Lakeside Winter Celebration

Lakeside Winter Celebration
40th Annual Edition!
January 31-February 1, 2026
Read on for schedule, vending & participation opportunities!
We believe that winter is something to embrace, not just endure! That’s why for 40 years, the Ontario Beach Park Program Committee has hosted a free-admission Lakeside Winter Celebration at the brisk and bracing Great Lake Ontario shoreline!

On the Saturday of each Lakeside Winter Celebration weekend, families can enjoy ice and snow sculpture demonstrations and an open snow sculpture contest; horse-drawn wagon rides around the park; food and beverage vendors; merchandise and arts/crafts vendors; live music in a heated tent; a Chilly Chili Challenge (that you can enter as a chili chef or participate in as a judging taster); skating in the Park’s cool synthetic ice rink; local wine and craft beer tasting; and fireworks over the Genesee River!

What’s more, attendees can enjoy specials in restaurants and pubs around the Charlotte Neighborhood.

And at high noon on the Sunday of every Lakeside Winter Celebration is the zany and inspiring Polar Plunge. during which hundreds upon hundreds of creative, charitable and hardy souls run into (and quickly out of!) the Lake to raise funds for Special Olympics New York.

Festival Schedule
Saturday, January 31

Amateur Snow Sculpting Contest
(Register between 9-11 a.m.; Judging at 2 p.m.)

Ice & Snow Sculpting Demos 12:00 – 4:00 P.M.

Food & Drink Vendors 12:00 – 3:00 P.M.

Wine & Beer Tasting (Tent) 12:00 – 3:00 P.M.

Horse-Drawn Wagon Rides 12:00 – 3:00 P.M.

Arts & Crafts, Merchandise Vendors (Tent) 12:00 – 3:00 P.M.

Chilly Chili Challenge Tasting 12:00 P.M. until gone

Synthetic Ice Rink Skating 12:00 – 4:00 P.M.

Children’s Activities 12:00 – 4:00 P.M.

Sled Dog Visits 1:00 – 3:00 P.M.

Live Music (Tent) 1:00 – 3:00 P.M.

Fireworks over the River 6:15 P.M.

Sunday, February 1 (Noon)

The Polar Plunge for Special Olympics New York (Lakeside)