Month guide · Minneapolis · United States
Minneapolis in January
What January is really like in Minneapolis: weather, crowds, prices, events and what to pack.
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
Photo: Mikael Häggström , M.D. Author info - Reusing images - Conflicts of interest: None Mikael , CC0
Quick answer
January is a quieter month with trade-offs. Expect average highs of -6°C (21°F), lows of -15°C (5°F), about 9 rainy days and roughly 9.1 hours of daylight. The coldest month, with snow on the ground and wind chills well below −20°C on some days; use the skyways and indoor attractions.
Key facts
- Average high / low
- -6°C (21°F) / -15°C (5°F)
- Rainy days
- About 9
- Daylight
- About 9.1 hours
- Crowds
- Very quiet
- Hotel prices
- Lowest
Weather in January
January is the coolest month in Minneapolis: days average -6°C (21°F) against a yearly average high of 12°C (54°F), and nights fall to about -15°C (5°F). Rain falls on roughly 9 of its 31 days. Compared with December (-3°C (27°F)), January is cooler; by February highs climb to around -3°C (27°F).
- Sunrise (15 January)
- About 07:47
- Sunset (15 January)
- About 16:57
- Daylight
- About 9.1 hours
Winter (December–February). Long and very cold, with snow cover, frozen lakes and wind chills below −20°C; the skyway and indoor culture make it manageable.
Crowds and prices
On a 1–5 scale, January rates 1 for crowds (the peak is July at 5) and 1 for hotel prices (highest in June). That makes January one of the better-value months to book.
Events in January
- Saint Paul Winter Carnival — ice sculptures and parades in Saint Paul (usually late January to early February)
Dates move from year to year. Check the organiser’s site before booking travel around an event.
What to do in January
With cold days, plan around indoor sights and keep outdoor time flexible.
Gallery · Loring Park
Walker Art Center
Check the Walker's calendar for free-entry days and evenings, and combine a visit with the Sculpture Garden across the road.
- Time needed
- 2 hours
- Cost
- Mid-priced
- Art
- Rainy day
- Architecture
Museum · Whittier
Minneapolis Institute of Art (Mia)
Mia's free collection of around 90,000 objects spans 5,000 years, from Chinese jade and a reconstructed Japanese teahouse to Rembrandt's Lucretia, Van Gogh's Olive Trees and period rooms from Europe and America.
- Time needed
- 2–3 hours
- Cost
- Free
- Free
- Art
- History
- Rainy day
- Iconic
Museum · Mill District
Mill City Museum
Go up to the ninth-floor observation deck at the end for the best view of the falls and the Stone Arch Bridge.
- Time needed
- 2 hours
- Cost
- Mid-priced
- History
- Kids
- Views
- Rainy day
Experience · Bloomington
Mall of America
The largest shopping mall in the United States has around 500 shops plus Nickelodeon Universe, an indoor theme park with roller coasters under a skylit roof, the SEA LIFE Minnesota aquarium and mini golf.
- Time needed
- Half a day
- Cost
- Mid-priced
- Kids
- Shopping
- Rainy day
- Iconic
What to pack
For highs near -6°C, lows near -15°C and 9 wet days: a warm coat, hat, gloves and thermal layers; shoes with good grip for icy pavements; a packable rain jacket for showers; comfortable walking shoes.
Is January a good time to visit Minneapolis?
A quieter month with trade-offs, with a notable event on the calendar. If your dates are flexible, June–September are better overall. Compare every month.
Minneapolis in other months
Questions travellers ask
+Is January a good time to visit Minneapolis?
It is a quieter month with trade-offs. The coldest month, with snow on the ground and wind chills well below −20°C on some days; use the skyways and indoor attractions.
+How warm is Minneapolis in January?
Average highs are around -6°C (21°F) and lows around -15°C (5°F).
+Does it rain a lot in Minneapolis in January?
Expect rain on about 9 days of the month.