Snow sculpting and log splitting are the two distinct competitions at the Nisswa Winter Jubilee. The annual Fall Festival in downtown, a self-guided visit to the History Center and Museum, and activities on the Paul Bunyan Trail are also on offer. For your trip planning, you can first choose between festivals, local history, and outdoor activities.
Winter Jubilee and Fall Festival
The Nisswa Winter Jubilee is a winter tradition that celebrates winter in Nisswa. The February 12–14, 2027, edition celebrates community, creativity, and winter fun. The festival includes snow-sculpting and log-splitting competitions. The two events offer different kinds of competition: one focuses on creating sculptures from snow, while the other involves splitting logs. The Jubilee is therefore a specific winter event. If you’re planning your trip around the 2027 edition, check the program before you arrive.
The annual Nisswa Fall Festival offers a different seasonal focus. It takes place in downtown Nisswa and includes live music and activities for everyone. Compared with the Winter Jubilee, the events differ both in season and in what they offer: two competitions at the Jubilee, and music and downtown activities at the Fall Festival. The festival is another point of reference if you’d like to plan your trip around a recurring event in Nisswa.
History at the north end of Main Street
The Nisswa History Center and Museum is located at the north end of Main Street in Nisswa. A self-guided visit includes the historic Pioneer Village, Depot, and Caboose. These three named features give the museum visit a specific focus on local history.
The museum also includes a Heritage Garden with native plants sourced from local farms and gardens that have been in existence for more than 75 years. Alongside the historic features, the garden highlights plants and their connection to long-established local farms and gardens. For travelers interested in culture, the museum visit offers two complementary experiences: historic sites and a garden.
Trails and planned recreation areas
The Paul Bunyan Trail runs through Nisswa and is suitable for biking, running, inline skating, and walking. The options go beyond a stroll. If exercise is a focus of your trip, you can choose how to explore the trail based on your preferred activity and consider it as a separate option alongside the festivals and museum visit.
In the area around Nisswa, the Paul Bunyan State Trail is generally flat and wheelchair-accessible. One important exception is the nine-mile section through the Chippewa National Forest: it has grades of up to 8 percent, as well as numerous hills and curves, and may be challenging for some users. If grades or curves matter when choosing a route, take this section into account as you plan.
Another planned project in the area is Nisswa Lake Park. The project calls for acquiring 2.1 acres along the shore of Lake Nisswa to support nature-based recreation for local, regional, and statewide visitors. The proposed site is very close to downtown Nisswa and the Paul Bunyan State Trail. The project is also intended to provide the first public access to Lake Nisswa.
Explore more destinations: Brainerd, Baxter, Pequot Lakes, Merrifield, Deerwood
Return to the main travel overview: Crow Wing County.
