The Iola-Scandinavia area offers boundless recreational opportunities and attractions not to be missed. Click here to learn more about the Iola Winter Carnival, Village-wide Rummage Sale, Iola Car Show, and more..
These include:
IOLA WINTER CARNIVAL – 64th Annual, February 6-8, 2026. The first weekend in February. Ski jumping, skijouring, and kids’ cross-country skiing held at Iola Winter Sports Club. Downtown Iola events include an ice-sculpting contest, Chili Walk & Contest, craft show, rosemaling demonstrations, Norwegian pastries sale, plus kids’ ice-fishing contest on Lake Iola. Norwegian dinner including lutefisk and Swedish meatballs, held at Our Savior’s Lutheran Church on Saturday. Plus Winter Carnival raffle tickets are sold around the area and at the ice-sculpting, held at Chet Krause Legacy Park. For more information on skiing events, go to www.iolawintersportsclub.org. Like Iola Winter Carnival on Facebook for up-to-date info on all Winter Carnival events.
MEAD MEANDER – May 2025, date TBD. Sample Mead at various locations in Scandinavia. Tickets sold for the event.
VILLAGE WIDE RUMMAGE – 28th Annual May 15-17, 2025. For additional information, go to www.iolarummagesale.com.
JUNK IN THE TRUNK – 1st Annual event May 17 at the Iola Car Show grounds. People sell rummage items from their vehicles.
MEMORIAL DAY PARADE – May 26, 2025. Conducted by Sheveland-Taylor American Legion Post 14, Annual Memorial Day Parade and Ceremony at American-Legion Park, downtown Iola.
MEMORIAL DAY PORK ROAST – May 26, 2025. Iola Historical Society’s 12th annual pork roast on its campus on Depot Street in Iola immediately following the Memorial Day ceremonies downtown.
ANNUAL PORK ROAST DINNER – The Scandinavia Volunteer Fire Department will hold its Annual Roast Pork Dinner and Raffle in April at the Scandinavia Fire Department Station, from 4:00 pm-7:00 pm. Dinners include pork, baked potato, coleslaw, roll, and dessert – $10 for ages 12 and up, $5 for ages 6-11, and 5 and under are free. Advance tickets are available at Premier Community Bank, Tomorrow Valley Co-Op Scandinavia, Silver Lake Lanes, Little Norway, or any Scandinavia Firefighter.
IOLA HISTORICAL SOCIETY STRAWBERRY FEST –42nd Annual, June 22, 2025, the fourth Sunday in June. Don’t miss the opportunity to enjoy the days of yesteryear while enjoying strawberry shortcake at the Iola Historical Society grounds. Just West of Main Street on Depot Street. The Iola Historical Society is also raising funds to restore the Iola & Northern Depot. Stop in and see the antique fire station, designed after the original facility on State Street in Iola. Three donated fire apparatuses are housed in the new building.
SPECTACULAR FIREWORKS DISPLAY – July 3. Don’t miss the awesome display of fireworks accompanied by patriotic music! The best place to view them is at Taylor Field, which will also have baseball games before the fireworks, along with food and beverages. Cash raffle tickets with limited ticket sales available at local businesses and at Taylor Field the evening of the fireworks. All proceeds go to paying for the fireworks. Hosted by the Iola-Scandinavia Chamber of Commerce.
IOLA OLD CAR SHOW and SWAP MEET – 54th Annual, July 10-12, 2025. One of America’s largest Car shows and Swap meets is held annually on the 2nd weekend of July. Show cars 1990 and older will be classified as Post-War, Pre-War, Modified, Old Cars Young Drivers, All-Original, and Blue Ribbon Concours. The massive Swap Meet with 4,000 vendor spaces provides plenty of opportunities to pick up that last piece for your vehicle restoration, plus lots of other car-related items. The popular Car Corral area contains vehicles 2000 and older, all for sale. Great food and camping are available on site. Bands, indoor exhibits, and lots more every day! Watch the Iola Car Show web page for NEW attractions on Friday and Saturday evenings. Admission for 1-day is $20 and a 3-day pass is $30. All children 12 and under are free! Parking provided by the Iola Car Show is free and a complimentary bus service is included. Follow the signs to Gate #19 for free parking. For more information call: 715-445-4000 or go to the web page here. E-mail: information@iolaoldcarshow.com
SCANDINAVIA CORN ROAST – 57th Annual, August 1-3, 2025. First Weekend in August – Great Family Event. All weekend long enjoy carnival rides and concessions, great food and refreshments, great live musical entertainment for all genres, Friday 5K Cob Run, Saturday parade and ball games, Corn Roast on Saturday and Sunday, Wood Sculpting Competition, Auction, Craft Fair Saturday, Pie Social, Tractor Pull Saturday and Truck Pull Sunday! Saturday & Sunday visit the historic Knoph Cabin & Jole Barbershop museums on the grounds. Located at Ellison Memorial Park in the Village of Scandinavia, Wisconsin, this is a well-rounded family event with something for everyone! Held rain or shine with lots of tents, so you’re covered! For more information, go to www.scandinaviacornroast.com or email scandinaviaboosterclub@gmail.com.
HIDDEN STUDIOS ART TOUR – October 3-5, 2025. A Tour of Working Studios in Central Wisconsin, booked as “Art Along the Ice Age Trail”, promotes arts in Central Wisconsin. Explore winding roads, quaint communities, and hidden fine art studios – 8 studios, 23 artists – during peak fall foliage. Info www.HiddenStudioArtTour.com.
IOLA FIRE & AMBULANCE FALL FESTIVAL RAFFLE – October 5, 2024, the third Saturday in October. Food, drinks, and bucket raffles.
TASTE OF NORWAY & Lost Arts Fair – 18th Annual, October 4, 2025, at the Iola Historical Society Complex. 10:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m. Norwegian pastry making, lefse making, along with free samples and items for sale. Additional food and beverages are available on site, including the Crystal Café’s famous pies. Lost Arts artisans ply their crafts, ranging from rosemaling, blacksmithing, yarn spinning, jewelry making, sewing, and rug-weaving, among other lost arts. Children’s activities will take place in the replica vintage one-room schoolhouse, sponsored by the Sons of Norway’s Norskeland Lodge 5-580 of Iola. All vintage buildings and museums will be open free of charge. For more information: www.iolahistoricalsociety. This event coincides with the Hidden Studio Art Tour in Waupaca and Portage Counties.
HOP INTO THE HOLIDAYS – November 5, 2025, event at various businesses in the Village of Scandinavia. Specialty gift shops, outdoor vendors, plus Christmas-themed food and treats at ScandiHus.
IOLA LIONS CHRISTMAS PARADE – 27th Annual, December 6, 2025. The parade starts at 4:30 p.m. and goes down Main Street. Visit with Santa following the parade is at the Iola Historical Society’s Machine Shed on Depot Street. Santa’s visit includes picture opportunities, treats for the kids, and special activities such as writing a letter to Santa and a coloring contest. This event is certain to get you in the mood for the holidays
OTHER ACTIVITIES & LOCATIONS
GLACIER WOOD GOLF CLUB – (715-445-3831) Rated #4 in the nation by Golf Advisor for Top Golf Courses Under $50! Pro shop, cart rentals. Glacier Wood is a beautifully designed course that will challenge the novice to expert golfer. Rustic Grill provides a wide variety of sandwiches, burgers, and other items, along with daily specials and beverages.
BICYCLING – The Iola-Scandinavia area has miles and miles of scenic, lightly-traveled back roads plus trailhead access in Scandinavia to the Tomorrow River State Trail, which extends west to Plover, Wisconsin, and east to Manawa. Casual Monday and Wednesday night bike rides, and occasional longer weekend rides, are hosted by the local Bike Iola! Members from May through August. For more information on biking opportunities in the area, check Bike Iola’s Facebook page.
IOLA MILLS – The beautifully restored mid-19th-century grist and sawmill is definitely worth a visit! The Iola Mills restaurant features multiple gelato flavors along with pizza, paninis, salads, and beverages. The Mill has occasional free music events throughout the summer and is also available for weddings and other events.
IOLA HISTORICAL SOCIETY – Check out the original 1884 Iola & Northern Railway depot (currently being restored), vintage caboose, one-room schoolhouse replica, vintage log cabin, and the original Helvetia Town Hall. The 1901 replica fire station contains Iola’s three original firefighting vehicles. The campus is open on Saturdays, May through August, from Noon to 3:00 p.m. Free admission. See info elsewhere on this site for IHS annual events. Meetings are held on the last Monday of the month at 6:30. Tours are available by request. For more information, contact Cliff Mishler (715-445-4652).
IOLA WINTER SPORTS CLUB – (715-445-3411 office, 715-498-8898 cell, iolawintersportsclub@gmail.com): This facility offers ski jumping, cross-country skiing, skijouring, and snowshoeing on groomed and lighted trails. The IWSC-New Hope segment of the Ice Age Trail has a trailhead just off the main parking lot. Mountain bike trails are being developed. A beautiful area to participate in silent sports during any season!
IOLA SCANDINAVIA FITNESS AND AQUATIC CENTER– An awesome facility for your total workout needs. Includes a six-lane lap pool, zero-depth entry leisure pool with an impressive water slide, whirlpool, meeting rooms, gymnasium with climbing wall, and a fitness center with plenty of cardio machines and weight-lifting apparatus. A must-see with a visit to the area. Check out the website for complete scheduled hours along with daily and annual rates.
SILVER LAKE LANES– Located in Scandinavia, this place has it all. Bowling is a great recreational hobby for young and old alike. League and tournaments, as well as casual bowling, are just down the street.
HUNTING – Our entire area is an ideal habitat for deer, turkey, grouse, and small game. Waupaca County is always one of the top three in Wisconsin for deer harvested during hunting season.
FISHING – Area lakes and streams offer everything from panfish to trout. Lake Iola is a popular lake for winter ice fishing.
RELAXING – Take a stroll along the Little Wolf River on the Iola Lions River Walk, a hike in the woods on Gunny’s Trail at Jorgens Park Reserve on Silver Lake in Scandinavia, or just relax in a park and watch the wildlife. There is an osprey nest to view on Silver Lake. The pace slows down when you’re relaxing in Iola/Scandinavia!
SNOWMOBILING – Miles of groomed trails will lead you anywhere in the county! Several local clubs – Iola Norsemen and Scandinavia Vikings — take great pride in maintaining trails in the area.
And much more to enjoy!