Brrrr, it’s freezing! Time to party? Absolutely. Winter means big fun for many. And, nothing says winter like a cozy stroll around Winter Wonderland – aka, a winter carnival! So if it’s ice palaces, snowy sculptures, ice fishing contests, and amazing photo opportunities you seek, take a look at some of the coolest winter carnivals around the world!
The Quebec Winter Carnival (Canada)
Probably the best known of these chilled-out celebrations is the Quebec Winter Carnival, which has been delighting folks for 60 years with a mix of cold weather wonders blended with traditions dating back to the days when the area was still a French colony. But, you’ll definitely want to find cheap international flights well before winter comes so you don’t miss it! Like other famous Carnival festivities such as in Venice or Rio de Janeiro, the Quebecois shindig has its roots in locals getting together for a bit of sometimes raucous frivolity before the self-disciplines of Lent began. Quebec’s Winter Carnival is also a way of making the merry most of an icy situation with giant ice sculptures, a grand ice palace, and loads of outdoor activities to enjoy.
Winterlude in Ottawa (Canada)

[Image above “Winterlude/Bal de neige” by Andrew Plumb on Flickr – licensed under CC BY-SA 2.0]
St. Paul Winter Carnival (Minnesota)

[Image above “1888 Saint Paul Minnesota Winter Carnival Ice Palace, Published By The Independent Five And Ten Cent Stores” by Joe Haupt on Flickr – licensed under CC BY-SA 2.0]
You may also enjoy: Our Top 5 North American Winter-Themed Festivals
Holmenkollen Ski Festival (Norway)
As one of the most popular sporting arenas on the planet, it’s no surprise that Norway uses Holmenkollen as the site of its annual ski festival. Generally held at the beginning of March, this festival features a host of ski-jumping competitions. While at the festival, be sure to stop by the world-class Ski Museum to learn more about the sport and how it’s shaped this corner of Europe. Plus, there are lots of winter-themed activities to do in Oslo, the epicenter of the best that Norway has to offer.
Sapporo Snow Festival (Japan)

[Image above “おひな様” by iyoupapa on Flickr – licensed under CC BY-SA 2.0]
Harbin International Ice and Snow Sculpture Festival (China)

[Image above “Harbin Ice and Snow Festival 2013” by Tracy Hunter on Flickr – licensed under CC by 2.0]
Did we leave out any of your favorite winter carnivals around the world? Tell us about yours in the comments!