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 in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania (Photo Credit: 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.
PHOTO: Anchorage’s annual Running of the Reindeer (Photo via Roy Neese/Visit Anchorage)
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 (Photo Credit: Jan Murray)
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.
Exterior of the Casa Monica Hotel & Spa during Night of Lights in St. Augustine, Florida. (photo via Casa Monica Resort & Spa) (Photo Credit: (photo via Casa Monica Resort & Spa))
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.
The Fairmont Chateau Frontenac smiles down on the historic streets of Old Quebec (Photo Credit: Debbie Olson)
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.
Ice Palace under fireworks at the Saranac Lake Winter Carnival. (Photo via Rob Madeo / Flickr)
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.
Sculptor at work at the St. Paul Winter Carnival. (Photo via Bala Sivakumar / Flickr)
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 140th 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.
Lodge with Christmas lights in Stowe (Photo via Dicklyon / Wikimedia Commons)
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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