11 American Winter Festivals You Should Have on Your Bucket List

When: Feb. 3 to 5

During the winter, Whitefish, MT, is nothing short of a true Winter wonderland — and the Whitefish Winter Carnival is the best way to experience everything magical about this season. Though the Merry Maker Party, King and Queen Coronation, Ski Joring, and Disco Party take place in January, the bulk of the festival events take place over a February weekend; attendees can celebrate with the kickoff gala, Penguin Plunge, Pie Social, and Grand Parade. The significance of this event goes beyond seasonal festivities — in fact, it honors the mythology of the god Ullr and the Nordic Yetis, the original settlers of Big Mountain and Flathead Valley.