There are many interesting events happening in winter and winter festivals are one of them. They are held after the winter solstice in countries where the winter is long and cold. Why be sad and cold if you can have great fun? We will tell you about the most fun, noisy and beautiful winter festivals in the world.
1. Winter Carnival in Quebec, Canada
This is one of the most magnificent, fun and popular winter carnivals in the world. It lasts two weeks, from January 29 to February 14. Every day there are exciting competitions: canoe racing on the ice of the river, swimming in an ice hole, and the world’s oldest snow sculpture competition. On Saturdays there is a costume parade. A huge ice palace is being built for the carnival mascot, the snowman Bonhomme.
Photo: Mark Kurtz
2. Saranac Lake Festival, New York, USA
This carnival has been held for 117 years at the beginning of February and its main event is the construction of a huge palace from thousands of blocks of ice. When it is built, fireworks are released from the palace towers; this kicks off competitions in curling, alpine skiing and ice skating. The most original competition is long throwing of pancake pans.
3. Ice and Snow Festival in Harbin, China
The festival has been held since 1963, begins on January 5 and lasts a whole month. The ice for the sculptures is taken from the Songhua River, which is known for its crystal clear water. Every year, artists create hundreds of sculptures on a given theme, some of them are so huge that they are included in the Guinness Book of Records. In addition to the sculpture competition, the festival hosts competitions in alpine skiing, luge and bobsleigh.
4. Snow Festival in Sapporo, Japan
At the beginning of February, an international snow sculpture festival is held in Sapporo, where 25 teams and 2 million spectators come from all over the world. The festival takes place simultaneously at three venues: Odori Park, Tsudomu Stadium and Susukino Main Street. Spectators are entertained with figure skating lessons, snow rafting, tasting local cuisine, concerts and performances.
5. Ice Festival on Lake Khuvsgol, Mongolia
This festival is held from March 2 to 5 in the middle of the huge frozen Lake Khubsugul, whose area is 2,760 km². A city of ice and snow is being built on the lake, where a craft fair, concerts, figure skating and ice wrestling competitions are held. Tourists coming to the festival can live in a real yurt and participate in sleigh races.
6. Fire Festival Up helly aa, Shetland Islands, Scotland
Up helly aa is the largest fire festival in Europe, which has been held on the last Tuesday of January since 1870. Residents of the island dress up in Viking costumes and hold a torchlight procession around the city. On the eve of the holiday, a wooden boat is built, which in the evening men carry on their shoulders to the river, launch it into the water and throw torches at it. After the boat burns down, the festivities begin.
7. Winter Lights Festival in Reykjavik, Iceland
Every year, from February 9 to 12, the center of Reykjavik is transformed with light installations and laser shows. The night sky is illuminated by the northern lights and neon lights, and musicians and dancers perform in the streets. On February 10, the city will host the Night of Museums – and art collections will be complemented by lighting effects. And on February 11, the night of the pools, the 3 largest pools with thermal water will be illuminated and open all night.
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