Go to a winter festival or ice-sculpture show

A winter festival is a good reason to be outside on a cold weekend: lights, carvings, food stalls and a crowd that’s also bundled up. It takes about half a day, costs little if you plan for it, and works best with a few friends.

Find one and check the details

Search for your town or the nearest city plus “winter festival”, “light show” or “ice carving”. Local tourism pages, parks departments and library event boards are usually the most reliable sources. Plenty of festivals run only a few weekends, so look a few weeks ahead.

Before you go, check:

• The dates and opening times. Special events change, so look at the organiser’s own page the day before.
• Whether tickets are needed. Some festivals are free to wander, others have timed entry that sells out.
• Where to park or how to get there. Busy events often have limited parking, and public transport or a shared ride is easier.
• What’s indoors. A warm tent or hall is useful to know about before your hands go numb.

When to go

If the main attraction is lights or glowing sculptures, go once it’s dark. If you want to watch carvers at work, or you’d rather avoid the biggest crowds, go in the afternoon. Arriving in late afternoon often lets you see both, and you can warm up with food while the sky changes.

What to wear

Cold at a festival is a standing-still cold, not a walking cold. Dress for that.

• A base layer, a warm middle layer such as fleece or wool, and a windproof or waterproof coat on top.
• Waterproof boots with wool or thermal socks. Damp, cold feet are the main reason people leave early.
• A hat, gloves and a scarf. Bring a spare pair of gloves if you plan to take lots of photos.
• A small bag with tissues, lip balm and a charged phone. Cold drains batteries quickly, so keep your phone in an inside pocket.

How to spend the afternoon

1. Arrive earlier than you think you need to, so you can park or get through the entrance without rushing.
2. Walk the whole route once before you stop for anything. You’ll know what’s worth coming back to.
3. Warm up on purpose. Take a break every hour or so for a hot drink or something to eat from a food stall.
4. Take your photos while you’re still in the moment. Lit-up scenes look better with your phone held steady and the night mode on.
5. Pick one thing to try, whether that’s a ride, a craft stall or a tasting, so you leave with something besides photos.

Bring some cash, since small stalls don’t always take cards. A hot drink and a snack are often enough to keep the day low-cost.

If something goes wrong

• It’s colder than the forecast said. Go indoors for a warm drink, then do a shorter loop. There is no prize for staying out.
• The crowd is enormous. Walk the quieter edges first, or come back for the last hour when families head home.
• Your hands are too cold for your phone. Use thin touchscreen gloves under a bigger pair, or keep your hands in your pockets between photos.
• You lose your group. Agree on a meeting spot near the entrance before you go in. Phone signal can be patchy in crowds.
• The walkways are icy. Watch your step, wear boots with grip and take your time.

After you go

Choose your three best photos and send them to the people who came. If a food stall had something you loved, try to make a version at home, perhaps a hot chocolate with real chocolate or a spiced drink. And if the festival runs again next year, put it in your calendar.

Make it easier on yourself

• Go with people who like the same pace as you, and agree beforehand how long you’ll stay.
• Eat a little before you arrive. Festival lines can be long, and being hungry makes the cold feel worse.
• If you’re driving home in the dark, check the weather and the roads first. Snow and ice make the trip slower, so leave earlier than you think you need to, and keep an eye on the forecast.
• If there’s no snow where you live, nothing changes. Lights and food stalls don’t need it.

Make it a winter evening

A festival turns the longest nights of the year into something to look forward to. Go with a few friends, eat something warm and head home before you’re too cold to enjoy it. If you want more lights, try Christmas lights after dark.