The Fire & Ice Festival returns to Detroit’s riverfront Jan. 10-11, 2026, offering two days of free outdoor activities, fire pits and ice carving at Robert C. Valade Park, according to the Detroit Riverfront Conservancy.
The two-day event is scheduled for Saturday, Jan. 10, and Sunday, Jan. 11, and runs from noon to 8 p.m. each day. It is part of the conservancy’s broader Winter at Valade series, which features seasonal programming along the riverfront through late winter.
What families can expect during the weekend
The Fire & Ice Festival embraces winter conditions rather than avoiding them. Activities include oversized outdoor fire pits, ice carving demonstrations, live performances and vendor areas spread throughout the park.
The event carries a medieval-inspired theme with winter elements, though there is no formal program families are required to follow. Visitors can move between activities at their own pace during event hours, which may appeal to parents planning shorter visits with younger children.
Food vendors will be on site throughout the weekend. The conservancy lists turkey legs among the offerings, along with other festival-style food options. Seating is limited, and most dining takes place outdoors.
Saturday evening brings a centerpiece moment
A key moment of the festival is scheduled for 6 p.m. Saturday with the lighting of the Fire and Ice Tower. The tower begins as a seven-foot ice structure and is lit to become a large bonfire.
According to the conservancy, the lighting typically draws larger crowds than other festival activities, and viewing areas near the tower tend to fill earlier in the evening. Families planning to attend may want to arrive ahead of time and consider crowd size when positioning children.
How Fire & Ice fits into Winter at Valade
The Fire & Ice Festival is one of several themed weekends within Winter at Valade, a seasonal program running Saturday, Jan. 10, through Sunday, March 1.
Outside of festival weekends, Winter at Valade includes free sled rentals, fire pits, indoor and outdoor games and staffed activity areas. The conservancy also hosts a Polar Power Walk every Sunday at 2 p.m. during the Winter at Valade season. Participation is free, though advance registration is required.
Location details parents often plan around
Robert C. Valade Park is located along the Detroit riverfront at 2670 Atwater St. The park remains open year-round and includes a playground, open green space and a sledding hill, depending on weather conditions.
The Detroit Riverfront Conservancy lists riverfront hours as 6 a.m. to 10 p.m. daily, though festival activities are limited to posted event times. Parents should expect winter walking conditions and uneven surfaces in some areas of the park.
Parking near the riverfront can be limited during large events. The conservancy encourages visitors to allow extra travel time and consider walking or public transportation when possible.
Because the Fire & Ice Festival does not require tickets or scheduled entry times, families can attend for shorter periods rather than committing to a full afternoon or evening.
from Metro Parent https://ift.tt/TtHMmrB
0 comments:
Post a Comment