Things to Do This Winter in Fargo-West Fargo-Moorhead

Ice Skating at The Lights 

Get your skate on at The Lights Ice Rink! Open December through mid-March, this outdoor ice rink in the Essentia Health Plaza is a favorite for all ages. Bring your own skates and skate for free or rent a pair for only $5. Grab pizza from Bar Down for dinner and hot cocoa from Moxie Java to stay warm while you’re there! Hockey fans be sure to head over to the West Fargo Winter Classic at the rink from December 28^th – January 2^nd.

View the ice rink schedule here.

Keep your eyes on the lookout for sundogs 

Caused by sunlight hitting ice crystals suspended in the air, sundogs are most commonly seen during the cold winter months. They appear about 22 degrees to the left or right of the sun and can be colored like a rainbow or white. The flat land in Fargo-West Fargo-Moorhead, makes the area a perfect place to look for sundogs when the sun is rising and setting near the horizon.

‘Tis the season of giving

Whether you are shopping for a Secret Santa gift, hosting a New Year’s party, or just want to say thank you, there are many great local shops in the area to help complete your list. Here’s some ideas to shop small and support local businesses.

1. Craft a customized crate full of goodies at Grateful Cratefulls.

2. Spicy Pie gift cards for pizza lovers. (Buy $25 in gift cards and you get a $5 voucher!)

3. Clothing, accessories, candles and more at Jade & Jasper boutique for the fashionistas.

4. Taylor Jane Photography for beautiful photography.

5. Facials, massages, lashes and more at Nirvana for the beauty fans.

Take a picture at the POW/MIA Plaza tree 

This gorgeous tree is just waiting to be the backdrop for a perfect winter photo. It’s located at The Yards on Sheyenne in downtown West Fargo.

Bingo at Bar Down 

Your chance to win is waiting at Bar Down! On Thursdays from 6-8pm, West Fargo Events is hosting bingo at Bar Down, and kids can play too! During bingo hours you can get an 8oz steak and baked potato for only $9.99.

Fargo Force 

The Fargo Force is a member of the Tier 1 United States Junior Hockey League which produces a great amount of future NHL players. The team plays September – April. Suite/lounge rentals, birthday packages, and group tickets are available.

Get your tickets here

Volunteer in the community 

There are so many wonderful nonprofit organizations in our community who would love some extra support during this time of year. Here’s just a few: Boys and Girls Club of the Red River Valley, Landon’s Light, BIO Girls, YWCA, Jeremiah Program, and the Rape and Abuse Crisis Center. Another great way to get involved is during Giving Hearts Day on February 10^th, 2022.

Frostival

Ready to embrace the cool of winter? Frostival is a 6-week event full of outdoor festivities such as sled races, winter kickball, bouncy castles, snow sculpture competitions and lots more! Most of the activities are free, but some require a registration fee to participate. Frostival will take place between January 15 – February 26, 2022 at various locations in the Fargo-Moorhead area.

Get loud and proud and cheer on Bison Athletics  

Watch some of the most talented athletes in the nation compete against top rivals from near and far. The NDSU Bison participate in NCAA Division-1 athletics. Men’s and women’s basketball are in full swing of their season. The Big-12 wrestling team will have home matches in January and February. Track and Field will be hosting their annual Bison Open on February 4-5^th.

Get your workout in, outdoors

Fargo-West Fargo-Moorhead is full of great parks with snowshoeing and cross-country skiing trails. If you don’t have your own skis or snowshoes, head over to Edgewood Chalet for rentals. Plus, they have a sledding hill.

View a list of Fargo Parks.

View a list of Moorhead parks.

Stay warm with coffee, hot cocoa, or tea 

With temperatures getting into the negatives soon, be sure to stay warm. At EPIC Companies, we love a good cup of coffee. Some of our favorite coffee shops are Moxie Java, Thunder Coffee, and Twenty Below. Not a coffee drinker? No worries, these shops have many other hot drinks to choose from.

Sleigh Rides 

Experience a winter wonderland with a sleigh ride! Moorhead Parks and Recreation is having sleigh rides through M.B. Johnson Park from December 21-23^rd at 1-4pm. Tickets are available at walk-up but go early because its first come first serve! Admission is $5/person with children 2 and under free.