Looking for the perfect excuse to escape your winter hibernation? When the air gets cold, PA events heat up! Check out these epic ice festivals to see hand-chiseled sculptures of all shapes and sizes, with sled dog races and chili cook-offs adding to the frozen fun throughout the PA winter.
1. Fire & Frost Fun
Revel in the last moments of holiday cheer during Peddler’s Village’s Fire and Frost Fun. The festival is your final chance of the season to see the village’s annual holiday light displays and an ideal way to transition into the new year. With live fire artistry and ice carving demonstrations, you’ll find a mix of cozy fire elements and frosty fun. Check out the fire pits and outdoor food and drinks or explore the village-wide display of 30 unique ice sculptures. Make sure to find the massive ice throne for a fabulous group selfie!
Where: New Hope
When: Jan. 5-6, Jan. 12-13
Cost: Free
2. Ice on State
Make memories in Media during the Ice on State festival where artists from the world-famous Ice Sculpture Philly Company create dozens of sculptures for visitors to enjoy during live carving shows. Stroll through the downtown’s State Street District to take in the beauty of the icy masterpieces while listening to live music and sipping on special winter libations. You won't want to miss the chance to bundle up the whole family for this blissful event.
Where: Media
When: Jan. 13-14
Cost: Free
3. Dilworth Park Ice Festival
Celebrate the winter season and all things ice at Dilworth Park’s Ice Festival. Located right above SEPTA’s City Hall station, the winter wonderland event is a must-visit in Center City Philadelphia. Marvel at the majestic ice-skating performances at the Rothman Orthopaedics Ice Rink before making your way over to the dueling ice carving demonstrations. Grab a hot chocolate before stopping by the full-sized baby grand piano made entirely from ice. Before you go, lace up and take to the ice rink to put on your own skating show!
Where: Philadelphia
When: Jan. 20
Cost: Free
4. Schuylkill Winterfest
The annual Schuylkill Winterfest is simply brimming with wondrous wintry experiences for all. Bring the whole family to stroll through the craft and food market before stopping by the “Kidz Corner” for the ultimate family-friendly fun. Don’t miss the Chili Cook-Off, a competition between 20 Schuylkill County residents as they fight for the title of best homestyle chili recipe, and the Boilo Contest with live music by super-talented saxophonist, Laura M. Kramer.
Where: Downtown Pottsville
When: Jan. 20
Cost: Free
5. IceFest
Pull out your favorite scarf and mittens, bundle the kids up, and chase away those winter blues at the largest ice festival in PA, Chambersburg’s IceFest! The famed DiMartino’s master ice carvers will magically transform more than 47 tons of ice into more than 80 amazing ice sculptures before your eyes, including a giant ice throne where you can imagine yourself as king or queen of the ice! A 40-foot, double-track ice slide aglow with lights, the “Run Your Ice Off” 5k, an outdoor beer garden, and the annual chili and BBQ cook-off event — Chili Q — are among the many fun things happening at this four-day celebration of winter.
Where: Chambersburg
When: Jan. 25-28
Cost: Free
6. Clarks Summit Festival of Ice
Slip into a winter wonderland at Clarks Summit’s 20th annual Festival of Ice. The event features lots of family-friendly fun including live music, games, horse-drawn carriage rides, an extravagant parade, and, of course, epic ice sculptures with live demonstrations. This year’s theme will take you back in time with “Jurassic Ice” activities and sculptures to enjoy!
Where: Clarks Summit
When: Jan. 26-28
Cost: Free
7. Ice ‘N Spice Festival
Bundle up to stroll through West Reading’s downtown for their 7th annual Ice ‘N Spice Festival. Featured ice sculptor and nationally renowned pumpkin carver Danny Kissel will be leading his team of sculptors to transform pieces of ice into magnificent works of art. Be sure to stop in local businesses along the way to receive special discounts and exclusive offerings. Warm up and sip your way through the festival with some delicious hot chocolate during the Cocoa Crawl on Jan. 28.
Where: West Reading
When: Jan. 26-28
Cost: Free
8. Fire & Ice in the Park
Appreciate a cool winter’s night at Fox Chapel Parks Conservancy’s Fire & Ice in the Park event. Let the lanterns guide you through the park as you discover animal ice sculptures featuring local species. If the cold isn’t for you, sit back and relax in the Illumination Station Warming Hut where you can gather by the fire at the Eichenlaub’s CHILL Lounge, fill your very own complementary Fire & Ice mug with hot cocoa, and enjoy tasty treats from local vendors.
Where: Pittsburgh
When: Jan. 28
Cost: Free
9. Carlisle's 8th Annual Ice Art Fest
Spend a magical winter weekend in historic downtown Carlisle at the 2024 Ice Art Fest. There, you'll find plenty of photo opportunities among the nearly 100 ice sculptures of animals, musical instruments, and company logos lining the streets. Relax at the Ice Bar, hunt for treasures in the Diamond Dig, and check out the scenic carriage rides!
Where: Carlisle
When: Feb. 2-4
Cost: Free
10. Heart of Lewisburg Ice Festival
Lewistown’s downtown sparkles and shines with magnificent ice sculptures during the 20th annual Heart of Lewisburg Ice Festival. Watch as masterful ice sculptors bring to life their transient works of art, then Friday evening buy a ticket to Sip and Stroll while admiring the sculptures throughout the downtown. Enjoy the chili stand and children’s activities while hardier visitors join in the Frosty 5K. All can enjoy the Polar Bear Plunge Pregame Party and then follow the parade as the bravest among us lunge into the icy waters of the Susquehanna River for the notorious Polar Bear Plunge!
Where: Lewisburg
When: Feb. 2-4
Cost: Free
11. Franklin on Ice Festival
Watch as DeMartino Ice creates dazzling ice displays at the annual Franklin on Ice Festival. When not carving out time to watch the construction of the ice sculptures in Franklin Park, keep warm and shop local at the indoor sidewalk sale or watch people compete in the chili cook-off. Once the sun sets, admire the winter magic of Fountain Park all aglow with vibrant holiday lights.
Where: Franklin
When: Feb. 3
Cost: Free
12. Carved In Ice
Spend a winter-ful weekend at Butler’s 8th annual Carved in Ice Festival! Pack snow pants for your little ones so they can experience the ice slide as you watch ice sculptures come to life before your eyes. Come hungry to enjoy the annual chili cook-off, hot dog eating contest, and food trucks. Other activities include live music and entertainment, auctions and 50-50 drawings, face painting, balloon artists, and miniature horse and donkey pettings.
Where: Butler
When: Feb. 10-11
Cost: Free
13. Wellsboro Winter Celebration
Shake off those winter blues with a weekend of fun and activities at the Wellsboro Winter Celebration. There will be ice carving, winter games, and winter sales. If you want to take this event to the next level, stay for the annual Mt. Tom Challenge on Feb. 11 to see if you have what it takes to climb (or scramble) up 1,100 vertical feet of trail from the Ansonia Valley to the summit vista of Mt. Tom and back all within two hours.
Where: Wellsboro
When: Feb. 10-11
Cost: Free
14. Jim Thorpe Winterfest
Jim Thorpe’s annual Winterfest is the season’s ultimate extravaganza. The festival features ice carvings, live entertainment, horse-drawn carriage rides, and two ice sculpture bars! With more than 35 unique stores for shopping and a dozen great restaurants and eateries, Winterfest will be a joy for the whole family. Make sure to take part in the annual Mug Walk, where partakers pick up their mugs, a map, and a list of participating businesses to collect goodies along the way.
Where: Jim Thorpe
When: Feb. 16-18
Cost: Free
15. Fire & Ice Festival
Lititz’s spectacular annual Fire & Ice Festival is a 10-day celebration of winter’s beauty with wow-worthy ice sculptures and loads of fun events, including Winter FUNderland, a scavenger hunt, and a carnival for the kids. The chili cook-off and Fire & Ice pub crawl where fire- or ice-themed drinks are on the menu are among the events making this one of PA’s coolest winter festivals. Get an early start to the winter revelry with a ticket to the third annual Winter’s Coolest Night Out, the Fire & Ice preview party featuring live music and a live carving, hors d’oeuvres, and one free drink.
Where: Lititz
When: Feb. 16-25
Cost: Free
16. WinterFest
Layer up to stroll through downtown Stroudsburg as it turns into an icy winter wonderland filled with beautiful and whimsical ice sculptures during WinterFest. Downtown businesses will be joining in the fun with Winterfest specials and promotions. Before saying goodbye, be sure to catch a glimpse of the 6th annual “Snowmen of Stroudsburg,” a display of life-size snowmen painted by local artists before they disappear until next year.
Where: Stroudsburg
When: Feb. 17
Cost: Free
17. Erie Winter Carnival
During the dead of winter, the Erie Winter Carnival is a three-day festival that brings the local community to life! Enjoy the 60 professionally crafted ice sculptures, fire dancing performances, and live music throughout Downtown Erie.
Where: Erie
When: Feb. 23-25
Cost: Free
18. Ice & Fire Festival
Celebrate the final days of winter at Harrisburg’s Ice & Fire Festival. Held annually in March, the festival includes more than 40 ice sculptures scattered throughout the city, a downtown street festival with an ice slide, fire dancers, vendors, and performances by school and community groups. Enjoy a unique outdoor, table-service dining experience during “Eat in the Streets” with a variety of participating downtown restaurants, including Arooga’s, Cafe Fresco, Federal Taphouse, JP Lovedrafts MicroPub, and Stock’s on 2nd.
Where: Harrisburg
When: Mar. 2
Cost: Free
To learn about more winter activities in Pennsylvania, check out the visitPA website. Follow us on Facebook, Twitter/X, Instagram, and Pinterest to stay up-to-date on even more great ideas and places to visit around our state. Don’t forget to never miss an update and sign up for our monthly Happy Thoughts e-newsletter.