Fire & Ice: Lake Chelan Winterfest 2026

Every January, as the holiday lights fade and the snow settles in around the valley, Lake Chelan comes alive again – not with summer sunshine, but with something brighter. Winterfest transforms our peaceful lakeside community into a scene straight out of a snow globe, full of laughter, lights, and the unmistakable crackle of energy that only winter can bring.

This year’s festival stretches across two distinct weekends: Ice and Fire.

Weekend One: ICE (Chelan | January 16–19)

Chelan’s weekend is the picture of winter wonder. The air is crisp, and the lake shimmers like glass beneath a sky so blue it looks painted on. Ice carvers sculpt glittering works of art, vino lovers sip and stroll on the Wine Walk, kids race down our snow slide, families stroll through our Vendor Market, and the brave take the plunge – literally – into the lake during our Polar Bear Plunge!

There’s a relaxed energy to this first weekend. It’s for people who love the charm of winter: the sparkle, the stillness, and the way our community comes together to celebrate our valley. The town feels intimate, cozy, and quietly electric.

Weekend Two: FIRE (Manson | January 23–25)

The second weekend moves up the lake to Manson, where things heat up – figuratively and literally. If Chelan’s weekend is about the quiet beauty of winter, Manson’s is about celebration. Bonfires light up downtown, fireworks explode over the bay, and the air is filled with music, laughter, and the kind of small-town charm Hallmark dreams about.

This is where you’ll find late-night fire pits, cocktails at our Fire Bar, and the kind of energy that makes you forget it’s the middle of winter.

Buttons: Your All-Access Pass

No matter which weekend you choose, there’s one small but essential accessory you’ll need: the Winterfest Button.

Think of it as your passport to all the fun. It unlocks access to special offers around town, discounts at local shops and tasting rooms, and entry into many of the festival’s activities. It’s practical, sure – but it’s also part of the experience. People collect them year after year, each button marking another winter spent celebrating by the lake.

The Heart of Winter

Winterfest isn’t about fighting the cold; it’s about leaning into it! It’s that rare event that makes you grateful for snow boots, fuzzy hats, and hot drinks in mittened hands. Whether you find yourself sipping cider by the lake or watching fireworks light up our snowy hills, you realize something about Lake Chelan in winter – it doesn’t slow down, it just shifts gears.

Two weekends, one lake, and a celebration that proves winter can be just as fiery as summer. PURCHASE TICKETS TODAY!