The 12 Quirkiest Winter Festivals in America

For a winter festival experience unlike any other, look no further than Frozen Dead Guy Days, recently relocated to Estes Park. This three-day celebration is held every March and pays homage to an unusual local legend: a man named Bredo Morstoel. Grandpa Bredo, as he is also known, was cryogenically frozen after he died in 1989 and stored in a California cryonics facility. In 1993, his family transported his corpse on dry ice to their home in Nederland, Colorado. To this day, Grandpa Bredo remains frozen in a shed in the mountains, waiting to be reanimated. Frozen Dead Guy Days, at the International Cryonics Museum, located inside the Ice House at The Stanley Hotel, features coffin races, a hearse parade, ice turkey bowling, a frozen t-shirt contest, and more. Participate in the aptly named “The Royal Blue Ball” dance, where attendees dress as Grandpa Bredo and the Ice Queen, hoping to win the “best dressed” title–you won’t find anything else quite like it!

Join the whimsy at the Saranac Lake Winter Carnival in New York’s scenic Adirondacks! This 10-day fest, starting in early February, kicks off with the coronation of the “King and Queen of the Winter” and takes advantage of the region’s cold, snowy winters with countless outdoor activities. Picture a dazzling ice palace, downhill tubing, ultimate frisbee, curling, and live music. Don’t miss the Blue Buns Wheel-a-Palooza, where participants wear their finest bathing suits for a bike ride around town. And if that’s not quirky enough, sign up for the renowned Frying Pan Toss, where women compete to see who can throw a skillet the furthest. Embrace the magic of winter at this annual extravaganza that’s been around for more than 120 years.

Colorado makes this list twice, making it a great place to embrace your weird side. What started as a fun way to dispose of a frequently ridiculed holiday treat–the fruitcake–has become a beloved tradition in Manitou Springs. Every January for 28 years, residents and visitors have gathered in the park for the annual Great Fruitcake Toss. The main contest centers on distance, and competitors fling fruitcakes through the air by hand, cannon, or catapult. But the competition doesn’t stop there. Other categories include accuracy, balance, and the Great Fruitcake Bake-Off. The event also includes live music, food vendors, and plenty of hot cocoa to keep you warm on a chilly January day. Whether you’re a fruitcake lover or enjoy a good laugh, the Great Fruitcake Toss is definitely worth adding to your bucket list.

Who says the charming small towns from your favorite holiday movies don’t exist in real life? In the historic town of Lititz, fiery performances and ice sculpting collide at the Fire and Ice Festival each February. Witness fire-breathing shows, make your way to the ice bar for a hot toddy, and enjoy dozens of dazzling, LED-lit ice sculptures displayed along the tree-lined streets in the walkable downtown area. If that’s not enough to satisfy your search for the perfect winter getaway, there’s also a chili cook-off, pub crawl, and family-friendly scavenger hunt. Entry is free, and the fun is endless, so grab your coziest coat and join the 40,000-strong crowd for a festival that’s as hot as it’s cool.

Embrace your wild side at Anchorage’s flagship festival. Alaskans have been celebrating their pioneering spirit at the Fur Rendezvous–or Fur Rondy, as it’s colloquially called–since 1935. This winter fete promises zany fun and activities galore, spanning 12 days in late February and early March. Dress up for the Running of the Reindeer (a nod to Spain’s Running of the Bulls), where thousands of people race through the snowy streets alongside real-life reindeer. Try your hand at snowshoe softball, watch the mushers fly by in the World Championship Sled Dog Race, and make your vote known at the Mr. Fur Face beard contest. Stick around after the festival for the start of the famous Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race. With so much to offer, Fur Rondy is your ticket to experiencing the spirit and tradition of Alaska firsthand.

Looking for an escape from the winter blues? Look no further than Lake Geneva Winterfest  in early February. Strap on your snow boots and head to the lake for an unforgettable five days of fun. Marvel at the intricate masterpieces created by world-renowned snow sculptors, then jump into the action yourself at the popular snow sculpting competition. You’ll find plenty of other unusual activities for those who don’t fancy themselves artists. Take to the air with a helicopter ride, fly over the frozen lake in a hovercraft, or grab a harness and fall in step with your teammates at the human dog sled race (yes, you read that right). With live entertainment, cozy bonfires on the beach, and a vibrant atmosphere, Lake Geneva Winterfest is the perfect way to beat the winter doldrums.

For an offbeat adventure in the Pacific Northwest, head to the annual Outhouse Races in Conconully, a rural community nestled in the foothills of the North Cascades. Held every year in January, this wacky, small town event draws crowds from far and wide. Picture teams steering homemade outhouses on skis down a snow-covered main street, vying for the title of the fastest loo in town. There are several divisions, too, including kids, seniors, People’s Choice, and X-TREME, which features an obstacle course. The Bucket Race–perhaps the most entertaining division–requires that the team members pushing the outhouses must wear buckets over their heads. You’re missing out if you’ve never seen an outhouse zip down a snow-packed street. Add this spectacular event to your bucket list, and you’ll never find yourself short on stories to tell.

The annual Winter Rendezvous in picturesque Stowe isn’t your typical snow-season festival. Sure, this five-day event features skiing and snowboarding on the slopes of Mt. Mansfield (the highest peak in Vermont!), but it’s also the biggest Gay Ski Week on the East Coast. Attend the Grab Your Balls and Bowl kick-off party, a fireside cocktail reception, and drag bingo, among other eclectic activities. In Stowe, luxury meets history–you can choose to stay in a swanky mountain lodge, a cozy bed and breakfast, or a charming hotel with antique furnishings. The LGBTQ-friendly Winter Rendezvous truly promises something for everyone, so why not make this your next January adventure?

For your next 21-and-over adventure, forget Burning Man and head to Burning Snowman Fest instead. This unique annual tradition is a must-see for anyone who loves a good party and a bit of mayhem. It takes place on the shores of Lake Erie–always on the last Saturday in February–and draws crowds from all over the state. The festival’s highlight is, of course, the burning of a giant snowman effigy. After months of snow and freezing temps, it’s the perfect way to say “good riddance” to winter. But before that happens, you can enjoy live music, craft beer, and ice carving on the beach. If you’re already looking forward to the end of the chilly season, make sure Port Clinton’s on your bucket list and bid farewell to winter with flair.