The annual Fire & Ice Festival took over downtown Sturgeon Bay on Saturday, with a full slate of winter-themed activities.

The day featured ice carving competitions, free Door County Trolley rides, art displays, live music, and plenty of food and drink specials in shops and eateries. Professional and amateur ice carvers began transforming sponsored blocks of ice into intricate sculptures, with crowds gathering to watch the artistry in action.

Unseasonably warm weather has been a major Fire & Ice 2026 storyline. Temperatures climbed into the upper 30s to low 40s throughout the late morning and into the afternoon. Well above ideal freezing conditions, causing some ice to soften and become difficult to work with. Ice artists found that time was of the essence and that shaded areas held up better and carved on, despite the drips and drops.

While the warmer weather complicated the ice carving process, many attendees welcomed the break from typical February shiver. The sunshine and milder temperatures made it easier to stroll downtown and enjoy the festivities, with conditions that are usually overwhelmingly embraced by the community.