Chill Out at These 7 Outdoor Winter Festivals in Ohio

The tendency this time of year is, of course, to pack it in and watch the snow (or worse, very cold rain) fall from the comfort of your couch, but there are plenty of ways to embrace winter. Maybe it’s a chilly music festival along the Cleveland riverfront or a day of winter festivities along Buckeye Lake. Bundle up, get out there and see for yourself that there are plenty of ways to can enjoy every season in the Buckeye State. 

Logan Frozen Festival | Jan. 18 
Head to downtown Logan for the 8th annual Frozen Festival along Main Street. This free, family-friendly event features plenty worth bundling up in the cold for, from music and free activities for kids to ice demonstrations and sculptures. The street festival feel is completed by food from local food trucks and restaurants. 

Buckeye Lake Winterfest | Jan. 25 
Forget Punxsutawny Phil and Buckeye Chuck, Benny the Bass comes to Buckeye Lake on Jan. 25 before sunrise to predict the length of winter this year. Arrive early to see if Benny “takes the bait” and comes out to announce an early spring or doesn’t take it and stays away, indicating six more weeks of winter. After the prediction, stay for the 10th annual, all-day Winterfest featuring live music, art displays, food, activities and fireworks.

Ice-A-Fair | Feb. 1 
See downtown Vermilion as it is transformed into a outdoor gallery of ice scultpures. The Ice-A-Fair returns for its 16th year with ice-carving demonstrations, a frozen play place, train rides for the kids and trolley rides the whole family can enjoy. You can even enter a raffle to win cold hard cash: $1,000 frozen within ice. End the day at Exchange Park for the fire-and-ice display.

Medina Ice Festival | Feb. 14-16
Bundle up and head to Medina’s historic Public Square for this annual festival highlighting local pride and craftsmanship. The event kicks off on Friday night with events like the speed-carving challenge and a fire-and-ice tower (a giant block of ice that is set ablaze). Saturday and Sunday offer the chance to peruse ice sculptures around the square and browse the local shops and restaurants in the area.

Brite Winter | Feb. 22
Although winter can be particular rough along Lake Erie, that has not stopped Clevelanders from coming out each February to show their support for the arts and live music. Since 2010, Brite Winter — held on the East Bank of the Flats —  has showcased local and regional music acts and artists in a festival that encourages you to brave the cold. This year’s lineup has not yet been announced, so keep your eye on the Brite Winter site for artist release information. 

Burning Snowman Fest | Feb. 22
Warm up your February at this annual, 21-and-over event behind Dock’s Beach House Restaurant that sets ablaze a 30-foot snowman made from wood and paper in a celebration of winter, complete with bands, food and drink. Leading up to the main event, shuttles ferry festivalgoers throughout Port Clinton, making stops at various local breweries and bars. The night before Burning Snowman, bundle up and bring the kids out for Family Freeze, a free event with activities suitable for all ages.

Cleveland Kurentovanje | March 1 
Take part in Slovenian traditions to scare away winter in Cleveland’s St. Clair-Superior neighborhood during the annual Cleveland Kurentovanje. The free festival offers a parade and festival on March 1, as well as other events leading up to the big day like the Kurent Jump on Feb. 22, where traditional dances take place around a fire while a DJ lights up the dance floor. The March 1 festival at the Slovenian National Home also includes a 5k, food, music and more.

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