Come Chill Out at the 103rd Winter Carnival!

The Greenfield Recreation Department is delighted to invite the region to the 103rd annual Winter Carnival. This wonderful winter celebration, taking place from Friday, January 31 to Sunday, February 2, welcomes everyone to celebrate the quintessential seasonal activities our region is known for!

For its 103rd year, the Winter Carnival is adopting Polar Playground as its theme. Polar Playground represents the winter season at its most playful, rekindling cozy memories of sled rides, hot chocolate and ice sculptures for many of us who grew up with New England winters. The Winter Carnival is the ultimate celebration of the winter season, with this year’s carnival including many of the beloved traditions community members have come to expect.

On Friday, January 31, ice carvings will occur throughout the day downtown. Attendees can watch as simple ice blocks are transformed into sparkling masterpieces. A map can be found at www.greenfieldrecreation.com Attendees are encouraged to vote for their favorite ice carving by Sunday, February 2, at 10:00 a.m.

In addition, many family-friendly activities are going on during the day. The Greenfield Public Library will feature a hot chocolate and board game social, a family scavenger hunt and a special Winter Carnival Storytime.

Later in the evening, patrons can enjoy the Greenfield Business Association’s Downtown Defrost at Court Square and Mesa Verde’s Polar Patio, both beginning at 4 p.m. before the Parade of Lights at 6 p.m. and the Beacon Field fireworks at 7 p.m.

On Saturday, February 1, visitors can participate in a variety of activities, from the annual Cribbage Tournament at the John Zon Community Center to a virtual puzzle contest. There will also be free family activities at 20 Sanderson Street and a free comedy science show at the Greenfield Middle School. The evening concludes with the Glow Party at 5:30 p.m. at the Greenfield Middle School Cafeteria.

There is so much to do on February 1! Interested in a group bike ride through Greenfield Ridge? Join Bicycle World at 3 p.m. for a scenic ride (please bring your own helmet and equipment). Looking to dance away from the cold weather? Dawn’s School of Dance is hosting a family dance lesson at 12:30 p.m.

Sunday, February 2, features the Winter Carnival’s various competition events at Beacon Field, including cookie and chili bake-offs, the K-9 keg-pull, and the cardboard sled contest. Visitors can also start the day with Cookies with Olaf or enjoy a cookie and beer and cookie flight at Four Phantoms Brewing Company.

We hope to see you all for this year’s festive and fun Winter Carnival! Check out our Visit Greenfield page to see the full schedule of events.

History of the Winter Carnival

While some details of the early Winter Carnivals may have been lost over the years, their legend remains. It is estimated that 5,000 spectators attended the 1927 Winter Carnival, where two ski jumpers leaped through a flaming hoop off a ski jump after dark. In 1928, Winter Carnival hosted the Eastern U.S. Ski Championships on the Shelburne Mountain Ski Jump.

That year’s event, hosted by the Outing Club and Greenfield Chamber of Commerce, was said to be the biggest and best in New England! In addition to ski jumping, there was “fancy skating,” speed skaters playing hockey on Highland Pond, a cross-country ski race, snowshoe and ski hikes, a Carnival Ball at the Greenfield Armory, a fireworks display and band at Beacon Field and ice sculptures on the Town Common and at private residences.