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Things to do in Sun Prairie, WI: Groundhog Day, Frozen Fest and Corn Fest

Sun Prairie, northeast of Madison, has two claims to fame: it's been the groundhog's town since 1948, and it's where Georgia O'Keeffe grew up. Its downtown centers on Cannery Square, where Jimmy the Groundhog makes his February prediction and the farmers market sets up all summer. Here's what to do, checked with the City of Sun Prairie and event organizers in November 2026.

Checked against official sources · Updated November 2, 2026

Groundhog Day and Frozen Fest

The groundhog became Sun Prairie's symbol in 1948, the first Groundhog Day was held at Angell Park in 1949, and the city declared itself "Groundhog Capital of the World" in 1952. Today Jimmy the Groundhog makes his prediction at dawn on February 2 at Cannery Square. In 2025 the program started at 6:50 a.m.

Frozen Fest, January 28 to February 2, 2027, builds up to it, with sled dogs, ice carving, a winter beer garden and a night at the museum, ending with the 79th annual prognostication. Check the city's site for 2027 times.

Downtown and the museum

  • Sun Prairie Historical Library & Museum, 115 E. Main St.: free, city-run local history museum with a room devoted to Georgia O'Keeffe, who the city says was born in Sun Prairie. The Wisconsin Historical Society notes she grew up on a farm here and had art lessons at home. Fall hours run Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday and Saturday.
  • Cannery Square, Main and Market streets: the downtown plaza for the farmers market, Groundhog Day and the Corn Fest kickoff.
  • Fire & Lights Parade, Saturday, November 28, 2026: lit-up fire trucks roll down Main Street at 6 p.m., then Santa lights the tree in front of the museum. See our holiday season guide.

Markets, festivals and parks

  • Farmers markets: Saturdays at Cannery Square from May to October (7 a.m. to noon), then indoors on Saturday mornings from November to mid-April at the Westside Community Services Building, 2598 W. Main St.
  • Sweet Corn Festival, August 18 to 22, 2027, at Angell Park: the 74th Corn Fest, which opens with a parade and block party downtown.
  • Sheehan Park: 143 acres on Linnerud Drive, the city's largest community park. The city's Family Aquatic Center is also on Linnerud Drive (open in summer).
  • Wetmore Park, 555 North St., and a city pet exercise area at 1025 S. Bird St.

For more nearby, see our neighborhoods guide and winter guide.

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Sources

Rules and dates can change. Check the official source before you rely on them, and suggest a correction if something is out of date.