The Best Winter Festivals in the USA

Admin December 4, 2024

Just because it’s a little chilly outside, it doesn’t mean that the festival fun has to get put on hold until spring. No, those searching for fun things to do during December and on through the New Year are spoiled for choice and the following winter festivals are the best of the bunch for the winter of 2024-2025.

Solvang Julefest

As the “Danish Capital of America”, Solvang is arguably the best place in the nation to experience the spirit of the holiday season with a Scandinavian twist, and it all comes together during the California town’s annual JuleFest celebration (November 29 – January 5). In addition to twinkling lights and live music, there are a host of holiday-tastic events like candlelight tours, Makers Markets, the Julefest Parade and caroling. Indeed, regardless of what’s on the calendar when you visit Solvang, you’re certain to be surrounded by the cozy & warm Scandinavian feeling known as hygge.

Dahlonega Old Fashioned Christmas

Once again, the cute mountain town of Dahlonega, Georgia will glow under a sensational display of lights all season long during its Old Fashioned Christmas celebration (November 29 – January 5). The event also features a Christmas market, the beloved Festival of the Trees, carriage rides, a Reindeer Run, tours of historic homes, a Cookie Walk and much more.

The Christmas Prelude

They come from near and far to celebrate the season in Kennebunkport, Maine at this cherished holiday festival, which will run from December 5 to 15 in 2024. From Santa arriving on a lobster boat to the tree lighting ceremonies to the fireworks and Pooch Parade, the Prelude is the perfect way to start the holidays.

Christmas at Greenbrier

Known simply as “America’s Resort”, The Greenbrier Resort in White Sulphur Springs, West Virginia makes the entire season feel special with a host of events. In addition to simply savoring the resort’s setting (which looks like something straight off a Christmas card this time of year), the resort will host horse-drawn carriage rides, ice skating, Christmas displays and a tree-lighting ceremony. To say nothing of the thousands of twinkling lights and nearly 100 decorated trees on the grounds.

The Christmas Capital of Texas

Go to Grapevine, Texas this December, where every day will feature a fun holiday-themed event or another. In total, the town will host over a thousand events during the season, and in addition to the remarkable town lights, just a few of the highlights of the festival include holiday movies & events at the Historic Palace Theater, the North Pole Express train experience, an ice skating rink and even a holiday-themed drone show.

Horses, wagon, carriage, Christmas, holidays, Woodstock, Vermont

Wassail Weekend

Woodstock, Vermont offers the epitome of New England Christmas charm, and during Wassail Weekend (December 13-15), the city overflows with festive spirit with a parade, yule log & memory tree lighting ceremony and more merriness than you can shake a peppermint stick at.

‘It’s a Wonderful Life’ Weekend

Seneca Falls, New York is thought to have been the inspiration for the fictional town of Bedford Falls in It’s a Wonderful Life, and this year the town will celebrate the film during a weekend full of festive events (December 13-15). At the festival, you’ll be able to take part in a host of events themed around the classic film, including the It’s A Wonderful Parade, the chance to get an autograph from a cast member, a Charleston dance contest and more.

Ice Alaska World Ice Art Championships

Each year during the middle of winter, some of the best artistic ice carvers in the world set up shop at The Tanana Valley Fairgrounds in Fairbanks to show their skills, while competing for accolades across a range of categories at this wonderful wintry event. You could make a case that we’re the real winners, as we get to enjoy their gorgeous handiwork against the beautiful backdrop of the Alaska winter. The competition runs from February 17 to March 2, with the sculptures remaining until March 31 (weather permitting).

SNOWFEST

Each late winter, Tahoe City, California comes alive in the dead of winter with 10-plus days of good times dedicated to embracing the season and the High Sierra lifestyle. Activities at this year’s SNOWFEST (February 28 – March 9) include but certainly are not limited to colorful parades (torchlight and daytime), polar bear swims, themed parties, pancake breakfasts and concerts.

International Snow Sculpture Championships

Once again, some of the world’s best snow sculptures will be in Breckenridge, Colorado this winter to show off their skills in turning powder into delightful works of art. At this event (January 24-29, 2025), the snow artists are not allowed to use power tools, which adds to the skill required and the wonder when witnessed in person.

Zehnder’s Snowfest

This snowy shindig has been delighting crowds in the dead of the Michigan winter for over three decades now, and this year’s edition promises to be yet another memorable one. Taking place in Frankenmuth, Winterfest 2025 (January 29 – February 2) will feature both snow and ice sculpting competitions across a range of categories, a petting zoo, live music, fireworks and much more.

Saranac Lake Winter Carnival

This winter festival in New York has been pleasing the crowds in the heart of the Adirondacks since 1897. You’re sure to fall for the charm of Saranac and its signature event (January 31 – February 9) as you’ll be treated to days full of fun things to do like arctic golf, curling, frying pan tossing, inner tubing, live music and fireworks. All of this in addition to the famous Ice Palace, a striking structure made entirely of local blocks.

St. Paul Winter Carnival

One of the originals in the game of winter festivals, Minnesota’s St. Paul Winter Carnival will celebrate its 139th birthday in 2025 (January 23 to February 2) with a stellar roster of frosty and fun ways to celebrate winter in the North. Signature events typically include a series of snow sculpture displays, scavenger hunts, a parade, an ice fishing tournament and the like-nothing-else coronation of King Boreas—the Mighty Monarch of Ice & Snow—and the Queen of the Snows.

ice sculpture, Michigan Tech, Winter Carnival

Lititz Fire & Ice Festival

Over 10 days each winter (February 14-23, 2025), the charming Lancaster County town of Lititz morphs into an icy wonderland and you’re invited to join in on the good times. Expect ice sculptures, a chili cook-off, food trucks, live music and a Winter Funderland attraction for kids.

Blowing Rock WinterFest

This year will be the 27th edition of this beloved winter event (January 23-26) in Blowing Rock, North Carolina. Visit to take part or watch the Polar Dunk, Polar Bear Plunge, ice carving and tomahawk throwing, or just sample the great food, beer and wine available at the festival. As they say in these parts, “Don’t hibernate, celebrate!”.

Lake Geneva Winterfest

This year will mark the 30th edition of this wildly popular festival in Lake Geneva, Wisconsin, an event that combines America’s Snow Sculpting Invitational with tons of family fun (January 29 – February 2). Besides the wonder of the snow sculptures, attendees will be able to enjoy events like Bonfires on the Beach and Downtown Ice Sculptures in addition to sampling lots of great food & drink.

Newport Winter Festival

The water may be a little cold for swimming and the local sailboats may be put away for the season, but that doesn’t mean that this gorgeous coastal town doesn’t have fun all winter long. For over 37 years, Newport Winter Festival (February 14-23) has been delighting locals and visitors alike and this year’s festival will once again feature comedy & magic shows, live music, a tropical drink contest, a chili cook-off, ice carving demonstrations and a host of activities for the kids.

Pinedale Winter Carnival

Each year in the frosty heart of winter, Pinedale, Wyoming throws a seasonal party complete with its one-of-a-kind Cardboard Classic “sled” races and crazy skijoring competitions. Winter Carnival also features an organized Snow Ball social and snow sculptures among many other fun things to do. February 7-9, 2025.

For the latest travel news, updates and deals, subscribe to the daily TravelPulse newsletter.