By Lannan M. O’Brien
Part of the beauty of living in New England is the changing seasons. But if you live here, you also know that our winters are not always magical and snow-covered (and when they are, let’s face it: winter weather can be rough!). These cold-weather months are often long and dreary, so while we endure them, we might as well make our own fun. Festivals celebrating the season help remind us why we stick around every year when the temperature drops – and we, once again, find ourselves shoveling our driveways and waiting for our windshields to defrost.
SoWa Winter Festival
Boston, Massachusetts | Through December 22
With a vendor lineup that includes 100 small businesses, SoWa Winter Fest makes it easy to find unique, handcrafted gifts for your friends and loved ones. From pottery and handblown glass to gourmet dog treats, there’s something for everyone on your list under the roof of the SoWa Power Station. Listen to music from D’s Keys while you shop and take a break to grab a bite to eat from one of the many food trucks.
Belfast Ice Festival
Belfast, Maine | February 21-23
Over one February weekend, the small coastal town of Belfast comes alive with a seasonal art show of sorts: the Belfast Ice Festival. Now in its fifth year, the community event showcases the work of professional and amateur ice sculptors competing in the State of Maine Ice Carving Championship. Walk downtown to view the sculptures, join outdoor activities, and stop for a drink at an ice bar. Just don’t forget to bundle up!
Fire & Ice Festival
Putnam, Connecticut | Saturday, February 8
If there ever was a destination for cold-weather fun, it might just be the town of Putnam in February. Self-described as the largest single ice block competition in New England, the Annual Fire & Ice Festival is an all-day event packed with ice carvings (last year’s fest featured over five dozen), fire dancing, ice photo opportunities, character meet-and-greets, and plenty of other outdoor activities. Is there a better way to spend a Saturday in New England?
Newport Winter Festival
Newport, Rhode Island | February 14-23
Why have a one-day festival when you could have 10 days of entertainment? This could be the motto of the Newport Winter Festival, which highlights the best of Newport’s food, music, comedy, and much more. The events calendar is already filling up for this year’s fest and includes everything from a mad science show to a multi-course beer dinner and an ice carving demonstration. Don’t miss the return of the Mac & Cheese Smackdown on February 22, where local chefs will offer samples as they compete for the best mac and cheese.
Stowe Winter Carnival
Stowe, Vermont | January 22-26
Among the many reasons to visit Stowe this winter is the return of its annual winter carnival. Over the course of this five-day festival, watch professional ice carvers at work on “Demonstration Day” (followed by a separate ice carving competition), participate in winter sports events, and bring the whole family to a ski-in movie. In years past, cross-country ski tours, kids activities, and ice-carving classes have added to the fun.
Keene Ice and Snow Festival
Keene, New Hampshire | Saturday, February 1
For over 20 years, the Keene Ice and Snow Festival has been creating winter memories for local families. The free event will feature 12 ice carvers, plus a schedule of activities like a children’s train ride, roaming circus acts, campfire s’mores, face painting, balloon art, and a “find the yeti” scavenger hunt, to name a few. Attendees will also have the opportunity to vote for their favorite ice sculpture.
