2023 Saranac Lake Winter Carnival Schedule
This is the official source for the most up-to-date information and is subject to change at any time.
Please use the Contact page to send events and corrections.
* NOTE: An asterisk indicates events run by a group other than the Winter Carnival Committee and is for informational purposes only
$ NOTE: A dollar sign indicates there is a cost involved with this event.
WINTEr Carnival Committee Meetings
Unless otherwise noted, all meetings take place on TUESDAY at 5:30 PM ata the Elk's Lodge #1508, 30 Bloomingdale Ave.
- March 14--Theme Suggestions
- April 18--Theme Selection, Annual Meeting (election of Officers and Directors)
Monday, January 9, 2023
4:30 pm - 7:30 pm *Annual Winter Carnival Court Spaghetti Dinner Fundraiser ($15, Downhill Grill, 74 Main St.)
THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 2, 2023
11:00 am - 12:30 pm AND 4:00 pm - 5:30 pm Drop off times for the Winter Carnival Sun Catcher Contest at the NYS Boat Lauch to the right of the Ice Palace, Display and voting throughout Carnival, See the How to Make an Ice Sun Catcher Video
5:30 pm *22nd Annual Past Royalty Mixer and Dinner - Open to Past Royalty Only ($, Red Fox Restaurant, 5034 Route 3, contact Marilyn Bigelow at 518-891-1286)
FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 3, 2023
All Day "Roman Around Space" Clue Hunt--Can you solve the clues to navigate your way through town and past all the Roman Gods and Godesses of Space? (Available 24/7 outside the History Hut and Gift Shop near the Ice Palace)
10:00 am - 5:00 pm *Make Your Own Winter Carnival Button ($1.00, Saranac Laboratory Museum, 89 Church St.)
1:00 pm - 5:00 pm Winter Carnival History Hut and Gift Shop--Learn about Winter Carnival, Shop for Official Merchandise (Winter Carnival History Hut near the Ice Palace)
5:30 pm *Art Opening--"Hearth" by Michael Burpoe (Exhibit runs through March 1, Adirondack Artists Guild, 52 Main St)
6:00 pm - 9:00 pm *Live Music--Blessid Dirt at the Campfire Adirondack Bar & Grill (Hotel Saranac, 100 Main St)
7:30 pm *Women's Civic Chamber Coronation of Winter Carnival Royalty (Harrietstown Town Hall, 39 Main St)
Post Coronation *Winter Carnival Royalty Reception (Elks Lodge #1508, 30 Bloomingdale Ave)
8:30 pm *Live Music--Annie in the Water wsg The Reflexions, doors open 7:30 ($, The Waterhole, 48 Main St)
SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 4, 2023
All Day "Roman Around Space" Clue Hunt--Can you solve the clues to navigate your way through town and past all the Roman Gods and Godesses of Space? (Available 24/7 outside the History Hut and Gift Shop near the Ice Palace)
10:00 am - 6:00 pm Winter Carnival History Hut and Gift Shop--Learn about Winter Carnival, Shop for Official Merchandise (Winter Carnival History Hut near the Ice Palace)
10:00 am NBT Bank Ice Palace Fun Run - 4 miles (Ice Palace, State Boat Launch)
10:00 am - 3:00 pm Edward Jones Arctic Golf Build-an-Obstacle Contest (Prescott Park next to the State Boat Launch)
10:00 am - 2:00 pm *Lutheran Church Bake and Craft Sale (Harrietstown Town Hall, 39 Main Street)
10:00 am - 4:00 pm *Paul Smith's Booster Club Chocolate Festival (Romano's Saranac Bowling Lanes, 11 Bloomingdale Ave)
10:00 am - 5:00 pm *Cure Porch on Wheels--History exhibit and Roman Health Trivia (at Lake Flower Boat Launch near the Ice Palace)
10:00 am - 5:00 pm *Make Your Own Winter Carnival Button ($1.00, Saranac Laboratory Museum, 89 Church St.)
11:00 am - 12:30 pm *Book Signing--Saranac Lake's Ice Palace, A History of Winter Carnival's Crown by Caperton Tissot (History Hut near the Ice Palace)
11:00 am **CANCELLED, due to ice conditions** Long Run Wealth Advisors Curling Exhibition (Lake Flower near the Ice Palace)
11:00 am *Paul Smiths College Woodsmen Exhibition (Riverside Park)
12:00 pm Heat Keepers Icicle Contest -- prizes for longest natural icicle (Riverside Park, icicle check-in at 11:30 am)
12:00 pm **CANCELLED, due to ice conditions** Lake Placid Curling Club "Hit the Button" Curling Competition -- Open to all ($, Lake Flower near the Ice Palace)
12:30 pm Saranac Teachers Association Little Ladies Fry Pan Toss -- For Girls 6-17 (Riverside Park, Registration 11:00-12:00)
1:00 pm *Women's Civic Second Corn-a-ment Cornhole Tournament (On the ice in front of Saranac Waterfront Lodge, $42 registration fee per 2-player team. Contact Deb Reilly at debreilly6@gmail.com for information. Register at https://linktr.ee/wintercarnivalcornament)
1:00 pm Taylor Rental Ladies Fry Pan Toss -- For Ladies 18 and Up (Riverside Park, Registration 11:00-12:30)
3:00 pm *Honky Tonk Angels--A Hit-Country Musical at Pendragon Theatre ($, Pendragon Theatre, 15 Brandy Brook Ave, info and tickets here)
5:00 pm - 7:00 pm *Spaghetti Dinner at St Bernard's School Cafeteria presented by Catholic Daughters of the Americas Court 787 and Knights of Columbus Council 599, Take Out available ($, St. Bernard's School, 63 River St, Orders taken 4:30 to 6:30 at 518-354-0825)
7:00 p.m. (roads closing at 6:15 pm) Lighting of the Ice Palace and Hotel Saranac Opening Fireworks Display (Ice Palace, State Boat Launch)
8:30 pm *Live Music--Underground System wsg TBA, doors open 7:30 ($, The Waterhole, 48 Main St)
9:00 pm - 1:00 am *Past Theme Prom--Retire your past Carnival outfits for good at this Banger, Music with DJ Big Clam, doors open at 8 (The Garagery, behind Grizle-T's on Dorsey Street)
SUNDAY, FEBrUARY 5, 2023
All Day "Roman Around Space" Clue Hunt--Can you solve the clues to navigate your way through town and past all the Roman Gods and Godesses of Space? (Available 24/7 outside the History Hut and Gift Shop near the Ice Palace)
10:00 am - 6:00 pm Winter Carnival History Hut and Gift Shop--Learn about Winter Carnival, Shop for Official Merchandise (Winter Carnival History Hut near the Ice Palace)
10:00 am - 3:00 pm Edward Jones Arctic Golf (Prescott Park next to the State Boat Launch)
10:00 am - 4:00 pm *--BACK THIS YEAR-- Skate Lake Colby sponsored by Adirondack Health -- Demos, Free Skate, Straight Line Drag Races for Ice Skates and Kick Sleds 2 pm to 3 pm. (Beach at Lake Colby)
10:00 am - 5:00 pm *Cure Porch on Wheels--History exhibit and Roman Health Trivia (at Lake Flower Boat Launch near the Ice Palace)
10:00 am *White Stag Downhill Ski Races (Mt. Pisgah Ski Center, 92 Mt. Pisgah Lane, $)
11:30 am *Arctic Bar-B-Que -- Friends of Mt. Pisgah (Mt. Pisgah Ski Center, Mt. Pisgah Lane, $)
1:00 pm --NEW-- The Blue Buns Wheel-a-Palooza, a bathing suit-clad round-the-town bike ride (Ice Palace, State Boat Launch)
1:00 pm LifePower Chiropractic Ultimate Frisbee Games (Saranac Lake High School Football Field, 79 Canaras Ave, Call 518-637-3238 for details)
2:30 pm Adirondack Lakes and Trails Outfitters FlowerBall (Lake Flower near the Ice Palace)
3:00 pm *Honky Tonk Angels--A Hit-Country Musical at Pendragon Theatre ($, Pendragon Theatre, 15 Brandy Brook Ave, info and tickets here)
MONDAY, february 6, 2023
All Day "Roman Around Space" Clue Hunt--Can you solve the clues to navigate your way through town and past all the Roman Gods and Godesses of Space? (Available 24/7 outside the History Hut and Gift Shop near the Ice Palace)
12:00 pm - 4:00 pm *Cure Porch on Wheels--History exhibit and Roman Health Trivia (at Lake Flower Boat Launch near the Ice Palace)
1:00 pm - 5:00 pm Winter Carnival History Hut and Gift Shop--Learn about Winter Carnival, Shop for Official Merchandise (Winter Carnival History Hut near the Ice Palace)
6:00 pm - 8:00 pm *Line Dancing at the Elk's Club ($, Elks Lodge #1508, 30 Bloomingdale Ave, bar will be open, contact Mary Stretch for info, 518-524-0767)
Tuesday, February 7, 2023
All Day "Roman Around Space" Clue Hunt--Can you solve the clues to navigate your way through town and past all the Roman Gods and Godesses of Space? (Available 24/7 outside the History Hut and Gift Shop near the Ice Palace)
10:00 am - 5:00 pm *Make Your Own Winter Carnival Button ($1.00, Saranac Laboratory Museum, 89 Church St.)
12:00 pm - 4:00 pm *Cure Porch on Wheels--History exhibit and Roman Health Trivia (at Lake Flower Boat Launch near the Ice Palace)
1:00 pm - 5:00 pm Winter Carnival History Hut and Gift Shop--Learn about Winter Carnival, Shop for Official Merchandise (Winter Carnival History Hut near the Ice Palace)
3:30 pm *Scavenger Hunt for Middle School Students (Saranac Lake Youth Center, 29 Woodruff St)
5:00 pm Winter Carnival Grand Marshall Reception ($, Hotel Saranac, 100 Main Street) To make a reservation contact Milt Adams at 518-891-4367
6:00 pm Winter Carnival Royalty Dinner ($, Hotel Saranac, 100 Main Street)
6:00 pm *Main Street Exchange presents "Roman Around Carnival" Fashion Show, Three rounds of Roman fashion: Ancient attire based off of Social Class, Gods and Goddesses, Ancient Roman attire in modern times. Contact Main Street Exchange to purchase tickets. ($, The Garagery, behind Grizle-T's on Dorsey Street)
8:00 pm *Live Music--Ryan Montbleau (Solo) wsg Hayley Jane, doors open 7:00 ($, The Waterhole, 48 Main St)
Wednesday, February 8, 2023
All Day "Roman Around Space" Clue Hunt--Can you solve the clues to navigate your way through town and past all the Roman Gods and Godesses of Space? (Available 24/7 outside the History Hut and Gift Shop near the Ice Palace)
10:00 am - 5:00 pm *Make Your Own Winter Carnival Button ($1.00, Saranac Laboratory Museum, 89 Church St.)
12:00 pm - 4:00 pm *Cure Porch on Wheels--History exhibit and Roman Health Trivia (at Lake Flower Boat Launch near the Ice Palace)
1:00 pm -7:00 pm Winter Carnival History Hut and Gift Shop--Learn about Winter Carnival, Shop for Official Merchandise (Winter Carnival History Hut near the Ice Palace)
5:00 pm - 7:00 pm --NEW-- Family Night at the Ice Palace sponsored by Hudson Headwaters Health Network (Ice Palace, State Boat Launch)
6:00 pm Curtis Lumber Snowshoe Races -- All Ages (Dewey Mountain, Route 3, call 518-891-2697, Children's Event Fees paid for by Saranac Lake Kiwanis Club)
6:00 pm *Bacchanalia Feast at the Hotel Saranac - Named after Bacchus, the Roman god of wine and revelry, these feasts of classical Rome were known to be wildly drunken affairs. The Romans celebrated Bacchus with wine, songs, dances, and more... therefore so shall we! ($, Hotel Saranac, 100 Main St, purchase tickets here)
6:00 pm - 8:00 pm *Members' Night--Saranac Lake Free Library Winter Book Fair (Saranac Lake Free Library, Cantwell Community Room, 109 Main St)
6:30 pm **NOW ON WEDNESDAY DUE TO WEATHER** American Management Association Torchlight Skiing and Fireworks (Mt. Pisgah Ski Center, 92 Mt. Pisgah Lane)
7:00 pm *Honky Tonk Angels--A Hit-Country Musical at Pendragon Theatre ($, Pendragon Theatre, 15 Brandy Brook Ave, info and tickets here)
7:30 pm *Music--Beat Authority Dance Party, doors open 7:00 ($, Half of ticket sales donated to NCPR The Waterhole, 48 Main St)
Thursday, February 9, 2023
All Day "Roman Around Space" Clue Hunt--Can you solve the clues to navigate your way through town and past all the Roman Gods and Godesses of Space? (Available 24/7 outside the History Hut and Gift Shop near the Ice Palace)
10:00 am - 5:00 pm *Make Your Own Winter Carnival Button ($1.00, Saranac Laboratory Museum, 89 Church St.)
10:00 am - 4:00 pm *Saranac Lake Free Library Winter Book Fair (Saranac Lake Free Library, Cantwell Community Room, 109 Main St)
12:00 pm - 4:00 pm *Cure Porch on Wheels--History exhibit and Roman Health Trivia (at Lake Flower Boat Launch near the Ice Palace)
1:00 pm - 5:00 pm Winter Carnival History Hut and Gift Shop--Learn about Winter Carnival, Shop for Official Merchandise (Winter Carnival History Hut near the Ice Palace)
**NOW ON WEDNESDAY NIGHT** American Management Association Torchlight Skiing and Fireworks (Mt. Pisgah Ski Center, 92 Mt. Pisgah Lane)
7:00 pm *Carnival Cringe Night--SL's Amateur Comedy Night, if you'd like to perform DM any of our accounts, doors at 6 ($, The Garagery, behind Grizle-T's on Dorsey Street)
7:00 pm *Honky Tonk Angels--A Hit-Country Musical at Pendragon Theatre ($, Pendragon Theatre, 15 Brandy Brook Ave, info and tickets here)
8:30 pm *Live Music--The Frank White Experience: Tribute to Notorious B.I.G. wsg TBA, doors open 7:30 ($, The Waterhole, 48 Main St)
friday, february 10, 2023
All Day "Roman Around Space" Clue Hunt--Can you solve the clues to navigate your way through town and past all the Roman Gods and Godesses of Space? (Available 24/7 outside the History Hut and Gift Shop near the Ice Palace)
10:00 am Adirondack Bank Innertube Races (Mt. Pisgah Ski Center, 92 Mt. Pisgah Lane, Children's Event Fees paid for by Saranac Lake Kiwanis Club)
10:00 am - 5:00 pm *Make Your Own Winter Carnival Button ($1.00, Saranac Laboratory Museum, 89 Church St.)
10:00 am - 4:00 pm *Saranac Lake Free Library Winter Book Fair (Saranac Lake Free Library, Cantwell Community Room, 109 Main St)
12:00 pm - 4:00 pm *Cure Porch on Wheels--History exhibit and Roman Health Trivia (at Lake Flower Boat Launch near the Ice Palace)
12:00 pm - 4:00 pm *Ice Fishing with Battle Fish Charters on Ampersand Bay (Ampersand Bay Resort, 31 Bayside Dr)
12:30 pm - 2:00 pm Coakley Home and Hardware Children's Skating Races (Saranac Lake Civic Center, 213 Ampersand Ave, Children's Event Fees paid for by Saranac Lake Kiwanis Club)
1:00 pm - 6:00 pm Winter Carnival History Hut and Gift Shop--Learn about Winter Carnival, Shop for Official Merchandise (Winter Carnival History Hut near the Ice Palace)
2:00 pm - 4:00 pm Coakley Home and Hardware Family Open Skate with Free Hot Chocolate (Saranac Lake Civic Center, 213 Ampersand Ave)
4:00 pm - 7:00 pm *Live Music--Big Boss Sausage (Bitters & Bones, 65 Broadway)
5:00 pm - 9:00 pm *Live Music--The Midnight Stargazers (Barley Sandwich, 19 Broadway)
6:00 pm - 9:30 pm *Live Music--Misfit Toys Drinkin HomeBrew, benefitting local food bank and other local folks (Donations welcome, The Rusty Nail, 83 Broadway)
6:00 pm - 9:00 pm Firefighter's Broom Ball (Saranac Lake Civic Center, 213 Ampersand Ave)
7:30 pm *--BACK THIS YEAR-- Rotary Club Variety Show, Tickets available at Chamber of Commerce, Ampersound, NBT Bank ($, Harrietstown Town Hall, 39 Main St) Winter Carnival Rotary Show Tickets available for advance purchase for $20 at Ampersand, the Chamber Welcome Center and NBT Bank. On-line purchase for $25 is available through Eventbrite
7:00 pm - 10:00 pm *Live Music--Moment's Notice in the Great Hall (Hotel Saranac, 100 Main St)
8:00 pm - 11:00 pm *Live Music--John Warchol (Bitters & Bones, 65 Broadway)
8:00 pm - 10:00 pm *Live Music--The Moonlighters (Romano's Saranac Lanes, 11 Bloomingdale Ave)
8:30 pm *Live Music--The Mallett Brothers Band wsg Saints and Liars, doors open 7:30 ($, The Waterhole, 48 Main St)
Saturday, February 11, 2023
All Day "Roman Around Space" Clue Hunt--Can you solve the clues to navigate your way through town and past all the Roman Gods and Godesses of Space? (Available 24/7 outside the History Hut and Gift Shop near the Ice Palace)
8:00 am - 11:00 am *Mason's Pancake Breakfast with the Carnival Characters ($, Characters there until 9:30am, Saranac Lake Adult Center, 135 Broadway)
10:00 am - 11:00 am Meet the Winter Carnival Characters at the Ice Palace (Ice Palace, State Boat Launch)
10:00 am - 6:00 pm Winter Carnival History Hut and Gift Shop--Learn about Winter Carnival, Shop for Official Merchandise (Winter Carnival History Hut near the Ice Palace)
10:00 am *CanAm Snow Rugby (Saranac Lake High School Track Field, 79 Canaras Ave, Call 518-524-5841)
10:00 am - 4:00 pm *Saranac Lake Free Library Winter Book Fair (Saranac Lake Free Library, Cantwell Community Room, 109 Main St)
11:00 am *Paul Smiths Woodsmen Exhibition (Riverside Park)
11:00 am *Paul Smith's College Alumni Reception (Hotel Saranac, 100 Main St)
12:00 pm Gala Parade Line-Up (Register at Nice N Easy Mobil, 196 Broadway Ave)
1:00 pm Gala Parade presented by Casella Waste and North Country Community College (From the firehouse on Broadway to LaPan Highway)
2:00 pm - 6:00 pm *Live Music--Rose & the Bros at the Post Parade Party (Free Show, The Waterhole, 48 Main St)
2:00 pm - 6:00 pm *Live Music--After-Parade Toga Party w/ Darkside Skinny Dippers (Free, The Rusty Nail, 83 Broadway Ave)
2:00 pm - 6:00 pm *Fiddlehead Brewing Co. presents 1st Annual Post-Parade Corn Hole Tourney, prizes for 1st and 2nd place, hang out even if you don't want to play (The Garagery, behind Grizle-T's on Dorsey Street)
3:00 pm - 7:00 pm *Live Music--Slab City (Romano's Saranac Lanes Sorts Bar & Grill, 11 Bloomingdale Ave)
4:00 pm - 7:00 pm *Live Music--Big Boss Sausage (Bitters & Bones, 65 Broadway)
6:00 pm - 10:00 pm --NEW NIGHT-- Saranac Waterfront Lodge Snow Ball ($, Saranac Waterfront Lodge, 250 Lake Flower Ave, Tickets are available at Waterfront Lodge)
7:00 pm *Honky Tonk Angels--A Hit-Country Musical at Pendragon Theatre ($, Pendragon Theatre, 15 Brandy Brook Ave, info and tickets here)
8:00 - Midnight *Live Music--Divivded Roads (Romano's Saranac Lanes Sorts Bar & Grill, 11 Bloomingdale Ave)
9:00 pm - Midnight *Live Music--Sonic Boom (Bitters & Bones, 65 Broadway)
9:00 pm *Live Music--West End Blend wsg Chestnut Grove, doors open 8:00 ($, The Waterhole, 48 Main St)
sunday, february 12, 2023 -- last day
All Day "Roman Around Space" Clue Hunt--Can you solve the clues to navigate your way through town and past all the Roman Gods and Godesses of Space? (Available 24/7 outside the History Hut and Gift Shop near the Ice Palace)
10:00 am - 3:00 pm Winter Carnival History Hut and Gift Shop--Learn about Winter Carnival, Shop for Official Merchandise (Winter Carnival History Hut near the Ice Palace)
10:00 am Community Bank Adult Cross-country Ski Races (Dewey Mountain, Route 3, Call 518-891-2697)
11:00 am Bionique Testing Labs Snowflake Volleyball Tournament (Saranac Lake Civic Center, Rotary Field, 213 Ampersand Ave)
11:00 am Adirondack Lakes and Trails Outfitters FlowerBall (Lake Flower near the Ice Palace)
12:00 pm Adirondack Health Youth Cross-country Ski Races (Dewey Mountain, Route 3, Call 518-891-2697, Children's Event Fees paid for by Saranac Lake Kiwanis Club)
12:00 pm - 3:00 pm *Live Music--Jae Dani (Bitters & Bones, 65 Broadway)
12:00 pm - 1:45 Facepainting before the Kiddie Parade (Hotel Saranac, 100 Main St)
2:00 pm Casella Waste Systems Kiddie Parade from the Hotel Saranac to Harrietstown Town Hall (Meet at the Hotel Saranac, 100 Main St)
2:00 pm - 6:00 pm *Live Music--The Ditrani Brothers at Bloody Mary Sunday (Free, The Waterhole, 48 Main St)
3:00 pm *25th Winter Carnival Baroque Concert (Admission by donation, First Methodist Church, 63 Church St)
4:00 pm - 7:00 pm *Live Music--Michael Lashomb (Bitters & Bones, 65 Broadway)
5:00 pm *Honky Tonk Angels--A Hit-Country Musical at Pendragon Theatre ($, Pendragon Theatre, 15 Brandy Brook Ave, info and tickets here)
7:30 pm Guide Boat Realty Winter Carnival Slide Show (Ice Palace, State Boat Launch)
8:00 pm Guide Boat Realty "Storming the Ice Palace" Closing Fireworks Display (Ice Palace, State Boat Launch)
Tuesday, february 21, 2023
5:30p.m. Post-Winter Carnival Committee Wrap-Up meeting, 2023 Critique (Elk's Lodge #1508, 30 Broadway Ave)
Monday, February 27, 2023
5:30 pm Winter Carnival Volunteer Appreciation Event, Open to all volunteers who have given their time to make Carnival happen (Belvedere Restaurant, 102 Bloomingdale Ave, due to financial constraints this event is limited to volunteers only or in the case of a minor, one parent escort.)
tuesday, march 14, 2023
5:30 p.m. Winter Carnival Committee Meeting -- Theme Nominations (Elk's Lodge #1508, 30 Broadway Ave)
TUESDAY, April 18, 2023
5:30 p.m. Winter Carnival Committee Annual Meeting -- Elections and Theme Selection (Elk's Lodge #1508, 30 Broadway Ave)
2024 WINTER CARNIVAL
February 2-11, 2024