Social Ice is a fun winter tradition that has been held downtown Rochester MN for many years. This year will look a bit different than past years due to the ongoing challenges of event planning during the pandemic. From a recent Rochester Downtown Alliance press release: ““Anything goes” in 2022. A positive spin is saying “anything GLOWS” with Social Lights, an adapted version of Social-ICE!””
Themed bars and their creative cocktails remain a staple attraction of Social Lights, along with nightly DJs/music, experiential activities, and more illuminating fun.
Dates: March 3rd – 5th, 2022
Times: Thursday, 5 – 9 PM, Friday and Saturday, 4 – 10 PM.
FAM JAM: Saturday, March 5th, 1-4 PM
Location: Social Lights is located downtown Rochester MN in the Peace Plaza. Reference the map below for the exact location!
Event Map:
There will be so many fun things to see and do at Social Lights! Below is the map of activities and where you can find all the fun.
Themed Bars + Fire Pits
5 downtown bars will serve themed drinks throughout Social Lights. Check out the menus for each bars offerings before you head to downtown! While enjoying your drinks find your way to the fire pits located along 1st Avenue SW to warm you up.
Music
Five DJs will be spinning music throughout the entirety of Social Lights. Enjoy the pumped up music while enjoying the turned up lights!
Fam Jam
On Saturday March 5th, bring the kids down to Social Lights between 1 – 4 PM for the Social Lights FAM JAM! Enjoy fun family activities and things to do including:
- a live DJ from 1 – 4 PM
- hip hop dance lesson from 2 – 3 pm
- S’mores and fire pits
- Blacklight Basketball
- Illuminated Games
- Giant Lite Brite
Don’t miss the Wall of Lights, the main entrance and photo booth, and the Social Lights letters photo op! Check out the map below to see where everything will be located for the Social Lights FAM JAM.
Photo Contest
Take pictures of anything that sparks your interest at either Social Lights March 3-5 or FAM JAM March 5 and you could win! Three winners will win a $25 gift card to a downtown Rochester business of choice. First place also gets a Downtown Rochester, MN branded mug and stocking hat. Second place additionally receives a mug. Third place will win just the gift card.
Rules:
- Follow Downtown Rochester MN on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.
- Snap a photo at Social Lights or FAM JAM.
- Post your photo on social media, tag Downtown Rochester MN, and use #SocialLights (the post must be public and posted by 11:59 p.m. March 5, 2022 to be eligible).
Covid-19 Precautions
Based on state and Olmsted County Public Health guidance at time of event. Social Lights will:
- Recommend masks at the event.
- Have hand sanitizing stations stations throughout the event.
- Have designated areas to encourage physical distancing.
- Exclude indoor components of past events like the warming tent/igloo.
- Implement regular cleaning and sanitizing of event areas.
Parking
There is plenty of parking available in downtown #rochmn! Many of the parking options are connected by skyway and lead you straight to the Peace Plaza where Social Lights is held (simply follow the signs for Peace Plaza or Shops at University Square). Refer to this map and the red boxes to know exactly where to park…and BONUS! Parking is FREE for up to two hours during the day, any weekday night after 5 PM, and FREE on weekends. On-street parking is also free on the weekends.
