About This Festival

The Carmel Winter Games is a fun, on-ice competition event held at The Ice at Carter Green in Carmel’s Arts & Design District. It focuses on building team spirit through non-skating competitive games and features contests between Carmel’s city departments, known as the “Hometown Heroes.” The event usually takes place over two days; for 2025, it is scheduled for January 24-25.

The vibe of the Carmel Winter Games is energetic and community-oriented, encouraging friendly rivalry and family-friendly entertainment. Spectators and participants can bundle up to cheer on and compete in unique, playful ice events rather than traditional skating contests, creating a lively, inclusive atmosphere.

Location and Surroundings

The event happens at The Ice at Carter Green, an outdoor rink located in the Arts & Design District of Carmel, within Hamilton County, Indiana. This area is known for its blend of urban charm and artistic flair, offering visitors a vibrant district to explore before or after the games.

Activities and Schedule Highlights

  • January 24 (Friday at 6 p.m.): Hometown Hero-Olympics kicks off the event with team competitions on the ice.
  • January 25 (Saturday, starting at noon): The main Carmel Winter Games take place with various on-ice contests such as:
    • Ice Trike Relay – Relay races using tricycle-like vehicles on ice.
    • Human Curling – A playful adaptation of curling, involving participants on inner tubes or similar equipment.
    • Human Hungry Hippo – A team game inspired by the classic board game Hungry Hungry Hippos but played on ice with human players.
  • A live DJ performs from noon to 4 p.m., enhancing the festive ambiance.
  • Mascots mingle with guests between 1 and 3 p.m., adding to the family-friendly fun.

History and Context

The Carmel Winter Games are part of a lineup of winter events at The Ice at Carter Green, following the Festival of Ice, which takes place earlier in January. The Winter Games have become a staple winter event that celebrates community spirit through innovative, inclusive, and festive activities on ice. It is designed to engage city departments in friendly competition, thus fostering camaraderie and local pride.

The Winter Games emphasize accessibility, with the venue being handicapped accessible, making the event enjoyable for a broad audience.

Additional Event Notes

The Winter Games follow the Festival of Ice, which features ice carving and chili cook-offs, creating a full month of winter festivities in Carmel’s downtown area. After the Winter Games, the district hosts a Sensory Skate Day designed to provide a calm, sensory-friendly skating experience for children with special needs.

In essence, the Carmel Winter Games offer a unique, spirited celebration of local community and fun winter activities focused on teamwork and good-natured rivalry, set in a charming urban arts district.