A Fond du Lac Winter Tradition Returns: Sturgeon Spectacular 2026

Every February, winter in Fond du Lac comes alive in the best possible way with the return of Sturgeon Spectacular, a signature downtown festival that celebrates everything we love about the season. Always held the second weekend of February, this year’s event runs February 13–15, 2026, bringing locals and visitors together for a weekend packed with art, food, music, and community fun. It’s one of those weekends where cold temps don’t slow anyone down, they just give us another reason to gather.

One of the biggest highlights of Sturgeon Spectacular is the Wisconsin Snow Sculpting Championship, presented by Grande Cheese Company. Massive blocks of snow are transformed into detailed works of art right in the heart of downtown, drawing crowds all weekend long. Alongside the main competition, the High School Snow Sculpting Competition adds another layer of creativity and excitement, showing off the talent and imagination of local students.

Beyond the sculptures, Sturgeon Spectacular turns downtown Fond du Lac into a full winter playground. Visitors can enjoy ice carvings scattered throughout downtown, horse-drawn wagon rides, live music and entertainment at the Thelma Sadoff Center for the Arts, and a lineup of beloved events like the Chili Crawl, Sweet Stroll, Bloody Mary Contest, and outdoor floor curling at Fond du Lac Beer Company. Local businesses also join in with special promotions, making it a great weekend to shop, eat, and explore.

Whether you’re coming for family-friendly activities, downtown vibes, sturgeon spearing season, or just an excuse to get out and enjoy winter together, Sturgeon Spectacular delivers. Made possible through the support of community partners like the Downtown Fond du Lac Partnership, Destination Lake Winnebago Region, and the City of Fond du Lac, this one-of-a-kind festival continues to be a reminder of how special winter can be when a community comes together.