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Syracuse Winterfest 2025

Winter in Syracuse. Winter cold, winter snow, winter flurries. How about – Winter Fun! That’s also spelled “Winterfest!”

February 13-23, 2025 at Various Locations Throughout Syracuse

First fun fact: Syracuse Winterfest is celebrating its 40th anniversary as a crowd-pleaser and must-attend event for people from all over Central New York.

Then and NOW

1985: First Winterfest

2025: 40th Anniversary Winterfest!

1988: Winterfest expands beyond a single weekend

2025: 11 full days!

1989: Over 100,000 people attend

2025: At least that many again – and more!

2000:
A full 10 days of Winterfest, and the introduction of the mascot “Snow Ball.” And, a literal “Snow Ball” with dancing and dining!

2025:
A Happy Hour/After Work Party to enjoy on Friday, February 21 – featuring the band, Arcade.

2005:
There’s SNOW Place Like Central New York – even more family-friendly and kid-related events, including an attempt at the Guiness World Record for making the most snow angels!

2025:
Look for family-friendly events all over town, including Bubbles the Magician on February 16 and Checkers the Inventor on Sunday, February 23rd at the Marriott Syracuse Downtown.

2006: Pre-winter events added

2008: Up to 14 days!

2010: 25th anniversary added indoor hockey at the State Fair Grounds

2015: Cornhole added (2025: more cornhole!)

2021: Cancelled due to Covid – and sorely missed

2022: Back – the Syracuse Winterfest Re-Boot!

As you can tell, Syracuse Winterfest has grown, added events, moved around, changed the lineup, and offered options and ideas over its 40 year history. And this year will be no different.

You can always count on great (and competitive) food sampling, drink mix-offs, and activities for the whole family to warm up the month we all need to fill with fun and friends.

The organizers explained that over the years, Winterfest has offered a wide range of activities, like skiing, an ice fishing derby on Oneida Lake, hot tubs – even a wedding! They’re always open to trying something new and different to entertain and involve their dedicated patrons, while continuing to offer the things visitors count on, like a Chili Cookoff, the Chowder Cookoff, Hammond Jammin’ and the ever-popular Wing Walk. There are two nights of free ice skating in Clinton Square, and the Treasure Hunt for the medallion begins on the 13th, with the winner announced once it’s found!

So gather your friends and family, bundle up, alert your tastebuds, and get ready for 10 days of the best the Salt City has to offer. And more!

Food

Get your tickets at the Marriott Syracuse Downtown, then visit participating vendors for a taste of their very best! Your tickets will be your ballot and list of the participating vendors. Your “job” is to try them all, and then vote for your favorite. The winners will get bragging rights and prizes! Tickets available at the Onondaga Street entrance of the hotel, or at participating restaurants! February 15, 16, 22, 23

Culinary Cruise: Saturday, February 15, Noon-4pm (Sampling restaurant specialties!)

Chili Cookoffs: Sunday, February 16, Noon-4pm

Sandwich Stroll: Saturday, February 22, Noon-4pm (Roast beef, short ribs, burgers, sliders and so much more!)

Chowder Cookoff: Sunday, February 23, Noon-4pm

Wing Walk: Sunday, February 23rd, Noon-5pm]

Drinks: Again, you’ll get your $5 pre-sale tickets with a map and ballot. Then you stroll from restaurants and pubs to try their best presentation and flavor of popular beverages – and you decide who’s in first, second, and third place!

Martini & Sangria: Saturday, February 15th, Noon-4pm

Beer Tasting: Sunday, February 16, Noon-4pm

Cosmopolitan & Margarita: Saturday, February 22, Noon-4pm

Bloody Mary: Sunday, February 23, Noon-4pm

Fun

Cornhole: Sunday, February 16, Maxwell’s in Hanover Square, registration at 11am, contest starts at Noon!

Free Ice Skating: Both Thursday evenings, the 13th and 20th, 6-8 pm in Clinton Square

Fireworks: Friday, February 14, 8:30pm at the Inner Harbor

Hammond Jammin’ XIX: Upstairs at Dinosaur Bar-B-Que, Sunday February 23, 12-5pm

Bubble Mania with Doug Rougeux: For the kids and the kid in you, February 16, Noon-4pm

Doug is a graduate of Ringling Bros. & Barnum and Bailey’s Clown College, who entertains children with lots of bubbles, and good clean fun!

Checkers the Inventor: For kids of all ages, Sunday, February 23, Noon-4pm

In the lobby of Marriott Syracuse Downtown. Checkers (Joey Hamilton) offers “a crazy, madcap, frantic and fun” time to kids with magic, inventions, comedy, variety, juggling – and a giant balloon!

Hammond Jammin’

Listen to some of the big names in Syracuse music, accompanied on the famous classic Hammond Organ and Leslie speaker of rock, jazz and RnB fame, as preserved and presented by Gerry Testa. Expect great music in a legendary Syracuse restaurant/pub (oh, and really good food and drinks, too!).