Carmel knows how to have a good time, even in the winter! The Carmel Ice Festival 2024 includes the Festival of Ice from Jan 19-21, Carmel Winter Games from Feb 9-10, and Sensory Skate Days on Jan 23 & Feb 25. It all takes place on the Ice at Carter Green in Carmel, Indiana.
Watch ice carvers transform blocks of ice while enjoying savory chili and family-friendly activities at the Festival of Ice. Cheer on Carmel Firefighters versus the Carmel Police Department competing on the ice or join in for Human Hungry Hippos at the Carmel Winter Games. And enjoy Sensory Friendly Skate Days reserved for those who require a calmer and quieter atmosphere. The Carmel Ice Festival 2024 will have several days of fun for the whole family. Bundle up and head on over to Carmel City Center to spectate or be a part of the action.
Carmel Ice Festival 2024
Festival of Ice & Carmel Winter Games
Carmel Ice Festival 2024: Festival of Ice
The Carmel Ice Festival 2024 kicks off with the Festival of Ice on January 19th. There will be professional ice carvers and ice carving demonstrations, by professional ice carvers from around the Midwest, up and down Main Street in the Carmel Arts & Design District from 4:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m. Ice sculptures can be found on Main Street in front of Anthony’s Chop House, Agave Bar & Grill, Muldoon’s, Petos, and Woodys Library Restaurant. Sculptures will remain on display until they melt, so if you come another day be sure to walk over and check them all out!
On Saturday, January 20th from 10:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m., there will be a Big Block ice carving competition and large ice sculpture carving on the Ice at Carter Green. Visitors can vote for their favorite ice sculptures. From 11:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m., the Carmel Fire Department will host a chili cook-off where visitors can taste a variety of chili and vote on their favorite.
On Sunday, January 21st, watch a fast-paced, tournament style ice carve-off on stage and go ice skating while a live DJ spins some music from 10:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m The Ice at Carter Green rink will be open for skating all weekend. Advance tickets are required. Visit TheIceAtCarterGreen.com to purchase skating tickets and fill out your waiver online.
Carmel Ice Festival 2024: Carmel Winter Games
The Carmel Ice Festival features the Carmel Winter Games and is the most fun you’ll have in the winter. The Carmel Winter Games builds team spirit on the ice, through non-skate competitive games like Human Curling, Human Hungry Hippos, and Ice Trike Relays. Anybody can put a team together and participate, all while supporting local nonprofit organizations.
The Carmel Winter Games begins at Noon on February 10th on the Ice at Carter Green with the Ice Trike Relay first, followed by Human Curling and Human Hungry Hippos. A live DJ will be playing music from Noon – 4:00 p.m., and you can Meet the Mascots from 1:00 p.m. – 3:00 p.m.
In addition, you can cheer on your favorite Hometown Heroes during the competitive Hero-Olympics games between Carmel’s finest, the Carmel Fire Department and the Carmel Police Department. Bring the whole family to cheer on your favorites and enjoy the spectacular show! The Hometown Hero-Olympics is on February 9th at 6:00 p.m.
Carmel Ice Festival 2024: Sensory Friendly Skate
There will be two special Sensory Friendly Skate sessions at the Ice at Carter Green on January 23rd and February 25th from 5:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m. The family event is especially designed for children diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder, Sensory Processing Disorder, or any type of special need. Skate aids will be available for the Sensory Friendly Skate events.
Carmel Ice Festival 2024: Parking
Carmel City Center offers free parking on the street, at marked parking lots, and in various public parking garages. Public parking can be found in the Arts & Design District, Carmel City Center, Midtown, and by the Palladium. I find the Veterans Way Garage to be the easiest to get into and out of when heading to this area. You can always park at Midtown Plaza Carmel or near the Arts & Design District and enjoy the lovely walk along the Monon Trail which leads right to the Carmel Ice Festival.
Carmel Ice Festival 2024: Nearby Activities
Want to explore Carmel after visiting the Carmel Ice Festival? There are lots of cute shops and restaurants to explore just steps away from the Ice at Carter Green. Head up the steps for a bite to eat at Manele Cafe, Eggshell Bistro, divvy tapas, or Matt the Millers Tavern. For a fancier affair, make reservations to dine at Vivante French Eatery in the Hotel Carmichael and head to the Cake Bake Shop for dessert! There are local shops to visit after your meal with home decor, gifts, children’s clothing, and more.
You can also walk up the Monon Trail to Midtown Plaza Carmel and challenge your family to some outdoor games. Equipment is provided for games of billiards, shuffleboard, bocce ball, cornhole, and ping pong. Pick up a rental bike from several different self-service locations along the Monon Trail. Or, you can explore even more of Carmel with an electric bike rental from Pedego. With miles of the Monon Trail connecting to Westfield and Indianapolis and other trails connecting you to all parts of Carmel, you can go further with a little help from an electric bike.
Carmel Ice Festival 2024: Food
If you are looking for a sweet treat or quick bite to tide your crew over during the Carmel Ice Festival, there are plenty of options in Carmel.
1832 BREW
When looking at ice sculptures, it is important to have a warm beverage option. 1832 Brew features a full espresso bar, hot chocolate, chai, tea, smoothies, and more. This coffee shop is located inside the SubZero Nitrogen Ice Cream Shop, so parents can grab a cup of coffee while kids can create their own flavor of ice cream, a win-win!
BAZBEAUX PIZZA
Located at the intersection of Main Street and the Monon Trail, Bazbeaux Pizza is an Indy favorite. Dine in or place a to-go order for one of their thin crust pizzas with unique toppings. A gluten-free, vegan crust is available, however, all pizzas are made in a flour-filled environment.
THE CAKE BAKE SHOP
For a memorable meal, make reservations at this glamorous bakery located in the Carmel City Center. Kids and grown-ups alike will swoon over the sparkling lights, seasonal decor, and sparkling touches. If you want to try the amazing cake or food but do not have reservations, you can place an order at the to-go counter. It is still a fun experience to walk through the bakery line and select layered cakes to go. Gluten-free options include cake, brownies, and macarons.
MARY’S MOUNTAIN COOKIES
Warning. If you give a child one of these cookies, they might ask you to come back another time. These cookies are HUGE and come in a variety of flavors. They also offer ice cream cookies and cookie dough, available in the freezer. Gluten-free cookies are available in the freezer, but the store does not guarantee to be a gluten-free kitchen.
NO LABEL AT THE TABLE
One of my favorite local shops is No Label at the Table. All menu items are gluten and dairy-free and change daily. The bakery was opened with a mission to serve the community and provide employment opportunities for people on the autism spectrum.
SOCIAL CANTINA
Social Cantina Carmel is a modern take on traditional Mexican street fare. Featuring mouth-watering tacos and refreshing margaritas and tequila, your taste buds will thank you for choosing to dine here. Whether it’s girl’s night out, date night, or family dinner, there is something for everyone at Social Cantina Carmel.
SUN KING BREWERY
With a menu ranging from roasted brussel sprouts to pizza to a chocolate chip ice cream sandwich, there is bound to be something to please most anyone in your crew at Sun King Brewery in Midtown Carmel. In addition to a full food menu, Sun King also features a variety of beverages. Vegan options are available. Outside of Sun Kings is Midtown Plaza, featuring several outdoor games.
BUB’S BURGERS
A family favorite, this local burger place is a great place to grab lunch. Bub’s Burgers is located inside the yellow house off the Monon Trail on Main Street. Bub’s Burgers feature hand-pattied, flame-grilled burgers made from 100% ground chuck. The menu also features hand-dipped milkshakes if you have room for dessert. If someone in your family is a fan of food challenges, try the Big Ugly Challenge to earn a spot on the wall of fame.
SUBZERO NITROGEN ICE CREAM
SubZero, with their unique twist of watching ice cream being made before your eyes. You select your base, flavor, and mix-in, then the science (magic) happens with a blast of liquid nitrogen as the liquid treat becomes a frozen dessert.
BOBER TEA & MOCHI DONUTS
If you have a tween or teen, you are likely familiar with boba tea. The Carmel Bober Tea and Mochi Donut location recently opened and has been well received. Tea options include hot teas, fruit teas, Bober milk teas, and espresso drinks. Mochi donut flavors rotate every week. The store walls are bright pink, covered in flowers, and pink hearts with a pink horse, perfect for photos. Bober Tea has dairy-free drink options.
The Carmel Ice Festival is a unique way to celebrate the winter weather. Stop by to enjoy the artwork being created from power tools and blocks of ice, cheer on your favorite Midwest ice sculptor, enjoy a cup of chili, and go ice skating with the family.
If you’re looking for other winter activity ideas, check out nearby skiing and snowboarding slopes. For an epic adventure closer to home, visit the Koteewi Seasonal Slopes for snow tubing, check out a local sledding hill, pick one of our 100 winter break activity recommendations, or think about all of the other ways to play in the snow and places to play in snow in Indianapolis. Need ideas of things to do when snowed in? Take your pick from these 100+ indoor fun ideas to do with kids.
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