Culture | Jan. 2026
THE BUZZ: JANUARY 2026
By Contributor
ICE, ICE BABY
Mark your calendars for Lake Geneva’s beloved Winterfest, this year celebrating its 30th anniversary from January 28 to February 1. Watch master sculptors transform eight-foot snow blocks into frozen masterpieces during America’s Snow Sculpting Invitational at Riviera Plaza and Flat Iron Park, then stroll the Ice Sculpture Walk where glittering creations line the streets of downtown Lake Geneva. This free festival also offers bonfires crackling on the beach, live entertainment, and lots of snow-dusted activities for kids. It’s the perfect excuse for a day trip or winter weekend away. Download the Visit Lake Geneva app for real-time sculpture updates and the best photo ops. visitlakegeneva.com/winterfest
BOREDOM BUSTER
Ditch the screen time and bundle up for an afternoon at Lake Forest’s reimagined Forest Park Beach playground. The newly upgraded space delivers whimsical touches like a fish climber that’ll have kids giggling through the cold, plus a lookout tower perfect for spotting ice formations on the lake. Designed with accessibility and sensory play in mind, this sustainably built park with its swinging elements and climbing structures stays engaging even when temperatures drop. Adding to the good vibes is the knowledge that components from the original 2004 playground found new life in underserved communities through a partnership with Kids Around the World. cityoflakeforest.com
