MADISON, WI - Every year, Madison Winter Festival attracts more than 20,000 spectators, winter enthusiasts, and athletes. The festivities will kick off at 8:30pm on Friday the 17th with the Downtown Throwdown Rail Jam - Team Shootout and Pro Riding.

Over ninety truckloads of snow will transform the inside lanes of the Capitol Square into a race and recreational venue. The cross country ski race courses will go the entire way around the square as they did during the festival's inaugural year in 2005. Meanwhile, the streets adjacent to the Square will be closed off for the family oriented activities such as snow and ice sculpting, sled hill rides, winter theme museum tours, snowshoeing, disabled sit ski programming, and many other events that winter lovers can participate in.

Other fan favorites scheduled throughout the weekend include the SuperTour Pro Cross Country Ski Races, Rail Jam Snowboard and Ski Competition, Frosty 5 Run/Walk, Cyclo Frost Cyclo-Cross Race, Frosty Dog Jog and other fun and festive outdoor activities.

The Festival commences at 4:00pm on Sunday the 19th.

Have you ever experienced the Capitol area…on an inner tube?!

We'll have a mini sledding ramp for tiny tots, free hot chocolate and a real, live igloo.

Your chance to race around the Capitol Square on knobby tires!