If You Only Attend One Festival In New York This Winter, Make It The 10-Day Saranac Lake Winter Carnival
By Lea Monroe|Published December 17, 2019
×
Lea Monroe
Author
Writer for Only In Your State. Scribbling about all things New York and Buffalo related while also keeping you updated on the latest travel news! Inquiries: Lmonroe@onlyinyourstate.com
As much as we’d like to attend each and every one of the festivals and events that are up and running during New York’s winter season, considering the size of our state and that there are only so many hours in a day, it’s simply impossible to make that dream come true. So, to ensure that you have the best year possible here in the Empire State, we’re going to point you in the direction of the one winter festival you should absolutely cross off of your bucket list during this time of year. See for yourself!
An event that's been held in the Adirondack Park since 1897, the Saranac Lake Winter Carnival is a winter event that you have to experience at least once throughout your lifetime.
Towards the end of each winter here in New York, the carnival takes over the village of Saranac Lake - drawing in visitors from all around New York and beyond.
Over the course of this 10-day-long event, you’ll find things happening around town like spaghetti dinner fundraisers, Arctic Gold Build-An-Obstacle Contest, Chocolate Festival at Harrietstown Town Hall, Fry Pan Tosses at Riverside Park...
...Winter Books Sales at the Saranac Lake Free Library, Snowshoe Softball at the Elks Field, Face Painting, Cookie Decorating Contests, and more going on.
The shining star of the winter carnival though is the Ice Palace that sits out between River Street and Lake Flower where the ice to make the palace is harvested directly from by local Adirondack residents!
Impossible to miss as you drive through town, this season from January 31, 2019 through February 9, 2020 while the carnival is operating you'll be able to see the magical ice castle on display.
Free for all to enjoy, visitors can walk right up to the Ice Palace to explore this one-of-a-kind castle that's made up of hallways and tunnels that you can even crawl through.
When you aren't exploring the insides of the Saranac Lake Winter Carnival Ice Palace, you'll find other smaller ice structures set up all along the lakefront and in town like chairs for you to sit an, a lean-to, and even a miniature golf course made of ice!
Each year, the Ice Palace takes on a new theme, with this year's being 'Myths and Legends', so you can be sure that you'll have something truly magical waiting for you!
With the chance to see fireworks during their opening display at 7 p.m. on Saturday, February 1 and on Sunday, February 9 at 8 p.m. for the closing display, start planning your trip to Saranac Lake before the Winter Carnival passes you by!
To find out more about this year's Saranac Lake Winter Carnival, click here and be sure to further stay up to date by following their official Facebook page!
