Winter Carnival Puzzle Contest, Presented by PuzzleTwist

Do you love jigsaw puzzles? Then this is the event for you! Grab your friends or come with your family for a fun and lively puzzle competition!

2024 In-Person Event:
Our puzzle contest will take place on Saturday, January 27th, 2024, at our NEW location, the Union Depot in Downtown Saint Paul. The Depot has plenty of parking and is located on the light rail Green line for easy access. For teams visiting from out of the town, the Hyatt Place Hotel is right next door.

The competition will feature four divisions:

500 piece puzzle (for those wanting a traditional contest) – Four person teams – $60/team
Pairs 500 piece – Two person teams – $40/team
Family With Child(ren) – Four person teams. Participants do not have to be related, the only requirement is that at least one team member be under 18 years old (happening simultaneously with pairs but separate) – $60/team
1000 piece puzzle (for experts, those wishing for a challenge or those wanting a longer puzzle experience) – $60/team

Prizes will be awarded to the first 6 teams to complete their puzzle in the 500 piece, 1000 piece and pairs divisions. Prizes will be awarded to the first 3 teams in the Family division.

The puzzles are manufactured by PuzzleTwist® branded jigsaw puzzles and will be a special keepsake! All three puzzles used will be making their debut at the 2024 Winter Carnival Competition! There will be four different divisions over three time slots. Each time slot features a different puzzle so you may sign up for multiple divisions (Note: Family and pairs will run concurrently, so you would need to opt for only one of those in that time slot).

Sign up early as this event sells out! You may sign up for more than one division. See schedule below.

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TO REGISTER: Click on the contest below beginning on October 1 at 10 am CST and that will take you to the form.
(Onsite registration will also be available as space allows.)

500 Piece Puzzle – 4 person team
Pairs 500 Piece Puzzle – 2 person team
Family With Child(ren) 500 piece puzzle – 4 person team
1000 Piece Puzzle – 4 person team

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Schedule of Events

Saturday, January 27, 2024 – The Saint Paul Union Depot
8:00 AM – 500 Piece Contest Check in
8:30 AM – 500 Piece Contest Begins
10:30 AM – 500 Piece Contest Ends
10:30 AM – Pairs and Family Contests Check in
11:15 AM – Pairs and Family Contests Begin
1:15 PM – Pairs and Family Contests Ends
1:15 PM – 1000 Piece Contest Check in
2:00 PM – 1000 Piece Contest Begins
5:00 PM – 1000 Piece Contest Ends

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In-Person Rules & Regulations:

Check-in will be inside the 4th Street (North) entrance of the building (closest to the light rail.) Only one team member needs to stand in line to register.
Seating begins 30 minutes before the scheduled start time of the contest. No early seating will be allowed.
Teams get to keep the puzzle they worked on. More copies of the 2024 puzzles PLUS other puzzles from PuzzleTwist® will also be available for purchase during the event.
Contestants will be given their puzzle at check in.
No early starts! If you open your bag and begin your puzzle before the start of the contest you will be disqualified.
Hands only! The use of any puzzle tools, cutting devices, flashlights or phones.
Use of table risers is not permitted and is grounds for disqualification.
Judges will be monitoring the area and watching as teams get close to finishing. When your team is close to finishing, raise your hand and a judge will come to your table to watch you finish and record your time. If a judge is unable to get to your table when you finish please record your own time on the time card provided at your table.
Winners will be announced immediately following the competition.
Prizes will be awarded to the top 6 teams in all brackets except family division with prizes awarded to the top 3 teams.

There will be extra puzzling opportunities held to extend your puzzling fun!
Bring your gently used puzzles to exchange in the puzzle swap!
~ PLUS PuzzleTwist® will have MANY awesome puzzles for sale!
Concessions for sale from Deb’s Hot Dogs and coffee available from Lowertown Bike & Coffee Shop. There are also several restaurants in the area including Station 81 located inside the Union Depot.

Presented by:

Prizes Provided By:

2019 Saint Paul Winter Carnival

It’s the most wonderful time of the year: the 133rd Saint Paul Winter Carnival, the “Coolest Celebration on Earth” since 1886. The Winter Carnival continues to bring family-friendly events and community pride to Saint Paul and the Twin Cities metro area.

Most events are FREE and open to the public.
Events primarily take place in downtown Saint Paul, in and around Kellogg Mall Park and the Landmark Center, as well as at the Minnesota State Fairgrounds.
Enjoy live entertainment in Kellogg Mall Park, watch ice carvers compete to create the best masterpiece, visit vendor booths, and more!
Enjoy hot mulled wine, beer, and other beverages at the ice bar in Kellogg Mall Park.

2023 Individual Block Ice Carving Competition, Artisan Division

The 2023 Individual Block Ice Carving Competition, Artisan Division, starts on January 29 at 9 AM.

Each artisan team will be given 6 suspenseful hours and a couple blocks of ice to bring their frozen masterpieces to life. The Individual Block Ice Carving Competition is guided by a strict set of rules, requiring artists to utilize their best creative thinking and remain incredibly attentive to every detail. Judging immediately follows the completion of the contest.

Be sure to check out the live carvings and the completed designs, which will be on display in Rice Park for the duration of Winter Carnival (weather carnival)!

2023 Multi-Block Ice Carving Competition

The 2023 Multi-Block Ice Carving Competition starts Thursday, January 26 at 7 pm and ends Saturday, January 28 at 7 pm.

Each team will be given 48 suspenseful hours and several blocks of ice to bring their frozen masterpieces to life. The Multi-Block Ice Carving Competition is guided by a strict set of rules, requiring artists to utilize their best creative thinking and remain incredibly attentive to all details. Judging immediately follows the completion of the contest.

Be sure to check out the live ice carving and the completed designs, which will be on display in Rice Park for the duration of Winter Carnival (weather permitting)!

Saint Paul Winter Carnival Ice Carvings

Completed carvings may be viewed throughout the Winter Carnival (see open hours below).

This signature Winter Carnival event returned as blocks of ice were transformed into beautiful masterpieces. Endless photo opportunities are available in Rice Park with the completed creations.

Both team and individual ice carving competitions are guided by a strict set of rules, requiring artists to utilize their best creative thinking. Additionally, competitor’s sculptures must be consistent with a sketch that was proposed and selected by the Selection Committee.

The final designs can be viewed throughout Rice Park during the 10 days of Carnival (January 26-February 4, 2023), weekdays 4-10 pm, Saturdays 10 am-10 pm and Sunday 10 am-5 pm.