The Wisconsin Union has released the lineup for the 2026 Winter Carnival, an annual winter-themed event series that will bring more than 30 events to Madison from Feb. 5-7, 2026, in collaboration with campus and community partners. The schedule includes outdoor recreation, live music, bringing a full-scale replica of parts of the Statue of Liberty to a frozen lake, and more.
The 2026 Winter Carnival series lineup currently includes:
- Feb. 5
- Learn to Skate on Lake Mendota, hosted by Outdoor UW and University Recreation & Wellbeing
- Rock ’n’ Roll Decades Skate Night, hosted by Outdoor UW
- Flannel Day $1 Cheese Curds, hosted by the Wisconsin Union
- Wisconsin Singers’ “Star of the Show” Broadway-style performance
- Mario and Sonic at the Winter Olympic Games Tournament, hosted by University Recreation & Wellbeing
- Floor Curling with Intramurals, hosted by University Recreation & Wellbeing
- Feb. 6
- Pancake Breakfast, hosted by the Wisconsin Union
- Hoofer Ambassadors Hot Chocolate Stand
- Lady Liberty on Lake Mendota, hosted by the Wisconsin Union
- Light the Lamp, hosted by Red Bull
- Learn to Ice Fish with the Wisconsin Fishing Team
- Mindful Meditation and Hot Chocolate, hosted by University Recreation & Wellbeing
- Snow Ball, hosted by the Hoofer Sailing Club
- Free to-be-announced concert, hosted by the Wisconsin Union Directorate (WUD) Music Committee
- Mario and Sonic at the Winter Olympic Games Tournament, hosted by University Recreation & Wellbeing
- Floor Curling with Intramurals, hosted by University Recreation & Wellbeing
- Grounding-on-the-Go Kit Workshop, hosted by the WUD Wellness Committee
- Feb. 7
- Whitewater Kayak Ice Pulley Challenge, hosted by the Hoofer Outing Club
- Ice Climbing, hosted by the Hoofer Mountaineering Club
- Disney Skate Night, hosted by Outdoor UW
- Fireworks, hosted by the Wisconsin Union
- Lady Liberty on Lake Mendota, hosted by the Wisconsin Union
- Light the Lamp, hosted by Red Bull
- Snow Fortnite, hosted by the Hoofer Sailing Club
- Wisconsin Union Chili Cook-Off
- Carriage Rides, hosted by the Hoofer Riding Club
- Adventure Learning Programs Secret Agent Scavenger Hunt, hosted by University Recreation & Wellbeing
- Free to-be-announced concert, hosted by the WUD Music Committee
- Winter Wonderlands, hosted by Wheelhouse Studios
- High Scores, Hot Chocolate: SSX, hosted by University Recreation & Wellbeing
- Frosty Fun, hosted by the Wisconsin Alumni Association (WAA)
- Rail Jam, hosted by the Hoofer Ski and Snowboard Club
- The WUD Games Olympic Showcase
- Maple Taffy-Making, hosted by the WUD Cuisine Committee
The Winter Carnival lineup features mostly free indoor and outdoor events designed to bring people together and highlight activities that can be enjoyed during Wisconsin winters.
Events are subject to change, including due to weather. Some activities may have age or participation eligibility requirements.
“With Winter Carnival, we, at the Wisconsin Union, along with our community partners, want to showcase wintertime activities, from ice skating to art-making,” Wisconsin Union Public Relations and Communications Officer Shauna Breneman said. “Winter Carnival is also a chance to connect with people and get inspired about ways to enjoy winter in Wisconsin.”
For 86 years, the staff and student leaders of the Wisconsin Union have hosted Winter Carnival. The team collaborates with UW–Madison student leaders and community partners, such as University Recreation & Wellbeing and WAA, to make the Winter Carnival’s event lineup possible.
Winter Carnival also marks the return of one of the Wisconsin Union’s most photographed and beloved traditions: Lady Liberty on Lake Mendota.
WUD student leaders and Wisconsin Union staff brought an inflatable Lady Liberty to Lake Mendota for the first time in 2019 on the 40th anniversary of a prank by the Pail and Shovel Party in 1979 in which the party brought the Statue’s head, arm and torch to the lake. The original was made with chicken wire, papier-mâché and cloth. More information about the Statue of Liberty is available here.
Winter Carnival events take place at or near the Wisconsin Union’s building Memorial Union, which includes indoor dining options. Purchases at Memorial Union and tax-deductible donations to the nonprofit Wisconsin Union support its low-cost and free events, community spaces and student leadership opportunities.
Winter Carnival is presented by the Wisconsin Union in collaboration with community partners and with support from Pepsi, Red Bull and Skullcandy.
For the most up-to-date Winter Carnival information and the full lineup of Carnival events, patrons can visit union.wisc.edu/wintercarnival.