The Cooperstown Winter Carnival is returning for its annual wintertime fun and excitement!

The 55th Annual Winter Carnival will take place from February 2 through February 5, 2023 in Cooperstown, NY.

The Cooperstown Winter Carnival organizers have done a tremendous job working with the community, sponsors and local businesses in creating a fun, exciting, and jam-packed schedule for the entire carnival! A wide variety of family friendly fun events, activities, and specials, will take place throughout the Cooperstown region during the entire carnival weekend.

Get your carnival started right with the Hot Cocoa Kick-Off!

The 55th Cooperstown Winter Carnival kicks-off at the Otesaga Resort Hotel for Hot cocoa with all the fixin’s. As part of the kick-off festivities you’ll hear from Cooperstown Mayor Ellen Tillapaugh, and much more. Stick around for the fireworks at dusk, and visit with the Ice Queen and Friends. Adult beverages will be available.

The Winter Carnival is produced under the umbrella of the Cooperstown Lions Club and is a volunteer-run committee that relies on donations to fulfill its mission of bringing winter fun to Cooperstown. Please consider making a donation or purchase a collector’s Winter Carnival pin available at various venues around Cooperstown. All proceeds will go toward future Winter Carnivals.

This year’s Cooperstown Winter Carnival is here to make winter packed with fun!

Take a look at some of the planned events and activities.

Click on the following dates for times and details.

Thursday, February 2
- Hot cocoa • Fireworks • “Ice Queen” • Music • and more!
Friday, February 3
- Friends of the Village Library Book Sale • Local Business specials and sales • Sip, Shop and Adopt at the Susquehanna SPCA • Race to the Top: Rock Climbing Competition • Soup R’ Chili Dinner • Free Family Movie Night: FROZEN • Adult/Child Bowling Tournament
Saturday, February 4
- Lions Club Pancake Breakfast • Baby Goats, Hot Chocolate and Cookies at The Landmark Inn • Adult/Child Bowling Tournament • Local Business specials and sales • Meet Your Local Heroes • Friends of the Village Library Book Sale • Cooperstown Farmers’ Market • Winter Carnival Craft Bazaar • Fenimore Quilt Club Show • Bob Smullens 5K/10K Race • Lake Front Park Sledding Party • Blizzard Bingo • Brooks Chicken Dinner • Ice & Fire Skate Party • Community Movie Night featuring ABOMINABLE • Dead of Winter Celebration • Hanzolo at Upstate
Sunday, February 5
- Lions Club Pancake Breakfast • Open Pickleball Play • Local Business specials and sales • Friends of the Village Library Book Sale • Walk The Planets • Geocaching • Open Skate at Badger Park • Quilt Club show • Pitch Tournament • Build a Snowman Contest • Grilled Cheese for a Good Cause

How it All Began

The Cooperstown Winter Carnival Story

It all began when a group of winter sports enthusiasts from the Cooperstown Ski Club and Cooperstown Chamber of Commerce planned the first winter festival in late February of 1967.

The organizers’ first goal was to help the community break out of the familiar “Cabin Fever” feeling of a long cold winter. The first winter carnival introduced several community events along with the very popular dog sled race! The event attracted about 6,000 spectators! The early organizers also introduced a ski-mobile baseball game made up of players from Cooperstown and Richfield Springs at Doubleday Field.

There have been many creative activities added over the years as well as many businesses participating and joining in the community-wide event. Snow Scultures, formal winter balls, and 4-wheel drive drag races have all been a part of the winter carnival scene in years past.

And now once again the community of Cooperstown is coming together for the community wide Cooperstown Winter Carnival!

Now seems like a great time to get out and make a visit to Cooperstown There will certainly be plenty of wonderful surprises to enjoy together with friends and family!

Check out the 55th Cooperstown Winter Carnival for lots of information and all of the details.