An Adirondack tradition, Saranac Lake’s Winter Carnival is 10 days of frosty, frivolous fun.

Saranac Lake’s Winter Carnival has been one of upstate New York's most beloved winter events for over a century. This 10-day event, usually held in early February, brings together locals and tourists alike to celebrate the coldest time of the year with unique activities and festivities.

The first incarnation of this now annual event began in 1897 when the townspeople decided to liven up their dreary winter by creating a series of games and contests—from sleigh rides and snowshoe races to a grand parade. They made it an official event in 1899, and the first sanctioned winter carnival was held on January 28th, 1899, with large turnouts each year since then, with some pauses during world wars, pandemics and such.

Today's Winter Carnival is just as fun and exciting as those held in the early 1900s. The centerpiece is the impressive Ice Palace, built entirely out of blocks of ice cut from nearby Lake Flower. Visitors flock to see this amazing structure, especially at night when it’s lit with colored lights. It’s also the site for fireworks over several evenings during the carnival.

Saranac Lake's Main Street is full of festivities, from live music to food vendors offering local delicacies such as maple syrup candy and Saranac Ale. There are also a number of popular activities for visitors to enjoy—snow sculpting competitions, snowshoe races, ice skating, an annual Winter Carnival Parade, and fireworks displays at night.

Each day of Saranac Lakes Winter Carnival features different events that anyone can participate in, including tubing, x-country ski races, tubing, torchlit ski parade, arctic golf, snow volleyball and bowling, arts and crafts, live music performances, and so much more. Check out our Events Pages to see each day’s itinerary.

At its core, Saranac Lake's Winter Carnival is all about having fun while celebrating the beauty of wintertime in upstate New York. Whether you're visiting Saranac Lake or just looking for some festive winter entertainment, it's well worth checking out this historic event.