10 Winter Festivals In New York That Are Simply Unforgettable
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Lea Monroe
Author
It’s always hard to believe when frigid winter weather arrives and some of our favorite holidays begin to quickly sneak up on us. If you manage to get all of your seasonal shopping out of the way and find yourself with a gracious amount of free time and are looking for winter festivals in New York, we know of several that can keep you busy. Full of cheer and wintry spirit, these New York festivals will make the winter simply unforgettable.
Ice Palace at the Saranac Lake Winter Carnival, 22 River St, Saranac Lake, NY 12983, USA
A New York winter festival that you'll want to see at least once in your lifetime, Saranac Lake's annual Winter Carnival goes above and beyond to create the perfect winter wonderland. The main attraction of the festival is a stunning ice palace that's made out of ice that comes right from Lake Flower! The festival both kicks off and concludes with an amazing fireworks display that looks spectacular above the ice palace. With concerts, games, parades, and more, you'll love planning a trip around this amazing event! Read more about the Saranac Lake Winter Carnival.
A festival you'll fall in love with, Skaneateles hosts their annual Dickens Festival, and it's as charming as you could possibly ever imagine. Celebrating the holiday season in an old-fashioned style, the event takes place every Saturday and Sunday after Thanksgiving up until Christmas. Visitors can stroll through Skaneateles and see 50 Dickens characters dressed up in their full nostalgic attire. There is delicious food, live music, and amazing horse-drawn rides throughout the area. Want to learn more about one of the best winter festivals near me in Skaneateles? Check out this other write-up for the Skaneateles Dickens Festival.
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Festival of Lights, 5600 McKinley Pkwy, Hamburg, NY 14075, USA
Western New York's largest holiday festival, the Hamburg-Erie County Fairgrounds hosts a splendid Festival of Lights! It runs from the end of November until the end of December on weekends beginning at 5 p.m. The list of things to do at this New York winter festival seems endless, but to name a few of our favorites, visitors will be able to enjoy a winter wonderland workshop, a drive-thru light display, a 3-D adventure with Frosty, a Christmas tree forest and so much more! Get more information on visiting the Fairground Festival of Lights.
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Shepard Park Beach, Lake George, NY 12845, USA
If you're looking to enjoy a fun New York winter festival that comes with a bit more adventure, then try one of New York's polar plunges into Lake George! While jumping into a lake during the winter may seem like an outlandish idea to throw out to some New Yorkers, hundreds of residents annually flock to this polar plunge to see how cold things can really get. Taking place in Shepard Park, the plunge is held the beginning of January to welcome the new year. Read more to plan your visit to the Lake George Polar Plunge.
Canada Street, Canada St, Lake George, NY 12845, USA
Another reason you'll want to check out the Adirondack village of Lake George this winter? Every weekend in February, they host the Lake George Winter Carnival! Find out what you can expect from the Lake George Winter Carnival.
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Our Lady of Fatima Shrine, 1023 Swann Rd, Youngstown, NY 14174, USA
In the village of Youngstown out in Western New York, you can find the beautiful Our Lady of Fatima Shrine. This New York winter festival shines brightly from mid-November through mid-January. The event of lights features over 70 holiday displays. Those who come to see the unique displays will be able to check out the cafeteria for hot chocolate and other snacks to help keep you warm. Read more about the Fatima Shrine Festival of Lights.
St. Lawrence County, St Lawrence County, NY, USA
Occurring during February, the Adirondack White Out Weekend is a great festival for families and younger residents to enjoy! A relatively new festival to the area, the weekend offers plenty of activities for children, crafts, live music, outdoor recreation, and even wildlife presentations! Stay up to date on the Adirondack White Out Weekend.
Syracuse, NY, USA
Looking for a winter festival near me in Syracuse? Taking place from mid-February through the end of February, the city's festival features both indoor and outdoor events and has amazing cook-offs that take place! With fun for visitors of all ages, you'll find a variety of activities from trivia games to drink mix-offs and kids' games. Get all the details and latest updates on the Syracuse Winterfest.
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A Frosty Fest, 778 Broadway, Rte 9W, Ulster Park, NY 12487, USA
If you've only ever visited the Headless Horseman Hayrides in Ulster Park during the fall, then it's time you come and see how these guys do winter! Creating a winter wonderland for all those who decide to visit, just south of Kingston, you can find this magical event that comes to life for the season. This New York winter festival has its own enchanted forest, candy cane lane, magical mansion, and North Pole that will have your eyes lighting up with holiday cheer. Learn more about what you can expect from a visit to A Frosty Fest.
Update: Sparkle at Boscobel is no longer a festival held each December.
If you've never taken a trip to Garrison to see the magnificent Boscobel House & Gardens, then this holiday spectacular may be the most wonderful excuse for you to come and check this place out. Taking place December 9th & 10th as well as December 16th and 17th, you'll be able to explore the historic grounds that are decorated in holiday cheer for the season. From 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. you can check out the grounds and activities as you please, but if you wish to experience the Twilight Tours that run from 4:30 p.m. through 7:30 p.m., you'll have to make a reservation! Candlelit pathways and winter trolley rides await you.
If you've never taken a trip to Garrison to see the magnificent Boscobel House & Gardens, then this holiday spectacular may be the most wonderful excuse for you to come and check this place out. Taking place December 9th & 10th as well as December 16th and 17th, you'll be able to explore the historic grounds that are decorated in holiday cheer for the season. From 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. you can check out the grounds and activities as you please, but if you wish to experience the Twilight Tours that run from 4:30 p.m. through 7:30 p.m., you'll have to make a reservation! Candlelit pathways and winter trolley rides await you.
What’s your favorite winter festival in New York? Tell us in the comments!
If you’re in need of other ways to stay busy during the month of December, try taking a trip to The North Pole!
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More to Explore
Winter in New York
What are the best winter festivals in NYC?
There are several winter festivals in NYC. One of the most notable is the NYC Winter Lantern Festival. There are actually four events that take place throughout the boroughs as well as on Long Island:
- Journey to the East: This takes place on Staten Island at the SIUH Community Park. It is a walking experience.
- Illuminate the Farm: This takes place in Queens at the Queens County Farm Museum. It is a walking experience.
- Drive-Thru Adventure: This takes place on Long Island in Nassau County at the Nassau County Museum of Art. It is a driving experience.
- Suffolk Winter Lantern Festival. This takes place on Long Island in Suffolk County at the Smithtown Historical Society. It is a walking experience.
Can I ride the Polar Express in New York?
You can ride a Polar Express in New York from several places. But one of the most popular is the Catskill Mountain Railroad. Located in Kingston, this scenic train company becomes the Polar Express from mid-November until the end of December. This 1950s vintage coach train brings guests to the “North Pole,” where Santa and his elves board. Expect hot chocolate, cookies, caroling, and more on this hour and 40-minute ride.
Where can I go skiing in New York?
There are plenty of places to go skiing in New York. In fact, there are over 50 ski resorts scattered throughout the state. Here are just a few:
- Gore Mountain: Located in North Creek, this ski resort has more than 100 trails, a 2,547-foot vertical drop, and 14 lifts. And if downhill skiing isn’t your thing, you can also cross-country ski and snowshoe here.
- Holiday Valley Resort: Located in Ellicottville, this ski resort has 58 trails, a 750-foot vertical drop, and 13 lifts. There are also four terrain parks and snow tubing available.
- Catamount Ski Resort: Located in Hillsdale, this ski resort is an excellent place for newbies to start, as many of its 40 trails are for beginners. There are six lifts, two terrain parks, and a progression park. The mountain has a 1,000-foot vertical drop. You can also enjoy night skiing here.