Land of Icy Wonders: Best Winter Festivals in New York
January 17, 2020 | 5 min Read
This year, instead of bemoaning January and February as traditionally the coldest, darkest months, join New Yorkers and celebrate the essence of winter: the cold, the snow, and even the ice. Each year, the city puts a fun spin on winter with its festivals, from snow in Central Park for winter dodgeball, to the beautiful ice rink at Bryant Park, not to mention the bedazzling Chinese lanterns at Citi Field. If the outdoors aren’t your thing, we have a cozy festival in Long Island to keep you warm. Embrace winter at one (or more) of these fun festivals in the new year.
FrostFest
Bryant Park a winter wonderland for ten days from January 24 to February 2 when the Bank of America Winter Village’s FrostFest is in full swing. Ride spinning bumper cars on ice, take in live ice-skating performances from professional skaters and skaters from the Special Olympics at the Bryant Park rink. Off the ice, grab your friends and reserve your very own igloo where you can sample seasonal food and drinks at the park. Or test your wits at a winter-themed trivia night at The Lodge. And while you’re at it, why not try out a silent disco. Intrigued yet?
Bryant Park
Between 40th and 42nd Streets & Fifth and Sixth Avenues
New York, NY 10036
Winter Jam
If you’ve always dreamed of learning to ski, this winter you don’t have to leave the Big Apple to do it. On February 1st from 11 am to 3 pm, Rumsey Playfield in New York’s Central Park will be blanketed in snow for the annual Winter Jam Festival. Partnering with Gore Mountain, the park will blow snow to create an urban snowfield for all to enjoy. There are ski lessons through the “Learn to Ski” program (register in advance) but the winter-time fun doesn’t stop there. The festival also includes sledding, curling, ice bowling, dodge ball and more. If you’re not up for frolicking in the snow, there’s live ice carving to watch and a stunning ice sculpture garden to meander through.
Central Park
Rumsey Playfield
New York, NY
(212) 360-8213
Long Island Winterfest
Cruise outside of the city and catch one of the state’s best winter-time festivals. From February 7 to March 8, 2020, the Easter End of Long Island celebrates winter with an impressive schedule of events and entertainment. The festival in the Hamptons and North Fork offers five weeks of arts, food, wine, culture, theatre and more hosted in an idyllic setting. Enjoy winter sunsets by the fire, live music, wine tastings, a cocktail seminar, or even drop in for Karaoke. For a full schedule see the festival’s website.
(631) 494-2978
Hello Panda Festival
Hello Panda Festival is the largest lantern festival in North America and honors the traditional Chinese art of lantern-making. With over 120 sets of lanterns to admire, you can stroll through the Lantern Garden and take in the bedazzling visual displays of light and color. Each lantern was handmade by a world-class artisan and many are larger than life in size. But the festival doesn’t take itself too seriously and is fun and imaginative in its lanterns, which include the festival namesake, a large panda. In addition to the lantern displays, Hello Panda Festival offers cultural performances, interactive music and games, and a holiday market with 60 international food vendors. Hello Panda Festival runs from 5-10 pm through January 26.
Citi Field
126th St and Roosevelt Ave,
Flushing, NY 11368
Ice Harvest Festival
On Saturday, February 1, visit the Hanford Mills Museum for the 30th annual Ice Harvest Festival. The festival celebrates New York heritage and revisits the days when ice wasn’t purchased at the grocery store, but cut from frozen lakes to preserve agricultural products and keep food cold in warmer months. At the Ice Harvest Festival, you’ll cut your own ice block using historical tools and techniques, and then transport the blocks to the ice house by sled, just like rural New Yorkers of 1920. But it’s not all hard work, the festival also includes plenty of demonstrations, ice fishing, blacksmithing, and a hot soup and chili buffet to warm up.
Handford Mills Museum
51 County Hwy 12
East Meredith, NY 13757
Staying in New York City – About The Lombardy Hotel
The Lombardy Hotel is just as iconic to Midtown Manhattan as many of the other historic and cultural attractions in the area. Not only are our rooms comfortable and tasteful, we provide amenities such as a full salon, coffee shop, and exercise room. We also host the American Cut Midtown steakhouse, perfect for a business lunch or dinner on a special occasion. We look forward to hosting you.
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