Carmel’s annual winter events will be here before you know it, starting with the Festival of Ice presented by Allied Solutions and the Carmel Winter Games.
Festival of Ice
Jan. 16 & 17
Top ice carvers from around the country will be in Carmel Jan. 16 and 17 for demonstrations and the People’s Choice sculpture competition.
The 2026 Festival of Ice weekend will begin Friday, Jan. 16 in the Carmel Arts & Design District, with carvers creating incredible ice masterpieces from 4 to 8 p.m.
On Saturday, Jan. 17 the ice carving begins at Carter Green from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Watch sculpting professionals create unique ice masterpieces then participate in the People’s Choice sculpture voting from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Are you a fan of chili?
Taste-test and vote for your favorite chili from one of the participating Carmel Fire Department crews during the cook-off from noon to 2 p.m. on Saturday.
The city will welcome back these veteran carvers:
- Titus Arensburg – Newark, Ohio
- Joe Autry – Clarkesville, Ind.
- Aaron Costic – Nebo, N.C.
- Zachary Crossman – Tampa, Fla.
- Shannon Gerasimchik – New Bremen, Ohio
- Ben Goebel – Whitmore Lake, Mich.
- Jim Houser – Huntington, Ind.
- Jon Price – Atlanta, Ga.
- Dan Rebholz – Addison, Ill.
- Aaron Whitten – Commerce Township, Mich.
Click here to volunteer at Festival of Ice.
Carmel Winter Games
Saturday, Jan. 24
It is time once again to bundle up and head to Carter Green for ice-cold competition and fun at the Carmel Winter Games on the city’s ice rink, brought to you by Allied Solutions. Whether you are signed up to compete or are a spectator, you won’t want to miss a full day of non-skating competition Saturday, Jan. 24 at The Ice at Carter Green.
What kind of competition? “Human curling” on inner tubes, an ice trike relay, and “human hungry hippo” using laundry baskets to fetch hundreds of bouncing balls.
Hometown Hero Olympics, 10 a.m. to noon
Enjoy good-spirited competition among a number of city departments including team members with the Fire and Police Departments, Technology, and more.
General Teams, 1 to 5 p.m.
The skate-less competition on ice features corporate teams and teams consisting of family and friends. Bundle up and head to the Ice to cheer your favorite team on, say hello to local mascots, and enjoy food and beverages from local vendors.
The rules and requirements are as follows:
- Teams must have from four to eight members.
- Each individual event during the Games must include at least four representatives from each team.
- Teams must commit to participate in all three events for the full duration.
- The fee to register is a one-time $300 fee per team.
- The winners of the 2026 Carmel Winter Games will choose from one of the following Carmel-based organizations to receive the winning proceeds:
- Carmel Clay Historical Society
- Carmel Food Pantries
- Carmel Youth Assistance Program
- Heroes Club
- Prime Life Enrichment Center
- The Children’s TherAplay Foundation
Click here to volunteer at the Carmel Winter Games.