Celebrate winter at these family-friendly festivals and carnivals across New York State, from a Winterfest on Long Island to a month-long Winter Carnival in Lake George, a wine and dessert festival in the Finger Lakes, an ice wine celebration near Rochester, and more.
Embrace the snowy season at these seven winter festivals in New York. If you live in the NYC area, take the opportunity this winter to travel to and experience other parts of the state during this season filled with sleigh rides and sledding, bonfires, chili contests, wine tastings, and live music.
Lake George Winter Carnival
Various locations in Lake George
Every Weekend in February 2016
518-240-0809; lakegeorgewintercarnival.com
Lake George Village offers a month long celebration of winter during this annual family-friendly event at Shepard Park. Attendees can relish the warmth of tasty samples during the chowder, chili, BBQ and chicken wing cook-offs, be entertained by the always hilarious and fun outhouse races, slip down the giant ice slide, enjoy a tethered hot air balloon ride or snowmobile sleigh ride and visit a historical re-enactors’ encampment of the 1700s.
President’s Day Weekend Winter Festival
Lakeside Park, Route 394, Mayville
February 12-14, 2016
February 12: Opening ceremonies at 6pm. February 13: Activities begin at 10am. February 14: Activities begin at 11am.
716-753-3113; tourchautauqua.com
Lakeside Park comes alive with fun events for all ages including horse-drawn wagon rides, prizes, fireworks, a flare parade, and a bonfire. Shop at many vendors and enjoy the weekend’s winter landscape.
NY Ice Wine Festival
Casa Larga Vineyards, 2287 Turk Hill Road, Fairport
February 13, 2016
11am-6pm
585-223-4210; casalarga.com
Come celebrate and experience New York State’s award-winning ice wines in the season that makes them possible – winter! Ice Wines produced in NY State with NY State grown grapes, in the traditional method will be at the festival. You’ll have the rare opportunity to sample and purchase these exquisite wines from all of New York’s wine regions in one location. There will also be local food and wine tastings, demonstrations, seminars, marketplace vendors, horse-drawn sleigh rides through the vineyards, and live music throughout the day.
RELATED: Download our Freebie Guide to Fun Winter Activities
Inlet’s Frozen Fire & Lights
Fern Park & Arrowhead Park, Inlet
February 27, 2016
10am–7pm
315-357-5501; http://inletny.com/wp/?page_id=5327
Bring the family for a full day of fun! Bonfire and treats at Fern Park beginning at 10am. As always, there is free sledding, ice skating, snowshoeing, and cross-country skiing. Other event highlights include a book sale at the Inlet Public Library, a Cardboard Sled Race and the Inlet Youth Commission’s Noah’s Ark Animal Workshop at the Town Hall. At night, event goers can go to Arrowhead Park after 5pm for a much larger bonfire, free hot dogs, donuts, and cocoa, plus a spectacular display of fireworks at 7pm. After the fireworks, wander over to Matt’s Draft House for wine and chocolate.
Long Island Winterfest
Various venues across Long Island
February 19 – March 20, 2016
631-369-2200; liwinterfest.com
JAZZ on the Vine returns as the theme for the 2013 Long Island Winterfest for the sixth consecutive year. Admission includes a glass of wine and a chance to win a FREE hotel night on the East End with a gift basket of Long Island wines. Make plans to come to Long Island Wine Country this winter, where outstanding jazz musicians join with local vineyards, hotels, B&Bs, restaurants, cultural venues and attractions to create an array of special events and offers designed to lift the mid-winter doldrums. Check website for specific events, dates, and venues.
Holiday Valley’s Winter Carnival
557 Holiday Valley Road (at the intersection of NY Route 219 and Holiday Valley Road), Ellicottville
March 12-13, 2013
10am-5pm; village parade on Saturday, March 12 at 6:30pm
800-323-0020; holidayvalley.com
Winter Carnival just keeps growing. There’s so much to do all through the resort and village, including cookouts, pony races, skijoring and scavenger hunts, plus a Mardi Gras Parade, beauty pageant, and live music everywhere.
Main Photo Credit: Holiday Valley Resort
More Fun
For family fun closer to home, check our full calendar of events for the NYC area
