Winter event series Winter Carnival continues during warmer conditions with a modified lineup of more than a dozen events
Posted: 02/06/24
The Wisconsin Union’s winter-themed event series, called Winter Carnival, will continue Feb. 7-10 during warmer-than-usual weather conditions with a modified events schedule that includes more than a dozen events, including an appearance of part of an inflatable version of Lady Liberty at Library Mall, rather than on Lake Mendota. Events previously scheduled to take place on Lake Mendota have been moved or canceled due to thinning ice.
The Winter Carnival lineup currently includes:
- Feb. 7
- $1 cheese curds
- Open Mic Night
- Feb. 8
- Free, drop-in pom pom face-making
- Feb. 9
- Inflatable replica of the Statue of Liberty’s head on Library Mall
- Mario and Sonic at the Winter Olympic Games tournament, presented by University Recreation & Wellbeing
- Winter Beats: a rhythm game challenge
- Luminary-making
- Snow Ball: live music, dancing and swing dancing instruction
- Feb. 10
- Inflatable replica of the Statue of Liberty’s head on Library Mall
- Free maple taffy-making
- Scavenger hunt, called Secret Agent
- Valentine’s Day and kindness greeting card-making as well as hot chocolate
- Family Fun in Alumni Park, presented by the Wisconsin Alumni Association
- Newly added on Feb. 6: Yard Games at the Memorial Union Terrace, presented in collaboration with University Recreation & Wellbeing
- Sock snowperson-making
- Mini horses photo opportunities and meet-and-greet
- Limited-time, house-made mac and cheese available for purchase
Events are free unless otherwise noted at union.wisc.edu/wintercarnival. The event lineup is subject to change, including due to weather conditions.
The Wisconsin Union team has observed a thinning of ice and several weak and open spots, with ice being about 6 inches thick near the Lake Mendota shoreline alongside Memorial Union. The team continually monitors Lake Mendota’s ice throughout the winter season, including to evaluate its nearby ice skating and other wintertime activities. The Wisconsin Union team has canceled, re-imagined or moved some wintertime events in light of thinning ice, a low amount of snow, and predicted upcoming warmer-than-usual temperatures.
“We will still offer more than a dozen Winter Carnival events for guests to enjoy,” Outdoor UW Director Dave Elsmo said. “Our team of staff and student leaders gathered to ensure the continuation of Winter Carnival. We look forward to welcoming people to a Winter Carnival under early spring-like conditions.”
The Wisconsin Union team brings out a to-scale, inflatable replica of the Statue of Liberty’s head, arm and torch to frozen Lake Mendota each year during Winter Carnival. This year’s appearance will occur on land at Library Mall and will include the Statue’s head. More information about the Statue’s history of Madison appearances can be found here.
Winter Carnival has historically included both weather-dependent events and experiences that do not require any specific weather conditions. With weather having required lineup changes this year and in years past, the Wisconsin Union team encourages patrons to visit union.wisc.edu/wintercarnival for the most up-to-date Carnival lineup each year.