I am ALL about festivals, fairs, and carnivals and when I realized I had never been to the McCall Winter Carnival, I knew I needed to attend! The McCall Winter Carnival is known to be a celebration of all things winter and is organized by the McCall Area Chamber of Commerce.
In 2026, the McCall Winter Carnival will be two weekends, January 30 – Feb. 8th.
If you’re interested in a bit of history, this celebration was inspired by the Payette Lake Winter Games, which were first held in 1924. They then converted the games to the McCall Winter Carnival in the 1960s, and it has evolved over the years to what it is today.
I’m not going to lie, this festival is VERY crowded—probably the most crowded I’ve ever seen McCall in my life so I’m glad they’ve made it two weekends.
They bring in over 60,000+ people to McCall every winter carnival. That being said, it was still a blast, and I highly recommend going, even if it’s just one time.
One of my favorite things about the festival is that every year, they do a different magical theme, so you’ll see ice sculptures all over town with a similar likeness. This year’s theme is: “Where in the World is Sharlie?” Sharlie is the famous lake monster of McCall!
Some past themes have been Legends, Myths, and Superheroes, and Fairy Tales, Folk Tales, and Tall Tales! You can expect a wide range of events during this festival, including a torchlight and Mardi Gras parade!
Want more ideas on what to do in McCall in the winter? Check out this post. While you’re at it, let’s be friends on Instagram and Tiktok!
A Weekend Guide to the McCall Winter Carnival
When Is McCall Winter Carnival 2025?
This year the McCall Winter Carnival kicks off January 30th and goes until February 8th, 2026. The 2026 theme is going to be “Where in the World is Sharlie?”
McCall Winter Festival Schedule
You can view the full schedule of the Winter Carnival here. But here are some of the events you can expect during the 2026 winter festival!
What to See & Do at the Winter Carnival
McCall is seriously one of my favorite places in all of Idaho, and I love it in all seasons. See my guide on what to do in McCall Idaho in the winter here.
While you’re here for the McCall Winter Carnival, it’s even more special because there are so many different events going on. Here’s what I recommend doing:
Check out the snow sculptures
This was the main reason I wanted to come up to the carnival. I had seen the ice sculptures in photos, and I was dying to see them in person. The sculptures are scattered all over town, so you can get a map on the Winter Carnival website to see where they are all located or go on a scavenger hunt for the best ones. They sometimes have one on top of Brundage Mountain, so it’s worth planning a ski day!
The snow sculptures at the carnival have turned into an event with national recognition. The teams that attend continue to compete in international events. So it is a must-see when stopping by the McCall Winter Carnival.
Watch the parades & firework shows
This year they have a torchlight parade and a Mardi Gras parade! The Torchlight Parade is the first wekend and the Mardi Gras parade is the 2nd weekend. And then each Saturday they will do a firework show. These date will change each year, so check out the official site to see what times/dates the parade and fireworks are.
Go skiing or snowboarding at Brundage Mountain or Tamarack Resort
I grew up going to Brundage Mountain, and it’s one of my favorite ski resorts in Idaho because of its terrain and laid-back vibes. Head up early (or during the parade hours) to avoid crowds. When we were up there, it felt like we had the mountain to ourselves because everyone was at the parade in town. Tamarack Resort is also nearby in Donnelly and will probably be even less crowded!
Read Next: What to Pack for a Ski Trip: Essentials for the Slopes and Apres-Ski
Check out the food trucks, bonfires, bingo & music
Throughout the carnvial there will be live music, food trucks, bonfires and bingo. Check the guide here, but it’s super fun to listen to live music while you eat some good food outside.
Go snow tubingat the Activity Barn
I’ve been to the Activity Barn to go tubing a few times it’s so much fun. Check out the Activity Barn to get more details. This is a great activity for the whole family!
Take a dip at the local hot springs
There are a few hot springs around McCall, but some of the ones that you can pay to go to are Burgdorf and Gold Fork. Gold Fork gets crowded during this time of year, so just be conscious of this. If you’re more adventurous, you can rent snowmobiles at “Cheap Thrills” Rentals and take them into Burgdorf Hot Springs. Remember to be respectful of these hot springs, and don’t trash them! Idahoans take their hot springs really seriously. 🙂 If you want to learn hot spring etiquette, check out my guide here.
Have a night out on the town
The winter carnival brings out all sorts of wild and fun crowds! Head over to Foresters or The Yacht Club for some bar hopping. One of them usually throws a party on this weekend, so look out for that and a potential cover charge.
Weekend Events
Here’s a list of just some of the events that will be happening this weekend, and remember to check out the official schedule for any changes!
- Local Snow Sculpture Contest Winners Awarded
- Fireworks over Payette Lake
- Torchlight Parade
- Idaho Dog Sled Challenge
- Mardi Gras Parade
- Vendor Court & Beer Garden
- Ice Show
- Live Music on the Main Stage
- Bingo
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Where to Eat & Drink in McCall
BREAKFAST/BRUNCH
Keep in mind that many of these places might be busy, so if you can get reservations, do so! See my master list of favorite McCall restaurants here!
LUNCH
The CutWater @ ShoreLodge – I love eating here for lunch. It’s so peaceful and has a view of the water, plus their food is amazing.
My Father’s Place – Go here for the perfect down-home burger, fries, and a shake. Don’t forget to get fry sauce!
Stax – This is a great spot to grab an awesome sandwich and soup.
Salmon River Brewing – Need a liquid lunch? Come here for a beer flight and good pub food.
Frenchies on 3rd – This is a Creole/Cajun restaurant that serves lunch and dinner. Try a po-boy!
DINNER
Steamers – This is a popular spot for steak and seafood in town.
The Sushi Bar – I know, sushi in a mountain town? Trust me, it’s good! The wait can be really long, but it’s one of the best spots in town!
Rupert’s – They have views of the Payette Lake and offer a warm and inviting atmosphere. Plus, they have some of the best food in town and offer locally sourced and seasonal dishes with a great cocktail and wine selection!
Bistro 45– They have moved locations and are now in an old gas station. They have great food and an even better wine selection!
The Narrows Steakhouse at Shore Lodge – If you want a fancy and delicious meal with a view, come to the Narrows at Shore Lodge!
Where to Stay in McCall for the McCall Winter Carnival
Shore Lodge
This is McCall’s most famous resort. It’s located right on Payette Lake and has gorgeous views, great amenities, and wonderful restaurants. I actually got married here, and it’s the most luxurious property you’ll find in McCall! See the most recent prices here.
Airbnb Cabin Rental
I highly recommend booking a cabin if you can find one near the lake or town. I’ve rented a few different cabins in McCall, and one of my favorites is The Violet Retreat!
Hotel McCall
Scandia Inn
I hope you have a fun time at the McCall Winter Carnival! Let me know if you’ve discovered any other really fun activities to do there in the comments below!
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Stunning pictures! The food and sculptures look great.
Aww thank you!!
Hi , what is the best hot spring in mc call?
One of the best well known ones is Goldfork!