The Great Northern Festival, January 28 - February 1, Offers Something For Everyone

The Great Northern will take place January 28 - Februray 1, and this year it will be focused in one central location at St. Anthony Main. The festival grounds stretch from the Riverplace building to Father Hennepin Bluff Park, with satellite events across downtown St. Paul, Nicollet Mall, and East Lake Street. With a new festival pass model for ticketing, attendees will have streamlined access to more experiences including three music stages, chef demos, public art, a giant winter playground, vendor markets and climate conversations.

Passes range from $15-$125. Family Day (Sunday, February 1) is free and open to the community.

*  *  *  Activities and Events  *  *  *

The Cold Open Launch Party | Friday, January 30 | 6PM | The Warming Grounds, 420 SE Main St

Kick off the winter festival with an electrifying outdoor dance party at The Warming Grounds. Groove to the beats of DJ Sophia Eris and DJ Ruca, while experiencing dynamic dance performances choreographed by Hothouse, a premier dance studio in Minneapolis known for its inclusive and expressive movement culture. Enjoy food trucks, warming stations, and a vibrant community atmosphere. This event is free and open to all.

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The Great Northern Sauna Village presented by Superior Sauna & Steam | January 28-February 1 | Hours vary | Riverplace Patio, 1 SE Main St

The iconic Sauna Village returns, with a full schedule of curated sauna experiences including sound bathing, Aufguss, family-friendly sessions, and restorative community steams. Visitors can enjoy self-guided sessions, join expert-led guided experiences, or check out special programming including family-friendly activities and unique wellness offerings. With more than 20 unique mobile saunas to explore, attendees will find endless ways to embrace the restorative power of heat and cold.

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Culinary Demonstrations & Classes | All weekend | Hours & Locations vary

Join Beth Dooley (James Beard Award-winning food writer), Ella Daniels (Mill City Farmers Market), Emily Vikre (Vikre Distillery), chefs from Owamni Restaurant, and more.

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Live Music | Jan 30 - Feb 1 | Hours & locations vary

The Great Northern is excited to present a multi-stage celebration of local sound and talent, featuring some of the region’s most dynamic artists across both indoor venues and outdoor Warming Grounds Stage, co-presented by The Current. Performances include local favorites Porch Light, MMYYKK featuring Omar Abdulkarim, Obi Original and The Black Atlantics, DJ Sophia Eris, DJ Ruca and more.

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Climate Solutions Series | All weekend | Hours & locations vary

Featuring panel discussions, workshops, film screenings and live podcasts, highlights include a keynote by tech expert and thought leader Peter Leyden, a podcast recording of How to Survive the End of the World with Autumn Brown & adrienne maree brown, a discussion with marine biologist Dr. Ayana Elizabeth Johnson on her New York Times bestselling book What If We Get it Right?: Visions of Climate Futures, the premier of The Great Northern’s original documentary short Rooted: Stories from Minnesota’s Farming Future by Liz Tracy, and Water, Land & Relatives, a panel and film screening featuring Dr. Ken Lucero (Trust for Public Land) and Shelley Buck (Owámniyomni Okhódayapi).

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Family Day Presented by Target | Sunday, February 1 | All day | Locations vary

Family Day brings fun for all ages, with hands-on activities, performances, and experiences that celebrate the season. From puppet shows, concerts, winter runs and fat biking to interactive workshops and public art installations, there is something for everyone.