Great Ice! Celebrates Winter in North Hero, VT

February 13-15, 2026

Why sit inside when you could be out on the ice with a fun and welcoming community?

Every winter, something magical happens in North Hero, Vermont.

A group of people play games on frozen ice of Lake Champlain.

The small island village of North Hero transforms its frozen shoreline into a lively, community-powered celebration of winter.

Great Ice! takes over City Bay on Lake Champlain, turning the ice into a playground filled with skating, bonfires, fireworks, food, and classic Vermont winter fun for all ages.

Set against wide lake views and open skies, Great Ice! is part festival, part neighborhood gathering, and part winter adventure. Whether you come for the skating, the food, or the famous trek across the ice, the weekend is designed to get everyone outside, embracing the season.

What Makes Great Ice! Special

Great Ice! centers around City Bay, where the frozen lake becomes the main stage for activities throughout the weekend. Local businesses, inns, churches, and community halls provide warm-up spots, food, and parking, while the bay itself hosts skating, games, demonstrations, and signature events.

Highlights include lighted skating after dark, dog sled rides, family-friendly snow games, food and drink from local vendors, and one of Vermont’s most unique winter experiences: a trek across a frozen lake to Knight Island State Park.

Friday, February 13: Fire, Ice, and Fireworks

The festival opens Friday afternoon with sled dog rides at Shore Acres Inn & Restaurant. While ride slots often sell out, watching the Alaskan Huskies and their musher in action is a highlight in itself.

As evening approaches, the North Hero Community Center hosts the Great Ice! Food and Wine Village, featuring local breweries, distilleries, farms, and food vendors serving warm comfort food and winter treats.

At City Bay, the illuminated skating rink opens for evening skating, setting the tone for the night.

The official kickoff begins with the annual Christmas Tree Bonfire, where donated trees fuel a massive blaze on the ice. Fireworks follow shortly after, lighting up the frozen bay and surrounding shoreline. The night wraps up with a skate party on the lighted rink, complete with music and a festive crowd.

Saturday, February 14: Family Fun on the Ice

Saturday is packed with daytime activities designed for all ages. Visitors can snowshoe or hike around North Hero village and out onto the ice, with snowshoes available to borrow.

For those looking to warm up, the United Methodist Church offers free hot cocoa, coffee, cookies, and a cozy coloring station.

New to the lineup is the ice bowling tournament, where teams compete for bragging rights on the frozen surface. Throughout the day, City Bay hosts “Snow Much Fun,” a collection of classic winter games like frozen cornhole, ring toss, snow Jenga, and bad mitten, alongside s’mores, hot dogs, and cocoa.

Midday brings the popular chili cookoff at the community center, where home cooks compete, and spectators sample and vote for their favorite recipes.

In the afternoon, the North Hero Volunteer Fire Department conducts an ice rescue demonstration, offering an educational look at ice safety and rescue techniques.

As evening returns, the lighted skating rink opens once again, inviting skaters back onto the ice under the stars.

Sunday, February 15: Pancakes and the Over N’ Back Trek

Sunday begins with a hearty pancake buffet at the North Hero House Inn & Restaurant, a favorite prelude to the festival’s most iconic event.

The Over N’ Back Trek sends participants 1.7 miles across frozen Lake Champlain to Knight Island State Park.

Some people walk, others ski, skate, bike, or fat-tire ride. The only requirement is getting there. At the island, trekkers are rewarded with hot chocolate and encouragement before making the return journey back across the ice.

The weekend winds down with one final evening of skating on the illuminated rink, a quiet and fitting close to a festival built around community, winter, and the joy of being outdoors.

Planning Your Visit

Great Ice! takes place throughout the village of North Hero, with City Bay serving as the central hub for activities.

Local inns, restaurants, shops, and community spaces support the festival, while parking is spread throughout the village.

Because events take place on ice, all activities are weather- and condition-dependent, and schedules may change. Warm clothing, sturdy footwear, and a flexible attitude are strongly encouraged.

If you’re looking for an authentic Vermont winter festival that blends small-town charm with unforgettable lakefront experiences, Great Ice! is one of the most unique events on Lake Champlain’s winter calendar.

Ready to ditch your winter blues?

Bundle up and join the fun on the ice from February 13-15, 2026.

Ready to share the magic of Great Ice!? Please spread the word and celebrate a Vermont winter wonderland on the frozen City Bay!