Welcome to the Cumberland area! We've curated this comprehensive calendar to help you discover amazing local festivals, competitions, and celebrations happening throughout the year. From legendary ice fishing contests to summer music festivals and fall harvest celebrations, there's always something exciting happening in our corner of Wisconsin.
January 2026
Winter Season Begins
January brings the quiet beauty of the Northwoods winter. While major events gear up for February, this is the perfect time to enjoy peaceful winter activities like snowshoeing, cross-country skiing on local trails, and cozy evenings by the fire. Local shops and restaurants offer warm hospitality, and ice conditions begin forming on area lakes for winter sports enthusiasts.
Things to Do in January
Cross-country skiing on area trails
Snowshoeing in local parks
Ice thickness monitoring begins
Cozy dining at Cumberland restaurants
Winter wildlife watching
February 2026
Winter Festivals Heat Up
Balsam Lake WinterFest
Saturday, February 7-8 | 9am-8pm
Main Street Balsam Lake (22 miles)
Experience the thrilling 4X4 Ice Drag Races on the frozen lake! Also features snowshoe races, ice bowling, minnow races, and winter activities for the whole family. A true Wisconsin winter celebration.
Wisconsin State Ice Fishing Contest
Saturday, February 14 | 10:00 AM - 3:00 PM
Beaver Dam Lake, Cumberland
Cumberland's biggest winter event returns for its 43rd year! Friendly competition, warm food vendors, and amazing prizes! Buy tickets in advance!
North America's largest cross-country ski race! This legendary event brings thousands of participants and spectators to the Northwoods for an unforgettable winter sports weekend filled with athletic excellence.
As winter melts away, the Cumberland area transforms into a spring paradise. Ice-out on area lakes signals the start of fishing season, and the forests come alive with returning songbirds. This quieter season offers excellent opportunities for hiking, bird watching, and enjoying the dramatic seasonal changes.
Spring Activities
Spring fishing opener preparation
Bird migration watching
Hiking emerging wildflower trails
Local maple syrup tours
Early season farmers markets
Look ahead to June for the season's biggest festival!
June 2026
Summer Kicks Off with Aquafest!
★ Northwest Wisconsin's LARGEST Festival ★
Rice Lake Aquafest
June 5-14, 2026 | 10 Days of Celebration!
Downtown Rice Lake (20 miles)
National Headliner Concerts
June 11-13 featuring major performers. Acts include Redferrin, BlackHawk, and Revisiting Creedence.
Grande Parade & Carnival
Spectacular parade through downtown plus carnival rides and games for all ages throughout the festival.
Fishing Derby & Activities
Aquabug Medallion Hunt, fishing competitions, family activities, and entertainment that draws visitors from across the region.
This 10-day extravaganza offers non-stop entertainment and is the perfect reason to extend your stay! Visit AquafestOnline.com for the complete schedule.
July 2026
Peak Summer Festival Season
1
Shell Lake Art Festival
First Saturday in July | Memorial Park, Shell Lake (15 miles)
Juried art festival featuring regional artists, handcrafted goods, and beautiful lakeside setting. Browse unique creations in a scenic atmosphere.
2
Turtle Lake Inter-County Fair
Second Weekend of July | Turtle Lake (11 miles)
Three days of classic fair fun! Horse pulls, tractor pulls, truck pulls, Turtle Derby, Grand Parade, Turtle Trot 2-mile/10K race, carnival rides, live music, and delicious fair food.
3
Barron County Fair
July 15-19 | Rice Lake (20 miles)
Traditional county fair with rodeo, demolition derby, tractor pulls, carnival rides, livestock shows, and live entertainment. Great family fun with agricultural heritage!
4
Lumberjack World Championships
July 17-19 | Hayward (50 miles)
A 65+ year tradition! Watch world-class athletes compete in chopping, sawing, log rolling, boom running, and speed climbing. One of the most unique sporting events you'll ever witness!
July 17-19 | St. Croix Falls & Taylors Falls (30 miles)
The 68th annual two-city festival! Live music on multiple stages, two-city parade, spectacular fireworks over the St. Croix River, arts & crafts fair, and activities across both states.
July is packed with events! Consider booking multiple weekends to experience different festivals.
August 2026
Summer's Grand Finale
Jack Pine Savage Days
August 1-2
Downtown Spooner (25 miles)
Live music performances
Craft fair vendors
Classic car show
5K race
Sand volleyball
Bean bag tournaments
Sidewalk sales
30+ years of summer fun with something for everyone!
Moon Lake Threshing Bee
Mid-August
Clayton (14 miles)
Step back in time with antique tractor displays, threshing demonstrations, and old-time farming heritage. Experience agricultural history come alive!
Cumberland Rutabaga Festival
Late August (3rd-4th weekend)
LOCAL EVENT!
Hot pepper eating contest
Fun run
Bean bag tournament
Carnival rides
Live music
Kids tractor pedal pull
Craft fair
Cumberland's signature event celebrating its 94th year in 2026!
Festival Details
September 2026
Fall Festivals Begin
Shell Lake Town & Country Days
Labor Day Weekend | Shell Lake (15 miles)
Tractor/truck/garden tractor pulls, lake run, 5K race, car/truck/bike show, arts and crafts fair, sailing regatta, kiddie & grand parades. Family fun all weekend!
Balsam Lake Corn-on-the-Curb Days
Labor Day Weekend | Balsam Lake (22 miles)
Sweet corn by the FFA Alumni, live music, demolition derby, craft fair, and water ski show. Perfect end-of-summer celebration with delicious fresh corn!
Amery Fall Festival
Mid-September | Downtown Amery (23 miles)
The 76th annual festival! Grande Parade, carnival rides, beer garden, live music, quilt show, 5K run, food trucks, classic car show, and extensive arts & crafts vendors.
Chequamegon Fat Tire Festival
Mid-September | Hayward area (50 miles)
Major mountain bike race attracting 3,000+ riders from across the country. Even if you're not riding, the energy and atmosphere are incredible!
October - November 2026
Autumn Colors & Harvest Season
St. Croix Falls AutumnFest
First Saturday of October | St. Croix Falls (30 miles)
Classic car show, chili cook-off, live music, craft fair, farmers market, and DogFest. Celebrate fall colors along the beautiful St. Croix River valley.
Fall Season Activities
October and November offer spectacular fall colors throughout the region. The changing leaves create breathtaking scenery perfect for scenic drives, hiking, and photography. Local orchards offer apple picking, and the hunting season brings outdoor enthusiasts to the area.
Peak fall foliage viewing
Apple orchard visits
Hunting season opens
Scenic drives through countryside
Local pumpkin patches
Thanksgiving preparations
December 2026 & Year-Round Fun
Holiday Magic
Miracle at Big Rock
Throughout December | St. Croix Falls (30 miles)
Over 25 million Christmas lights transform this attraction into a winter wonderland! This spectacular drive-through light display has become a beloved holiday tradition for families across the region.
Summer Concert Series
Music on the Overlook (MOTO)
Friday nights, June-August | St. Croix Falls Overlook
Free weekly outdoor concert series with stunning views of the St. Croix River. Bring a lawn chair and enjoy summer evenings with live music!
Rice Lake Speedway
Weekly through summer | Rice Lake (20 miles)
Weekly racing action for motorsports fans throughout the season!
Planning Your Visit? Many festivals offer camping, and our short-term rental provides the perfect home base for exploring multiple events. Book early for popular festival weekends!