Winter Carnvials and Festials 2026
The Best Winter Carnivals and Festivals in the Adirondacks: 2026 Guide
Your Essential Guide to Winter Fun in the Adirondacks
A hand-curated roundup of the Adirondacks’ most beloved winter carnivals for 2026
Organized by region and date to make planning winter weekends easy
Focused on community traditions, local flavor, and events worth building a trip around
Updated throughout the season as details are confirmed
As winter settles in across the Adirondacks, snow-covered villages and frozen lakes come alive with one of the region’s most beloved traditions: winter carnivals. From lively Main Streets to lakeside gathering spots, these celebrations embrace the season with snow sculpture contests, skating, sled races, bonfires, live music, and comfort food that warms you from the inside out.
ADK Taste’s curated guide to the best winter carnivals in the Adirondacks for 2026 highlights the events that locals look forward to all year—and visitors plan entire winter getaways around.
At ADK Taste, winter isn’t something to hunker down and wait out—it’s something to celebrate. Our annual roundup of Adirondack winter carnivals reflects our deep roots in the region and our commitment to spotlighting events that bring communities together during the coldest (and most magical) months of the year. Organized by Adirondack regions, the listings below make it easy to plan your winter weekends, discover new towns, and support the local businesses and volunteers who keep these long-standing traditions alive.
Central Adirondacks
Visit the towns of Old Forge, Long Lake, Raquette Lake, Indian Lake and more for festive winter traditions.
Long Lake Winter Carnival
If winter in the Adirondacks had an official hometown celebration, it would look a lot like the 2026 Long Lake Winter Carnival.
January 17, 2026
Old Forge Winter Carnival
Every year, the snow-covered village of Old Forge and McCauley Mountain transform into a festive playground of skiing, music, fireworks, and community spirit.
February 7-8, 2026
Snocade in Indian Lake
Every Presidents’ Day holiday, Indian Lake hosts a week-long celebration of all things winter. This year’s event features a town-wide scavenger hunt, skating, indoor and outdoor games, live music, terrific homemade food, fireworks, Kitty Cat snowmobile races and more.
February 12-21, 2026
Adirondack Winter WhiteOut Weekend
Spanning the communities of Wanakena, Star Lake, Cranberry Lake, and Newton Falls, this annual winter festival delivers a true snow-day experience filled with outdoor adventure, creativity, music, arts and community spirit.
February 13-15, 2026
Raquette Lake Winter Carnival
This annual two-day celebration blends old-school winter fun, community traditions, and the unmistakable charm of life on the lake. Among the planned activities are kids games on the green, the always popular Ladies Frying Pan toss, golf on the lake, and the annual cross-cut and chainsaw competiton.
February 14-15, 2026
Frozen Fire & Lights in Inlet
Held on the last Saturday in February, this high-energy, family-friendly celebration turns Fern Park into a hub of outdoor fun and community spirit. Sledding, XC-skiing, ice-skating, sled and outhouse races, kite decorating and flying, and fireworks round out a super fun winter day.
February 28, 2026
Tri-Lakes and High Peaks
The Tri-Lakes region—Lake Placid, Saranac Lake, and Tupper Lake—anchors a stretch of mountain wilderness known for its outdoor adventure, rich history, and small-town charm.
Saranac Lake Winter Carnival.
A cherished tradition since 1897, Saranac Lake’s week-long carnival is one of the oldest in the United States. Highlights include parades, the enormous ice palace, fireworks and lots of fun and games.
February 6-15, 2026
Winter Pride Weekend in Lake Placid
The second annual PRIDE weekend welcomes members of the LGBTQI+ community, families, and allies from across the region and beyond to experience one of America’s original winter getaways—wrapped in warmth, inclusivity, and unmistakable mountain charm.
Feb 27-March 1, 2026
Tupper Lake Brewski
The 11th annual Tupper Lake Brewski is a 1.5-mile-long moving brewfest that blends outdoor adventure with the best local craft beverages. Come for the beer, stay for the fresh air, community spirit, bonfires, and tasty treats.
February 28, 2026
The Lake George and Gore Mountain Region
High-energy winter carnivals meet classic Adirondack fun, from lakeside festivities and fireworks on ice to mountain-town traditions fueled by snow, spirit, and small-town pride.
Lake George Winter Carnival
Every weekend in February, plus the first weekend in March, Lake George Village is full of festivities. From the famous outhouse races to polar plunges, chili cook-offs, live music, a dog show, skillet tosses and more, you won’t be bored on Lake George.
Feb 7 - Mar 8, 2026
Brant Lake Winter Carnival
The Brant Lake Winter Carnival packs an impressive lineup of activities into one high-energy day. Events include outhouse races, a fry pan toss competition, Adirondack curling, human foosball, hockey shoot-offs and more.
February 14, 2026
Krazy Downhill Derby in Chestertown
Chestertown hosts one of the most creative winter events in the Adirondacks at the Krazy Downhill Derby on February 21. Families, kids, and local businesses to turn imagination into motion with wildly inventive sleds and a full day of outdoor winter fun.
February 21, 2026
ADK Talks Podcast
Love the Adirondacks? You’ll love our podcast. We take listeners beyond the guidebooks and into the heart of the Adirondacks. We share stories from the people behind the best places to eat, shop, stay and explore in the ADK. Find us on Apple Podcasts, Spotify or wherever you listen to podcasts.
