Best Winter Festivals in New England

Make the most of the season at the best winter festivals in New England.

By and large, New Englanders can be divided into two groups: those who dread the onset of winter, and those who are excited by it. It is a matter of regional tradition that no matter which camp you’re in, you think the members of the other are insane. By the time February rolls around, however, we all agree it’s time for a party. Some see it as a celebration of winter’s endurance, others of its pending conclusion. Regardless of motivation, winter festivals are among the Northeast’s greatest coping mechanisms.

100^th Annual Newport (NH) Winter Carnival

For 10 days, from February 5-14, the Newport Winter Carnival(newportwintercarnival.org), billed as the oldest, continuous town winter carnival in the U.S., will mark its centennial with an even-bigger-than-usual celebration. As always, there will be the requisite games, skating, and sledding at locations all over town, highlighted by the ever-popular Queen’s Pageant.

Other NH Winter Festivals

Over in Colebrook, they hold out a few weeks longer and send February out in style. The Colebrook Winter Carnival (northcountrychamber.org) on February 27 hits all the expected high spots, with a pancake breakfast, snowshoe relays, dog sledding and ice carving, then adds some interesting twists with a bocce tournament, kids’ box car racing, and cribbage. Never to be outdone, Hanover hosts what may be the best known of all New England winter celebrations when the venerable Dartmouth Winter Carnival(dartmouth.edu) returns on February 11-14. Since 1911, the Ivy Leaguers of Dartmouth College have hosted a weekend of winter zaniness, including polar bear swims, snow sculpture contests, races, and more.

Maine Winter Festivals

In Maine, a little road trip could have you celebrating winter all month long. The festivities get under way on February 6, with Kennebunk Winterfest (kennebunkmaine.us), where horse-drawn carriage rides, a scavenger hunt, snowshoe races, and a craft fair are on tap. And don’t miss the pancake breakfast that launches it all! The following weekend, February 12-13, Millinocket Winterfest(katahdinmaine.com) picks up where Kennebunk left off, with two days of outdoor fun including a parade of snowmobiles, fireworks, races, vintage sled shows and more. Two more towns get in on the act on February 20, with the Bridgton Winter Carnival (mainelakesmushersbowl.com), headlined by sleigh rides, dog sled rides, and ice fishing, and the Eliot Winter Carnival(eliotcsd.org), where the bonfire, cardboard derby, and ice skating are always big hits.

Vermont Winter Festivals

On February 6, Gardner Memorial Park is the place to be to celebrate Vermont’s version of the Newport Winter Carnival (newportrecreation.org) with competitions, crafts, fireworks, entertainment, and plenty of good food. Starting the next weekend, the Brattleboro Winter Carnival(brattleborowintercarnival.org) will mark its 60^th installment with concerts and shows, a Queen’s pageant, cook-offs, a pancake breakfast, sporting competitions, and more.

Massachusetts Winter Festivals

Now in its 94^th year, the Greenfield Winter Carnival(greenfieldrecreation.com) on February 5-7 serves up family fun for all ages, with ice sculpting contests, fireworks, fire dancers, breakfast with Frosty the Snowman, a cardboard sled race, a K9 keg pull, sledding, and skating. On the weekend of February 19-20 (the weekend after the Super Bowl, so perhaps there will be more than just winter to celebrate!), the 16^th annual Lowell Winterfest(lowellwinterfest.org) will include face painting, magic shows, a soup bowl competition, ice skating, fireworks, art fairs, and a human dog sled contest. And on February 20, North Adams WinterFest(explorenorthadams.com) features a fun run, ice sculpting, a chowder competition, hot chocolate, horse-drawn wagon rides, roasting marshmallows at a community campfire, and more.

Rhode Island Winter Festivals

The climate is a bit milder in the Ocean State,but that doesn’t mean they are willing to sit out the party—quite the contrary. On February 6, Woonsocket Mardi Gras (nrica.org) celebrates the area’s French-Canadian heritage with music, costumes, and a delicious Cajun-inspired dinner. Not to be outdone by its namesakes in New Hampshire and Vermont, Rhode Island’s Newport Winter Festival(newportwinterfestival.com) includes more than 160 food and entertainment events and has become so large that it takes 10 days (February 12-21) to squeeze everything in.

Connecticut Winter Festivals

Two of Connecticut’s premier winter celebrations will be temporarily offline this year, although both are planning big returns next February. Chester’s Winter Carnivaleis cancelled due to a downtown construction project, and Lyman Orchards is renovating during their off-season, so WinterFest in Middlefield won’t be happening, either. If you are reading this just as it’s published, however, you may still have time to hustle to Major Besse Park, where the West Torrington Winter Carnival(torringtonct.org), is being held on January 30^th (rain date, February 6^th).