There are so many places in America to travel this festival season. With winters around the corner, you might want to have a look at some of the best options available. Here’s a quick disclaimer though, a lot of these festivals could be delayed and prices might spike, better to book your tickets and plan your trip beforehand.
Saint Paul Winter Carnival, Saint Paul, MN
The 2027 dates for this festival are set for January 28 till February 7th. Majority of the events in this festival are low cost and only require a 2027 Winter Carnival button. The backing for this festival is provided by the Heritage Foundation and Saint Paul Festival, who also run it.
The History of Saint Paul Winter Carnival
The Saint Paul Winter Carnival Festival is held every season since the year 1886. It was skipped once only, which was during the second world war. There are treasure hunts, ice carvings, two magnificent parades. These parades are King Boreas Grande Day Parade and Vulcan Victory Torchlight Parade.
The Venues
The festival conducts ice carvings in Rice Park again this year with Vulcan Snow Park and state snow sculpture contests at Minnesota State Fairgrounds. The festival is also hosting the largest annual jigsaw puzzle competition in the US.
North Lake Tahoe SnowFest, Tahoe City, CA
The North Lake Tahoe SnowFest has been running for around 50 years now, 45 to be exact. It is a 10 day long festival and considers itself as the largest winter mountain festival. Different local bars, restaurants, cafes and similar businesses participate in this festival through different hosted parties and nighttime activities. The most exciting part are its fireworks, snow golf, dog events for dog lovers, and parades.
Waterbury Winterfest, Waterbury, VT
You’ll get to see different activities like snow soccer, broomball, fat tire bike demos (too exciting), snowshoe tours and skiing. There are multiple evening events as well with giant versions of games like Vermont Candy Land and Big Jenga.
Saranac Lake Winter Carnival, Saranac Lake, NY
Ice palace lit by colored lights. The most biggest highlight of this festival. This year, it was illuminated every night until the carnival closed and it was a beautiful sight. Entry is free in the Ice Palace built by giant blocks of ice obtained by cutting the lake. The theme for 2027 in this festival is Wizards and Dragons.
World of Winter, Grand Rapids, MI
This festival is billed by its organizers as the largest of its kind within the nation and runs from January 8 till February 28 in 2027. This would mark the festival’s 8th season, the youngest in the names up until yet. All events and activities are free within this festival as it is organised in a walkable downtown. There are multiple art installations that are interactive and built around light or sound.
Jackson Hole Food & Wine Winter Fest, Teton Village, WY
The most recent this festival was held on was 2026 from February 26 till 28th. The 2027 dates are yet to be certain, it is certain that the festival is focused on food, wine and spirits. Something worth to note is that the events in this festival are all 21+.
