Fargo-Moorhead is famous for its memorable winter season. Locals and visitors love to swap tales of extreme weather and outdoor adventures. But the truth is the average winter high temperature ranges from 18 to 37 degrees, depending on the month.
We love binge-watching our favorite shows, but they’ll have to wait as we take advantage of the many fun experiences the season offers.
Check out 10 fun things to do this winter:
1. Frostival
Frostival is all about celebrating winter with outdoor events, concerts and family-friendly activities across Fargo and its sister cities West Fargo and Moorhead. Frostival has been so busy and fun in the past that this year’s celebration was expanded to six weeks. Check out the events happening Jan. 16 through Feb. 27. Enjoy making s’mores, sled racing, kickball, pond hockey and other unique winter-themed events.
2. Snowshoe and cross-country ski
Go on a snowy adventure with friends through one of the 10 groomed cross country ski trails in Fargo. You can rent snowshoes or cross country skis at Edgewood Golf Course and M.B. Johnson Park.
3. Exhibitions and special events at Plains Art Museum
The museum has been around since 1965, although the current location in a beautifully renovated warehouse space in Fargo has been in use since 1997.
Plains Art Museum has more than 4,000 permanently housed works of art from global artists. There are about 12 special exhibitions and smaller exhibitions throughout the year. The museum also offers classes, lectures, studio collaborations, social events and performances.
4. Watch NDSU athletics
Tune in from home or head to campus to watch Bison athletics take on opponents. Enjoy NDSU basketball, volleyball, track and field, wrestling and football this winter and catch a softball or baseball game early this spring. The football team kicks off at home on Feb. 21. Get tickets to the games and events online.
5. Ice Skating
Grab a coffee downtown and head to free outdoor ice skating at the new Broadway Square Ice Rink. Or go to West Fargo and check out the Lights Plaza Ice Rink. Rent skates for just $5.
6. Fargo Force hockey
The Force, a member of the United States Hockey League since 2008-09, plays in south Fargo’s Scheels Arena. The team usually includes a handful of NCAA Division I prospects and is almost always near the top of the league standings. The Force earned its first league championship in 2017-18.
7. Downtown
Fargo’s funky downtown is a great place to explore. You can find something incredible to eat and drink or you can opt to stay cozy at one of the local coffee shops or breakfast stops for a gourmet waffle or bagel. Visit an art gallery, boutique or bookstore. Downtown Fargo is vibrant and full of life year-round. Check out the downtown Coffee and Cocoa Crawl happening on Saturday, Feb. 13, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.
8. Laser tag
You can have a laser battle with your friends at a few venues in Fargo-Moorhead. Thunder Road Family Fun Park in south Fargo has a 5,000 square-foot, multi-level arena built for laser tag. Tactical Action Gaming in West Fargo is set up for laser tag and nerf tag.
9. 1 Million Cups
Fargo is an entrepreneurial community and 1 Million Cups is a wildly popular weekly event. It features presentations by community members (including NDSU students, faculty and alumni) who are building ideas, launching products and starting companies, with an emphasis on innovative technology. Tune in virtually on the 1 Million Cups Facebook page each week to learn and to connect.
10. Fargo Film Festival
The historic Fargo Theatre is the home base for the Fargo Film Festival. The festival averages more than 300 submissions from 35 states and 20 countries.
The event also includes presentations and panel discussions related to filmmaking and filmmakers. Awards are given for animation, documentary feature, documentary short, experimental, narrative feature, narrative short and student film. This year’s festival is scheduled for March 16-20.
(Photos courtesy of Visit Fargo-Moorhead)
