Syracuse Winterfest 2026
A Blizzard of Fun
Once upon a time, there was a snowy town full of Winter Bears.
They loved winter, but were always looking for a way to make the season – for which their town was famous – even more fun and energized!
So they decided to throw a party.
Not just a party, but the party that would make winter worth the wait!
Everyone was invited, from kids to senior citizens – and there would be something there that would make everyone happy!
The restaurants showed off their very best food and drinks, and the festival-goers voted for their favorites in lots of different categories. There was music, there were fireworks, ice skating, games, competitions and more! Heaps of fun, piles of fun! In other words, this party would be a Blizzard of Fun!
So everyone bundled up, called their friends, and headed out to make the winter special.
End of story.
Of course not! The beginning of this story was 42 years ago this season! It was then that the promoters of the Syracuse Winterfest did, indeed, convince the city’s many restaurants, bars and pubs, along with some splendid sponsors and Civic organizations, to throw a big party to have fun, embrace the season, and celebrate the community they valued. And for over 40 years, the citizens of CNY have thought this was, indeed, a great idea!
And while families and visitors of all ages have always been the aim of the planners, this year they’ve upped the game for particularly the kids. Aside from the fact that there’s a kid in all of us when it comes to a good time, the Winterfest has expanded its specifically younger kids’ activities to both Sundays of the event, and will include such favorites as:
Bubblemania with Doug Rougeux: for the kids and the kid in you! 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. Checkers (Joey Hamilton) offers “a crazy, madcap, frantic and fun” time to kids with magic, inventions, comedy, variety, juggling – and a giant balloon!
Stories and music: BOTH Sundays (the 15th and 22nd) from 12-4pm at the Marriott Hotel Downtown Syracuse.
Plus, there are such family-friendly activities as FREE ice skating both Thursdays (Feb. 12th & 19th) of the Festival at 6-8pm at Clinton Square. Skate rentals are available.
And there are fireworks (again, FREE) on the opening Friday night of the event, February 13, Inner Harbor Area 8:00pm.
If you’re old enough to enjoy it, that same Friday evening starts with a free TGIF party featuring The Diana Jacobs Band, a high-energy funk, soul, R&B horn band comprised of stellar players from all over CNY. That will be happening 5-7:30pm at the Marriott Hotel Downtown Syracuse.
A key part of the Syracuse Winterfest is the food and drink sampling. From the Culinary Cruise (appetizers, entrees and deserts), to the Margarita, Sangria, Bloody Mary, and Cosmopolitan Drink Mix-Offs (and lots more categories!), get your tickets for your favorite food and/or beverage tastings. With your tickets will come a map of participating restaurants, bars, or pubs. Sample them, and then mark your FAVORITE on your ballot. Once these are collected and tallied, turn them in. Each ballot will be counted. The top number of votes is in first place (with first, second and third place awarded). First place in each category wins bragging rights and a cash prize!
You can also sample Chowder, Chili, Sandwiches, Beer, and Wings!
Another annual favorite at Winterfest is Hammond Jammin’ – featuring groups and individuals who are legendary on the Syracuse and CNY music scene, each accompanied by the Hammond Organ and Leslie speaker of rock, jazz, and RnB renown. The music will be filling the equally legendary Dinosaur Bar-B-Que with amazing sound. Brought to you by the talented Gerry Testa, this free show is now in its 20th year at the Syracuse Winterfest.
Besides a number of new restaurants who will be throwing their chef’s hats into the ring, visitors might want to try another all-new event, Roller Skating! The first 50 to try it out will skate free, and it will be held at the new Skate-N-Place rink featuring a plastic floor, games, a DJ and a snack bar!
And of course some of your favorites will be happening, like the Cornhole Tournament, a Treasure Hunt, and other special drop-in events – watch the website at https://syracusewinterfest.com/ for the latest.
Prepare yourself for an unBEARably good time!
February 12-22, 2026
The day of the events tickets are sold at the Marriott Syracuse Downtown, Onondaga Street entrance from 11am–3pm, Centro Winterfest Express will be running throughout the event or participants can walk to competing sites.
