5 Winter Events To Get You And The Kids Out Of The House

When the weather gets cold, it can be tempting to avoid leaving the house. But getting some fresh air and exercise during the winter can be good for mental and physical health, and there are plenty of fun things to do during this time of the year. The events listed here range from family-friendly festivals to adventurous expeditions, so adults and kids alike should all be able to find something that piques their interest. This video was made with Ezvid Wikimaker.

Fun Winter Events

Name Location
Frozen Dead Guy Days Nederland, CO
Deep Freeze Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
Cleveland Kurentovanje Cleveland, OH
First Night Buffalo Buffalo, NY
Lights Over Lapland Abisko, Sweden

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What To Wear To A Winter Event

If you're traveling from a warmer climate to one of these frozen festivals, you'll want to make sure you and your family are prepared for the cold. Make sure you have all the layers you'll need before you finish packing.

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  1. Winter Carnival (1939)
  2. Frozen (2013)
  3. Love Actually (2003)
  4. New Year's Eve (2011)
  5. Winter Love Story (2019)
  6. Holiday Inn (1942)
  7. Groundhog Day (1993)
  8. It's a Wonderful Life (1946)

Why Do We Get The Winter Blues?

In Depth

When the weather starts to turn cold, plenty of people prepare to hibernate for the winter rather than face the low temperatures and snowy outdoors. Undoubtedly, enjoying the warmth and comfort of home is one of life's simple pleasures, but staying inside all season can lead to a bad case of cabin fever. Fortunately, numerous organizations and groups are working to remedy this problem, putting on festivals and celebrations despite the cold weather. If you want to hear more about what they offer, then here, in no particular order, is a selection of winter gatherings that can entertain the whole family.

Coming in at #1 is Frozen Dead Guy Days. A celebration that marks the end of the short days of winter, FDGD is an annual event that brings people together in the town of Nederland, Colorado. Typically spanning a weekend in March, this community gathering features musical performances, fun games, and activities, as well as food trucks and specialty drinks.

At the heart of FDGD is the story of Bredo Morstoel, a Norwegian man who was cryogenically preserved by his family in Nederland after his death. Accordingly, past events have drawn inspiration from this well-known piece of town history, providing all manner of entertainment, including festive costumes, a coffin race, and other quirky competitions. Beyond the event itself, Frozen Dead Guy Days also has its own range of apparel and merchandise, offering fans a chance to show their appreciation for FDGD at any time of the year.

At the heart of FDGD is the story of Bredo Morstoel, a Norwegian man who was cryogenically preserved by his family in Nederland after his death.

In the #2 spot is Deep Freeze: A Byzantine Winter Festival. Taking place in Edmonton, Alberta, this event celebrates the area's cold northern climate through a mix of artistic showcases and authentic winter games and fun. Presented by the nonprofit Arts on the Ave, Deep Freeze organizes both indoor and outdoor activities, with, for example, attractions at art galleries and artisan markets.

Other noteworthy offerings from this festival include a street hockey tournament, deep freezer races, giant ice slides, and a baking challenge. In addition, those interested in the creative arts can explore music and dance options from different cultures around the world. Each year, Deep Freeze features a long list of performers, providing a diverse range of artistic experiences.

At #3 is Cleveland Kurentovanje. First launched in 2013, this multi-day Slovenian festival is a Mardi Gras-type gathering that honors the transition from winter to spring. Each year, this volunteer-led event, featuring a parade and a festival, attracts thousands of people in Cleveland on the Saturday before Mardi Gras. In Slovenia, Kurentovanje serves as one of the most popular and significant carnival events, where Kurents are feathery or horned mythological beings with the power to herald the spring season.

Each year, this volunteer-led event, featuring a parade and a festival, attracts thousands of people in Cleveland on the Saturday before Mardi Gras.

As a festival, Cleveland Kurentovanje has multiple aims: it seeks to spread Slovenian culture, create a memorable experience for its attendees, and support the growth of the city's St. Clair-Superior neighborhood, a historically Slovenian area. To this end, it offers a number of entertaining opportunities for celebrants, from a cultural fair and a 5k race to baking and craft-making gatherings. Cleveland Kurentovanje also has created its own apparel and merchandise, featuring festival-inspired designs.

Coming in at #4 is First Night Buffalo. Initially a celebration of the arts in Boston, this event first took place in Buffalo in 1989. Since then, it has grown considerably: with the help of the Independent Health Foundation, it brings together over 5,000 attendees each New Year's Eve for an evening of music, entertainment, and the arts. A family-friendly gathering, it takes place in a drug- and alcohol-free environment.

First Night Buffalo offers a variety of entertainment options for people of all ages. Past years, for example, have seen presentations of exotic animals, magic shows, arts and crafts, and a balloon-drop finale with singing cops. Overseen in part by a team of volunteers, First Night Buffalo relies on support from a number of organizations, with past sponsors including the John R. Oishei Children's Hospital and Wegmans.

Past years, for example, have seen presentations of exotic animals, magic shows, arts and crafts, and a balloon-drop finale with singing cops.

Last but not least, at #5 is Lights Over Lapland. Operating in Abisko National Park in Sweden, this tourism company serves visitors in the area, helping them take photographs of the aurora borealis. Formed in 2010 as a family-run business, Lights Over Lapland is comprised of a team of experienced photographers. It offers several different packages for its clients, such as a landscape photography adventure and a wilderness sleigh ride tour.

Other attractions from Lights Over Lapland range from multi-day customizable holidays exploring the aurora borealis to guide-led morning hikes. The company also takes people on tours of local attractions and connects them to popular winter activities, like snowmobiling, snowshoeing, and ice fishing. In recognition of its work, Lights Over Lapland has appeared in numerous media outlets, including Forbes and NBC News.