Usually, we tend to avoid freezing temperatures, so we’d rather stay inside in the warmth of our homes. But just because it’s cold outside doesn’t mean you have to only choose indoor activities such as watching Netflix or reading a book.
Winter festivals, for instance, are an excellent option that can draw you back outdoors. They feature lots of fun activities that match these chilly times. Some of them may even provide several interior activities, but most people choose winter festivals for their pretty cool feats of skill and public demonstrations.
From coast to coast, these winter events celebrate the beauty of the lesser-appealing months between New Year’s Eve and springtime, offering everything from parades dedicated to mythical Nordic god-kings to polar plunges.
So, grab your puffy coats, mittens, and beanies: these 10 epic US winter festivals are worth braving the cold for!
Lake Geneva Winterfest (Lake Geneva, Wisconsin)
Taking place in early February, this winter festival turns snow into building material for some impressive snow sculptures. The five-day Winterfest hosts the US National Snot Sculpting Championship, the country’s only competition of its kind.
Fifteen qualifying teams will meet at Lake Geneva for a three-day public competition to create a larger-than-life exhibition of unique snow sculptures. This winter festival has become a favorite destination for thousands of visitors as well as a beloved annual tradition for many folks each winter.
Along with the snow sculpting competition, Winterfest houses many other winter-themed activities, including a Downtown Ice Sculpture Walk and s’mores on Riviera Beach.
Stowe Winter Carnival (Stowe, Vermont)
The Stowe Winter Carnival will return in January 2023 for its 48th winter season. Stowe is a lovely destination to visit during the summer months as well as a popular winter sports stop. This Northern Vermont small town will once again open its doors to attendees of all ages.
There are lots of activities to choose from so there’s no chance of getting bored there. The main highlights are ice carving competitions, a Snowvolleyball Tournament, and several zany sports events.
You’ll also get the chance to see professional ice carvers making masterful and elegant ice carvings throughout the town on Demonstration Day. In addition, this year’s event also hosts the 22nd edition of the NICA-sanctioned Ice Carving Competition.
World of Winter Festival (Grand Rapids, Michigan)
The annual World of Winter Festival is built around the subject of “outdoor art”. The yearly seasonal event features 50-plus ice sculptures, 40 interactive art exhibits, special events, and games all over downtown to encourage folks to get outside during the winter.
Ice artists are encouraged to participate in the event by submitting their public art proposal via the festival’s website. From early January through early March, Downtown Grand Rapids turns into a spectacular winter wonderland, and this year’s event promises to be better and bigger than ever. The best part? All activities and programming are free of charge and geared toward adults and families.
Fur Rendezvous Festival (Anchorage, Alaska)
Downtown Anchorage has been housing the annual 10-day Fur Rendezvous Festival, commonly known as “Fur Rondy”, since 1935. The event highlights the best winter sports while also harkening back to the days of miners and trappers when the groups unloaded their wares from the winter.
Fur Rondy is also scheduled to coincide with the ceremonial opening of the Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race on the first Saturday in March. It even had its own version of running with the bull, only this time you’re sprinting with a herd of reindeer trotting behind you.
Or you can choose more action-packed activities like snowshoe softball or the outhouse races, where Alaskans sport wacky costumes and adorn their outhouses on skis to see which one is the fastest. This winter festival also houses carnival rides, food vendors, a snow sculpture competition, a fireworks display, and Alaska Native craft markets.
Great Northern Festival (St. Paul and Minneapolis, Minnesota)
The Great Northern Festival draws visitors with a concept that may be described as a budding, sustainability-focused SXSW in the snow! This winter festival is all about public art, outdoor activities, and climate education, all while embracing the cold.
It features illuminating live performances, thought-provoking art displays, and meaningful conversations about climate change. There are also several outdoor activities and events available, including the St. Paul Winter Carnival, the City of Lakes Loppet (a cross-country ski festival), and the US Pond Hockey Championships.
One of the festival’s signature events is the Luminary Loppet, a spectacular night on the Lake of the Isles in Minneapolis. On top of this, the 2023 edition will bring new standout experiences.
You wouldn’t want to miss the festival kick-off event (known as Chill Out), where you’ll get the chance to experience a winter village complete with mouth-watering food, invigorating live music, sauna activations, captivating large-scale projections, warm beverages, and specialty cocktails from Vikre Distillery.
Plus, a winter festival wouldn’t be complete without a sauna village and the new Wim Hof Method cold immersion experience.
Saranac Lake Winter Carnival (Saranac Lake, New York)
The Saranac Lake Winter Carnival takes place every year in mid-February in New York’s Adirondacks region. The event, which will take place in its 126th year in 2023, became a part of Saranac Lake’s history as a 19th-century important health resort. In 1897, the area’s Pontiac Club organized a one-day winter carnival, which would later grow into the present-day winter festival.
This 10-day family-friendly event features sports, performances, three sets of fireworks, and two parades. Games of skills include cross-country skiing, snow rugby, snowshoe softball, and fry pan tossing. Yet, the main attraction is a life-sized ice palace.
This impressive piece of work has been part of the winter festival since 1898, with a structure continuously built except during the two world wars and the Great Depression. Royalty, so to speak, lives there, as some locals are chosen to be members of the royal court.
Oregon WinterFest (Redmond, Oregon)
The Oregon WinterFest, known as the Northwest’s biggest festival, is held in mid-February. The weekend event includes a “Central Oregon Light Exhibit”, which features an impressive illuminating show called “Light, Ice & Fire Exposition”. There you’ll have the chance to see magnificent ice-carving demonstrations and fire sculptures.
But that’s not all, of course. The winter festival also holds a Wonderland Marketplace with products from local and regional vendors. While the entertainment schedule is still being announced, one new activity will be a “Hot Cocoa Run”. If you have a sweet tooth, you’ll be thrilled to participate in this chocolate-themed race that will feature a fun 5K with a complete Hot Cocoa bar at the finish line.
Kids will be able to join a similar race as well. A “Mini Marshmallow Run” will have children ages 3-10 gathering all the ingredients for a sweet cup of cocoa at this fun activity.
Wintersköl (Aspen, Colorado)
Wintersköl, or Aspen’s annual “toast to winter”, will return in 2023 for the 72nd year in a row. Its first edition took place in January 1951, when locals decided to celebrate this town’s unique alpine lifestyle by having a broad-ranging weekend of festivities.
The four-day winter festival, which still takes place in January, has an event schedule listing snow sculptures, mountain activities, fireworks, and a torchlight descent down Aspen Mountain, among other happenings. Each day of this next edition will bring all-day demonstrations of snow sculptures along Aspen’s Mill Street Mall. The pieces of work will be created by Colorado artist Thomas Barlow.
Fire & Ice Winterfest (Lava Hot Springs, Idaho)
The Fire & Ice Winterfest is held annually on the first full weekend of February in this picturesque village known for its natural spring-fed hot pools. While their event schedule is still being updated for the 2023 edition, some activities have already been announced.
Visitors can participate in or watch the event’s Winter Parade, which kicks off the start of the Fire & Ice Winterfest. They should also look for the Abominable Snow Man. Other attractions include a Penguin Race Fundraiser, a Polar Bear Costume Judging and Party, and a Children’s Water Carnival.
Another winter festival activity is “Dusk: The Torch Light Ski”, which involves adventurous locals skiing down the mountains with lit torches.
Lititz Fire & Ice Festival (Lititz, Pennsylvania)
In this Pennsylvania small town, the Fire & Ice Festival is a 10-day winter festival in mid-February, bringing out several foods from downtown Lititz’s restaurants as well as popular food trucks.
Interactive ice cravings will be set up alongside a fire show run by companies from Rock Lititz Campus, an entertainment complex that houses live events companies. The kid-friendly Winter FUNderland will feature bouncy attractions, activities, and other fun things for children.
Other returning events will include a photography exhibit, a Maker’s Market, and a scavenger hunt. A Fire & Ice-themed pub crawl will also involve downtown bars and restaurants featuring ice and fire-themed drinks.
You may also want to read 7 Unique Igloo Hotels To Get Cozy In.
