The Annual WinterFest, organized by the La Porte Park and Recreation Department, returns January 23-25, 2026! 

FREE ICE SKATING ALL WEEKEND

Glide into winter enjoyment! Bundle up and come ice skate at the Downtown La Porte Ice Rink, located at Monroe and State streets. Skate time is FREE by entering the discount code WINTERFEST during checkout. Skate rental available for $3. A signed waiver is required. Reserve your spot at www.laporteparkandrec.com.

Ice Skating at the Downtown La Porte Ice Rink Flyer

FRIDAY – 

ICE SCULPTURING DEMONSTRATIONS – FREE, 4-7pm, Friday afternoon  –  Plaza 618 – Downtown La Porte, Ice Sculpting is back in downtown LaPorte! Witness the sculptors turn blocks of ice into one-of-a-kind creations to kick off 2026 Winterfest! Check out the Ice Rink for some free skating – below:

Princess & Super Hero Theme FREE SKATE, Our downtown will transform into a frozen art gallery at Plaza 618. Enjoy the creative designs as you peruse the offerings at local shops,  enjoy a hearty meal at one of the local restaurants and enjoy some time on this year’s ice skating rink! 

SATURDAY – 

PINE ICE DERBY – De Camp Band of Brothers

5 a.m.-2 p.m. – Pine Lake

Haul in that big fish or just recall the one that got away! Put on your thermal underwear, cast those lines, compete for prizes and share your stories at The Blue Heron Inn, after the derby. Sundays Sons Band starts at 3 p.m. ice or no ice. Fee is $40.

SNOWBALL SOFTBALL COED TOURNEY

9 a.m. – Scharf Fields

Dashing through the snow, turning double plays! Get your team together for our version of the “hot stove” league. Double-elimination tournament; limited to the first eight teams to register. Pre-registration required. Team entry fee $185. Deadline to enter is Friday, January 19.

BASIC SEWING CLASS

9 a.m.-noon – Steady Stitchers Studio (1640 First Street)

Stay warm with this fun activity! Learn to make your own scarf, hat, or hooded scarf. All sewing levels welcome. Cost of the project is only $5. Pre-registration is preferred at the Park Office by calling 219-326-9600, or Janet at 219-363-8122 or visiting 250 Pine Lake Avenue. Instruction provided by the Steady Stitchers.

WINTERFEST POND HOCKEY
 9am- Clear Lake     
     Enjoy     

FAMILY Wii BOWLING ALLEY
10am – 1pm, 1640 First Street
          Enjoy

FROSTY’S FROZEN BIKE RIDE – FREE

1-3 p.m. – Park Office

Feeling the winter blahs? Riding a bike in the winter will help beat back those wintertime blues. The event starts at noon with registration while the pedaling takes off at 1 p.m. Participants will take a leisurely one-hour ride and return to Cummings Lodge for some snacks and hot chocolate. Check your tires, bundle up (layers are recommended), grab your helmet and let’s cruise together! WinterFest – Frosty’s Frozen Bike Ride Flyer

WINTERFEST COUNTRY LINE DANCING
 5pm – 9pm, Civic Auditorium,
    
     Enjoy Country Line Dancing with the FREE Event. Open to all ages, learn to line dance while receiving professional guidance from the Sunset Coast Country Dancers and the Michiana Country Kickers, Bring your boots or a pair of clean dancing shoes. Free pizza by Wana Pizza. Cornhole, big Jenga and Bar also available.

WINTERFEST ALL DAY AT LUHR COUNTY PARK
2-5PM

Check out La Porte County Park Department here.

SUNDAY – 

HORSE DRAWN WAGON RIDES – FREE

12:30-2:30 p.m. – Cummings Lodge

Jingle, jingle, jingle. Take a brisk ride through the beauty of wintry nature while enjoying the majesty of the equine. After a trot through Soldiers Memorial Park, warm up with a cup of hot chocolate by the fireplace. 

 FAMILY JUMP-A-THON
1:00 – 5:30 PM, Civic Auditorium
     Feeling cooped up this winter? Just $5 per child, you can enjoy and action-packed day at the Civic Auditorium, Hot ROd Snowcones will be providing Bounce Houses, Inflatable games and snacks to make for an awesome day for the family. And, visit the Balloon Artist

For information on becoming a WinterFest sponsor contact csmith1@cityoflaportein.gov or call 219-326-9600.