20 Best Winter Festivals Across U.S. and Canada

Gatlinburg, Tennessee: Gatlinburg New Year's Eve Ball Drop & Fireworks Show

When: December 31, 2023

What to Expect: This dazzling event at the iconic Gatlinburg Space Needle is jam-packed with fun, including live music, a midnight ball drop, and a stunning fireworks show. Make plans to check out the family-friendly activities and holiday specials downtown at local restaurants and businesses, and nature trails and hiking.

For more information, visit gatlinburg.com.

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Chelan, Washington: Lake Chelan Winterfest

When: January 12-21, 2024

What to Expect: Enjoy fire and ice among the hilltops of wine valley. There’s something for everyone—beach bonfires, polar plunges, fireworks, a snow slide, live music, and soul-warming drinks at the "ice bar."

For more information, visit lakechelan.com/winterfest.

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Aspen, Colorado: Wintersköl

When: January 11–14, 2024

What to Expect: A four-day festival in a historic ski town, Wintersköl celebrates Nordic culture and the best of outdoor activities. Get ready to see a torchlit descent down Aspen Mountain, glittering fireworks displays, snow sculptures, a soup contest, a craft beer festival, a snow sculpture competition for children, and even a dog fashion show.

For more information, visit aspenchamber.org.

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Grand Rapids, Michigan: World of Winter

When: January 12–March 10, 2024

What to Expect: With more than 100 free family-friendly events and activities, this nearly three-month-long festival highlights the beautiful of winter in Downtown Grand Rapids and includes pretty outdoor art installations, ice skating, food, local culture, and more.

For more information, visit worldofwintergr.com.

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Stowe, Vermont: Stowe Winter Carnival

When: January 18-20, 2024

What to Expect: Take the kiddos to the carnival and ski your way to the ski-in movies. Plus, watch pro and amateur artists carve creations throughout town or check out a game of snow volleyball! Plus, find cozy local accommodations at the The Trapp Family Lodge, a 2,600-acre mountain resort in the European tradition by the family that inspired The Sound of Music.

For more information, visit gostowe.com.

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Breckenridge, Colorado: International Snow Sculpture Championships

When: January 22–31, 2024

What to Expect: You'll want to plan winter getaway to see massive hand-carved works of art made from 25-ton blocks of snow without power tools. It's a snowy extravaganza that includes snow sculptures, skiing, and...more snow sculptures in an open-air art gallery in the historic downtown area. This international gathering takes place in the beautiful Rocky Mountains.

For more information, visit gobreck.com.

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Québec City, Canada: Carnaval de Quebec

When: January 25–February 11, 2024

What to Expect: The largest winter festival in the world, visitors can expect an ice palace, snow sculptures, inner tube sliding, skating, and ice swimming, and lots of chances to spot Bonhomme, the carnival's mascot.

For more information, visit carnaval.qc.ca.

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St. Paul, Minnesota: St. Paul Winter Carnival

When: January 25–February 3, 2024

What to Expect: The oldest winter festival in the United States includes grand parades, a puzzle contest, snow sculpting, ice fishing, a winter orchid show, parties, and other family fun in the heart of St. Paul. Plus, don't miss the annual crowning of carnival "royalty!"

For more information, visit wintercarnival.com.

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Lake Geneva, Wisconsin: Lake Geneva Winterfest

When: January 31–February 4, 2024

What to Expect: Watch snow artists from across the country compete in the National Snow Sculpting Championship, and enjoy local food and drinks, bonfires on the lake beachfront, exciting winter activities like skiing, zip lines adventures, and ice castle displays, and art from the Lake Geneva area.

For more information, visit visitlakegeneva.com.

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Whitefish, Montana: Whitefish Winter Carnival

When: February 2–4, 2024

What to Expect: This ski town celebrates the height of snow season with a grand parade, a "Penguin Plunge," a pancake breakfast, and other events centered around a yearly theme, which in 2024 is "The Greatest Show on Earth." With the circus inspiration comes the promise of "unparalleled thrills, unbelievable spectacles, and unfathomable wonders."

For more information, visit whitefishwintercarnival.com.

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Portland, Oregon: Portland Winter Light Festival

When: February 2–10, 2024

What to Expect: Portland's spectacular Winter Light Festival is an annual event organized by the Willamette Light Brigade, a nonprofit arts organization, presented for free with the goal of bringing together the diverse community of the city during wintertime. Previous festivals have held incredible light parades and interactive exhibits, so we can't wait to see what the group puts together this year!

For more information, visit pdxwlf.com.

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Saranac Lake, New York: Saranac Lake Winter Carnival

When: February 2–11, 2024

What to Expect: The country's longest-running winter festival doesn't mess around. There's curling competitions, contests for the longest icicle, ski racing, and skating. They'll also light the ice palace and host the annual spaghetti dinner.

For more information, visit saranaclakewintercarnival.com.

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Ottawa, Canada: Winterlude

Where: Ottawa, Canada

When: February 2–19, 2024

What to Expect: A beyond-the-border celebration of Canadian culture and, of course, winter. Go ice skating on the famous Rideau Canal Skateway, and be sure to catch the unique Ice Dragon Boat Festival.

For more information, visit ottawatourism.com.

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Steamboat Springs, Colorado: Steamboat Winter Carnival

When: February 7–11, 2024

What to Expect: A Western-flavored celebration of ski culture, complete with horse-and-ski races and other rodeo-inspired activities.

For more information, visit steamboatchamber.com.

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Newport, Rhode, Island: Newport Winter Festival

When: February 16–25, 2024

What to Expect: Festivities usually include more than 100 events over 10 days, from live music to polo matches on the beach.

For more information, visit newportwinterfestival.com.

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Bryce Canyon City, Utah: Bryce Canyon Winter Festival

When: February 17–19, 2024

What to Expect: This traditional cold-weather event is packed with adventurous fun for the whole family. From ski clinics to snowshoeing and outdoor photography classes and dancing. Plus interactive classes like archery, astronomy, and cross country tours.

For more information, visit rubysinn.com/bryce-canyon-winter-festival.

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Anchorage, Alaska: Fur Rendezvous

When: February 22–March 3, 2024

What to Expect: Dogs, reindeer, and more furry friends gather with their owners in Anchorage, Alaska. Be sure to catch snowshoe softball, the always-hilarious "outhouse" races, and multiple sled-dog races.

For more information, visit furrondy.net.

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McCall, Idaho: McCall Winter Carnival

When: February 23–25, 2024

What to Expect: The seasonal gathering celebrates the joy of winter! It was inspired by the 1924 Payette Lake Winter Games, when a train from Boise brought 248 visitors to McCall. Attendees can expect over-the-top snow sculptures, fireworks over Payette Lake, a McPAWS Monster Dog Sled Pull, snowshoe golf, Mardi Gras Parade, lots of live music, and tasty food.

For more information, visit visitmccall.org/events/winter-carnival.

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Tahoe City, California: North Lake Tahoe SnowFest

When: February 29–March 10, 2024

What to Expect: Head to North Lake Tahoe for one of America's largest mountain winter festivals. Each year over 40 events like the BridgeTender Fat Friday celebration, Snow Sculpture Contest, Dog Pull (pictured on the left), Polar Bear Swim, Snow Golf Tournament, and much more take place to raise funds for local nonprofits and student scholarships.

For more information, visit tahoesnowfest.org.

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Hanover, New Hampshire: Dartmouth Winter Carnival

When: February 2024 (TBA)

What to Expect: A college campus-style fest that dates back to 1911 and typically includes a polar bear plunge, races, and an ice sculpture contest. You can always count on a fun theme too— recent years' themes include "Mission: Winter Carnival - License to Chill" and "Winter Caaarrrnival: Shiver Me Timbers."

For more information, visit dartmouth.edu.

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Natalie Schumann is the Associate Editor at Country Living, where she manages CL's social channels and covers country music and entertainment news.

Janece Maze is Associate Editor at Country Living, where she covers DIY projects, gardening, and travel. When she’s not in the kitchen creating a new recipe with farm fresh ingredients, you can find her on the road heading to a music festival or browsing a local consignment shop.  

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