Mark your calendars for the 13th Annual Frozen Assets Festival, happening February 8–9, 2025, at The Edgewater in Madison, Wisconsin. This free, family-friendly event invites the community to embrace the beauty and value of the frozen Lake Mendota with an array of exciting winter activities… all for a good cause!
Festival Highlights
On Saturday, February 8th (10 a.m. – 3 p.m.), the festival kicks off with the Frozen Assets 5K Run/Walk on Lake Mendota. Registered participants receive a t-shirt, and adults 21+ can enjoy a post-race beer or seltzer. Kids under 10 can join for free with a registered adult.
All Day Events: (Saturday, February 8th, 10 a.m. – 3 p.m.)
- 2025 Ice and Snow Sailing World Championships, Lake Mendota
- Kites on Mendota with Wisconsin Kiter’s Club, Lake Mendota
- Snow Snake with members of Ho-Chunk Nation, Lake Mendota
- Free hot chocolate, Grand Plaza
- Free ice skating and free skate rental, The Edgewater Ice Rink and Skate Shop
- Try snowshoeing, Lake Mendota
- Explore how UW-Madison Center for Limnology monitors our lakes in the winter months, Lake Mendota
- Play Plinko (Lake-O), Nolen Gallery
- Spin the Price is Right Wheel, Nolen Gallery
- Winter craft stations, Grand Ballroom
- WI Salt Wise booth – hear about how salt use can impact our lakes, outside
- and more!
Scheduled Activities (Saturday, February 8th):
- 8 – 9:45 a.m. Check in for Frozen Assets 5K Run/Walk, 5th Floor Registration Tables
- 10 a.m. Frozen Assets 5K Run/Walk begins, Lake Mendota off The Edgewater Pier
- 10 a.m. – 1 p.m. UW Physics “What’s Colder Than Ice?” Lake Mendota
- 10:30 a.m. – 1:30 p.m. IceCube demonstrates Space Dust & Neutrinos, Outside
- 12 pm – Mad Science: Up, Up and Away, Grand Ballroom Stage
- 1:30 p.m. Clean Lakes 101 science presentation, The Edgewater
- 2 pm – Mad Science: Fire & Ice, Grand Ballroom Stage
- More events to be announced!
Sunday, February 9
On Sunday, February 9th (11 a.m. – 2 p.m.), the festival concludes with the spectacular Kites on Mendota, offering a mesmerizing display of artistry in the skies.
Why Attend?
The Frozen Assets Festival, hosted by Clean Lakes Alliance is more than a celebration of winter. It’s a way to highlight the year-round importance of our lakes while supporting lake improvement projects, educational programs, and water quality monitoring.
In Madison, frozen lakes become natural parks, offering unique ways to connect with nature during the cold months. This festival invites residents and visitors to appreciate these “frozen assets” and the role they play in our community.
For more information, visit the Clean Lakes Alliance website.
