Ice Festivals from Around the World
International Ice and Snow Sculpture Festival - Harbin, China
The International Ice and Snow Sculpture Festival, in the northern Chinese city of Harbin, is the largest frozen event in the world, dating back to the early 1960s when it started as a lantern and garden party before transforming into the grand event seen today. The ice sculptures are carved from large blocks of ice obtained from the surface of the Songhua River. The sculptors battle each other to create the largest and most creative artwork not only in the festival but in the planet. The ice festival starts on January 5 annually.
Budweiser International Snow Sculpture Festival – Breckenridge
The Budweiser International Snow Sculpture Festival is a championship for ice sculptors from around the world who go head to head in a competition to create the most amazing displays. Participants are divided into a team of four artists with each team given a 12-foot high, 20-ton block of snow to work with. The teams have 65 minutes to complete their masterpieces, after which marks are awarded by the judges. Visitors also have the opportunity to vote for their favorites to determine the People’s Choice winner.
Quebec Winter Carnival - Quebec City
The Quebec Winter Carnival has been offering snow lovers from Canada and around the world a chance to celebrate and enjoy everything about winter for the last 60 years. It is the world’s largest winter carnival, offering over 200 activities throughout Quebec. Popular activities include sleigh racing, hockey games, and parades. Snow sculpture and soap box derby are among the festival’s favorite, alongside visiting the carnival mascot known as "Bonhomme" at the huge ice palace. Quebec Winter Carnival takes place annually from around January 28 to mid-February.
Ice Music Festival - Geilo
Ice Music festival is a unique ice festival that takes place in Geilo, Norway. Hundreds of music lovers and artist take part in this festival that takes ice sculpting to a new level. Artists gather on the first full moon of the year to create working musical instruments from ice and snow. Instruments such as guitars, violins, harps and even stringed instruments are some of the most popular during the festivals. The artists then take to stage to play their freezing instruments which produce some of the unique instruments. The performance takes place in a specially constructed igloo
Ice Magic Festival - Banff
The Ice Magic Festival has been taking place for over 20 years in picturesque Lake Louise, in Banff National Park, Canada. Each year, the festival organizers come up with a theme which competitors have to bring out in their ice artwork. The competition takes about 36 hours/ Final artworks are often displayed for visitors, who also have an opportunity to enjoy free ice activities such as freestyle sculpting and ice games such as sliding and hockey.
International Festival-Competition of Snow and Ice Sculpture - Krasnoyarsk
International Festival-Competition of Snow and Ice Sculpture - Krasnoyarsk
International Festival-Competition of Snow and Ice Sculpture marks the beginning of every New Year. The festival is held annually on the freezing banks of the Yenisei River in Krasnoyarsk, Russia. Teams from as far as the US, China, and Japan travel to the Siberia’s third largest city to compete in both ice and snow categories under a unique theme. The festival involves the creation of fortresses, labyrinths, and mythical objects in line with the year’s theme. Special expert-led workshops are also opened for visitors who would want try their hands on ice and snow carving.
International Festival-Competition of Snow and Ice Sculpture marks the beginning of every New Year. The festival is held annually on the freezing banks of the Yenisei River in Krasnoyarsk, Russia. Teams from as far as the US, China, and Japan travel to the Siberia’s third largest city to compete in both ice and snow categories under a unique theme. The festival involves the creation of fortresses, labyrinths, and mythical objects in line with the year’s theme. Special expert-led workshops are also opened for visitors who would want try their hands on ice and snow carving.
