Winter Events
The Ice Festival is the official start of the Icy and Spicy winter season in Shipshewana. Professional ice carvers bring their saws, power tools, and craftsmanship to town all to create stunning ice block sculptures for you to enjoy. While finding each statue, you’ll discover bargains, discounts, and deals at several local stores with the Ice Festival Commemorative Pin. Alongside scoring fiery specials, the pin is your ticket for the Chili and Wing contests!
Ice Festival | January 16 – 17 | Daily with Timed Events Throughout the Day
The Ice Festival invites ice carvers to showcase their work around town. Watch live ice carving and enjoy the Chili Cookoff and Hot Sauce Wing Competition. Pick up the Ice Festival Commemorative Pin for exclusive store discounts through January 31!
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- Eat and vote for the best wings at the Friday wing competition | 4:00 pm – 7:00 pm
- Load up on chili Saturday during the Chili Contest | 10:00 am – 2:00 pm
- See the ice carving competition on Saturday | 11:00 am -1:00 pm
Pick up the Ice Festival Commemorative Pin for exclusive store discounts through January 31!
- Available starting Dec 1 through Jan 31
- Pick up at:
- Shipshewana/LaGrange County Visitors Center | 350 S. Van Buren Suite H, Shipshewana, IN 46565
- Blue Gate Bakery | 95 N Van Buren St, Shipshewana, IN 46565
- Kitchen Cupboard | 205 N Harrison St, Davis Mercantile
- Smokehouse Grill during the Wing Competition and Chili Cook-off | 240 N Morton St, Shipshewana, IN 46565
Extend the Winter Fun
Make the most of your Shipshewana getaway by pairing the Icy and Spicy Ice Festival with cozy, flavorful, and memorable experiences around town:
- Warm up with comfort food at the Blue Gate Restaurant and enjoy a slice of homemade pie.
- Sip hot cocoa or specialty lattes at locally owned coffee spots such as Das Kaffee Haus, Kitchen Cupboard, and Hoosier Banquets.
- Snack on something spicy like spicy mustard at JoJo’s Pretzels.
- Shop unique finds at Yoder’s Shopping Center, Davis Mercantile, or Yoder’s Red Barn Shoppes, or browse antiques and handmade goods downtown.
- Catch a live show at the Blue Gate Performing Arts Center. Enjoy comedy, concerts, and popular bands.
- Take an Amish buggy ride through town for a magical winter stroll.
Walk through the colorful ring archways downtown and along city sidewalks. - Stay overnight at the Blue Gate Garden Inn, Farmstead Inn, Van Buren, or one of the many Airbnb’s to extend your trip into the weekend.
And don’t forget: a detailed event map will be available soon to help you find ice sculptures and key festival spots.
👚 Pajama Day Sales | February 7 | 6:00 am – 6:00 pm
Dress in your finest PJs and shop for big discounts around town! Sales begin the day before, so book your overnight stay, wake up early, and make sure you wear PJs to get the best deals before anyone else!
🪡 March Madness Makers Event | March 2 – 5 |
Three days and four nights of crafting, DIY projects, and creativity at the Farmstead Inn & Conference Center. Reserve your craft table by booking a guest room for $135 per night and plan your trip with friends for only an additional $20 per day per person!
During your stay, enjoy afternoon snacks, daily crafting/product demonstrations and more! Call to reserve your stay! 260-768-4595 Come with ideas and enjoy meeting other creatives as you build and craft together!
🍁 Maple Syrup Days | March 20 – 21 | 7:30 am – 2 pm
Pancakes covered in fresh drippy syrup and dusted with sugary as light as snow! That’s what you’ll find at Maple Wood Nature Center (4550 E 100 S, LaGrange, IN 4676) for Maple Syrup Days! Learn how syrup is harvested, take a horse drawn wagon ride through sugar bushes, and shop bottles of the sweet treat!
🎨 Ship-Chic Craft Show | March 21 | 9 am – 3 pm
Sellers from all over the Midwest meet up for a large show featuring gifts, home decor, crafts, clothing, accessories, beauty products, jewelry, baked goods, signs and more! Find old stuff, new stuff and stuff you didn’t know you needed, all picked with quality in mind. Come shop authentic products and meet the folks who are selling them.
🐐 Special Lamb & Goat Sale | March 31 | 11 am
For one day only, a unique sale for farmers looking to buy lambs and goats at the Shipshewana Livestock Auction Barn. Typically, the animal livestock auctions are only on Wednesdays, but for this one Tuesday, join the rush of the crowd for a chance to buy lambs and sheep.
🐴 Good Friday Horse Auction | April 3 | 9 am – Afternoon
The Shipshewana Good Friday Horse Sale is a special yearly event attracting hundreds from all over the country looking to bring home horses. These large events last well into the late afternoon with up to 300 horses sold (about 25-30 horses per hour). There is also a tack auction, a pony/mini auction, and a large number of vendors who set up and sell tack and miscellaneous items throughout the day.
🍔 Graze LaGrange | February 23 – March 7
Taste your way through LaGrange County during Graze LaGrange! Just a short 15 minute drive from Shipshewana, you’ll find local restaurants with special Graze Menus, giving you the perfect excuse to explore new flavors and favorite spots. From taverns to pubs, each stop offers something unique, all locally owned and ready to welcome you in.
Come hungry, leave happy, and discover the delicious side of LaGrange this winter!
Outdoor Adventure
Pumpkinvine Trail
The Pumpkinvine Trail is perfect for biking and walking, offering 17 miles of scenic countryside to enjoy year-round. In winter, the quiet path winds through snow-dusted fields and woodlands, giving visitors a peaceful way to experience the beauty of Amish Country at their own pace. Whether you’re looking for a brisk walk or a leisurely bike ride, the trail is a favorite for locals and visitors alike.
Bike Rentals Available at Otto’s Bike Rentals, 2 Chicks & a Chair, Trail Riders Shipshewana, Pumpkinvine Cyclery, Shipshewana Bike Rental, and Essenhaus Bike Rental.
Parks and Nature
Shipshewana is surrounded by acres of parks and natural areas that invite exploration. From nature centers to wooded trails, there are plenty of opportunities to hike, birdwatch, or simply take in the fresh country air. Winter brings a special charm to the outdoors, with crisp mornings, frosty landscapes, and the chance to see wildlife in a quieter season.
First Day Hike – A Glow Walk Trail | January 1 | 5:30 pm – 7:00 pm
Delt Church Park, 6455 S 200 W, Wolcottville, IN 46795
Kick off the new year with a free family evening walk at Delt Church Park. This special “Glow Walk” invites everyone to wear glow-in-the-dark clothing and accessories for a fun, festive hike along the trail.
RSVPs are appreciated to help plan supplies: 260-854-2225 or [email protected]
Winter Fishing
Cast your line and enjoy the peaceful lakes and rivers of Amish Country, even in the colder months. Local waters provide quiet settings for catching bass, bluegill, or crappie, and the crisp winter air makes time on the shore especially refreshing. Whether you’re an experienced angler or simply looking to relax outdoors, Shipshewana and the surrounding countryside offer plenty of spots to fish and unwind all season long.
Carriage Rides
A carriage ride through Shipshewana is one of the most memorable ways to sightsee around town and the countryside. Cozy up under a blanket as horses clip-clop through the streets, past shops, and into the rolling farmland. It’s a timeless experience that captures the heart of Amish Country and lets you slow down to enjoy the scenery.
