Nisswa: Winter Jubilee, Local History and the Paul Bunyan Trail

Nisswa offers a range of ways to shape your stay: the dated Winter Jubilee, the annual Fall Festival, a self-guided visit to the History Center and Museum, or activities on the Paul Bunyan Trail. This lets you decide whether an event date, local history or outdoor activity will guide your travel plans.

Events in Nisswa

The Nisswa Winter Jubilee is a winter tradition celebrating winter in Nisswa. The February 12–14, 2027 edition celebrates community, creativity and winter fun. The festival includes snow-sculpting and log-splitting competitions. If you plan your trip around this edition, check the program again before you travel.

The annual Nisswa Fall Festival takes place downtown and features live music and activities for everyone. Its format differs from the Winter Jubilee: music and activities are part of this festival, while specific competitions are listed for the 2027 edition of the Winter Jubilee. This lets you choose between a festival with live music and a winter event with competitions.

Local History and Garden

The Nisswa History Center and Museum is located at the north end of Main Street. A self-guided visit includes the historic Pioneer Village, the depot and a caboose. This gives the museum visit a different focus from the two festivals: rather than an event, local history is at the center. The location at the north end of Main Street is also a specific point of reference in Nisswa.

The museum also includes a Heritage Garden with native plants. They come from local farms and gardens that have been established for more than 75 years. The garden adds a landscape element to the museum’s historic features and connects the plants with a long-standing local heritage. If you are interested in visiting, the Heritage Garden is another part of the museum to see alongside Pioneer Village, the depot and the caboose.

Outdoor Activities

The Paul Bunyan Trail runs through Nisswa and is suitable for cycling, running, inline skating and walking. The trail accommodates different ways of getting around: you can consider an activity on wheels as well as running or walking. Which one suits your stay depends on which of these activities you plan to do.

The Paul Bunyan State Trail as a whole is generally level and wheelchair-accessible. One exception is the nine-mile section through the Chippewa National Forest. There, grades reach up to 8 percent, and the route has numerous hills and curves; this section may be challenging for some users. The general description of the trail therefore comes with this explicitly stated exception.

Another topic in the surrounding area is the planned Nisswa Lake Park project. It proposes acquiring 2.1 acres along the shore of Lake Nisswa; the site is very close to downtown Nisswa and the Paul Bunyan State Trail. The project is intended to support nature-based recreational activities for local, regional and statewide visitors. It is also intended to provide public access to Lake Nisswa for the first time.

Discover more destinations: Baxter, Brainerd, Deerwood, Merrifield, Pequot Lakes.

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