Winterfest

Saturday, January 24, 2026

A full day of winter fun, games, music, food, and shopping in Amana, Iowa

Winter in Iowa comes alive in the Amana Colonies on Saturday, January 24, 2026, as the community hosts the 22nd Annual Amana Colonies Winterfest—a beloved annual celebration filled with outdoor games, live music, family-friendly activities, local flavors, and seasonal cheer throughout the villages of Amana.

5K Run/Walk

10 a.m. (Registration: 8:30–9:30 a.m.)

The day begins with the Amana Freezer 5K Run/Walk from Amana to East Amana. This race takes off no matter the weather, starting in front of the Carding Studio at Hotel Millwright. Both expert runners and those who move a little slower participate. The Amana Colonies Trails organize this fun run.

Registration for the 2026 Freezer 5K

Free Admission & Author Event at Amana Heritage Museum

10 a.m.–4 p.m. | Author Event at 1 p.m.

Enjoy FREE admission to the Amana Heritage Museum during Winterfest on Saturday, January 24, from 10 a.m.–4 p.m.

A special author talk and Q&A will take place beginning at 1 p.m., featuring book signings by local authors R.C. Eichacker, author of Marriage by Committee: Marriage Customs of Early Amana, and Melinda Wichman, author of How to Live with a Ghost. Books will be available for purchase and signing.

All are welcome. This is a FREE event located at 705 44th Ave., Amana.

Annual Winterfest Wine & Beer Walk

10 a.m.–4 p.m. | 21+

Grab a Wine & Beer Walk Passport for $5 at any participating business, visit all five wineries or the brewery to enjoy samples, and get your passport stamped.

Turn in your completed passport at the Amana Visitors Center by 5 p.m. to claim a free Winterfest Logo Wine Glass (for the first 200 participants) and enter to win one of five $25 gift certificates.

Participating businesses include:

• Ackerman Winery

• Fireside in the Village

• Millstream Brewing Co.

• Village Winery

• White Cross Cellars

Winterfest Games at the Market Barn

11 a.m.–2 p.m.
220th Trail & 47th Ave., Amana

Enjoy the afternoon at the Winterfest Games at the Market Barn, located in the heart of Amana.

Beginning at 11 a.m., the Market Barn becomes the center of Winterfest activity. The Amana Fire Department will serve open-fire chili, hot chocolate, and cider while supplies last, with proceeds benefiting the department.

From 11 a.m.–2 p.m., guests can take part in classic Winterfest favorites, including the Great Amana Ham-Put, sponsored by the Amana Meat Shop, and the Wreath Toss, with winners announced following the Beard Contest.

From 12–2 p.m., teams of two can compete—or participate for fun—in the Log Sawing Competition hosted by Amana Forestry, using an old-fashioned cross-cut saw. First-place plaques will be awarded in the Co-ed, Women, and Men categories.

Throughout the afternoon, visitors can also watch chainsaw artist Bobby Ward in action during the Colony Carvers demonstration and take home a one-of-a-kind carved piece.

A longtime crowd favorite, the Beard Contest, concludes the Market Barn festivities at 2 p.m., with competitors vying for prizes in the categories of Fullest Beard, Most Unique Beard, and Best Overall Beard. Sign-ups take place prior to the contest at the Market Barn.

Market Barn events are subject to weather conditions and other emergency events. Please watch for updates and call the Visitors Center at 319-622-7622 with any questions. In most cases, Winterfest will not be canceled but adjusted to combat unpleasant or dangerous weather. Check Facebook for updates.

Kid-Friendly Activities

Starting at 10 a.m.

Throughout the day, families can enjoy hands-on activities across the villages, including a Paper Snowflake Craft Station at the Amana Furniture Shop and a Snowflake Scavenger Hunt and movie day at Ackerman Winery.

Kid-focused activities at the Ox Yoke Inn begin at 11 a.m. and include Decorate a Yokey Bear Cookie, a Children’s Coloring Contest, and Kinder Gift Bags with children’s menu purchases.

Live Music & Brews

10 a.m.–9 p.m.

Millstream Brewing Co. will host Amana Colonies Winterfest activities throughout the day and into the evening.

• 10 a.m.–10 p.m.: Warm up in Iowa’s Original Craft Brewery while savoring a specially handcrafted Winterfest brew

• 12–4 p.m.: Gather around a warm fire in the Millstream Brewing Co. Biergarten, enjoy marshmallow roasting, and poke your Winterfest brew for a delicious caramel flavor

• 6–9 p.m.: Live music by Joel Berger, featuring classic acoustic sound and soulful vocals

Live music also continues at the Ox Yoke Inn Bierstube Cellar Bar from 5–8 p.m. with the Jeff Weimer and David Arnold Duo.

Special Promotions: All Weekend

All weekend long, visitors can enjoy Winterfest promotions across Amana, including cocktails and cocoa at Fireside Winery, a gift raffle at Four Winds Farm Apothecary, and warm beverages and a winter sale at Yana’s Ladies Boutique.

On Saturday, additional promotions include hot cider and local beard care samples at Warped & Woven Mill Mercantile, winter drink and snack specials at Ackerman Winery, and a coffee special at the Ox Yoke Inn.

Activities take place throughout the Amana Colonies, inviting visitors to explore local businesses, enjoy seasonal flavors, and celebrate winter in a historic setting.

Amana Colonies Winterfest 2026 is made possible with the support of community sponsors including Compass Memorial Healthcare, Bankhaus, Hills Bank, and Vetter’s Culligan Water.