The Lake George Winter Carnival takes place each weekend throughout February, featuring family friendly events, may of them free and open to tourists and area residents as well.
For 2022, the dates are the weekends of Feb. 5 -6, 12-13, 19-20 and 26 -27.
Through the course of those weekends there are chowder, chili, BBQ, and chicken wing cook-offs. There are activities like outhouse races, ATV races, polar plunges, fireworks and more.
Events are coordinated by the Lake George Regional Chamber of Commerce.
Kids can participate in children’s activities like pony rides or toast marshmallows on the beach.
Although Lake George is usually frozen solid by February, there are some years when mild temperatures cause the ice to be unsafe for normal activities. If ice-dependent events need to be canceled or relocated, that information will be announced on the Winter Carnival’s Facebook page or website.
There are plenty of places for tourists to stay overnight.
For more information and schedules, visit www.lakegeorge.com/winter/carnival.
Opening ceremonies are scheduled for Saturday, Feb. 5, at noon. The chili cookoff begins at 12:30 p.m. that day at the at the Shepard Park Amphitheater. There will be a fee. The event is a fan favorite. The chili if provided by various Lake George restaurants, and people vote for their favorite. Outhouse races begin at 1:30 on the ice off of Shepard Park. There is prize money for the winners and people can register at 9:30 a.m. that day at The Lagoon, which can be reached ay 518-685-5009.
The carnival annual parade at 4 p.m. helps kick off the February weekend celebrations. It begins at Fort William Henry, travels north on Canada Street, and ends at Amherst Street.
Fireworks by Santore take place at 7 p.m.
Sunday events include Sundae Funday andkaraoke/open mic with free ice cream provided by Stewart’s Shops at the Shepard Park Amphitheater.
On Saturday, Feb. 12, events include an ATV poker run. Sponsored by LGWC, registration is 9-11:30 a.m. For info call 518-240-0809.
The BBQ cookoff starts at 12:30 p.m. that day at the Shepard Park Amphitheater. There is a fee.
A free event is S’mores in the Park at 5:30 p.m. Fireworks will take place at 7 p.m.
Sunday, Feb. 13, starts with sanctioned car races on the lake, hosted by Lake George Lanes & Games. Info is available at www.icerace.com, or from Dave Burnham at 518-875-6956.
Saturday, Feb. 19 activities include an ATV poker run, and sanctioned motorcycle and ATV races hosted by Fort William Henry. Call Tom Kuhn for info at 518-495-7908, or visit www.electriccityriders.com.
A chowder cookoff starts at 12:30 p.m. and S’mores in the Park begins 5:30 p.m., free at the Shepard Park Amphitheater. Also there will be a hot chocolate bar at that time, which is free. Fireworks are at 7 p.m.
On Sunday, Feb. 20, events include the Sundae Funday and karaoke/open mic, sanctioned motorcycle and ATV races, and a Glacier Golf Tournament on a 6-hole course set up on the ice in front of LGWC headquarters in Shepard Park. Teams of two or four compete for prizes. People can sign up at the souvenir tent.
From 3-4 p.m. is a build a snowman contest. People will be given a “snowman kit” and 30 minutes to build. Judging will take place and the winners will claim prizes. There is a fee. Sign up at the souvenir tent in Shepard Park.
From 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. there are sanctioned car races on the ice, hosted by Lake George Lanes and Games. Info can be found at www.icerace.com. From noon to 4 p.m. are the 4×4 races on the ice, hosted by Blue Thirty-Two.
The Mac-N-Cheese Cook Off is at 12:30 p.m.
This the LGWC’s first time doing a mac and at Shepard Park Amphitheater. There is a fee.
Events run throughout the day, including another S’mores in the Park, the Sundae Funday and karaoke/open mic and a free hot chocolate bar. Fireworks are at 7 p.m.
Sunday, Feb. 27, includes sanctioned car races during the day and 4×4 races in the afternoon.
All events are weather and ice permitting, LGWC will not be held responsible for any canceled events or races.
Visitors are asked to adhere to all current COVID-19 guidelines while visiting the LGWC.