6 of the Coolest Winter Festivals on Earth
Rather than waiting for spring, why not embrace winter in all its icy glory by visiting one of the world's numerous ice and snow-themed festivals? Here we've picked six of the most exciting, featuring astounding ice-sculptures, amazing snow castles – and even musicians using instruments made entirely of ice!
Harbin International Ice and Snow Sculpture Festival
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5 Jan - 1 Feb
These days the Chinese don't do things by halves – ice sculpture included. Harbin's International Ice and Snow Sculpture Festival is the largest of its kind on the planet. The event showcases numerous highly skilled artists as they compete to build the biggest and most flamboyant ice sculpture.
Sculptors set to work on ice blocks carved from the Songhua River, creating all manner of strange creatures and abstract objects. Dating back to 1963, this festival has some serious pedigree.
Ice Music Festival, Geilo, Norway
21-24 Jan 2016
If you want your ice-fix a little closer to home, then Norway's Ice Music Festival could be perfect. The unique festival asks musicians to carve their instruments out of ice before the music can commence! Because the ice forms differently each year, the sound varies at each festival – but is always magical.
Musicians from across the world gather for this 'ovation to nature' which also features meditation, ice acrobatics and of course ice sculpting.
Snowking Winter Festival, Yellowknife, Canada
Throughout March
This eccentric festival dates back to 1996, when a man known as Snowking built a rudimentary snow and ice castle for the local children. Since then the castle has become a major feature of the local community and is rebuilt every year on an ever-greater scale – thanks to a number of artistic grants.
Throughout March visitors can enjoy films projected against snowfalls, locally-produced plays, live music and hockey.
Sapporo Snow Festival, Sapporo, Japan
5 –11 February 2016
Dating back to 1950, Sapporo is one of the world's largest and most spellbinding winter festivals, attracting more than two million people each year. With a rather more refined approach to sculpture than the ostentatious Harbin Festival, Sapporo residents can view all manner of beautiful sculptures and snow statues for seven days in February.
Any visitor to Japan will be aware of the locals' love of fish and seafood. But at Sapporo they take it to a whole new level – by integrating real salmon, crabs and squid into their sculptures!
Ice Wonderland Sculpture Festival, Bruges
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Now until 3 January
If you fancy visiting Bruges' very own ice sculpture festival this year, you had better get your (ice)skates on. But it's a question of scheduling, not melting ice. The clever Belgians aren't concerned about mild European temperatures turning the art to slush because they've erected a special thermal tent for proceedings, so even dust clouds from the Sahara won't be an issue.
London Ice Sculpting Festival
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15-16 January
Building on the success of its first event last year, the London Ice Sculpting Festival moves to the capital's Canary Wharf for two days of competitive ice sculpting. Team GB will be up against top sculpting teams from France, Italy and the Netherlands.
Entry is free and you can even join an ice sculpting masterclass – also without charge.
Are You An Ice Sculpture Culture Vulture?
If you're planning an overseas jaunt to one of these wintry festivals, be sure you have adequate annual or single trip travel insurance. If not, check out starttravel.co.uk's comprehensive and great value polices.
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