GARDEN CITY – Bear Lake Monster Winterfest is approaching fast. This year it will be held on Friday and Saturday, January 30–31, 2026.
Mark Smoot, the Chairman of the Garden City of Chamber of Commerce, expects the Winterfest to be a big success.
A file photo of cardboard boats in line for the Monster Cardboard Regatta slated for this Saturday.
“There is no ice on Bear Lake, but the water its sitting just above 32 degrees,” he said. “It should be just right for the Cardboard Regatta and the Monster Plunge.”
The whole family is invited for a weekend of fun in the snow and in the waters of Bear Lake. Events take place in Logan Canyon, Sunrise Resort & Event Center, and the Utah Bear Lake State Park Marina.
Friday, the festivities kick off from 9 a.m. until 3 p.m. for Winter Sports and Trail Days where participants try free motorized vehicles as well as snow shoeing and cross-country skiing and a variety of other activities.
Beaver Creek Lodge will be the place for exploring power winter sports activities. Bear Lake Overlook Rest Stop will be for those who want to try non-motorized activities. Free hot cocoa and treats will be served.
Later that evening, beginning at 5 p.m. until 8 p.m., the Monster Winterfest Social will take place at the Bear Lake Marina and the Sunrise Resort. The Family Place has some family-friendly fun activities planned.
The Taste of Bear Lake will also take place from 5 p.m. until 8 p.m. and is only $3 per plate. Participants can taste some of the finest cuisine local eateries have to offer.
Saturday is when the bulk of activities take place. There have been some changes made to the Saturday schedule of activities this year.
The Monster Run/Walk will begin at 10 a.m. with the packet pickup from 8:30 to 9:30 a.m. The awards will be given at 11 a.m.
The Monster Chili Cook-off will be held Saturday at Utah State Park Marina. Cooks check in at 9:30 a.m. and the public will be invited to sample from 11 a.m. until 2:30 p.m. Formal judging will take place at Noon, and the People’s Choice will be awarded at 2:30 p.m.
Monster Food Trucks will be at the marina parking lot from 10 a.m. until 3 p.m. to feed hungry participants with monster appetites.
The Monster Cardboard Regatta competition will begin at 11:30 a.m. The awards will be given at 2:30 p.m. The check-in time and inspections for the regatta will take place earlier between 10 and 11:15 am
The Monster Costume Parade and Plunge will be held at the Utah State Park Marina at 2 p.m.
Changes were made to the Monster Plunge this year. They have capped it to 300 participants, and they must register online ahead of the event.
The Monster Raffle will be held at the Marina in the event tent from 1 to 2 p.m. and giveaways will be held 5 p.m. until 7 p.m.
The Monster Dance Smores, Stargazing and Fireworks will be from 5 to 7 p.m. with the closing fireworks at 6:30 p.m.
The Cisco fishing event will not be held this year nor will the Vendor Market.
Smoot said what the once called the Cisco Disco was cancelled because the last few years there has been no Cisco to catch.
“The DWR official that ran the event moved,” he said. “So, with as little success of catching the fish as we had the last couple of years we decided to cancel it.”
He said they kept the Cisco Disco name and took the name for their dance under the big tent.
“We will have some fire pits going for the dance and other activities,” Smoot said. “We have some guys from Utah State University’s astronomy department bringing up some telescopes so people can do some star gazing.”
This is Garden City’s biggest winter event and they are planning on a large crowd to celebrate the Bear Lake Monster Winterfest.