Winter Festivals: Highlighting Markets, Light Shows and Seasonal Celebrations

by Noreen Kompanik
Last updated: 7:00 PM ET, Fri November 28, 2025

When temperatures start to drop, North America’s towns heat up with markets, festivals, light shows and celebrations of the season.

Even those who may not prefer the colder temps, don’t mind bundling up to enjoy these impressive destinations with twinkly lights, ice castles, snow sculptures, polar plunges, ice skating, sled-dog races and more. Some you may know; some might be a total surprise, but they are all fun and festive.

Christkindlmarkt: Bethlehem, Pennsylvania

Christkindlmarkt- Bethlehem, PA

One of the largest Christmas markets in the U.S. and a major holiday tradition, Bethlehem’s Christkindlmarkt is a beloved German-inspired holiday market that runs from November 14 to December 21, 2025.

The event features hundreds of artisans showcasing unique, handcrafted goods, including ornaments, woodwork, glass, textiles and jewelry, along with seasonal treats and beverages served in a festive atmosphere. The market draws thousands of visitors each year, sporting live performances, holiday music, a winter wonderland, light show, ice sculpting demonstrations and a Crayola Creativity Station for the kids.

Fur Rendezvous- Anchorage, AK

Anchorage’s major winter festival also known as ‘Fur Rondy’ was founded in the mid-1930s to coincide with the time fur trappers came into town with their harvest. Over time, it’s grown into a 10+ day celebration with all types of quirky, traditional and ‘very Alaskan’ winter events.

Key events and traditions of the festival to be held February 26 to March 8, 2026, include the Open World Championship Sled Dog Races, hilarious Outhouse Races, Running of the Reindeer, snow sculpture championship, Alaska Native-style event called the Blanket Toss, along with carnival rides, a theatrical melodrama, grand parade and fireworks. In 2012, National Geographic named it the #1 winter carnival in the world.

Montréal en Lumiere Winter Festival- Montreal, Canada

This vibrant celebration of winter magic is held in the Quartier de Spectacles and includes over 100 events. Running from February 27 to March 6, 2026, the event is known for its amazing culinary offerings, with over 225 restaurants participating and more than 90 guest chefs from around the world in a city that transforms into a winter wonderland

The enchanting festival is one of Canada’s most popular winter events offering not only gastronomic feasts, but fascinating light installations and projections, cultural activities, artistic performances and a giant Ferris wheel, outdoor skating, snow sculptures and Nuit Blanche (White Night), the highlight of the festival held all night long on the last Saturday of the event.

St. Augustine, St. Augustine Florida, Casa Monica, Casa Monica Hotel & Spa, St. Augustine in Winter

Nights of Lights St. Augustine, FL

One of the most enchanting holiday events in the U.S., the Nights of Lights celebration dazzles with more than three million lights adorning every corner of St. Augustine’s historic district. This year’s event runs from November 15, 2025 to January 11, 2026.

Businesses stay open late, and trains and trolleys offer seasonal tours through America’s oldest city. The event also includes holiday concerts, an outdoor ice-skating rink, a Christmas parade and the St. Augustine Lighted Boat Parade along the Intracoastal Waterway. Even though the city doesn’t experience snow, it is transformed into a beautiful twinkling winter wonderland that feels like something out of a Hallmark movie.

Carnaval de Quebec, Québec City, Canada

From February 6-15, 2026, magical Québec City hosts a magnificent winter carnaval, attracting visitors from all over the world to its charming UNWSCO World Heritage site along the picturesque St. Lawrence River.

Bonhomme is the carnaval’s official mascot, a giant, lovable snowman with a red sash appearing in parades, greeting visitors, and appearing in the Bonhomme Ice Palace that showcases ice sculptures and other artistic displays. Grande Défilé is a spectacular nighttime parade with marching bands, colorful floats, live performers and thousands of lights. And of course, being Québec, there’s plenty of traditional food such as poutine, tarte au sucre (sugar pie) and tourtière (a meat pie).

The event blends the beauty of its snowy landscapes with vibrant cultural traditions, outdoor “snowy” activity and lots of fun festivity.

ICE! & Christmas Gaylord Palms, Orlando, FL

Experience ‘So Much Christmas’ with dazzling displays, holiday shows, tempting treats and festive activities at Gaylord Hotel’s ICE! featuring beloved scenes from the movie Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer brought to life through two million tons of colorful, colossal ice sculptures.

The display also includes more than three million dazzling Christmas lights throughout the resort with characters such as Rudolph, the Abominable Snowman, Santa and Mrs. Claus.

Saranac Lake Winter Carnival, ice palace

Saranac Lake Winter Carnival- NY

Bundle up for this charming carnival to be held February 6-15, 2026, in the Adirondack Mountains surrounding the village of Saranac Lake.

The centerpiece of the festival is the Ice Palace, built entirely from ice and snow by volunteers over the course of several weeks and illuminated at night. Other events include ski races, sledding, the Frozen 5K race across Lake Flower, snow sculpting contests, parades, live entertainment, a throwback snowball dance, ice fishing and the polar plunge, where brave souls jump into the icy lake waters to raise money for charity. Visitors won’t want to miss the quirky ‘Lades Frying Pan Toss’ for a good local laugh.

St. Paul Winter Carnival, St. Paul, MN

This 10-day festival celebrating “winter spirit” is heralded as the nation’s largest and most iconic cold-weather festival and the oldest in the U.S., featuring ice carvings, snow sculptures and a variety of winter activities that cater to all ages and interests.

The 140^th festival is scheduled for January 22 to February 1, 2026. Organized by the non-profit Saint Paul Festival & Heritage Foundation, many of its events are free or low cost. The Winter Carnival features an Ice Palace, parades, a medallion hunt, ice fishing, parades, fireworks and even a royal coronation.

Stowe Winter Carnival- Stowe, VT

The village of Stowe comes alive in late January with its annual Winter Carnival, an exciting mix of outdoor sports, winter activities and local celebrations. The 2026 event will take place from January 29 to February 1.

Hosted by the Stowe Area Association, the carnival is designed to showcase and highlight the town’s winter offering such as skiing, snowboarding, cross-country skiing, snowshoeing, fat bike racing on snowy trails, and ice skating surrounded by the area’s unique charm and history. One of the most popular events includes the Tug-of-War on ice, a fun and lighthearted competition on a frozen lake.

The Torchlight Parade features skiers and snowboarders carrying torches down the mountain, followed by a lively fireworks display.

Village of Lights: Christmastown, Leavenworth, WA

Every December, the Bavarian-style town of Leavenworth, Washington showcases the Leavenworth Village of Lights, the epitome of Christmas with sleigh rides, a nutcracker museum and even a reindeer farm where visitors can feed these majestic animals.

The event is a celebration of the holiday season with over half a million lights illuminating the alpine town’s streets, creek, buildings and trees, along with holiday markets, festive activities and live entertainment. One of the highlights of the Leavenworth holiday season is the Bavarian-style Christkindlmarkt that takes place on weekends during the Village of Lights Festival. Here you’ll find a variety of local crafts, German holiday treats, traditional German food and festive gifts.

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