Grumpy Old Men Festival – Wabasha, Minnesota
Every winter, the town of Wabasha—known as the setting of the beloved Grumpy Old Men movies—comes alive with one of Minnesota’s most unique cold-weather celebrations. The Grumpy Old Men Festival is a fun-filled community event that embraces winter with humor, tradition, and plenty of good-natured grumpiness.
Held along the scenic Mississippi River, the festival brings thousands of visitors to Wabasha for a weekend packed with activities for all ages. Festival highlights include ice fishing contests, the famous Busch Light Curling, the Grumpy Plunge, live music, horse drawn carriage rides, food and drinks, vendor markets, and plenty of opportunities to channel your inner “grump.”
What makes the festival truly special is the spirit of the community behind it. Local volunteers, businesses, and organizations work together to create a weekend that celebrates small-town charm, Minnesota winter culture, and the movie that put Wabasha on the map.
Whether you’re a lifelong fan of the films, a lover of winter festivals, or just looking for a reason to get outside and have some fun, the Grumpy Old Men Festival proves that there’s no place warmer than Wabasha in the winter.