snow Sculpting Concludes at 10 a.m.
- Zehnder’s Snowfest Warming Tent Open 10 a.m. – 12 midnight.
- Food, Refreshments, Exhibit Booths and Entertainment Featuring Classic Day
- 11:00 a.m. – 12:00 noon U.S. 338th Army Band Patriotic Concert
- 11:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. Magician Jason Abbott (3) Shows
- 1:30 – 3:30 p.m. Music by Cruisin’ Jupiter Band
- 2:00 p.m. Snow Carving Awards
- 4:30 p.m. – 6:00 p.m. – U.S. 338th Army Band Rock Concert
- 8 p.m. – 12 a.m. Music by the Rock Show ($5.00 Cover Charge after 6 p.m. – Children 12 and under Free)
- Children’s Play Area Open – Next to Frankenmuth Toy Company
- Free Petting Zoo 11 a.m. – 5 p.m. Children’s Pony Rides 12 noon – 6 p.m.
- Musical Carousel Ride 11 a.m. – 8 p.m.
- Collegiate Alumni Ice Carving Competition 11 a.m. – 3 p.m. Former Collegiate Alumni compete in a multi-block ice carving challenge.
- Annual Fireworks Display – 6:45 p.m.
Join us on YouTube! See Incredible Ice Carving at Zehnder's Frankenmuth Snowfest!
Sunday, January 30 , 2022
All Ice and Snow Sculptures Completed for Public Viewing
- Zehnder’s Snowfest Warming Tent Open 10 a.m. – 6 p.m.
- Food, Refreshments, Exhibit Booths and Entertainment 11:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
- Magician Jason Abbott (3) Shows 1:00 – 5:00 p.m.
- Music by Stone Street Revival
- Children’s Play Area Open
- Free Petting Zoo 12 noon – 5 p.m. Children’s Pony Rides 12 noon – 5 p.m
- Musical Carousel Ride 12 noon – 5 p.m.
Best Time to Attend the Frankenmuth Snowfest
If you are looking to enjoy this Frankenmuth ice festival without mass crowds, I would recommend going during the week and arrive before noon. The only thing to know is that the sculptures will not be finished yet.
But that's also my favorite time to go! I relish in watching the talented snow artists perfect their sculptures. It's like magic as they transform the massive blocks of ice or snow into realistic rabbits, spiders, dragons or anything the artist can fathom!
I like going to Frankenmuth Snow Fest about two days after the festival starts because the artists are well into their sculptures but it's not the last day so they have time to talk and interact with you. In other words, they are not panicked as the time frame creeps near.
Watch an Artist Wield a Massive Saw to transform a Giant Ice Sculpture During the Frankenmuth Ice Festival!
Where to Park During Frankenmuth Snowfest
Like I mentioned above, I would arrive well before noon at Frankenmuth Snowfest if you want to park near the sculptures.
The best place to park, in my opinion, is right behind Zehnder's Restaurant. They have a monster paved lot, but it will be packed after noon.
Parking is also available in the Bavarian Inn lot and River Place Shops.
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