Winter may have a sharp bite, but it’s also a season so beautiful it deserves to be celebrated. Snow-dusted branches and bright, scenic mornings transform the big apple into something even more magical than usual.
As long as you’re bundled up in enough layers, there are countless beautiful sights to take in—both in our city and beyond.
But step beyond the NYC’s bright lights and you’ll find an entirely different kind of winter magic waiting in upstate New York.
Just a few hours north of Manhattan, the vast forests and frozen lakes of the Adirondacks offer a wilder, quieter beauty. Winter stretches across snow-covered peaks and evergreen forests. In the heart of this landscape, the small village of Inlet comes alive each February with the beloved Frozen Fire & Lights festival.
Held annually in Inlet’s Fern Park and Arrowhead Park, this Adirondack winter carnival celebrates everything the season has to offer: cross-country skiing trails winding through the woods, ice skating under open skies, roaring bonfires that warm mittened hands, and even spirited outhouse races across the snow. As dusk falls, fireworks illuminate the frosty air — a brilliant contrast to the dark mountain backdrop.
❄️ What to expect
Frozen Fire & Lights is a quintessential Adirondack winter carnival that packs a weekend’s worth of mountain charm into a single, high-energy day (traditionally the last Saturday in February). Expect a warm, community-driven atmosphere where the “fire” comes from roaring lakeside bonfires and the “lights” come from a skyline-topper firework show. The village of Inlet essentially turns into a giant playground, with events split between the wooded trails of Fern Park and the lakefront vistas of Arrowhead Park.
☃️ The history
Celebrating its 24th year in 2026, the festival began as a way to embrace the “true” Adirondack winter. While many towns hunker down during the coldest months, Inlet decided to lean into the frost. It started as a modest community gathering to showcase the town’s newly groomed trails and has since evolved into a premier regional event that draws visitors from across the state, all while maintaining its “small-town heart” through local traditions like the legendary cardboard sled races.
🛷 Outdoor winter fun
The festival is designed to get you moving. Most of the recreational activities are centered at Fern Park, which serves as the hub for active adventure:
- Groomed Trails: Over 20 miles of trails are available for cross-country skiing and snowshoeing. For a unique experience, 1.2 miles of these trails are lit for night skiing until 10:00 PM
- Ice Skating: The Fern Park Pavilion houses an indoor skating rink, providing a sheltered place to glide regardless of the wind chill
- Sledding Hill: One of the best-groomed hills in the region, perfect for high-speed runs on tubes or classic plastic sleds
- Cardboard Sled Race: Participants build elaborate vessels using only cardboard, duct tape, and paint. Watching a “pirate ship” or “giant hot dog” barrel down a snowy hill is a highlight for all ages
- Kite Flying: The American Kitefliers Association often makes an appearance on the frozen lake, decorating the winter sky with massive, colorful kites
🎇 Fireworks
As dusk settles over the mountains, the “Lights” portion of the festival takes center stage. A spectacular fireworks display is launched from Arrowhead Park, reflecting off the frozen surface of the Fourth Lake. It is widely considered one of the best winter fireworks shows in the state, offering a brilliant, booming contrast to the silent, snowy wilderness surrounding the village.
How to get there from NYC
- By Car: It’s a roughly 5-hour drive (approx. 275 miles). Take the Thruway (I-87) North to Albany, then follow I-90 West to Utica, and finally take Route 28 North into the heart of the Adirondacks.
- By Train: Take Amtrak from Penn Station to Utica. From Utica, you’ll need to rent a car for the final hour-long leg of the trip up Route 28, as there is no direct public transit into the central Adirondack wilderness
To learn more, see Inlet’s official website.
📅 Saturday, February 28th, 2026 (held annually on the last Saturday in February)
📍 Fern Park & Arrowhead Park, Inlet, NY 13360
➡️ Admission to the festival and most activities is free.