Lady Winter’s right around the corner, knocking at our doors as she wears a cold blanket and puts on some icy mist. Well, for a tropical country like India, winters aren’t as harsh and cold as they are in the Northern Hemisphere. Think of the snow-covered cobblestone streets of Europe or the neon-lit Tokyo districts bustling with some festive energy. A winter festival is an exciting phenomenon in many countries, rightly celebrated as you welcome the new year. If you’re planning to pack your bags and live your Snow White dreams in a foreign place, here are some of the best winter festivals you should keep an eye out for.
Best Winter Festivals Around the World
- Sapporo Snow Festival, Japan
- Vienna’s Christmas Markets
- Quebec Winter Carnival, Canada
- Loy Krathong, Thailand
- Up Helly Aa, Scotland
1. Sapporo Snow Festival, Japan
What began with just a handful of snow sculptures in 1950 has gained international attention today. Sapporo Snow Festival is celebrated on the northern Japanese island of Hokkaido and is one of the three major snow festivals in the world. Hokkaido during the winters is a treat in itself and to experience it is only like a cherry on top. It is free of cost and is held in the three main sites – Odori Park, Susukino, and Tsudome.
Odori Park acts as the heart of the festival, featuring giant snow sculptures in the city squares. Susukino is the entertainment district in Sopporo, and it is best known for its illuminated sculptures complemented by its vibrant nightlife. Tsudome is the most family-friendly place among the three as it has snow activities that you and your family can participate in. Speak of sledding, snowboarding, playing snowball, or even building an adorable Olaf of your dreams.
While you’re at the festival, do not sleep on authentic Japanese street food like okonomiyaki, takoyaki, dango, as well as seafood. From traditional live performances to illuminated art pieces, the atmosphere is no less than a cyberpunk dreamscape!
When And Where?
The festival is held in Sapporo, capital of Hokkaido in February and continues for a week. It usually starts from the first weekend of the month. In 2025, the festival will be held from 4th to 11th February.
2. Vienna Christmas Markets, Austria
If you’ve grown up daydreaming about THAT Christmas you’ve always read about in your novels, visiting Vienna’s markets is the first stop to experience it. From November to early January, Vienna’s cobblestone streets transform into a scene no less than a fairytale. You have locals selling their Christmas-themed goods, bakeries baking the freshest bread, and the aroma of hot chocolate, mulled wine, and roasted chestnuts wafting through the air. Are you already drooling?
These markets, which are spread throughout various locations in Vienna, including its city center, weave together the perfect Holiday backdrop. But it’s not just about shopping – there are plenty of art performances, classical concerts, and ice skating rinks that you can attend. Along with Vienna’s markets, its grand palaces and churches participate in the festive fervor too as they wrap themselves up in beautiful lights and decorations. Don’t miss the Schönbrunn Palace and its market, the Christmas Village at Belvedere Palace, as well as the iconic Rathausplatz for a truly magical Christmas experience.
When And Where?
The markets are opened at various places in and around Vienna, with those at Rathausplatz and Stephansplatz being popular tourist attractions. They are held from mid-November to Christmas Eve, and sometimes even post-Christmas till early January.
3. Quebec Winter Carnival, Canada
Our next stop is the land of the maple syrup and poutine, and well, snow. Standing tall as one of the world’s largest and most visited events, it is a snow festival you wouldn’t want to miss. It first started in 1894 and since 1955 enjoys the status of an annual tradition. An exciting highlight of the festival is Bonhomme, the adorable festival mascot. Each year, the mayor of Quebec hands over the keys to the city to this mascot.
Apart from spotting Bonhomme, you can enjoy sledding, ice canoeing, ice skating, and even some risky games like bikini snow bathing. Yes you heard it right. If you feel like adventure sports are not your cup of hot chocolate, there’s always evening bonfires and traditional food to munch on. And, while you’re there, don’t forget to attend the lively night parades and music festivals. The streets are illuminated with the fanciest lights and the atmosphere is filled with the snowy, holiday fever. This is how you do a winter festival!
When And Where?
The winter festival takes place annually in Quebec City, usually from late January to mid-February. In 2025, the festival will take place from 7th to 16th February.
4. Loy Krathong, Thailand
If you think that a winter festival is all about diving in snow heaps and playing snow fights, you’re about to be proven wrong. Loy Krathong is a traditional Thai festival celebrated during the full moon of the 12th month of the Thai lunar calendar, which falls usually in November. Though celebrated across the country, the celebrations at Chiang Mai, Bangkok, and Sukhothai attract global tourists. In Chiang Mai, it is celebrated alongside the Yi Peng Lantern Festival where thousands of lanterns are released in the night sky.
As the rains recede and colder temperatures kick in, the people of Thailand honor the water goddess by releasing small, candle-lit boats called krathongs. This is done to also seek Her blessings for the coming year. These krathongs are usually made of banana leaves in the shape of a lotus and are decorated with orchids, jasmine, and other flowers. The sheer sight of thousands of krathongs floating gently in the water under the full moon is simply ethereal. It wouldn’t be wrong to say that India’s Deepavali has a Thai cousin in the form of Loy Krathong!
When And Where?
The winter festival usually occurs during the month of November all across Thailand. In 2024, the festival was on November 15th and 16th, in Chiang Mai and Bangkok respectively.
5. Up Helly Aa, Scotland
This last winter festival in the list is quite an underrated one, but is also one of the most unique ones in the world. Especially, if you’ve been a fan of Vikings and Norse history all your life. At Scotland’s Up Helly Aa, be ready for fire, lights, and contagious enthusiasm. The festival’s main event is the fiery procession that you might not have heard of. It is a boisterous, vibrant celebration in which participants march through Lerwick’s streets holding flaming torches, dressed as Vikings. A Viking longship is set on fire as the procession comes to a close, signifying the end of the old year and the beginning of the new one.
The festival includes traditional Viking music, dancing, and feasting in addition to the torchlit parade. It started in 1881, and only the world wars, the passing away of a king, and the COVID-19 pandemic have halted its celebrations. Up Helly Aa is a lively celebration of Shetland’s Viking past. Although the event is an exciting experience in and of itself, what really makes it a memorable winter festival is the warmth and friendliness of the local community. Not all winter festivals around the world have to be about snow, right?
When And Where?
There are 12 Up Helly Aas held across Shetland between January and March. Amongst them, Lerwick’s is the biggest and the grandest. In Lerwick, the festival will take place on the last Tuesday of January.
Summing Up
Winter festivals around the world offer much more than just a chance to enjoy the season’s chill – they celebrate both the arrival and the departure of a season and don’t always require snow. Whether you’re watching massive snow sculptures in Sapporo, releasing beautiful krathongs in Bangkok, or dancing in the streets of Quebec with Bonhomme, these festivals are perfect for experiencing the local life and hearing the stories they tell. Have you heard them yet?
FAQs
What Is The Biggest Winter Festival In The World?
The Quebec Winter Carnival is the largest winter festival in the world.
Which Festivals Are Celebrated In Winter Season In India?
In India, Makar Sankrati, Pongal, Bihu, and Lohri are key festivals celebrated in the winter season. They celebrate the harvest season and the arrival of the winter season.
What Is The Most Celebrated Winter Holiday?
Christmas is the most celebrated winter holiday in the world. This marks the birth of Lord Jesus on December 25th.
How much does it cost to go to Sapporo Snow Festival?
The Sapporo Snow Festival does not charge any entry fee. It is completely free of cost, however, you must pay for the food and souvenirs you purchase there.
