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As the holiday buzz winds down, the winter fun is just getting started!
Forget the hibernation mode – we’re diving into a whole bunch of cool events and activities that keep the good vibes rolling. This blog is your ticket to the post-holiday party where we’ll show you that the fun doesn’t stop when the calendar flips. So, buckle up for a chill ride as we explore all the awesome stuff that makes winter a non-stop celebration!
And when you’re ready to plan your travels to one of these (figuratively) hot events, you know we’ll help you find the hottest deals on bus and train tickets to get there cheap.
Whether you’re on the hunt for new things to do in January, seeking some actually-fun winter activities for kids, or stoked for the biggest winter celebrations in the USA, read on for 13 unique options across North America.
International Snow Sculpture Championships
Sculpting Week: January 22-26, 2024
Viewing Week: January 26-31, 2024
Breckenridge, CO
Official website
Breckenridge’s International Snow Sculpture Championships epitomize the town’s fusion of artistic flair and winter revelry. This annual spectacle transforms the streets into an open-air gallery of intricate, ephemeral snow sculptures. Visitors are captivated by the artists’ skill, turning massive snow blocks into awe-inspiring creations that tell unique stories in the delicate medium of snow. In fact, while the official viewing takes place a week after the sculpting, the watching the sculptors work is a fascinating spectacle in itself!
Beyond the sculptures, Breckenridge offers thrilling outdoor adventures like skiing and snowboarding on world-class slopes, or serene snowshoeing trails. The town’s charm, with cozy cafes, boutiques, and inviting pubs, complements the winter wonderland. It’s not just about art, but also community with so many workshops, live demonstrations, and festive gatherings.
St Paul Winter Carnival
January 25 – February 4, 2024
St. Paul, MN
Official website
Pete Markham / Flickr
Held continuously since 1886, Minnesota’s St Paul Winter Carnival is widely considered the oldest and one of the biggest winter festivals in the U.S. With daily temperatures rarely exceeding the 20s in January and February in St. Paul, it’s fitting that the city hosts such a prolific winter celebration! ❄️
With dozens of winter activities spread across a couple of weeks, this carnival has something for everyone. There are ice and snow sculpting competitions, an ice fishing tournament, several parades, races, and more. Best of all, most of the events are FREE!
If you’re going, don’t miss the Ice Castles in nearby New Brighton and The Great Northern Festival, also held in the Twin Cities during the same time.
Whitefish Winter Carnival
February 2-4, 2024
Whitefish, MT
Official website
Whitefish Skijoring / Facebook
The Whitefish Winter Carnival is part small-town celebration, part world-class ski resort, and part long-time tradition—much like the town of Whitefish itself, coincidentally one of our favorite mountain destinations. As far as winter events go, the Whitefish Winter Carnival has something for everyone!
Centered around the legend of the Nordic god of winter called Ullr, the festival celebrates all things winter. Events include a Penguin Plunge into Whitefish Lake, the Grand Parade, a hilarious roast of Whitefish, skijoring (picture skiing while pulled by a horse), and more.
Bonus: if Glacier National Park is on your winter bucket list—as it should be —it’s less than an hour from Whitefish.
Napa Valley Mustard Celebration
Rachael Towne/ Flickr
Affectionately known as “the season between the seasons,” wild mustard season runs from roughly January through March in Napa Valley, with specific dates dependent on weather. During the Mustard Celebration, the entire region is blanketed in bright yellow flowers—hello, Instagram gold.
Wondering what the heck mustard has to do with wine? It’s a “cover crop,” planted between rows of vines to attract good insects and deter bad ones, plus deposit valuable nutrients in the soil.
If you’re looking for things to do in February, several Napa wineries host mustard-themed events in honor of the colorful season, and Visit Napa Valley put together a map of the best photo ops. Plus, don’t miss the Napa Lighted Art Festival, from late January through mid-February.
Guided Wine Tour with Picnic Lunch
Embark on a guided wine tour in Napa Valley, North America’s most famous wine region. Discover boutique wineries that are hand-picked by your guide and enjoy a tasty picnic lunch.
Ottawa Winterlude
February 2-19, 2024
Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
Official website
John Vetterli / Flickr
As the capital of Canada, it’s safe to assume that Ottawa knows a thing or two about hosting winter events! Winterlude, during the first three weekends of February every year, has drawn as many as 600,000 people to the region since its inception in 1979.
The festival’s focus is free, uniquely Canadian winter fun and culture. Event highlights include classics such as tubing and ice sculptures alongside contemporary ones like the highly anticipated snowball-throwing championship and human foosball.
If you have time for just one Winterlude activity, add skating on the Rideau Canal Skateway to your winter bucket list. The world’s largest ice skating rink, this UNESCO World Heritage Site is the festival’s crown jewel and one of the reasons Ottawa ranks as a premier romantic destination.
Phoenix Open
February 5-11, 2024
Scottsdale, AZ
Official website
Gage Skidmore / Flickr
Dubbed as “the greatest show on grass,” the Waste Management Phoenix Open stands out as one of Arizona’s largest and most eagerly awaited winter events. In fact, it attracts attention not just locally, but nationally, drawing over 500,000 people from across the country to partake in the excitement.
At its core, the Phoenix Open is a PGA golf tournament—not an event about managing waste, despite the name. However, there’s so much more to enjoy than seeing Jon Rahm in golf pants. Beyond the golf, there are many things to do at the Phoenix Open: food vendors, big-name concerts, and even a full-blown nightclub known as The Birds’ Nest.
Regardless of what draws you to the Open, don’t miss the infamous 16th hole. It’s widely considered the loudest, rowdiest hole in all of golf! *golf claps*
Montréal en Lumière
February 29 – March 10, 2024
Montreal, Quebec, Canada
Official website
art_inthecity / Flickr
Literally translating to “Montreal in Lights,” this is one of the largest, most vibrant winter festivals in the world. For 2.5 weeks, downtown Montreal transforms into an illuminated playground every night after dark, drawing over 900,000 spectators.
The festival combines a variety of lighting technology, from fireworks to electronic light art installations. Montreal embraces its reputation as a major gastronomy destination, so the festival’s food and wine program is renowned, and there’s an illuminated ice skating trail, live music performances, and children’s activities.
Held on the final Saturday of the festival, Nuit Blanche is one of the main attractions. Free activities go until dawn at 200 sites across the city, and the festival provides free transportation.
Nordic Spa Thermal Experience
Discover a peaceful haven hidden away a few minutes from downtown Montreal. Take a dip in the thermal baths, recharge in the sauna, and rejuvenate before your next adventure.
Bryce Canyon Winter Festival
February 17-19, 2024
Bryce Canyon City, UT
Official website
Utah’s Bryce Canyon National Park is already a fantastic year-round destination, but this outdoor festival gives you a reason to visit specifically in winter. All the events are free and celebrate different types of outdoor recreation.
For example, there are cross-country skiing and kayaking demos, astrophotography and stargazing sessions, night hikes, survival skills workshops, geology talks, wildlife and plant identification lessons, sleigh rides, and more.
The festival includes several winter activities for kids, making this an event for the whole family! Little ones can enjoy crafts, cookie decorating, ice skating, and snow boot races. Ruby’s Inn in Bryce City hosts the winter festival in conjunction with the national park.
Mardi Gras
February 13, 2024
New Orleans, LA
Official website
Mardi Gras. Fat Tuesday. Shrove Tuesday. Pancake Tuesday. Carnival Tuesday. Whatever you personally call it, Mardi Gras is one of the most famous winter celebrations in the USA. With New Orleans’ generally mild February weather, it’s easy to overlook Mardi Gras as a “winter” event, but it is indeed!
Officially marking the end of the Carnival season and the beginning of Lent, Mardi Gras itself is best defined as a day of pure revelry. The entire city is taken over with parades, feasts, live music, costumes, dancing, and adult beverages. And yes, lots and lots of beads.
Most of the big celebrations take place over the two weekends leading up to Mardi Gras, although you’ll find some January events and some one-offs, also. See New Orleans’ full calendar of Mardi Gras events to pick the parades and parties that most tickle your fancy.
Charleston Wine & Food Festival
March 6-10, 2024
Charleston, SC
Official website
It’s no secret that Charleston is one of the best foodie cities in the US, and this tasty festival shows off exactly why. The South Carolina city enjoys a unique combination of coastal geography, deeply-rooted history and tradition, and healthy doses of Southern hospitality and Lowcountry flavors — the ingredients for a top-notch food destination.
The festival focuses on “homegrown flavor,” a play on words extending far beyond actual flavor. Attendees will be spoiled for choice when it comes to food and wine, of course, but they’ll also have the opportunity to meet local Charleston artisans, authors, and community leaders.
The event’s star is Culinary Village, but you’ll also find themed lunches and brunches, workshops, and even guided strolls.
Small Group Food Tour in Charleston
Visit local eateries, culinary landmarks, restaurants, and bakeries with the help of local guides. What better way to delve into over 300 years of culinary history than through your tastebuds?
Iditarod Sled Dog Race Start
March 2, 2024
Anchorage, AK
Official website
Arctic Warrior / Flickr
If you really love winter (or animals, history, or adventure…), the ceremonial start of the Iditarod sled dog race should be one of your top things to do in March.
The iconic, historic race technically starts in the tiny town of Willow, Alaska, but the ceremonial start in Anchorage is the much more popular one to see. Besides, the 11-mile stretch from Anchorage to Willow doesn’t count in race standings. From Willow to Nome, the entire race route is 1,049 miles.
During the ceremonial start, downtown Anchorage transforms into an exciting, carnival-like atmosphere. Expect food vendors, live music, and opportunities to interact with the sled dog teams. That alone is winter bucket list-worthy!
SXSW
March 8-16, 2024
Austin, TX
Official website
You won’t find any snow activities at SXSW (South by Southwest, or affectionately shortened to “South By”), but it’s absolute heaven for music, film, and multimedia lovers.
The week-and-a-half long festival completely takes over Austin in early March every year, bringing hundreds of concerts, film screenings, and unique technology- and media-focused events to the city. New speakers and performers are constantly being announced, but some 2024 highlights will be a keynote from Academy Award-winning writers and directors Daniel Kwan and Daniel Scheinert, performances from Giovannie & The Hired Guns, and exhibitions on the cutting edge of technology, like The Creative Industries Expo.
Some people go solely for the music, some for the exclusive activities, and some strictly for the free swag. And that’s one of the things that sets SXSW apart from other winter festivals: it’s multiple events in one.
Knott’s Boysenberry Festival
March 8 – April 7, 2024
Knott’s Berry Farm, Buena Park, CA
Official website
Disneyland isn’t the only theme park for a family-friendly vacation in Southern California. Just 10 minutes from the world-famous park is Knott’s Berry Farm, one of the oldest and biggest theme parks in the US. Every March, Knott’s hosts its signature food-focused festival.
The Boysenberry Festival, as you might expect, centers around all things boysenberry. Every imaginable type of food, drink, and treat incorporates boysenberry (and some you never would have imagined, too!). Think: street corn with boysenberry butter and boysenberry cowboy chili. Aside from the food, the festival includes live music, artisan vendors, and activities just for kiddos.
Pro tip: Buy a Tasting Card, which includes six tastings of your choice at a discount.
While there is some appeal to spending the winter cosplaying as the Sleepytime Tea bear, staying cuddled up at home means you’ll miss unique winter events like these.
Whichever events you choose to experience, turn to Wanderu for easy travel booking. We make it simple to find the best and most affordable options, whether it’s bus or train fare, rental cars, or hotels.
Want some more winter travel inspo? Check out some of our favorite snowy destinations or the top spots to vacation in Colorado. Lake Tahoe is gorgeous in the wintertime, and you can always opt for an Arizona destination if you’re seeking some vitamin D.
Happy wandering!
