Winter in New England offers plenty of opportunities for families to celebrate the beauty and fun of winter. There are quite a few fun winter festivals located in or near Acton and Lexington and, if you're looking for a day trip or weekend adventure, there are plenty more just an hour or two away.
Here’s a list of festivals and events where you can enjoy fun winter sports, go sledding or ride in a sleigh, try foods and drinks that are just right for cold weather, and make the best of these cold days and nights!
Acton-Lexington Area
Winter Wonderland, Concord MA, January 24, 2026
Enjoy horse-drawn wagon rides, a bonfire, crafts, bounce house, music and food!
Boxborough Winterfest at Steele Farm, Boxborough MA, January 31, 2026
Celebrate winter with live music, a bonfire, food trucks, human foosball and all kinds of winter fun.
5th Annual WinterFEST, Newton MA, January 23-25, 2026
Check out live music, ice sculptures and carving demonstrations, performers, hot chocolate, family dance party, and a community soup social.
Lowell Winterfest, Lowell MA, February 28, 2026
The city of Lowell hosts a fantastic winter celebration featuring live music, ice sculptures, fire entertainers, a legendary soup competition, arts market, food trucks, chocolate festival, and plenty of family fun. It's a must-visit!
Winter Fest, Harvard MA, March 1, 2026
The Harvard Lions Club presents a day of family activities, including nature walks, food and beverages, fire pits, games, chili content, scavenger hunt, a human dog sled pull, sledding, a hot chocolate bar and more winter fun!
An Hour or Two from Acton and Lexington
Concord NH Winter Fest, January 23-24, 2026
See ice-carving demonstrations, food trucks, a hot cocoa tour and other outdoor activities.
Keene NH Ice & Snow Festival, February 7, 2026
See incredible ice sculptures and enjoy family-friendly activities including live music and performers, scavenger hunt, hot cocoa stations, snow sculpting, and more winter fun.
34th Annual Winter Carnival, Merrimack NH, February 7, 2026
Free games, crafts, and demonstrations. Ice fishing derby, food trucks and ice carving demonstrations.
Salem's So Sweet Chocolate and Ice Sculpture Festival, Salem MA, February 6-8, 2026
Salem's always a little different! Their winter festival includes ice sculptures and live music as well as chocolate and wine tastings at downtown shops and restaurants.
38th Annual Newport Winter Festival, Newport RI, February 13-22, 2026
This 10-day festival is jam-packed with tours, walks, live music, food competitions, magic shows and other kid-friendly performances, classes, wine tastings and much more, all during February school vacation week.
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