Enjoy WinterFest on Dec. 5

Preceding prep week each fall semester, WinterFest is a burst of activities and experiences on campus, organized by the student engagement team in the Memorial Union, to celebrate the winter holidays and help students release some end-of-term stress. But it's not just for students. Events are open to all faculty and staff and the Ames community, too. WinterFest 2025 will be held Friday, Dec. 5. 

WinterFest schedule

Events are free to participants and in Memorial Union locations, unless noted.

• 11 a.m.-6 p.m. (while supplies last), Poinsettia sale, Horticulture club, Union Drive Community Center foyer, $12-$40
• 11 a.m.-9 p.m., Holiday Art Mart, Art Gallery
• 3-5:30 p.m., President's Open House, The Knoll, 111 Knoll Rd.
• 3-6 p.m., Holiday tree and wreath sale, Forestry club, Reiman Gardens parking lot, $25-$110
• 3:30-7:30 p.m., Jingle and Mingle holiday market, ground floor, Beardshear Hall
• 4-5 p.m., Carillon performance on scale model: "Past, Present and Future," musical adaptation of Dickens' "A Christmas Carol," Sukup atrium, Biorenewables Complex
• 4-8 p.m., Crafting, The Workspace, east basement
• 4-10 p.m., Chair massages, Room 3580
• 4-10 p.m., Bowling and billiards, CyBowl and Billiards
• 4-10 p.m. (while supplies last), Stuff A Plush (make a stuffed animal), Room 3560
• 4:30 p.m. (repeats at 5:15 p.m.), Beginner yoga class, Room 3512
• 5 p.m., Jingle Jog, 3K fun run on central campus, $20 includes beanie hat and other swag, check in prior to 5 pm. on Campanile south lawn
• 5-7 p.m., Yuletide open house, Farm House Museum, central campus (also noon-3 p.m. Dec. 6, including photos with Santa)
• 5-7 p.m., Carillon music, Campanile tours (must be 13 years old), central campus
• 5-8 p.m. (while supplies last), Cookie decorating, Commons, first floor
• 5-8 p.m., Speed sketcher caricatures, Cardinal Room
• 5-8 p.m., Photo booth, Campanile Room
• 6 p.m., Tree-lighting ceremony, east of Beardshear Hall
• 6-9 p.m. (while supplies last), Chili, cornbread and hot chocolate, Commons, first floor
• 6-9:30 p.m., Horse-drawn carriage rides, departing from west side driveway
• 6-10 p.m., Bingo, Sun Room
• 7 p.m. (doors open at 6:30 p.m.), Performance, Salsa Magic (includes basic-step lessons for audience), Great Hall
• 8-10 p.m., Karaoke, Maintenance Shop
• 11 p.m.-1:15 am., Ice skating, Ames-ISU Ice Arena, 1507 Gateway Hills Park Dr.