Get out of your hibernation this winter and do something fun! There are many fun activities going on around Jefferson County this winter. Embrace the season and make some new memories!
1. Downtown Watertown Sweet Stroll
Here’s a great opportunity to indulge your tastebuds and support many small downtown Watertown businesses.
Date: Saturday, January 31, 2026 from 1:00 – 4:00 PM
Stroll through charming downtown Watertown as participating bakeries and sweet shops showcase their best Valentine’s-inspired treats. Perfect for a romantic outing with your sweetheart, a fun time with friends, or a family activity.
2. Candlelight Snowshoe/Ski or Hike in Lake Mills
Enjoy hiking on a candlelit trail through Korth Park in Lake Mills. Afterward, relax and warm up with chili from Culver’s by the fire.
If there is snow, adult and youth snowshoes will be available free of charge, first come first serve. If there is no show, it will continue as a hike rather than snowshoe/ski.
Date: Friday, February 6, 2026 from 6:00 – 7:30 PM
This is a kickoff event for the Knickerbocker Ice Festival in Lake Mills each February. This activity is weather-dependent and may be canceled for extreme cold.
3. Knickerbocker Ice Festival in Lake Mills, WI
Come enjoy a slew of unique winter activities for the whole family, including:
- Live Ice Sculpting 🧊
- Ice Bowling 🎳
- Frozen Ice Golf 🏌️♀️
- Ice Cold Kickball ☄️
- Fat Tire Fun Ride 🚴🏼♂️
- Cornhole Tournament 🌽
- Candlelight Snowshoe & Ski ⛷
- Ice Skating Party in Commons Park ⛸
- Free Family Games in Commons Park 🛷
- Hot Dog Eating Contest 🌭
- Euchre Tournament ♠️
- 50/50 Raffle 🎟
- Trivia 🧠
- Food & Drink Specials 🍷🍺🥣
- and more!
Dates: Friday, February 6, Saturday, February 7; and Sunday, February 8, 2026
The Knickerbocker Ice Festival is a community event named after a company that harvested ice from Rock Lake in the early 1900s. The Ice House is long gone, but each February, Legendary Lake Mills hosts a weekend packed with indoor and outdoor events to connect Lake Mills with that icy past.
4. Family Candlelight Ski, Skate, and Hike in Fort Atkinson
The Friends of Haumerson’s Pond in Fort Atkinson is hosting a fun-filled day of ice skating, ice games, food, and a lighted walk on the Bark River Trails.
Date: Saturday, February 7, 2026, from 2:00 PM – 8:00 PM
There’s a building inside where you can warm up while listening to music too.
5. Irish Jig Jog 5k in Watertown, WI
Whether you like to run, jog, walk, or cheer people on, there’s something for you at the Irish Jig Jog in Watertown! There’s a 5k route or a .4 mile route for kids ages 10 and under.
Date: Saturday, March 14, 2026
The Watertown Jig Jog supports the Watertown Educational Foundation. They provide grants to public and private classrooms 4k through 12th to support local students and teachers.
6. Sled at Korth Park in Lake Mills
Looking for a big sledding hill that’s free to enjoy? Look no further than Korth Park in Lake Mills, overlooking the beautiful Rock Lake.
After a fun ride down, be prepared for the hike up this hill. You’ll get lots of fresh air and exercise at this sledding hill!
The sledding hill is by the Korth Park Pavillion on Korth Lane. There is also a playground and paths for walking the dog, hiking, snowshoeing, or cross-country skiiing.
7. Ice Skate on Haumerson’s Pond in Fort Atkinson
Haumerson’s Pond in Fort Atkinson is a unique place to gather for ice skating or hockey. You can also explore the 3.5 miles of trails for hiking or snowshoeing.
Even if you can’t make it to the popular Ski, Skate & Hike Night in early February, you can visit Haumerson’s Pond many other times throughout the year.
There are ice skates available to borrow and a nice warming shelter.
Visit the Friends of Haumerson’s Pond Facebook page for more details!
8. Go on a Library Tour (bonus indoor idea for those really chilly days!)
Jefferson County has many great public libraries. Besides books, audiobooks, and DVDs, each library has other unique offerings, such as board games, book clubs, team puzzle challenges, knitting/crocheting clubs, and so much more. Check them out and try something new!
- Fort Atkinson Library
- Jefferson Library
- Johnson Creek Library
- Lake Mills Library
- Palmyra Library
- Waterloo Library
- Watertown Library
- Whitewater Library
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