For some, winter is a time to stay inside and wish for warmer weather. In Upstate New York, it’s a reason to celebrate.
From ice palaces and polar plunges to chili cook-offs, wing walks and fireworks, festivals across the Adirondacks, Finger Lakes and Western New York show the snowy season is anything but quiet.
Here is a list of just some of the winter festivals found around Upstate NY.
When: Jan. 16-18
Where: Pulaski, NY
Details: Prepare your taste buds for a winter weekend feast in Upstate New York. The Central New York village of Pulaski will host live music, an indoor cornhole tournament and a mac-and-cheese challenge Friday, followed by a wing walk Saturday and a chili cook-off Sunday.
Nearby, Selkirk Shores State Park will offer horse-drawn sleigh and wagon rides, along with snowshoeing. The town of Richland will also join the festivities with a craft show and a cornhole tournament.
When: Jan. 17
Where: Mt. Sabattis, Geiger Arena, Long Lake
Details: Bundle up for a full day of winter fun in the heart of the Adirondacks at the Long Lake Winter Carnival. The all-ages celebration features free ice skating and sledding throughout the day, along with a roaring bonfire and a live ice-carving demonstration. This year’s schedule also includes cardboard sled races, a kids balloon chase, the Ladies Frying Pan Toss, Men’s Keg Toss and the return of the crowd-favorite broomball tournament. The coronation of Winter Carnival royalty and a grand fireworks display cap off the festivities. Food will be available from the Long Lake Fire Department, and organizers say the event goes on rain, snow or shine — part of the fun of winter in the Adirondacks.
Joshua Isralowitz, dressed as a banana, hangs out after plunging into the Long Pond during the 40th Annual Winter Festival hosted by Grafton Lakes State Park and the Friends of the Grafton Lakes State Park on Saturday, Jan. 18, 2025, in Grafton, NY. (Jim Franco/Albany Times Union via Getty Images)Jim Franco/Albany Times Union via Getty ImagesGrafton Lakes State Park Winterfest
When: Jan. 17
Where: Grafton Lakes State Park, Grafton
Details: Celebrate the coolest season in the Capital Region at the 41st annual Winter Festival at Grafton Lakes State Park. The free event kicks off with a chilly polar plunge, complete with a prize for the silliest costume, so plan your winter beachwear accordingly. The festival also features snowshoeing and kicksled adventures, snow bowling, a snowball toss, snowmobile rides and horse-drawn wagon rides. Live animals will be on site for educational talks, and food trucks will be available. Attendees are encouraged to bring cash in case vendors do not have Wi-Fi service.
When: Jan. 17
Where: Mendon Ponds Park
Details: Held in historic Mendon Ponds Park, the Monroe County Winterfest outside of Rochester will once again offer free games and entertainment for the whole family. Gear up for the second annual Hot Cocoa Run hosted by Fleet Feet and YellowJacket Racing which features a trail run, road run and kid races.
Alexandria Bay Winter Carnival
When: Jan. 28 – Feb. 8
Where: Village of Alexandria Bay
Details: Beautiful Alexandria Bay in Northern NY is not just for enjoying in summer. The village is planning a bonfire, trivia, volleyball tournament, and more.
Under the eyes of Avah Gladle, reindeer “Martha,” front, and “Cindy Lou Hoo” on Saturday, February 1 at the Winter Fair in Syracuse, New York. (Arthur Maiorella | Contributing Photographer)(Arthur Maiorella | Contributing Photographer)Syracuse Winter Fair
When: Jan. 30-Feb. 1
Where: New York State Fairgrounds, Syracuse
Details: Braving the elements not your idea of a winter festival? The Syracuse Winter Fair delivers all the fun without the cold, featuring indoor midway rides such as a roller coaster, giant slide, merry-go-round and The Avenger — a swinging pendulum ride that spins and flips riders upside down.
The fair also includes live music, performances by local students and even live reindeer. Visitors can snack on state fair favorites like pizze fritte and sausage sandwiches while browsing craft vendors and other attractions. Fireworks will light up the sky Friday and Saturday nights.
When: Jan. 31 – Feb. 1
Where: Belleayre Mountain and Kingston
Details: The Hudson Valley LGBTQ+ Community Center will host a three-day celebration of winter fun, community and queer visibility in the Catskill Mountains. The event brings together LGBTQ+ community members and allies for skiing, snowboarding and off-slope festivities near Belleayre Mountain, with opportunities to explore LGBTQ+-owned and allied shops, restaurants and bars in nearby communities such as Big Indian, Phoenicia and Mount Tremper. Highlights include a Pride glide down the mountain Saturday afternoon and evening entertainment throughout Ulster County.
When: Jan. 31 – Feb. 1
Where: Hunter Mountain
Details: Celebrate diversity on the slopes at the second tallest mountain in the Catskills. The community focused weekend will feature skiing and snowboarding, live music, giveaways, and food.
Cooperstown Winter Carnival celebrates the season with fireworks, ice skating, live music, scavenger hunt and more. Cooperstown Winter Carnival | Provided photoCooperstown Winter Carnival | Provided photoCooperstown Winter Carnival
When: Feb. 5-8
Where: Main Street, Cooperstown
Details: Plan a winter weekend in historic Cooperstown and enjoy a hot cocoa kick-off with fireworks, disco party, sledding, rock climbing contest, cake walk, mitten knitting competition, snowman contest, and more.
The Saranac Lake Winter Carnival 2025 runs from Jan. 31-Feb. 9. It includes the annual ice palace, fireworks, snowshoe races and more. Chad Van Slyke | @cvsfishing on InstagramChad Van Slyke | @cvsfishing on InstagramSaranac Lake Winter Carnival
When: Feb. 6-15
Where: Saranac Lake
Details: This 10-day winter festival packs in nonstop fun, featuring an ice palace, gala parade, icicle contest, inner tube races, snow rugby, a chocolate festival, a frying pan toss, fireworks, ultimate frisbee and more. Try out FlowerBall, a game best described as a cross between shuffleboard and curling. Fan-favorite events return with the Blue Buns Wheel-a-Palooza, a bathing suit–clad bike ride around town, along with a family night at the ice palace. Organizers have announced this year’s theme as “Cartoonival.”
The annual Lake George Winter Carnival is held each weekend in February, filled with events, music, fireworks and more. If the lake freezes over, races will be held on the ice. Provided photo | Lake George Winter CarnivalProvided photo | Lake George Winter CarnivalLake George Winter Carnival
When: Saturdays and Sundays, Feb. 7 – Mar. 8
Where: Lake George Village
Details: Every weekend in February you can find a bounty of winter activities to do in Lake George including a parade, keg toss, hot chocolate bar, chili and chowder cook-offs, outhouse races, polar plunge, snow golf, lumberjack competitions, fireworks, and more. If the lake freezes over, there will also be motorcycle, ATV and car races on the ice.
When: Feb. 6-7
Where: Locations throughout Clifton Park
Details: Bonfires, s’mores, horse-drawn carriage rides and plenty of hot cocoa help kick off Winterfest in Clifton Park, just north of Albany. The annual celebration typically features fan-favorite traditions such as the Taste of Clifton Park Soup Contest, sledding and ice fishing (weather permitting), outhouse races, outdoor story times and more.
Joe Santimaw, of Brewerton, found the The 2024 Post-Standard and syracuse.com Treasure Hunt medallion on Tuesday, Feb. 20, 2024, at Oneida Shores Park. (Julia Carden | Contributing photographer)Julia Carden | Contributing photographerSyracuse Winterfest
When: Feb. 12-22
Where: Downtown Syracuse
Details: Explore Syracuse with 10 days of events which include fireworks, ice skating, wing walk, chili cookoff and annual Medallion Treasure Hunt sponsored by syracuse.com and The Post-Standard.
Western New York’s Mayville Winter Festival celebrates the season with an ice castle, carriage rides, fireworks and more over Presidents’ Day weekend. Mayville Winter Festival | Provided photoMayville Winter Festival | Provided photoMayville Winter Festival
When: Feb. 13-15
Where: Lakeside Park, Mayville, NY
Details: Tucked into the northwest corner of New York at the head of Chautauqua Lake, the village of Mayville hosts its annual Winter Festival over Presidents’ Day weekend, one of Western New York’s cold-weather highlights. The longtime celebration typically features an ice castle along the lakefront, fireworks over the ice and a full slate of outdoor fun, including a snowball-throwing contest, horse-drawn carriage rides, a snowmobile parade, a pet parade and a polar plunge into Chautauqua Lake.
Canandaigua Fire & Ice Festival
When: Feb. 21-22
Where: Downtown Canandaigua
Details: The Canandaigua Fire & Ice Festival brings winter to life each February in downtown Canandaigua, pairing dramatic ice carvings with high-energy fire performances along Main Street. The two-day festival features live ice-carving demonstrations, fire shows, horse-drawn wagon rides, live music and food and drink specials from local businesses, drawing thousands to the heart of the Finger Lakes for one of the region’s signature winter events.
Holiday Valley Winter Carnival
When: Feb. 21-22
Where: Downtown Canandaigua
Details: Squeezing out every last bit of winter, Holiday Valley Resort in Ellicottville celebrates the end of ski season with a two-day Winter Carnival featuring fun on and off the slopes. Events typically include the popular Yodeler Snowbar, a hot dog cookout, pancake breakfast and the comical Dummy Downhill, where participants launch homemade dummies off a ski jump to see how well they fly. Festivities extend into the village of Ellicottville with a Mardi Gras parade and additional celebrations.