Winter is a magical time when travelers immerse themselves in cultural celebrations that light up the coldest months. As the world transforms into a wonderland of snow and ice, people celebrate with winter festivals that showcase their traditions, music, and cuisine. From the dazzling ice sculptures in China to the electrifying beats of Montreal’s coldest music festival, these winter festivities around the world invite you to embrace the season’s wonders.
Keep reading to explore the top 10 winter festivals around the world that will ignite your wanderlust and keep your spirits warm.
1. Amsterdam Light Festival: Netherlands
Date: November 28, 2024 to January 19, 2025
The Amsterdam Light Festival, a cherished tradition for the past 12 years, will shine even brighter in its 13th edition, celebrating Amsterdam’s 750th anniversary. Running from November 28, 2024, to January 19, 2025, this year’s festival theme, Rituals, invites over 25 artists to light up the city’s iconic canals with specially created artworks. Transforming Amsterdam’s canals into a mesmerizing open-air gallery, the festival features over 20 unique light installations.
These winter celebrations can be enjoyed from both the water and land. Lights are displayed daily from 5:00 to 10:00 or 11:00 p.m., except December 31. You can explore the festival through canal cruises, bike rides, or walking tours. Additional information is available at Stoperaplein and the Light Garden in Hoftuin, offering extra art, food, and drink options.
To fully enjoy the festival and the vibrant city, consider staying at nearby hotels in Amsterdam. For a luxurious experience, book a room at The Dylan Amsterdam, renowned for its chic design and central location, or choose The Hoxton, which provides stylish comfort and easy access to the festival’s highlights.
2. Frozen Fire Festival: Salem, Massachusetts, USA
Date: December 26, 2024 to January 1, 2025
The Frozen Fire Festival is a premier winter event designed to revitalize public spaces with a blend of fire and ice. Launched in 2022, this vibrant festival offers a captivating experience with stunning fire and ice installations, dynamic cirque performances, and engaging activities. Attendees can warm up by fire pits and heaters while enjoying live music, fire shows, and ice sculpting demonstrations.
The festival features artisan shopping with handcrafted goods from local artists and a Frozen Fire Festival Gift Shop for unique keepsakes like handmade jewelry and ceramics. Visitors of all ages can also enjoy free curling matches on-site. The festival offers igloos with cozy lighting and heating for extra comfort and luxury. Whether exploring the artisan stalls, participating in curling, or relaxing in a custom igloo, it promises a memorable experience as a highlight of winter festivals.
After enjoying the festival, you might look for a cozy place to stay. The hotels in Salem provide charming accommodations with a historic touch. Consider staying at the The Merchant Hotel for its elegant decor or The Salem Inn, known for its warm hospitality and proximity to local attractions.
3. Harbin Ice & Snow Festival: Harbin, Heilongjiang, China
Date: January 5, 2025 to February 28, 2025
The Harbin Ice & Snow Festival is the world’s largest ice and snow sculpture event, and it will hold its 41st edition in 2025. The festival officially opens on January 5, 2025, but you can start exploring from mid-December. Harbin City lies close to the Russian border and experiences some of the coldest temperatures in China during the winter.
The grand Harbin Ice and Snow World features elaborate ice sculptures, castles, slides, a giant Ferris wheel, and spectacular night shows. For a more relaxed experience, visit the Harbin Sun Island International Snow Sculpture Art Expo (starting December 20, 2024) and the Ice Lantern Art Fair at Zhaolin Park (from late December 2024).
Additional highlights include the Ice Lantern Show at Rongchuang Amusement Park, the Harbin Songhua River Ice and Snow Carnival, the Ice Collecting Festival on the Songhua River, and the Yabuli Skiing Festival. You should dress warmly with temperatures plunging to -35°C (-31°F). The festival runs until early March, and the ice sculptures gradually melt as the season concludes.
After enjoying the festival, you’ll need a cozy place to stay. The hotels in Harbin offer a range of options, including the luxurious Sofitel Wanda Hotel Harbin and the Harbin Shangri-La Hotel, which provide comfort and easy access to festival events.
4. World Snow Festival: Grindelwald, Switzerland
Date: January 13 to 18, 2025
The World Snow Festival in Grindelwald is a premier winter festival celebrating icy artistry. This year’s event, themed “Tradition,” features international artists sculpting from three-meter-high snow blocks. Set in the picturesque Eiger village, the festival transforms the streets into a dazzling open-air gallery.
Artists from around the globe craft stunning snow sculptures, judged on originality, topicality, and skill. You can watch the creation process daily from 8:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. in Eiger+ Nordwandplatz and Bärplatz and from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. in the Männlichen ski area. Spectators can also vote for their favorite sculptures. Since its inception in 1983 with a giant Heidi sculpture, the World Snow Festival has become a cultural highlight in Grindelwald.
Hotels in Grindelwald range from luxurious resorts to charming boutique stays. For a top-notch experience, try the Hotel Belvedere Grindelwald for its stunning views and amenities or the Hotel Spinne for its cozy atmosphere and proximity to the ski slopes.
5. World of Winter: Grand Rapids, Michigan, USA
Date: January 10 to Mar 2, 2025
The World of Winter is the largest winter festival in the U.S., transforming Downtown Grand Rapids into a dazzling winter wonderland. This two-month festival showcases over 150 events, including spectacular art installations and ice sculptures. It is recognized as one of the 10 Most Epic U.S. Winter Festivals Worth Braving the Cold For. With over 100 activities designed for all ages, it’s ideal for family outings, friend meetups, or romantic getaways. As one of the top festivals in winter, it highlights the best seasonal celebrations.
Grand Rapids’ proximity to nature also enhances the winter experience, offering easy access to skiing, snowboarding, sledding, ice fishing, and cross-country skiing. Check back in December for updated details on the World of Winter 2025.
For a comfortable stay during the World of Winter Festival, consider hotels in Grand Rapids that offer both convenience and amenities. The Amway Grand Plaza Hotel and the JW Marriott Grand Rapids are excellent options with central locations and luxurious accommodations.
6. Sapporo Snow Festival: Sapporo, Japan
Date: February 4 to 11, 2025
The Sapporo Snow Festival is a major winter event transforming Sapporo into a dazzling winter wonderland. The festival offers a diverse range of attractions, including massive snow and ice sculptures, giant slides, and interactive activities.
The main site, Odori Park, stretches approximately 1.5 kilometers and showcases impressive snow sculptures over 15 meters tall, along with popular projection mapping shows. The second-largest venue, the Tsudome venue, features snowy activities like snow slides and snow rafting, making it ideal for family fun. The smaller Susukino site hosts around 100 intricate ice sculptures and the Ice Sculpture Contest.
Best of all, entry to the festival venues is free, allowing you to fully immerse yourself in the winter magic of Sapporo without additional cost.
After enjoying the snow and ice sculptures, you can unwind in hotels in Sapporo. Consider staying at the JR Tower Hotel Nikko Sapporo for luxurious amenities or the Sapporo Grand Hotel for its central location and excellent service.
7. Steamboat Springs Colorado Winter Carnival: Steamboat Springs, Colorado, USA
Date: February 5 to 9, 2025
The 112th Steamboat Springs Colorado Winter Carnival is one of the standout winter festivities worldwide. Hosted by the Steamboat Springs Winter Sports Club and sponsored by Yampa Valley Bank, it unites the community to celebrate athleticism, winter, and Steamboat’s rich Western traditions and ski heritage.
First held in 1914, the carnival was originally intended to help residents forget the hardships of winter and bring joy back to a snow-bound valley. Today, it honors the snow and winter sports that have made Steamboat Springs known as Ski Town, USA.
This winter festival features many exciting activities, including an impressive street parade, a grandiose fireworks show, fiery hoops, ski jumps, skiing and snowboarding events, and various food and handicraft stands.
Choosing the right accommodations is key to fully enjoying the Steamboat Springs Winter Carnival experience. Hotels in Steamboat Springs, like Ptarmigan Inn, offer direct access to the slopes. The Sheraton Steamboat Resort Villas provide upscale amenities and direct access to the ski slopes.
8. Winter Lights Festival: Reykjavík, Iceland
Date: February 6 to 9, 2025
The Winter Lights Festival in 2025 marks the 20th edition of this annual event in Reykjavík. Spanning all six municipalities of the capital area, the festival celebrates the unique interplay of light and darkness as the city emerges from the depths of winter. The event honors the winter world and the increasing sunlight after a long period of darkness, creating a vibrant atmosphere in the city.
The festival is built around three main pillars: Museum Night, Swimming Pool Night, and Light Artworks. Over 150 events are planned, featuring contributions from numerous artists who creatively enhance the city. The program offers a rich mix of art, industry, environment, history, sports, and culture, providing entertainment for locals and visitors. Reykjavík’s major museums, thermal pools, and even a ski resort participate, making the Winter Lights Festival a diverse and engaging experience.
For those planning to fully participate in the Winter Lights Festival, hotels in Reykjavík offer a range of options, from cozy stays near the city’s cultural hotspots to luxurious retreats with stunning views. Consider booking a room at the Icelandair Hotel Reykjavik Marina for its vibrant atmosphere or the Canopy by Hilton Reykjavik City Centre for its central location and modern amenities.
9. Whitefish Winter Carnival: Whitefish, Montana
Date: February 7 to 9, 2025
The Whitefish Winter Carnival, rooted in the legend of the Nordic god Ullr, is celebrating its 63rd anniversary from February 7 to 9, 2025. This Montana winter festival kicks off with the Penguin Plunge, where brave participants dive into the icy waters of Whitefish Lake to support charity. The carnival continues with a grand parade, snow sculpture contest, kiddie carnival, pie social, beer barter, Rotary pancake breakfast, and Art Expo, with most events open to the public and free of charge.
Embracing Nordic traditions, the festival transforms the town into a winter wonderland featuring ski races, Yeti snow skates, snowboard competitions, torchlight parades, and fireworks. Highlights include skijoring, where horses pull skiers, and the popular Penguin Plunge, which benefits the Special Olympics. Despite the cold, locals and you join the festivities, making this carnival a quintessential Montana winter experience.
Hotels in Whitefish provide cozy retreats after a day of festivities. Options include The Lodge at Whitefish Lake, which offers beautiful lake views, and the Grouse Mountain Lodge, which offers convenient access to the carnival and nearby ski slopes.
10. Igloofest: Montreal, Canada
Date: February 14 to 16, 2025
Igloofest, hailed as the world’s coldest music festival, will return for its 16th edition from February 14 to 16, 2025, at Jacques-Cartier Quay in Montreal, QC. As one of the most iconic winter music festivals, Igloofest attracts thousands of electronic music enthusiasts yearly with its frigid temperatures and vibrant atmosphere.
Since its inception in 2007, Igloofest has become a winter staple, featuring a diverse lineup of local and international artists. It is celebrated for striking visual and architectural elements, including an impressive igloo village. As the festival’s reputation for delivering an unforgettable experience grows, attendees are encouraged to don vintage snow suits and Igloo beanies to enjoy the best beats in a truly unique setting.
For a comfortable stay, consider hotels in Montreal like the Hotel Bonaventure Montreal, which offers convenient access to the Old Port. Another great option is the Hôtel William Gray, which is downtown festivities, historic sites, cultural venues, and nightlife.
Takeaway
Winter festivals around the world make the cold months exciting and fun. From amazing snow sculptures in Switzerland to dazzling lights in Amsterdam, these festivals let you experience winter in a new way. Dive into the magic of winter with these unique celebrations and see how different cultures enjoy the season.
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