Frozen Assets Festival Returns to Madison
Have you ever heard of a 5K held entirely on the ice? Madison’s Frozen Assets Festival makes it possible. Hosted by Clean Lakes Alliance, this unique winter celebration takes place on frozen Lake Mendota and at The Edgewater, offering a full day of free, family-friendly activities that highlight the importance of our lakes—even in winter.
Event Details
Frozen Assets Festival 2026
Date: Saturday, February 7, 2026
Time: 10 a.m. – 3 p.m.
Location: The Edgewater and frozen Lake Mendota
Cost: Free and open to the public
Bonus Event: Kites on Mendota
Sunday, February 8, 2026 | 11 a.m. – 2 p.m.
Frozen Assets 5K Run/Walk on the Ice
The festival kicks off with the Frozen Assets 5K Run/Walk, held entirely on frozen Lake Mendota.
5K Details:
- Date: Saturday, February 7, 2026
- Check-in: 8 – 9:45 a.m.
- Start Time: 10 a.m.
- Start/Finish: The Edgewater (1001 Wisconsin Place)
Participants can run, walk, or glide across the ice with views of downtown Madison and the UW–Madison campus. Registration includes a swag item and a post-race beer or seltzer for participants 21 and older. Children 10 and under can participate for free with a registered adult.
Proceeds support lake improvement projects, water quality monitoring, and environmental education programs.
Family-Friendly Festival Activities
From 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., families can enjoy a wide variety of winter activities on the ice and inside The Edgewater:
- Kites on Mendota with the Wisconsin Kiter’s Club
- Pond hockey and snowshoeing
- Free ice skating and skate rentals at The Edgewater Ice Rink
- Skydiving jumps over Lake Mendota
- Snow Snake demonstrations with members of the Ho-Chunk Nation
- Figure skating, dance, science, and lake education demonstrations
- Winter craft stations for kids
- Free hot chocolate
- Ice boats on display and interactive games
More activities will be announced closer to the event.
Why Frozen Assets Matters
Now in its 14th year, the Frozen Assets Festival celebrates Madison’s lakes as one of the community’s greatest year-round assets. Since 2012, the event has raised more than $1.2 million for lake improvement projects, educational programming, and volunteer water quality monitoring. When our lakes freeze, they become Madison’s largest winter parks—and this festival invites the entire community to experience them.
Learn More
For full event details, registration information, and updates, visit the Frozen Assets Festival website.
