Amazing Winter Festivals Around the world 2023-2024
Winters are considered to be the season of festivals and festivities. People around the world gather to celebrate the natural cycle of seasons with the aim to dispel darkness and bring hope and warmth in cold days and night. The main element of the festivals include candles, multi colored lights, music, bonfires and much more.
Every Festival depicts the culture and traditions of the particular region or community that provides an opportunity to showcase their rituals and customs in front of the people who came to see and enjoy these festivities. Winter celebrations across the globe highlights the importance of giving and sharing towards others, especially to those in need. Therefore, such acts of charity and kindness are encouraged during these times to promote love and compassion.
In short, winter is that time of the year when the whole world gets prepared for some amazing holiday vibes and festival celebrations across the globe.
Here’s a list of popular winter festivals around the world which are amazing and fun to experience at least once in life experience.
1-Amsterdam Light Festival – Amsterdam, Netherlands
Where: Amsterdam, Netherlands
When: 30 November, 2023 – 21 January, 2024
Duration: 2 months Approx.
About Festival:
The Amsterdam Light Festival usually takes place annually in the beautiful capital city of the Netherlands from December to January. This Light Festival is a great way to out and about and enjoy Dutch city.Every year, a number of national and international artists gather to create the captivating light displays that can be seen while having a walk along the city’s canals.
Suggestions..!
- Visitors can purchase a map to follow the route of the artworks.
- The best way of enjoying the festival is on a boat tour through Amsterdam’s canals. In fact, it is suggested that displays can only be seen properly from the water.
- Due to the nature of the displays, they are only on in the afternoons and evenings so that they can be seen properly.
Therefore, visitors can do all their regular sightseeing in the city during the day and then move towards the light festival after having dinner.
With the canal cruise, a person may have different options ranging from the cheapest option at around €26.50 on a small boat with an open roof, all the way to €70 for a luxury boat tour with a complimentary snacks.
2-Sapporo Snow Festival, Japan
When: February 4, 2024 to February 11, 2024
Where: Sapporo -Japan
Duration: 7 days approx.
About Festival
It is one of the most popular winter festivals around the world ,The Sapporo Snow Festival features hundreds of ice sculptures and snow statues that takes place in three different sites in Hokkaido, Japan, namely Tsu Dome, Susukino, and Odori. Moreover, a visitor can enjoy the concerts and other exciting events.
3-The Quebec Winter Carnival, Canada
When: February 2, 2024, to February 11, 2024
Where: Quebec –eastern Canada
Duration: 7 days Approx.
About Festival
The Quebec Winter carnival is considered the world’s oldest and largest festival. The event is famous for its incredibly long history dating back in 1894 and held in city’s old town, therefore, when visitors enter to this festival, they catch the vibe of European Winter Wonderland. The festival displays fantastic parades, where people dressed up in red while holding trumpets. Other activities include such as snow sculptures, night parades exhibitions, and ice skating.
4-Hyde Park Winter Wonderland, London, UK
When: November 17th 2023 –January 1st 2024
Where: London –UK
Duration: 2 months Approx.
About Festival
Hyde Park Winter Wonderland is one of the best and family-friendliest festivals for the cold season where travelers have plenty of options for activities and festive entertainment during the festival, including ice skating, live music, and a fun Christmas Market.
Some of the fun activities to do during the event are:
Circus show, where visitors will get an amazing chance to experience the acrobatic moves,
Skating, another great attraction of the festival is The Winter Wonderland ice rink, which is considered to be the largest outdoor rink in the United Kingdom.
As well as incredible rides for thrill seeker
5-Harbin International Ice and Snow Sculpture Festival, China
Where: Heilongjiang province, China
When: 17 December 2023 – 28 February 2024
Duration: 68 days Approx.
About Festival
Harbin Ice & Snow Sculpture Festival is one of the most impressive things to do in China during winter break. This exceptional festival consists of giant ice buildings and tricky sculptures of animals, people and mythical creatures. By night, lights shine through the ice to produce an array of colors creating a fantastic winter wonderland. The ice festival often includes fun activities such as ice slides and skating rings.
6-Carnevale, Venice, Italy
Where: 3rd February 2024-13th February 2024
When: Venice-Italy
Duration: 10 days Approx.
About Festival
Carnevale is one of the most popular winter festivals in France and has become a favorite among the best things to do in Venice. It features masquerade balls, parades, dancing, live entertainment, music and much more. In this Italian celebration people take part with amazing costumes and exquisite masquerade to match the festival. The carnival is an incredible sight to behold. It would not be wrong to say that it attracts over million visitors every year. The festival mainly considers the end of winter and new beginnings of the fresh spring season.
7-Winterlude
Where: Ottawa-Canada
When: February 2nd -19th 2024
Duration: 20 days approx.
About Festival
Winterlude festival usually takes place in the Ottawa region during the first three weekends of February each year.
This time on the occasion of 46th Winterlude, there is something for everyone to enjoy.
They are ready to amaze the visitors by it’s:
- Stunning ice sculptures created by artists from around the world
- Skate on the world-famous Rideau Canal Skate way (a UNESCO World Heritage Site)
- Play around in a gigantic snow playground called Snowflake Kingdom.
Festival’s activities highlight the Canada’s cultural and artistic range. Urban sites, museums and much more. Most of the festival activities are free.
Don’t miss Canada’s annual Winterlude festival in Canada’s capital!
8-Portland Winter Light Festival, Oregon, USA
When: February 2nd -10th 2024
Where: Oregon-USA
Duration: 7-8 Days approx.
About Festival
This is an interesting Winter Light Festival which is created to get rid of any form of dullness during the cold season. It is inspired by the European light festivals, like Lyon’s Festival of Light. The celebration features some of the most impressive creativity, fire performers and gorgeous tunnels of light that visitors can stroll through. The festival is considered one of the most photo-worthy and will surely make every traveler delighted.
9-St. Paul Winter Carnival, USA
When: January 26th, 2024 –February 5th 2023
Where: Minnesota-USA
Where: Duration: 10 Days approx.
About Festival
Another winter carnival you can visit is St. Paul Winter Carnival. It is located in the heart of downtown Saint Paul, Minnesota, the festival features a scavenger hunt, an ice fishing tournament, a parade, golfing on ice, and bingo night. Many people in the U.S. and around the world come to this carnival to enjoy their winter vacation at this fun place.
Conclusion
Winter is a great time to travel and there are many fantastic festivals around the world held at this time of year. There is no better way to really experience and try to understand a culture than to participate in a local festivals. The memories of the music, food, ceremonies and traditions will stay with you forever.
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