During Idaho’s chilliest months, there is no better antidote to cabin fever than a good old-fashioned winter carnival.
Across the state, numerous winter festivals, each with its own unique theme, transform the snowy landscape into a vibrant jamboree of community, creativity, and cheer. Some of these celebrations date back decades and were created to combat the winter blues and boost business and tourism in these small Idaho towns.
Photo by Melissa Shelby
Stanley Winterfest
“Let’s Get Weird!” is the motto of Stanley, Idaho’s 17th annual Winterfest, so you know it is going to be a crazy-fun time for the whole family.
Known as one of the coldest places in the Continental United States, Stanley doesn’t let that stop the annual festivities, as locals turn the frigid backdrop into a playground for two days of games, music, and fun, beginning with the Mountain Village Kickoff Beach Party with a DJ and dancing. Over the weekend, there will be adult Big Wheel Racing, the popular Outhouse races, where home-built outhouses are put on skis and then pushed down the icy streets, Drag (Queen) Races with participants running through ice-covered streets dressed in drag and wearing snowshoes; three-legged races, downhill
snow rafting, live music, and street dances.
When
Feb. 13-14. 2026
Where to stay
stanleycc.org/lodging/
Where to eat, drink, and be merry
stanleycc.org/eat/
More Information
Stanley-Sawtooth Chamber of Commerce
(208) 774-3411
stanleycc.org/stanleywinterfest.com/
McCall Winter Carnival
The inspiration for the McCall Winter Carnival dates back to 1924, when the city created the Payette Lakes Sports Carnival as a way to attract tourists. The inaugural festival featured dog and snowshoe races, ski jumping, horse skijoring, and a tug-of-war, where the prize was a box of oranges. Since lodging was scarce, many visitors were housed by residents who opened their homes to the overflow.
Almost 100 years later, the 2026 McCall Winter Carnival continues to celebrate the area’s winter wonderland in a 10-day event with activities for all. Its signature event and primary draw for visitors each year is the impressive, large-scale snow and ice sculptures created by local artists around town. In addition, there will be fireworks over Payette Lake, live music, a Mardi Gras parade, a Children’s Torchlight parade, a dog sled pull, ice skating, and a variety of vendors. The theme this year is “Where in the World is Sharlie?”a reference to the legend of Sharlie, McCall’s resident mythical lake monster.
When
Jan. 30 – Feb. 8, 2026
Where to stay
visitmccall.org/stay/lodging/
Where to eat, drink, and be merry
visitmccall.org/eat/dining/
More Information
McCall Chamber of Commerce
(208) 634-7631
info@mccallchamber.org
visitmccall.org/
Sandpoint Winter Carnival
With Schweitzer Mountain Resort just a few minutes away, Sandpoint is the perfect area for the festive annual Winter Carnival sponsored by the Greater Sandpoint Chamber of Commerce. Visitors can expect dozens of fun outdoor and indoor activities during the 53rd presentation of this 10-day carnival.
The annual Parade of Lights through downtown Sandpoint kicks off the activities on Friday, February 1. Some of the highlights to follow include live music, fireworks, sleigh and wagon rides, and the Let It Glow Kid’s Parade. There will be plenty of great food and drink from local vendors.
To close out the festivities, the popular K9 Keg Pull will feature hometown dogs of all shapes and breeds and their owners, racing down a snowy course with the canines pulling empty beer kegs for the time and prizes. This is a favorite event and a fundraiser for a local animal shelter.
The full schedule of events will be posted by mid-January at sandpointwintercarnival.com/events.
When
Starting Feb. 13, 2026,
Where to stay
sandpoint-idaho-hotels-lodging.com/
Where to eat, drink, and be merry
www.sandpointonline.com/dining/restaurant_search.phtml
More information
Greater Sandpoint Chamber of Commerce
(208) 263-2161
sandpointwintercarnival.com/events
Email: info@sandpointchamber.com
Lava Hot Springs Fire and Ice Winterfest
It’s been described as zany, quirky, a blast, and a few years ago, even USA Today named it one of the best Winter Festivals in the country.
It’s the Lava Hot Springs Fire and Ice Winterfest held annually during the first full weekend of February in this quaint resort town famous for its natural spring-fed hot pools.
The festival features events for the whole family, such as the Parade of Lights, fire dancers, a torch ski parade down the mountain, karaoke, an indoor swimming pool, carnival games for the kids, and adult activities including a beer garden, wine tasting, and more. The Polar Bear Float and Costume Contest features contestants in costumes and inner tubes floating down the frigid Portneuf River vying for the fastest time and the most original costume. There is also the “Running of the Bulls” race, where participants run down Main Street in their swimming suits in the winter cold, then warm up with a soak in Idaho’s world-famous Lava Hot Springs. The two-day fun-fest concludes with a spectacular fireworks display visible throughout the city.
When
Feb. 6-7, 2026
Where to stay
lavahotsprings.org/cat/lodging/
Where to eat, drink, and be merry
lavahotsprings.org/cat/dining-nightlife/
Additional info
Full schedule and details available January 2026
lavahotsprings.org/event/fire-ice/
No matter where you are in Idaho during the winter, you are likely to be in proximity to one of the many winter carnivals and festivals throughout the state.
For more statewide listings, Visitidaho.org has a large listing of festivals around the state.