Winter Carnivals
Quebec City has a major Winter Carnival, and it's a true "Carnival", like the one in Rio: in the Catholic religious year, this celebration precedes the time of fasting and prayer during Lent. Lots of other places have Winter Carnivals too, without the context of the religious year.
More Winter Festivals in Canada
No surprise that in the "Great White North" many towns have a winter carnival: Winterfest in Calgary, WinterCity in Toronto, Winterlude in Ottawa, to name just a few.
NY: Snowfest at Cooperstown NY
Mid-February's the time for this festive weekend in Cooperstown in upstate NY. Snow Sculpting Championship is a highlight; other activities include sledding, ice-skating, x-country skiing. Historic Cooperstown is billed as "America's most perfect village"; families like the National Baseball Hall of Fame Museum, and the classy but family-friendly Otesaga Resort Hotel.
Alberta, Canada: Lake Louise Ice Magic Festival
Professional carvers compete in this event at the Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise. Lake Louse is in renowned Banff National Park: a place of scenic splendour, with three family-friendly ski resorts.
CO: Steamboat Family Snow Festival
Winter Carnivals aren't the only kind of cold-weather festivities. Steamboat Colorado is a top ski resorts for families, and has an annual Family Snow Festival in January.
CA: Lake Tahoe Snowfest
Ten days of fun at the beginning of March, with multiple venues, opening night fireworks, Snow Fest Queen, Big Air contest, pancake breakfast, Snowfest! (and more) parades, polar bear swim, giant tricyle race, and much much more.
This winter festival comes earlier in winter, in December through the first days of January, and is at Navy Pier, a prime family-fun area with rides, parks, Children's Museu, and more. Admission to Winter Wonderfest is free; kids can buy a wristband for unlimited access to rides.
See also: Holiday Season Events and Celebrations
