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January 8, 2025 | 08:07 pm
TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Every year, there are plenty of winter festivals held across the globe, adorned with striking lights and stunning decorations. Naturally, the cold season brings us to some of the most beautiful natural abundance, ranging from snowy streets to white-capped mountains.
While the chilly weather might not be everyone’s cup of tea, there’s always a way to make it better, like coming by one of these winter festivals. If you are on the lookout for some festivities to start the year off, read on to discover the breathtaking spectacles below.
8 Best Winter Festivals in 2025
According to Time Out, the Kiruna Snow Festival and Saint Paul Winter Carnival are among the world’s best winter festivals in 2025, with other events as follows:
Kiruna Snow Festival - Sweden
Taking the crown as European Capital of Culture, Kiruna, one of northern Sweden's cities, celebrates the snowy season like no other. This winter festival goes beyond crafting the typical snowmen but rather allows visitors to indulge in dog sledding and reindeer racing events.
Aside from hosting the Kiruna International Snow Sculpture Competition, this year’s edition also features the 40th anniversary of the Snow Blower World Championships, which presents the racing of competitors to clear a 20m long heap.
Date: January 22-26, 2025
Saint Paul Winter Carnival - Minnesota, US
Encompassing a 10-day winter festival, the Saint Paul Winter Carnival is a long-standing tradition that never fails to brighten up the cold days. This year, the family-friendly celebration introduces multiple new events, including the Hunt for the Golden Beer Can that will grant the winner a year's worth of beer cans.
While enjoying the vibrant competitions, you can take your family to watch live performances at Rondo Night and participate in one of the largest meat raffles at the Star Tribune Steak Out. For pet owners, be sure to also be the spectators of the festival’s cat show and doggie depot.
Date: January 23 - February 1, 2025
Vilnius Light Festival - Lithuania
In contrast to Lithuania's reputation as an astonishing Old Town, the Vilnius Light Festival is sleek with modernity. With striking hues of illuminated digital arts, immersive installations, and breathtaking architectural displays throughout the city, this winter festival serves a large scale of lighting spectacles.
Date: January 24-26, 2025
Sapporo Snow Festival - Japan
As one of the biggest cities in Japan, Sapporo has all it takes to take snowy celebrations to another level. In its 75th year, the Sapporo Snow Festival invites local artists to showcase their wonderfully skilled hands in making massive-scale replicas of famous landmarks around the world. To top off the experiences, make sure to join the plethora of games and activities available on the sites before retiring to the island’s cozy hot springs at the end of the day.
Date: February 4-11, 2025
Montréal en Lumière - Canada
One of the largest winter festivals in the world, Montréal en Lumière is the perfect destination site for travelers who wish to enjoy numerous fascinating activities all at once. Presenting the perfect combination of gastronomy party, performing arts, and outdoor family-friendly activities, this carnaval shows you how to do winter ‘the Montréal way.’. Let’s forget about the gloomy winter night and head straight to the blasting music of DJs here.
Date: February 27 - March 9, 2025
Mongolia Ice Festival - Mongolia
Just like what a lot of people are doing in the summer, Mongolia’s locals are having the best of times throughout the winter. Later into the season, in March, the Mongolia Ice Festival will appear as the cherry on top of the freezing weather, offering multiple icy activities for two days straight. From horse sled racing, ice sculptures, skating marathons, and wrestling competitions on the ice to a local craft market as well as a bonfire, visitors are pampered with a tight-packed agenda around the mountainous landscapes.
Date: March 3-4, 2025
Winter Lights at Canary Wharf - London, UK
Another winter festival that lights up the night is Winter Lights at Canary Wharf with its 12 beaming installations. During your wintry stroll, don’t miss out on the opportunity to marvel at the beauty of silky sari fabric lit and a stack of ringing bathtubs on the site. Under the gleaming lights, you might want to hold the hand of your lover.
Date: January 21 - February 1, 2025
LlumBCN - Spain
LlumBCN closes the list of the world’s best winter festivals for the 2025 edition. Among the 15 installations, there will be art coming from the photographer Joan Fontcuberta and set designer and light artist Laura Closs. Even more interesting, the university students will also contribute to bringing their 17 designed arts to showcase.
Date: February 7-9, 2025
These winter festivals remind us that even in the coldest months, there’s warmth to be found in shared celebrations, dazzling displays, and unique cultural traditions. If you are more inclined to escape the cold, let’s take a tour of the top places to visit in February here.
Editor’s Choice: 10 Things to Do in Harbin: Must See Winter Wonderland Attractions
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