Experience Winter Magic at the Saranac Lake Winter Carnival
January 31 - February 9, 2025
The 2025 Saranac Lake Winter Carnival's theme is Music Legends! This special event has been a significant part of Saranac Lake's rich history since 1897, making it the longest-running event of its kind in the eastern US. See this year's schedule below.
Sponsored by:
Enjoy A Relaxing & Adventurous Winter Getaway
Garnet Hill Lodge offers options for both activity and relaxation. Spend the day exploring the cross-country ski and snowshoe trail network, then retreat to the cozy Log House to warm up by the fire. Ski passes are included with overnight stays! Learn More »
The Saranac Lake Winter Carnival is organized and made possible by an all-volunteer group, the Saranac Lake Winter Carnival Committee. The crown jewel of the event, the Ice Palace, is also brought to life by volunteers on the shore of Lake Flower's Pontiac Bay.
Flower ball!
See the 2025 Saranac Lake Winter Carnival Schedule
Friday, January 31:
- 01:00 PM - History Hut & Gift Shop
- 05:00 PM - Cool Vibes and Visuals
- 07:00 PM - Local Theater! Agatha Christie's THE MOUSETRAP at the Pendragon Theater
- 07:30 PM - The Waterhole Presents: The Mallett Brothers Band & Eastbound Jesus
- 07:30 PM - 2025 Women's Civic Chamber Coronation
- 08:30 PM - Winter Carnival Post-Coronation Community Celebration
- 08:30 PM - 2025 Winter Carnival Royalty Reception
Saturday, February 1:
- 12:00 AM - 2025 Clue Hunt
- 09:00 AM - History Hut & Gift Shop
- 10:00 AM - Winter Carnival Button Making
- 10:00 AM - 2025 NBT Bank Ice Palace Fun Run
- 10:00 AM - 2025 Edward Jones Arctic Golf Build-an-Obstacle Contest
- 10:00 AM - Paul Smith's Booster Club 31st Annual Chocolate Festival - 2025
- 11:00 AM - Cornell Chicken BBQ at the Ice Palace
- 11:00 AM - 2025 Paul Smith's College Woodsmen Exhibition
- 12:00 PM - 2025 Lake Placid Curling Club Hit the Button Curling Competition
- 12:00 PM - 2025 Cure Porch on Wheels at Winter Carnival
- 12:30 PM - 2025 Little Ladies Fry Pan Toss Sponsored by Saranac Lake Teacher's Association
- 01:00 PM - Women's Civic 4th Corn-a-ment Cornhole Tournament
- 01:00 PM - 2025 Ladies Fry Pan Toss Sponsored by Taylor Rental
- 02:00 PM - Local Theater! Agatha Christie's THE MOUSETRAP at the Pendragon Theater
- 04:00 PM - 2025 Catholic Daughters/Knights of Columbus Spaghetti Dinner
- 07:00 PM - 2025 Lighting of the Ice Palace and Hotel Saranac Opening Fireworks Display
- 07:30 PM - Blind Owl Band Winter Carnival Reunion at the Waterhole wsg Folkfaces *SOLD OUT*
- 08:00 PM - Darkside Skinny Dippers Post Fireworks
- 08:00 PM - Carnival RAVE
- 08:00 PM - The New Adirondack Jazz Quartet Presented By Lake Flower Landing
Sunday, February 2:
- 12:00 AM - 2025 Clue Hunt
- 09:00 AM - History Hut & Gift Shop
- 10:00 AM - Winter Drag Brunch! First Show.
- 10:00 AM - 2025 Edward Jones Arctic Golf
- 10:00 AM - 2025 White Stag Downhill Ski Races
- 11:00 AM - Dewey Mt. Snowshoe Disc Golf - Random Doubles
- 11:30 AM - 2025 Arctic Bar-B-Que
- 12:00 PM - Tug of War - Sponsored by Rice Furniture
- 12:00 PM - 2025 Cure Porch on Wheels at Winter Carnival
- 01:00 PM - Ultimate Frisbee Sponsored by LifePower Chiropractic
- 01:00 PM - The Blue Buns Wheel-a-Palooza 2025
- 01:30 PM - Winter Drag Brunch! Second Show.
- 02:00 PM - Winter Carnival Cosmic Bowl and Boogie - Sponsored by Romano's
- 02:30 PM - 2025 FlowerBall - Sponsored by Roots Contracting
- 03:00 PM - AdkMike Music presents: Student Recital.
- 04:00 PM - Lawn Chair Ladies Meet and Greet
- 05:00 PM - Local Theater! Agatha Christie's THE MOUSETRAP at the Pendragon Theater
- 05:30 PM - Blind Owl Band's Winter Carnival Reunion at the Waterhole (NIGHT 2) wsg Arthur Buezo
Monday, February 3
- 12:00 AM - 2025 Clue Hunt
- 12:00 PM - 2025 Cure Porch on Wheels at Winter Carnival
- 12:00 PM - History Hut & Gift Shop
- 06:00 PM - Snowshoe Races - Sponsored by Curtis Lumber
- 06:00 PM - Almost Famous - A Film Screening at the Saranac Lake Library
- 06:00 PM - The Last Waltz - Presented by the Saranac Lake Free Library
- 06:30 PM - Artist's Night at the Palace - Plein Air Drawing & Painting
- 06:30 PM - Music Legends Take Over at the Saranac Lake Hootenanny
- 07:00 PM - Winter Carnival Ecumenical Church Service
Tuesday, February 4
- 12:00 AM - 2025 Clue Hunt
- 10:00 AM - ICE Palace Accessibility Day at Winter Carnival 2025 Sponsored by North Country Community College
- 10:00 AM - Winter Carnival Button Making
- 10:00 AM - History Hut & Gift Shop
- 12:00 PM - Crazy Heart - A Film Screening at the Saranac Lake Library
- 12:00 PM - 2025 Cure Porch on Wheels at Winter Carnival
- 02:00 PM - Rolling Stones in Concert - Presented by the Saranac Lake Free Library
- 05:00 PM - Grand Marshall Reception
- 05:30 PM - 3rd Annual Winter Carnival Fashion Show
- 06:00 PM - Winter Carnival Royalty Dinner and Grand Marshall Reception
- 07:00 PM - Local Theater! Agatha Christie's THE MOUSETRAP at the Pendragon Theater
Wednesday, February 5
- 12:00 AM - 2025 Clue Hunt
- 08:00 AM - Free One Hour Snowmobile Ride with Sled and Spoke
- 10:00 AM - Winter Carnival Button Making
- 12:00 PM - 2025 Cure Porch on Wheels at Winter Carnival
- 12:00 PM - History Hut & Gift Shop
- 05:00 PM - 2025 Family Night at the Ice Palace
- 06:00 PM - Building the Ice Palace: Memories and Experiences
- 06:00 PM - This is Spinal Tap - Presented by the Saranac Lake Free Library
- 07:00 PM - Soggy Po' Boys LIVE - Winter Carnival at the Waterhole
- 07:30 PM - Magic Rocks! with Illusionist Leon Etienne brought to you by Above the Tree Line Events
- 09:30 PM - Adk Stage Rats present: WHO'S HOLIDAY by Matthew Lombardo
Thursday, February 6
- 12:00 AM - 2025 Clue Hunt
- 10:00 AM - Winter Carnival Button Making
- 12:00 PM - 2025 Cure Porch on Wheels at Winter Carnival
- 06:00 PM - The Chucklehead Hoedown
- 06:00 PM - Karaoke Competition - Presented by the Saranac Lake Free Library - $500 in Prizes - Sponsored by Ampersound
- 06:00 PM - 2025 American Management Association Torchlight Skiing and Fireworks
- 06:30 PM - Rock This Town Skating Show
- 07:00 PM - Local Theater! Agatha Christie's THE MOUSETRAP at the Pendragon Theater
- 07:30 PM - The Waterhole Presents: Annie in the Water wsg What? LIVE - Winter Carnival at the Waterhole
Friday, February 7
- 12:00 AM - 2025 Clue Hunt
- 10:00 AM - Winter Carnival Button Making
- 10:00 AM - 2025 Adirondack Bank Innertube Races
- 12:00 PM - 2025 History Hut & Gift Shop
- 12:00 PM - 2025 Cure Porch on Wheels at Winter Carnival
- 12:00 PM - History Hut & Gift Shop
- 01:30 PM - 2025 Coakley Home and Hardware Children's Skating Races
- 02:30 PM - Coakley Home and Hardware Family Open Skate with Free Hot Chocolate
- 05:00 PM - 2025 Firefighter's Broom Ball
- 07:30 PM - LUCID wsg All Night Boogie Band at the Waterhole
- 07:30 PM - 2025 Paul Smith's College Hockey vs. Jefferson Community College
- 07:30 PM - 2025 Rotary Club Variety Show
- 09:30 PM - Adk Stage Rats present: WHO'S HOLIDAY by Matthew Lombardo
Saturday, February 8
- 12:00 AM - 2025 Clue Hunt
- 08:00 AM - 2025 Masons' Pre-Parade Breakfast
- 09:00 AM - History Hut & Gift Shop
- 10:00 AM - Loon Center Event
- 10:00 AM - 2025 Meet the Winter Carnival Characters Sponsored by Stewart's Shops
- 10:00 AM - 2025 CanAm Snow Rugby
- 12:00 PM - 2025 Gala Parade Line-Up
- 01:00 PM - 2025Gala Parade Presented by Casella Waste and Hyde Fuel
- 02:00 PM - The Big Takeover at Winter Carnival Post Parade Party FREE SHOW
- 02:30 PM - Winter Carnival - Annual After-Parade Party w/ Darkside Skinny Dippers
- 02:30 PM - 2025 Battle of the Bands and Awards Presentation - Immediately Post Gala Parade
- 03:00 PM - Post-parade Retro-Dance Party with Local Legend DJ Tall Ass Matt Wagner FREE
- 03:00 PM - Local Theater! Agatha Christie's THE MOUSETRAP at the Pendragon Theater
- 05:00 PM - 2025 Snow Ball: Winter Wonderland
- 05:00 PM - Coach Matt and the Outdoor Cats - PSC Documentary Screening
- 07:30 PM - Storming the Ice Palace Closing Fireworks Display Sponsored by Guide Boat Realty and Paul Smith's College
- 08:00 PM - Chestnut Grove & Hayley Jane Band at Winter Carnival at the Waterhole
Sunday, February 9
- 10:00 AM - Skate Lake Colby - Sponsored by Adirondack Health
- 10:00 AM - History Hut & Gift Shop
- 11:00 AM - Snowflake Volleyball Sponsored by Above the Treeline
- 12:00 PM - 2025 Adirondack Health Youth and Adult Cross-Country Ski Races
- 02:00 PM - Arthur Buezo At Bloody Mary Sunday Downstairs at the Waterhole
- 02:00 PM - 2025 Casella Waste Systems Kiddie Parade
- 02:45 PM - 2025 Hobby Horse Race Sponsored by Adirondack Lakes and Trails Outfitters
- 03:00 PM - 27th Annual SLYAA Winter Carnival Baroque and Beyond Concert
- 05:00 PM - Local Theater! Agatha Christie's THE MOUSETRAP at the Pendragon Theater
View more details at SaranacLakeWinterCarnival.com >>
Walk Through the Incredible Ice Palace
The Ice Palace is a wonder to behold! Here's a quick overview:
- It's the centerpiece of the Winter Carnival
- It's built on the shore of Lake Flower's Pontiac Bay at the NYS boat launch
- It's still constructed in the same way as it was in 1898 (the first year it was built)
- It's open to the public during the duration of Carnival
- The ice is harvested in blocks from Lake Flower and stacked to form the Palace
See photos of the ice palace through the years »
Thank You, Volunteers!
The Carnival is organized by a group of volunteers called the Saranac Lake Winter Carnival Committee. The palace is built by dedicated, awesome volunteers called the Ice Palace Workers (IPW).
Bonus tip: If you're visiting with kids, make sure to check out the Adirondack Carousel at 2 Depot Street!
Read more about Saranac Lake »
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About the Author: Erin Nudi Erin is an avid reader, yogi, jogger, and hiker living in Queensbury. When she's not perusing books at Northshire, Owl Pen Books, or Beldame Books, you can find her at a local event or park with her family.
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