The 6 Best Winter Festivals in the World

Winter is one of the most celebrated times of year, given its collection of annual holidays like Christmas, New Year, Valentine’s Day and more. The festive period is met with an array of festivals, annual events and carnivals that make this time of year all the more special across the world. Each country has its own cultural celebrations, some of which occur in the winter. We wanted to take a look at the best winter festivals around the world, from stunning light displays to large-scale and multi-day citywide celebrations. If you’re interested in making your winter and festive period all the more exciting, take a look at our top suggestions on how best to do so.

6. Amsterdam Light Festival – Amsterdam, Netherlands

This annual light festival showcases expertly-created art installations following different themes for each year. Amsterdam’s Light Festival is a great way to celebrate the winter season, with handmade creative light displays that decorate the city’s famous canals and cityscapes across two months (November to January). The light festival brings both locals and tourists together, all of whom marvel at the stunning creations and displays. Amsterdam is a great place to visit all year round, but the winter months are truly something special in this city.

5. St Paul Winter Carnival – Minnesota, USA

Minnesota’s capital St Pauls has a reputation for hosting one of the world’s most spectacular winter celebrations–its annual Winter Carnival. Complete with magnificent ice sculptures and an array of winter-themed activities like ice fishing tournaments, parades, contests and more, this is the perfect place to celebrate the coldest time of year. Taking place from January to February, and with a history dating back to the late 19th century, St Paul’s Winter Carnival has definitely made a name for itself among worldwide festivals.

4. Quebec City Winter Carnival – Quebec City, Quebec

Quebec City is located in one of the coldest parts of the world–Canada is one of the snowiest countries in the world– making it the perfect place for wintertime celebrations. Its annual Winter Carnival takes place in February, and sees parades, night activities, ice sculptures and winter-themed events take place across a 2-week period. With striking and iconic mascots symbolising the beginning of the carnival, it’s a great place to be during winter. Remember to wrap up warm, however, as in February Quebec’s temperatures can plummet to as low as -16°C!

3. Sapporo Snow Festival – Sapporo, Japan

Often cited as the world’s snowiest country, Japan is no stranger to hosting snow and winter-themed events. Its popular Sapporo Snow Festival, hosted in Hokkaido’s capital city, is regarded as one of the best in the world. With towering ice sculptures, ice skating, contests, music performances and food stalls plus more, Sapporo Snow Festival features something for everyone. Taking place every February and spanning a week, the Sapporo Snow Festival is certainly not one to miss if you’re in Japan during this time of year.

2. Harbin International Festival – Harbin, China

Cited as the largest ice and snow festival in the world, Harbin’s International Ice Festival showcases some of the most magnificent ice and snow sculptures that will take your breath away. Harbin is located in Northern China, giving an idea of how cold it can get, so remember to bring your thermals if you’re planning on visiting. The event takes place from the beginning of January to the end of February, and features towering ice sculptures, skiing events, light shows and all things winter.

1. Edinburgh Hogmanay – Edinburgh, Scotland

Nobody sees in the New Year quite like Scotland, with their annual Hogmanay (Scottish New Year’s Eve) celebrations that effortlessly rival any other wintertime event or festival. Edinburgh’s Hogmanay events are the stuff of legend (quite literally), with stunning firework displays, street parties and performances, parades and processions, light shows, we could go on. Edinburgh and much of the rest of Scotland is one of the best places to be during the festive season, as is demonstrated by their passion for upholding decade-old traditions that have become internationally recognised.