Attend the Lake George Winter Carnival 2025 for Cookoffs, Contests, Car Races & More
Weekends From February 1 - March 2, 2025
Lake George Village offers a month-long celebration of winter during this annual family-friendly festival. The Lake George Winter Carnival, now in it's 62nd year, takes place each weekend throughout February - and for 2025, the first weekend of March as well!
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Jump to the schedule: Weekend 1| Weekend 2: | Weekend 3 | Weekend 4 | Weekend 5
What Happens If There's No Ice?
Lake George may or may not freeze over! If ice-dependent events need to be cancelled or relocated, that information will be announced on the Winter Carnival's Facebook page or website.
While ice races and a couple other activities are ice dependent, most are not, including: fireworks, cookoffs, keg toss, skillet toss, Dog's Got Talent contest, polar plunge, outhouse races, and more!
What Else Should I Know Before I Go?
Most events take place in Shepard Park, but not all - check out details for individual happenings ahead of time. The Children's Activities take place at multiple locations, while others take place at Fort William Henry, the Holiday Inn Resort, the Courthouse Gallery, etc.
Certain events you need to buy tickets or register for ahead of time, such as the Cook Offs, the Hot Chocolate Bar, the Outhouse Races, etc.
Check out more insider tips to the Lake George Winter Carnival »
The Lake George Winter Carnival Special Events to Know About
See the special events below - keep scrolling for the full schedule.
Snow Laughing Matter (Winter Carnival Gala)
The annual Lake George Winter Carnival Gala takes place at the Holiday Inn Resort on January 24th this year with the theme, Snow Laughing Matter.
Duck Hunt
The 3rd annual Duck Hunt is scheduled for February 1!
ATV Poker Run Registration
The ATV Poker Run registration is open, and happening February 1, 8, 15, and March 1.
Outhouse Races Registration
Outhouse races take place on the lake if it's frozen, and in Battlefield Park if not. There are five members per team, with a $50 registration fee per team. Outhouses must be 4 feet by 4 feet by 6 feet tall, and you must race upright.
Outhouse races are taking place on Saturday, February 1, and Saturday, February 22.
Snowmobile Poker Run
The Snowmobile Poker Run is scheduled for February 22, with registration at the Holiday Inn Resort Lake George.
Cook Offs
Tickets are on sale now for the Lake George Winter Carnival Cook Off Competitions!
- February 1: Chili Cook Off
- February 8: BBQ Cook Off
- February 15: Chowder Cook Off
- February 22: Wing Cook Off
- March 1: Mac & Cheese Cook Off
Sample delicious dishes from local chefs and restaurants. Vote to help crown the winners!
Souvenir Mug & Hot Chocolate Topping Bar
Limited quantities are available for the collectible Lake George Winter Carnival souvenir mugs, that of course come with a delicious mug of hot chocolate with your choice of toppings.
Weekend 1: February 1 & 2
Saturday the 1st
- 9am: Jeep Duck Hunt
- 9am: ATV Poker Run
- 10:30am - 12pm: LGWC Winter Art Workshops
- 12pm - 3pm: Horse & Carriage Ride With A Time to Remember
- 12pm: Children's Activities
- 12pm - 12:30pm: Opening Ceremonies
- 1pm: Chili Cook Off Competition
- 1pm: Cupcake Decorating With Lake George Baking Company
- 2pm - 4pm: Make Your Own Tie Dye Shirts
- 2pm: Outhouse Races
- 2:30pm: Lake George Dog's Got Talent Contest
- 3pm: Polar Plunge
- 4pm: Parade
- 5:30pm: Souvenir Mugs & Hot Chocolate Topping Bar
- 5:30pm: Free S'mores
- 7pm: Fireworks
Sunday the 2nd
- 10am: Paint & Sip With Michele
- 12pm - 1:30pm: Sundae Funday With Stewart's Shops
- 12pm - 2pm: Karaoke Sing-a-Long With Lake George Live
- 12pm - 3pm: Horse & Carriage Ride With A Time to Remember
- 12pm - 3pm: Children's Activities
- 2:30pm - 3pm: Lake George Dog's Got Talent Contest
- 3pm - 3:15pm: Polar Plunge
- 3:30pm: Keg Toss
- 4pm - 4:30pm: Ladies Skillet Toss
Get more details on individual happenings at LakeGeorgeWinterCarnival.com.
Weekend 2: February 8 & 9
Saturday the 8th
- 9am - 5pm: ATV Poker Run
- 10:30am - 12pm: LGWC Winter Art Workshops
- 11am - 4pm: Ice Races - Cars (ice dependent)
- 12pm - 3pm: Horse & Carriage Ride With A Time to Remember
- 12pm - 3pm: Children's Activities
- 12:30pm - 2:30pm: BBQ Cook Off Competition
- 1pm - 2pm: Cupcake Decorating With Lake George Baking Company
- 2pm - 4pm: Make Your Own Tie Dye Shirts
- 2:30pm - 3pm: Lake George Dog's Got Talent Contest
- 3pm: Polar Plunge
- 5:30pm: Souvenir Mugs & Hot Chocolate Topping Bar
- 5:30pm: Free S'mores
- 7pm: Fireworks
Sunday the 9th
- 10am - 12pm: Paint & Sip With Michele
- 11am - 4pm: Ice Races - Cars (ice dependent)
- 12pm: Horse & Carriage Ride With A Time to Remember
- 12pm: Children's Activities
- 12pm: Karaoke Sing-a-Long With Lake George Live
- 12pm - 1:30pm: Sundae Funday With Stewart's Shops
- 2:30pm - 3pm: Lake George Dog's Got Talent
- 3pm - 3:15pm: Polar Plunge
- 3:30pm - 4pm: Keg Toss
- 4pm - 4:30pm: Ladies Skillet Toss
Get more details on individual happenings at LakeGeorgeWinterCarnival.com.
Weekend 3: February 15 & 16
Saturday the 15th
- 9am - 5pm: ATV Poker Run
- 10:30am - 12pm: LGWC Winter Art Workshops
- 11am - 4pm: Ice Races - Motorcycles (ice dependent)
- 12pm - 3pm: Horse & Carriage Time With A Time to Remember
- 12pm - 3pm: Children's Activities
- 12:30pm - 2:30pm: Chowder Cook Off Competition
- 1pm: Cupcake Decorating With Lake George Baking Company
- 2pm: Make Your Own Tie Dye Shirt
- 2:30pm - 3pm: Lake George Dog's Got Talent Contest
- 3pm - 3:15pm: Polar Plunge
- 5:30pm - 7pm: Souvenir Mugs & Hot Chocolate Topping Bar
- 5:30pm - 7pm: Free S'mores
- 7pm: Fireworks
Sunday the 16th
- 10am - 2pm: Paint & Sip With Michele
- 11am - 4pm: Ice Races - Motorcycles (ice dependent)
- 12pm - 1:30pm: Sundae Funday With Stewart's Shops
- 12pm - 2pm: Karaoke Sing-A-Long With Lake George Live
- 12pm - 3pm: Horse & Carriage Ride With A Time to Remember
- 12pm - 3pm: Children's Activities
- 2:30pm: Lake George Dog's Got Talent Contest
- 3pm - 3:15pm: Polar Plunge
- 3:30pm - 4pm: Keg Toss
- 4pm - 4:30pm: Ladies Skillet Toss
Get more details on individual happenings at LakeGeorgeWinterCarnival.com.
Weekend 4: February 22 & 23
Saturday the 22nd
- 9am - 8pm: LGWC & South Warren Snowmobile Club Poker Run
- 10:30am: LGWC Winter Art Workshops
- 11am - 4pm: Ice Races - Cars (ice dependent)
- 12pm - 3pm: Horse & Carriage Ride With A Time to Remember
- 12pm - 3pm: Children's Activities
- 12:30pm - 2:30pm: Chicken Wing Cook Off Competition
- 1pm - 2pm: Cupcake Decorating With Lake George Baking Company
- 2pm - 4pm: Make Your Own Tie Dye Shirt
- 2:30pm - 3pm: Lake George Dog's Got Talent Contest
- 3pm - 3:15pm: Polar Plunge
- 5:30pm - 7pm: Souvenir Mugs & Hot Chocolate Topping Bar
- 5:30pm - 7pm: Free S'mores
- 7pm: Fireworks
Sunday the 23rd
- 10am - 12pm: Sunday Paint & Sip With Michele
- 11am - 4pm: Ice Races - Cars (ice dependent)
- 12pm - 1pm: Glacier Golf Tournament
- 12pm - 1:30pm: Sundae Funday With Stewart's Shops
- 12pm - 2pm: Karaoke Sing-a-Long With Lake George Live
- 12pm - 3pm: Horse & Carriage Ride With A Time to Remember
- 12pm - 3pm: Children's Activities
- 2:30pm - 3pm: Lake George Dog's Got Talent Contest
- 3pm - 3:15pm: Polar Plunge
- 3:30pm - 4pm: Keg Toss
- 4pm - 4:30pm: Ladies Skillet Toss
Get more details on individual happenings at LakeGeorgeWinterCarnival.com.
Weekend 5: March 1 & 2
Saturday the 1st
- Chillin & Choppin' Lumberjack Competition (time TBA)
- 9am - 5pm: ATV Poker Run
- 12pm - 3pm: Horse & Carriage Ride With A Time to Remember
- 12pm - 3pm: Children's Activities
- 12:30pm - 2:30pm: Mac & Cheese Cook Off Competition
- 1pm - 2pm: Cupcake Decorating With Lake George Baking Company
- 2pm - 4pm: Make Your Own Tie Dye Shirts
- 3pm - 3:15pm: Polar Plunge
- 5:30pm - 7pm: Souvenir Mugs & Hot Chocolate Topping Bar
- 5:30pm - 7pm: Free S'mores
- 7pm - 7:30pm: Fireworks
Sunday the 2nd
- 10am - 12pm: Sunday Paint & Sip With Michele
- 11:30am - 4pm: Ice Races - Cars (ice dependent)
- 12pm - 1pm: Glacier Golf Tournament
- 12pm - 1:30pm: Sundae Funday With Stewart's Shops
- 12pm - 2pm: Karaoke Sing-A-Long With Lake George Live
- 12pm - 3pm: Horse & Carriage Ride With A Time to Remember
- 12pm - 3pm: Children's Activities
- 2:30pm - 3pm: Lake George Dog's Got Talent Contest
- 3pm - 3:15pm: Polar Plunge
- 3:30pm - 4pm: Keg Toss
- 4pm - 4:30pm: Ladies Skillet Toss
Get more details on individual happenings at LakeGeorgeWinterCarnival.com.
Coming in from out of town? See which lodging venues are open in winter »
Watch our Winter Carnival video below!
Video Transcript
The village of Lake George offers a month long celebration of winter during the Lake George Winter Carnival, an annual family friendly event. The Winter Carnival is held each weekend throughout February. The same lake enjoyed for its many summer activities and views becomes the playground for a whole new season.
With the lake safely frozen over, people flock to the Winter Carnival to participate and watch a number of activities held on the ice and around the lake. The crisp winter air provides a lively sensation adding to the excitement. Snowmobiles and ATVs become the norm for traversing the lake. Many traditional activities are held both days every weekend, but each weekend includes new events and thrills. Many of the village restaurants and pubs are open providing a great view as well as a place to warm up.
The Lake George Winter Carnival, another part of your lakegeorge.com experience.
