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Winter Play Day

Thanks for joining us during Winter Play Day 2026! Stay tuned here for details on next year's event.

Embrace winter during Winter Play Day at locations throughout Three Rivers Park District!

Check out the full lineup of events, including free or discounted activities:

Free exploration and recreation activities at a variety of parks
A festival at Hyland Lake Park Reserve
Free activity passes for dog off-leash areas, cross-country ski trails and archery areas
Free rentals on cross-country skis, snowshoes and kicksleds
Discounted rates on tubing, downhill skiing and snowboarding at Elm Creek Winter Recreation Area and Hyland Hills Ski Area

Winter Play Day Festival

Thanks for joining us during the 2026 Winter Play Day Festival! Stay tuned here for details on next year's event.

Winter Play Day Festival

Saturday, February 21, 2026

11 AM–3:30 PM
Hyland Lake Park Reserve

Join us at Hyland Lake Park Reserve for a fun filled winter festival! Enjoy a variety of free outdoor activities and adventures designed for kids—and kids at heart.

Come play, explore and embrace the magic of the great outdoors!

View the 2026 interactive map.

Activities and Events

Winter Recreation Activities

Make the most of the colder months (and maybe find your next hobby) by trying a new winter recreation activity with:

Free cross-country skiing
Free snowshoeing and kicksledding
Free mini classic-style cross-country ski lessons
Snow Mountain play area

*Dependent on weather conditions

At Winter Play Day, children and adults ride and push small kicksleds along a groomed trail, with colorful flags and groups of people gathered under a clear sky. — *Give kicksledding a try during the festival.*

Demonstrations and Self-Exploration Activities

Embrace the magic of winter with exciting demonstrations and playful activities for the whole family:

Winter hayrides
Interactive Winter Wonder Walk
Nature education with hands-on activities
Snowmaking demonstrations with snow maintenance gear on display

A red snow groomer pulls an trailer filled with bundled-up people along a snowy path at the Winter Play Day Festival. Several other families and children play in the snow nearby under a clear blue sky. — *Take a winter hayride, pulled by a snow maintenance vehicle.*

Food & Drink Options

Warm up and refuel with cozy winter treats and beverages, including:

Fire pits with marshmallow roasting
Festival food, beer & warm beverages from local food trucks

Community, Music & More

Make your winter visit complete with festive extras from the local community:

Winter yoga
Live music from local musicians
Local community partners and vendors
Ice sculpture demonstrations by local artist John Njoes

An ice sculptor uses power tools during an ice sculpting demonstration at the Winter Play Day Festival. — *Check out ice sculpture demonstrations by a local artist.*

Festival Schedule

Most festival activities run throughout the day. Below are scheduled events:

11 AM – Festival begins
11:30 AM–12:30 PM – Live music with Michael Handler at Midsummer Stage
12:30 PM – Snowmaking demonstration #1
12:45 PM – Winter yoga with Julia Andrighetti at Midsummer Stage
1:15–2:15 PM – Live music with the Power of 10 Quartet at Midsummer Stage
2:15 PM – Snowmaking demonstration #2
3:30 PM – Festival ends; free skiing and ski rentals continue
7 PM – Final rentals from Hyland Visitor Center
8 PM – Hyland Visitor Center closes

Winter Activities Throughout the Parks

Whether you're new to the parks or a regular visitor, grab your family and friends to enjoy a day of free winter nature activities at select parks and nature centers.

Winter Play Day is the perfect way to get outside and try something new! Activities run from 10 AM–3 PM, unless otherwise noted.

For winter recreation activities, check the trail conditions before you head out.

Discounts on Winter Activities

Elm Creek Winter Recreation Area

From 3 PM–close, get $5 off tubing or discounted lift tickets for snowboarding and skiing!

Tubing is subject to availability.
Snowboard and downhill ski rentals are first-come, first-served.

Hyland Hills Ski Area

From 3 PM–close, get $5 off lift tickets for snowboarding and skiing!

Snowboard and downhill ski rentals are first-come, first-served.

Free Archery Passes

Give archery a try, with no cost or commitment, using a free day pass at:

Carver Park Reserve – Carver Archery Range

Free Dog Off-Leash Passes

Bring your dog to frolic through the snow with free access to our dog off-leash areas for the day:

Bryant Lake Regional Park – Dog Off-Leash Area
Carver Park Reserve – Dog Off-Leash Area
Cleary Lake Regional Park – Dog Off-Leash Area
Crow-Hassan Park Reserve – Dog Off-Leash Area
Elm Creek Park Reserve – Dog Off-Leash Area
Fish Lake Regional Park – Dog Off-Leash Area
Lake Rebecca Park Reserve – Lake Sarah Dog Off-Leash Area
Murphy-Hanrehan Park Reserve – Dog Off-Leash Area
Spring Lake Regional Park – Dog Off-Leash Area

Explore the Parks

Eastman Nature Center

Head to Eastman to take part in shelter building and enjoy s’mores around a fire (while supplies last). Dairy-free, vegan and gluten-free options will be available.

Gale Woods Farm

Warm up by the bonfire and sip on free hot apple cider from Gale Woods Farm all day.

Lowry Nature Center

Visit the Nature Center and enjoy a winter scavenger hunt, then take a spin on the kicksled rink from 10 AM–3 PM.

Mississippi Gateway

Pick up a self-guided winter scavenger hunt at the welcome desk or rental room, then warm up by a bonfire outside the Gateway Center by the lower entrance from 1–3 PM.