Manson’s 2022 Winter Festivities — A Full Weekend of Fun!

by | Jan 12, 2022 | Events, Festivals, Winter

Wow! We can’t believe 2022 is already here, and you know what that means? It’s time to celebrate the stunning beauty of Lake Chelan’s winter wonderland!

This year, Manson’s got a full slate of activities for you and your family to enjoy on January 21, 22, and 23. So be sure to book your stay at The Lodge before we fill up.

Let’s dive right in and see all the happenings that you surely can’t miss!

Family-Friendly Winter Fun

Mitten walk

Family-friendly events are at the core of our year-round events. For winter festivities in Manson, we’ve got a fun Mystery Mitten Walk, and wine barrel rides for the kiddos to enjoy with their parents!

Mystery Mitten Walk

Bring your kids to the Manson Chamber of Commerce so they can pick up a goody bag and a map of local businesses. Each stop on the map is an opportunity to fill up their bag with fun treats. For parents, each stop will have a special offer for you as well. Here’s the map for you to download.

Wine Barrel Train Rides

Wine barrel train ride

Your kids can take a trip downtown in Manson’s custom-made wine barrel train ride! Children have so much fun with this activity, and it also makes for a great winter photo opportunity. It’s fun for all ages (yes, grownups, you can ride it, too, as long as you have a lil one with you!).

Schedule

  • Mystery Mitten Walk – Saturday 1/22 from Noon – 4pm
  • Wine Barrel Train Rides – Friday 1/21 & Saturday, 1/22 from 1pm – 3pm

Food, Drinks, & Entertainment

Live music

Sing and dance to great music outdoors while enjoying great food and drinks from Manson’s wonderful restaurants, wineries, and tasting rooms. The Lake Chelan Wine Valley has no shortage of world-class wines, so you’ll love wine tasting through the day and partying at night with some great tunes from The Skiffs on Friday night, and Radio 80’s on Saturday night on the Outdoor Bar Stage powered by Wapato Point Cellars.

You’ll find the Outdoor Bar on Main Street open Friday and Saturday to enjoy some tasty drinks on a frosty winter night.

People enjoying drinks outside

Schedule

  • Live Music by The Skiffs – Saturday 1/22 from Noon – 4pm
  • Outdoor Bar on Main Street – Friday 1/21 & Saturday, 1/22 from 6pm – 10pm

Light Up the Sky!

Fireworks at Manson Bay Park

Fireworks

Enjoy the sparkling fireworks for a one-of-a-kind show over Manson Bay. Watch from your room at The Lodge or grab a drink and a loved one to marvel at the glowing night sky!

Mountain View Lodge flaming tower

The Lighting of the Mountain View Lodge Flaming Ice Tower

If fireworks weren’t enough, have you ever seen the storied Mountain View Lodge flaming ice tower? This annual tradition is a visual spectacle where a tall ice block is set ablaze from the inside. During the day, people have the opportunity to fill it with notes of encouragement, prayers, or wishes.  Watch as the ice melts from the inside out while igniting the tower with a brilliant flame and all those wishes are released to the heavens! Onlookers love to gather around, take videos and pictures, and watch in awe as we celebrate the winter season.

Schedule

  • Fireworks at Manson Bay Park – Saturday 1/22 @ 6:30pm
  • Lighting of the Mountain View Lodge Flaming Ice Tower – Saturday 1/22 @ 6:45pm

Sunday Funday

The weekend caps off with two great events, including the infamous Polar Bear Plunge and the delectable Bloody Mary Contest.

Bloody Mary Contest at the Manson Grange

Bloody Mary

Is there anything better than a great brunch with a delicious Bloody Mary? Well, come on down to the Manson Grange to try from one of 6 competitors and vote for your favorite! Businesses from all over the Lake Chelan Valley will be competing, including Skagit Cellars, Sunset Manson, Mi Paloma, Lake Chelan Brewery, County Line, and The Bloody Good Company. Last year Skagit took home the trophy, but we can’t wait to sip and submit our favorite this year!

Tickets are limited, so snag one now!

4th Annual Viki Downey Polar Bear Plunge

Polar bear plunge

Why not finish off your weekend with a little swim? Because it’s freezing cold! Well, that doesn’t stop a group of daring people who take the plunge! Led by the legendary Viki Downey, participants follow Mrs. Downey into the cold lake. Afterward, everyone receives an “I survived the Polar Bear Swim” wristband, a cup of hot chocolate or coffee, and warms up around a large bonfire.

Plus, you can donate to Lake Chelan Swim providing swim lessons for the community.

Schedule

  • Bloody Mary Contest at the Manson Grange  – Sunday 1/23 from 10am – 12pm 
  • 4th Annual Viki Downey Polar Bear Plunge – Sunday 1/23 from 12:30pm – 2pm

Book Your Stay at The Lodge

As you can see, this weekend will be one to remember and a great way to kick off 2022! Rooms are going fast, so give us a call at (509) 687-9505 or book online to stake your stay for this year’s fantastic lineup of winter festivities!