Culver Winterfest is a fantastic 3-day festival for the whole family to enjoy!  This year’s events to celebrate all things winter will take place on February 9th, 10th, and 11th.

Activities begin on Friday with the sledding hill in the park all day long.  The ice tours are all day throughout Culver.  These hand-carved works of art are created live by professional ice carvers. Cupid’s Crawl, a town-wide shopping event is on Friday from 4 to 7 p.m.  Shop in at least four of the participating businesses, get your card punched, and then drop it off at Café Max by 7 p.m. to be entered into the 7:30 drawing.  Friday’s activities wind up that evening at the Lakehouse with Cupid’s Karaoke and Cocktails starting at 9:30. 

Saturday the sledding hill and ice sculpture tour is all day.  The morning begins with breakfast at the Train Depot.  The Culver Lions Club will be serving a pancake breakfast from 8 to 11. Cupid’s Dart, a 5-K fun run, and a 1-mile option are at 9 at the Beach Lodge.

Other Saturday activities are FREE yoga at 10 at the Beach Lodge and the Indoor Farmers’ Market from 10 to 1 at the Culver Library. Enjoy Valentine’ Tequila & Canvas class at Frida’s Mexican restaurant at 4 and the Lakehouse will have Acoustically Speaking at 9:30.   

The main event on Saturday is the Super Bowl-themed beer garden and “Ice Fights” where ice sculptors go blade to blade competing to create the best sculpture. The is open to all ages and marshmallow roasting is part of the fun. 

Sunday includes the famous chili cook-off and The Polar Plunge into beautiful Lake Maxinkuckee. The sledding hill will be open all day and you can take another look at the ice sculptures. The lake is also open for skating and fishing all weekend long!

Friday, February 9

  • Sled Hill: All Day. Location: Culver Park (819 E Lakeshore Dr. Culver, IN 46511)
  • Ice Sculpture Tour: All Day. Location: Around Town. Check out crafted ice sculptures sponsored by individuals and businesses all around town! Sponsor an ice sculpture for your business, family, or any occasion (sponsorship form below).
  • Cupid’s Crawl: 4-7:00 pm. Location: Participating businesses around town (participating business list coming soon!). Shop and dine locally in at least four participating businesses in Culver. Pick up a punch card at a participating business to participate and get four punches. Turn in your punch card by 7:00 pm at Cafe Max (113 S Main St. Culver, IN 46511) to enter in a drawing worth HUNDREDS! This event is perfect for shopping small, supporting local businesses, purchasing unique and fun gifts, and enjoying dining locally while eating/drinking for the drawing at 7:30 pm at Cafe Max!
  • Cupids’ Karaoke & Cocktails: 9:30 pm. Sing your heart out at the Lakehouse Grille! (615 E. Lakeshore Dr. Culver, IN 46511)

Saturday, February 10

  • Sled Hill: All Day. Location: Culver Park (819 E Lakeshore Dr. Culver, IN 46511)
  • Ice Sculpture Tour: All Day. Location: Around Town. Check out crafted ice sculptures sponsored by individuals and businesses all around town!
  • Lions Club Pancake Breakfast: 8-11 am. Location: Train Depot (615 E Lakeshore Dr. Culver, IN 46511). Enjoy a savory and sweet breakfast with the local philanthropy group, Culver Lions Club!
  • Cupid’s Dart 5K and 1 Mile: 9 am. Location: Culver Beach Lodge (819 E. Lakeshore Dr. Culver, IN 46511). Grab those running (or walking) shoes to participate in a casual fun run/walk around town. Maps will be provided, registration NOT required, and be sure to show up at least 10 minutes before to prepare.
  • Free Community Yoga Class: 10 am. Location: Culver Beach Lodge (819 E Lake Shore Dr. Culver, IN 46511). Open to all ages and levels. Be sure to bring a yoga mat and a friend!
  • Indoor Farmers’ Market: 10 am-1 pm. Location: Culver & Union Township Public Library (107 N. Main Street Culver, IN 46511). Shop locally crafted goods!
  • Vision Board Workshop: 12-4 pm. REGISTRATION REQUIRED (fee: $120). Location: Culver Beach Lodge (819 E Lakeshore Dr. Culver, IN 46511). During this fun, relaxed workshop, you’ll explore a mix of yin yoga with guided journaling followed by a guided meditation. You’ll also receive a custom workbook, snacks, step-by-step guidance, and all of the supplies needed to build your gorgeous vision board. For more information and to register, please visit www.erinserafino.com.
  • Valentine’s Tequila & Canvas Class: 4 pm. Location: Frida’s Mexican Cuisine & Pancake House (18571 IN-10, Culver, IN 46511). Paint a canvas and celebrate with your valentine, family, and/or friends. $40 per person. Includes one free house margarita, chips and salsa, your canvas, and all painting materials! Stop into Frida’s to sign up or pay over the phone at 574-842-2414.
  • Live Band (Acoustically Speaking) & Drinks: 9:30 pm. Location: The Lakehouse Grille (620 E. Lakeshore Dr. Culver, IN 46511). Enjoy some food and drinks while listening to some live music!

~ THE MAIN EVENT ~

  • Ice Fights, Beer Garden & S’mores: 6-10 pm. Location: Train Depot in the Culver Park (615 E Lakeshore Dr.). Join us for the BIG event of the weekend!!! Watch as ice sculptors compete while enjoying some adult beverages and roasting some marshmallows. Open to all ages. For those drinking alcohol, please obtain a wristband and stay inside the designated beer garden fence.
    • The Culver PTO “KID ZONE” will be located inside the Train Depot building featuring snacks, activities, movies, and more! Be sure to pick up your s’mores kit and hot cocoa inside the Depot building for a sweet treat while you watch the Ice Fights.

Sunday, February 11

  • Sled Hill: All Day. Location: Culver Park (819 E Lakeshore Dr. Culver, IN 46511)
  • Ice Sculpture Tour: All Day. Location: Around Town. Check out crafted ice sculptures sponsored by individuals and businesses all around town!
  • Grab & Go Lions Club Breakfast: 8-11 am. Location: Train Depot (615 E Lakeshore Dr. Culver, IN 46511).
  • Polar Plunge: 12-2 pm Location: Culver Beach (819 E Lakeshore Dr. Culver, IN 46511). Jump into Lake Maxinkuckee through the ice!!! Want to get a little more creative and fun? Put on a costume and grab a friend! The first 50 participants will receive a Culver Winterfest towel. The Culver & Union Township Fire Department will be present. Registration is required (registration link below!). Polar Plunge participant registration and waiver signing will take place between 12-12:45 pm. ALL PARTICIPANTS (pre-registered and day of registrants) need to arrive between 12-12:45 pm.
    • Polar Plunge Participant Check In:12-12:45 PM. ALL Polar Plunge participants need to arrive between 12-12:45 pm for registration at Beach Lodge Concession Stand. Registration/check-in ends @ 12:45 pm.
    • Polar Plunge Participant Jumping: 1 pm. Location: Culver Beach (819 E Lakeshore Dr. Culver, IN 46511).
  • Chili Cook-Off: 1-3 pm. Location: Culver Beach Lodge Conference Room (819 E Lakeshore Dr. Culver, IN 46511). Participate for the title of Best Chili or just enjoy the samples 🙂 Participant registration is required (registration link below!). It is free to be a chili cook-off participant and $5 to eat/vote on the chili! There will be a bake sale as well by the CCHS swim team so be sure to bring cash for chili and some baked goods!

Be on the lookout for ice skaters, ice fishers, and ice sailors on Lake Maxinkuckee all weekend long!!! *** Please check local and national guidelines for ice thickness safety before participating on activities on Lake Maxinkuckee.