5 Massachusetts Winter Carnivals

Posted by Massachusetts Office of Travel & Tourism

It may be cold outside but let’s face it, you wouldn’t want it any other way for a winter carnival. Massachusetts knows how to throw a party in the snow so check out these five winter carnivals coming up in the next few weeks.

16th Annual Lowell Winterfest – February 19-20
It all kicks off with a ribbon cutting ceremony. A giant snowzilla slide, a classic carousel and an inflatable obstacle course to keep the kids busy. Head over to Lucy Larcom Park where there will be heated tents with food & beverage, fire pits and s’mores stations, an outside ice lounge, fire dancers, canal lighting display, and more. Watch the ice carvers make sculptures, dabble in some maple sugaring, take a hay ride or feast at the chocolate fest.

Greenfield Winter Carnival – February 5-7
The 2nd Annual Parade of Lights will help kick-off the festival with displays that will surely light up the night! Decorated vehicles will travel from Newton School to Beacon Field. Watch the ice sculptors, take in the 24th Annual David M. Petrin Memorial Alumni Hockey Game. There’ll be fireworks, a youth basketball game, a sleigh bell run,  free ice skating, breakfast with Olaf, snowshoeing trek and much more!

Acton Winter Carnival – February 6
A variety of activities* are planned for this year’s carnival including:
• Sledding & Ice Skating (BYO)
• “Frozen” Dance Party
• Firespinner Michael Farrell
• Acton Minutemen Winter Encampment
• Snow Broomball
Snow or no snow…it’s a go!

North Adams Winterfest – February 20
North Adams has a great way to shake those winter blues! Head downtown to WinterFest on February 20th from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. for hot chocolate, a chowder competition, ice sculpting, horse-drawn wagon rides, and roasted marshmallows at a community campfire. This family-friendly, day-long downtown event is sure to brighten up even the coldest winter day! Festivities will wrap-up at the North Adams Skating Rink.

Old Sturbridge Village Winterfest – February 13-21
WinterFest at Old Sturbridge Village begins with Valentine’s, ends with sleigh rally. Special Event Coincides with Massachusetts School Vacation Week. Keep the kids busy during February school vacation week at Old Sturbridge Village with a mix of invigorating outdoor fun and cozy indoor activities and hands-on crafts. Visitors can enjoy a horse-drawn winter sleigh ride, and sledding on 1830s-style reproduction sleds (weather permitting). Indoor activities include candle-making, constructing a paper George Washington militia hat, and writing with a quill pen. Children can make, and take home, a “thaumatrope” – a 19th-century toy that fools the eye.

TOPICS: Family Fun, Festivals, Winter Fun