The South Haven Area Chamber of Commerce is gearing up for Icebreaker 2026, a three-day winter festival set for January 30 through February 1 in downtown South Haven.
The annual event will kick off Friday night at 7 pm with the popular Snowsuit Fashion Competition at the South Haven Brew Pub.
Olivia Thompson, associate director of the South Haven Area Chamber of Commerce said the annual snowsuit contest has become a fan favorite, drawing creative entries and strong competition.
“It’s always a blast. We’re so excited to see what everybody comes up with,” she said.
Saturday’s schedule features the festival’s signature attraction: live ice carving. Professional, amateur, and student carvers will begin work as early as 7 a.m., creating sculptures throughout downtown.
The event also includes a large chili cook-off, with restaurants and vendors spread across the city. Free shuttle service will run throughout the day to transport attendees to participating locations, including the Moose, VFW, American Legion, and other venues.
Also returning this year is the cardboard sled competition, where participants race homemade sleds down Phoenix Street. Organizers say interest is strong, with several creative designs already in progress. Registration is available online in advance or in person the day of the event.
Another crowd favorite, the frozen fish toss, will take place Saturday as a fundraiser for the National Blueberry Festival. The event traditionally draws large crowds along Water Street.
“You can hear the crowds all down Water Street cheering on these fish tossers,” Thompson said.
Icebreaker activities continue through Sunday, offering a full weekend of winter-themed entertainment, food, and family-friendly events.
Event schedules, maps, and registration details are available through the South Haven Area Chamber of Commerce website at southhavenmi.com, as well as on the Chamber’s social media pages and the dedicated Icebreaker Festival page.
