In films, story books and our imaginations, winter equals magic and romance.
We picture looking out of windows at deep snow drifts and glistening white country lanes. Pristine snowmen smile as children throw fluffy snowballs.
In the UK, our reality is a little different.
We wake to dark skies and scraping ice off windshields while watching pathetic dustings of snow turn into grey slush.
In short, if we want those winter dreamscapes, we have to go looking for them. And luckily, we can.
Ice Festivals Around the World: The Coolest Winter Adventures You Can't Miss
Winter worshippers all over the world organise events, not only to celebrate the most ethereal of the seasons, but also to pay homage to the beauty of snow and ice.
Fancy being surrounded by towering ice sculptures, deep snow, bright lights and carnivals in some of the world's coolest destinations? Me too.
Let's dive into some of the most iconic ice festivals around the world that will make you want to pack your bags and embrace a frosty escape.
Sapporo Snow Festival, Japan
iStock Photo / seiksoon
Sapporo, Japan's Northernmost major island, is world-famous for its powder snow and excellent ski resorts.
It's also, unsurprisingly, home to the country's largest and most famous winter event.
Held every February, the Sapporo Snow Festival is an ice-lover's dream.
At the heart of the festival is the International Snow Sculpture Contest.
Image by Sharon Ang from Pixabay
In 2025, teams from Korea, Hawaii, Lithuania, Poland, the US and more will compete to create elaborate, giant and just frankly unbelievable snow sculptures.
It’s not just about the art. During the festival, visitors can try winter activities such as zip lining, ice skating and whizzing down snow slides.
Once the sun sets, Sapporo's streets come alive with food stalls selling the region's famous fare, nighttime illuminations and live concerts and events.
This is Japan like you've never seen it in the most ephemeral season of them all - unmissable.
Harbin International Ice and Snow Sculpture Festival, China
iStock Photo / BeeBright
No ice festival list would be complete without mentioning Harbin, which is home to the largest and most elaborate ice festival in the world.
Located in north-east China, this festival kicks off every January with massive ice sculptures that light up the cold, dark nights.
Some sculptures are so big that they resemble entire buildings and structures.
If you're planning to go, take note - temperatures can reach as low as -30℃, so you’ll need a seriously strong winter packing game.
Ice Music Festival, Norway / Greenland
Image owned by and used with permission of Emile Holba
Norway's Ice Music Festival is a unique experience where everything, from the instruments to the performance space, is made of ice.
Yes, you read that right. Musicians perform on ice instruments such as ice drums, ice violins and even ice harps and guitars.
Image owned by and used with permission of Emile Holba
Originally established in Norway, the festival has moved around to different locations in recent years.
In early March 2025, it will be held at the UNESCO world heritage site Ilulissat Icefjord, on the west coast of Greenland.
This festival is a dream come true for anyone in love with both winter and music.
Snowking, Canada
Image owned by FreezeFrame, courtesy of Snowking Winter Festival
With a name like Snowking, you know this festival means business.
Perhaps the world's most regal ice and snow event, Snowking takes place in Yellowknife in Canada's remote and rugged Northwest territories.
The event is famous for its incredible snow castle.
To make the structure, dedicated experts blow and form snow into what they call 'snowcrete' to create the castle's metre-thick walls.
It's home to art installations, performances and an adrenalin-pumping ice slide.
There is even a real-life snow king who presides over the event - festival founder, Anthony Foliot.
All members of His Majesty's Royal Court (i.e. those who work on the event) are also given a 'snowname'.
If you've ever dreamed of living out a fairy tale in an ice kingdom, this is your chance.
Snow Village, Finland
Image owned by and used with permission of Lapland Hotels
In Finland, where winter reigns supreme, the Snow Village is a dazzling ice hotel built entirely from snow and ice every year in the Northern municipality of Kittilä.
A herculean effort goes into creating it. Not to mention 20 million kilos of snow and 350,000 kilos of crystal-clear ice.
Each year, a different theme ties it all together as the installation shifts shape, size and design.
As for the hotel itself, you can take a shot at the ice bar, dine at the ice restaurant (above) and even stay in a glistening snow suite (below).
Image owned by and used with permission of Lapland Hotels
This frosty Finnish wonderland offers a true winter escape for those looking to get away from it all.
Ice Alaska, US
Image owned by and used with permission of Ice Alaska
If you're looking to immerse yourself in both ice sculpting and wildlife, Ice Alaska in Fairbanks is the place to be.
This festival showcases jaw-dropping ice sculptures that often feature the incredible wildlife of Alaska.
The event's World Ice Art Championships see 1.2 million pounds of ice harvested in the extreme cold as attendees enjoy the festivities, awards ceremonies and sports and board games made of ice.
Image owned by and used with permission of Ice Alaska
Four artists grapple with nine blocks of ice over six days to create a massive showpiece.
Teams of two also compete to make the most impressive, glistening sculptures.
There's also the opportunity to get interactive, with novice and youth ice-carving events.
Saint Paul Winter Carnival, US
Image owned by and used with permission of Saint Paul Winter Carnival
The Saint Paul Winter Carnival in Minnesota is a fantastic celebration of ice and snow, with parades, ice sculpture contests and plenty of winter sports.
This festival also honours the mythical King Boreas, the ruler of winter, so expect a lot of quirky ice-related fun.
Perfect for families with its busy schedule of activities, the festival is ideal for anyone looking to get to the heart of Minnesota's winter culture.
Ice on Whyte / Chiseled International Ice Carving Competition, Canada
Image owned by dbphotographics and used with permission of Chiseled Festival
Held in Edmonton, Canada, Ice on Whyte, or the Chiseled Festival, is one of Canada's premier ice events.
Although the event is taking a rest for 2025, it's definitely one to consider in the coming years.
It offers visitors the chance to see intricate ice sculptures in all their frosty glory.
Image owned by dbphotographics and used with permission of Chiseled Festival
For the first two days, attendees can watch teams from all over the world carving away at their ice masterpieces before judges swoop in to crown the winners.
In between the icy adrenalin, visitors can experience winter in Edmonton, catch its other festivals such as Silver Skate, sample local food, sit around cozy fire pits and soak up the bustling atmosphere.
Breckenridge International Snow Sculpture Championships, US
Adobe Free Stock
Colorado's Breckenridge is home to one of the world's most competitive snow sculpture festivals.
Teams of sculptors from around the globe come together to create massive, intricate snow sculptures that are a true testament to the art of ice and snow carving.
It also has a strict no-power-tools rule.
Contestants must carve their 25-tonne blocks of snow into works of art using only hand tools, elbow grease and inspiration.
The result is a temporary outdoor art gallery against the stunning backdrop of the Rocky Mountains.
Definitely one for the bucket list of anyone who loves art and winter sports.
Ice Magic Festival, Canada
Image owned by Robert Massey and used with permission of Banff & Lake Louise Tourism
Held in the picturesque town of Lake Louise in Alberta, the Ice Magic Festival showcases incredible ice sculptures against the backdrop of the Canadian Rockies.
Set to take place between late January and early February in 2025, it offers the chance to watch world-class ice carvers live-carving displays for a magnificent ice sculpture exhibition.
Image owned by Robert Massey and used with permission of Banff & Lake Louise Tourism
Aside from the festival, Banff itself has all the makings of a fantasy winter trip.
From wandering snow-dusted mountain towns in the rockies to snowshoeing, skiing, tubing and dog sledding, experiencing winter in this famous region is worth the trip alone.
Quebec Winter Carnival - Quebec City
Image owned by and used with permission of Québec Cité
Canada may comprise the lion's share of icy events here, but that's hardly surprising considering its climate.
Running since 1955, the Quebec Winter Carnival is the big one.
Among the world's largest and most famous winter festivals, it brings together snow sculptures, ice skating, sleigh rides and even an ice palace.
But that’s not all - the showpiece of the festival is the unbelievable Bonhomme Carnival.
This is not your average carnival. Embracing and working with the dark of winter, the night parades include electro and rock music, circus acts, moving performances and incredible creative lighting.
Now excuse me while I book my plane ticket.
Kiruna Snow Festival, Sweden
Adobe Free Stock
Describing itself as ‘Europe’s most cozy snow festival’, Sweden’s Kiruna event sits in the heart of Swedish Lapland beneath the Northern Lights.
The festival is home to the snow blower world championships, painting exhibitions, dog sledding, figure skating, live music performances and a kid's playground made of snow and ice.
As if that wasn't enough, the Kiruna International Snow Carving Competition, now in its 40th year, sees champion carvers from all over the world compete to produce designs often inspired by the local culture and wildlife.
How to Plan Your Ice Festival Trip
- Book in advance - Many of these festivals are hugely popular, so it's best to secure tickets early.
- Bundle with other winter activities - Skiing, snowboarding and sightseeing are great additions to an ice festival adventure. But, again, make sure to research and book these ahead.
- Pack smart - Packing for a winter adventure is a world apart from your standard suitcase-stuffing. It requires planning, carefully finding clothes and equipment that will work for your trip and maybe buying a bigger case to deal with all that extra wool.
- Expect a trek or two - Extreme winter may mean extreme locations. Some of the best ice festivals around the world are in remote places, so a connection or two should be expected - you can bet it will be worth it.
Say "Freeze!" - Share Your Epic Winter Pictures
Just because you're in a remote part of the world doesn't mean you can't share your winter travel pics with friends and family.
After all, bragging rights are in the unwritten rules of booking any trip abroad.
The answer is an eSIM from Airalo.
Affordable data options by region or country will keep you connected to your maps, event schedules, weather updates and social media.
You can even buy data in Greenland - the perfect excuse to take your social feed to the next level on your winter trip.
Check out the best deal for your destination here.
