Winter Festivals

Winter festivals are one of Vermonters' favorite ways to bring light into winter's shorter days. Some of our festivals last for days – spend a weekend watching masters carve ice into sculpture, or visit for a week and learn to play snow volleyball. While some events bring people together for one night and light up the whole season, like tree lightings in Burlington, Rutland and Montpelier, others highlight some of the best of Vermont. Sample Vermont craft beers for a weekend at Killington, Essex Junction or Smugglers Notch, bring your fat bike and shred with the best, or pack your bags for Winter Rendezvous, the biggest LGBTQ ski event on the East Coast. Family members of all ages will delight in community festivals and winter fairs and carnivals that include sledding, snow tubing, snowshoe demos, hot chocolate and even an indoor Winter Renaissance Faire. Whatever way you winter, it's all here in Vermont.