Visit These Unique Winter Festivals

Fur Rendezvous, Feb. 20 to March 2, in Anchorage: The Fur Rendezvous has earned national and international notoriety, and visitors from throughout the world descend on Anchorage every February to attend the 12-day festival with more than 20 different cultural and sporting events.

These include “The Blanket Toss,” an ancient Native Alaskan tradition, and  “Curling,” a popular Canadian and Fairbanks sport. Other crowd-pleasing events include the Rondy Fur Auction, the Rondy Carnival, the Grand Parade, outhouse races, snowshoe softball, the Frostbite Footrace, and the “Running of the Reindeer,” a mellower version of Pamplona’s Running of the Bulls, and the CJ Native Arts Market. Nearby campgrounds include: 

• Palmer / Anchorage North KOA in Palmer

Iditarod Sled Dog Race, March 1, in Anchorage: March 1 will be the 53rd anniversary of this 1,000-mile sled dog race from Anchorage to Nome, one of Alaska’s iconic winter events. In the weeks leading up to the Iditarod, mushers open their kennels for tours, and many offer to teach the tricks of managing a team of dogs. Visitors can also find opportunities to try dog sledding themselves and even follow the Iditarod race on flightseeing and snowmobiling tours. The race coincides with the annual Fur Rendezvous, which is also held in Anchorage.  Nearby campgrounds include:

• Palmer / Anchorage North KOA in Palmer

North Lake Tahoe Snowfest, Feb. 26 to March 9, in Tahoe City and other North Shore communities: Now in its 43rd year, Snowfest features over 40 events in communities across the North Shore of Lake Tahoe, including Garwood’s Annual Polar Bear Swim, the River Ranch Snow Sculpture Contest, Poppy’s “Brain Freeze” ice cream eating contest, and a frozen pickleball tournament. Nearby campgrounds include:

• Coachland RV Resort in Truckee: This park is located only a few minutes away from world-class ski destinations including Northstar California and Palisades Tahoe, formerly Squaw Valley. Guests can enjoy a complimentary breakfast every other Saturday. The property also hosts a variety of seasonal events and activities for all ages.
   
• Tahoe Valley Campground in South Lake Tahoe: This park offers RV sites as well as rental accommodations, including park models and convenient access to Tahoe area ski resorts, including Heavenly Valley.

Steamboat Springs Winter Carnival, Feb. 5-9, in Steamboat Springs: Activities at this annual carnival, now in its 111th year, include parades, a snow sculpture contest, ski ballet and ski jumping competitions. Nearby campgrounds include: 

• Steamboat Springs KOA Holiday in Steamboat Springs: This campground can serve as a base camp for attending the winter carnival as well as a variety of winter activities from skiing at nearby ski resorts, including Steamboat Ski Resort, to snowmobiling, snow tubing, and winter horseback riding at Saddleback Ranch.

Beer, Bourbon and BBQ Festival, March 7-8, in Tampa: This festival provides opportunities to taste a variety of beers, bourbons and barbecued sensations, including pulled pork, brisket, ribs, chicken and sausage. Live rock and blues music will also be provided. Nearby campgrounds include:

• Bay Bayou RV Resort in Tampa: This resort features a spacious clubhouse, a large heated pool, and docks for fishing and viewing along Double Branch Creek.
   
• Sun Lake RV Resort in Ruskin: This park features waterfront lots and a 32-acre bass fishing lake. An artificial turf putting green is also being added as a new amenity. 

Gulf Coast Renaissance Festival and Pirate Fest, Feb. 22-23 and March 1-2, in Pensacola: This annual event features captivating performances by skilled actors and musicians, including sword fights, jousting contests, and other live performances and interactive activities that take visitors back in time.

• Pensacola Beach RV Resort in Pensacola: This park has beach access, a heated swimming pool, a tiki bar, and a clubhouse.
   
• Pensacola North RV Resort in Pensacola: This pet-friendly resort has a clubhouse and heated swimming pool. 
   
• Perdido Key RV Resort in Pensacola: This resort complements its full hookup RV sites with a state-of-the-art marina with 24 deep water boat slip rentals.

Winter Park Sidewalk Art Festival, March 21-23, in Winter Park, March 21-23: More than 1,000 artists participate in this festival, one of the nation’s oldest, largest and most prestigious outdoor art festivals. Nearby campgrounds include:

• Encore Winter Garden RV Resort in Winter Garden: This pet-friendly resort has a swimming pool, clubhouse, and fitness center, among other amenities. 
   
• Stage Stop Campground in Winter Garden: This park features large, roomy campsites; a swimming pool; and shuffleboard courts.   

World of Nations Celebration, Feb. 22-23, in Jacksonville: This festival celebrates the increasing cultural diversity of Jacksonville with the sights, sounds, and tastes of people from different nations, including Colombia, Costa Rica, Cuba, Dominican Republic, Haiti, Honduras, India, Indonesia, Italy, Israel, Jamaica, Mexico, Peru, Philippines, Puerto Rico, Spain, Turkey, Venezuela, the U.S. Virgin Islands and, of course, the United States. Campgrounds that can be used as base camps for Amelia Island excursions include:

• CrossLake RV in Jacksonville: This park features lakefront RV sites and newly planted trees.  
   
• Flamingo Lake RV Community in Jacksonville: This park’s amenities include a 17-acre lake for boating and fishing. 
   
• Pecan Park RV Community in Jacksonville: This pet-friendly park features a lake for boating and fishing as well as planned activities. 

UP200, Midnight Run, Jack Pine 30 Sled Dog Races, Feb. 14-17, in northern Michigan: These three sled dog races take place the same weekend in Marquette, Alger, and Schoolcraft counties. The UP200 is one of the top 12-dog mid-distance races in the Midwest and is also an Iditarod qualifier. The UP200 trail covers 228 miles of challenging terrain from Marquette to Grand Marais, Michigan, and back again through forested land and near-wilderness. Mushers face hills, creek crossings, deep snow, and isolated trails. Nearby campgrounds include:

• Rippling River Resort in Marquette: This park stays open in winter to accommodate RVers who come to enjoy cross-country skiing and snowmobiling as well as downhill skiing and snowboarding on Marquette Mountain.

Big Sky Documentary Film Festival, Feb. 14-23, in Missoula: This internationally known film festival presents over 150 films from around the world in unique, historic venues, including The Wilma Theater and The Roxy Theater, plus Missoula’s local MCT Center for Performing Arts. In addition to screenings, the 10-day festival includes panels, master classes, workshops, and the popular Big Sky Pitch session. Nearby campgrounds include:

• Missoula KOA Holiday in Missoula: This campground features RV sites and park model RV rentals.

Oregon Winterfest, Feb. 14-16, in Bend: This festival includes six musical performances, an ice skating competition, a fire pit and ice carving exposition, wine tasting, a 5K Hot Cocoa Run through the Old Mill District, and a mini marshmallow run for the little ones. Nearby campgrounds include:

• Thousand Trails Bend-Sunriver in Bend: Located on 283 acres, this Central Oregon campground offers river frontage, disc golf, miniature golf, pickleball, volleyball, horseshoes, and hiking trails.

Rio Grande Valley Dance Festival, Feb. 22, in Edinburg: This festival is open to high schools, universities, colleges, and private studios and all dance genres. The morning begins with workshops and masterclasses with expert teachers from around the world. Adjudication begins after lunch, with the top groups being selected to perform in the evening’s showcase concert. Nearby campgrounds include:

• Llano Grande Resort & Golf Club in Mercedes: This resort complements its RV sites with an 18-hole championship golf course, heated swimming pools, tennis courts, a state-of-the-art fitness center, craft classes, and other activities.
   
• VIP La Feria RV Parks in La Feria: These pet-friendly parks, which have East and West locations, feature swimming pools and hot tubs, organized activities, and entertainment. 
   
• Victoria Palms RV Resort in Donna: This 1,122-site, pet-friendly, 55-and-over resort offers RV sites and rental accommodations and year-round entertainment, including game shows, concerts, Karaoke and jam sessions, and activities ranging from organized bike trips to dance lessons, water aerobics and water volleyball. Amenities include a fitness center, bike trails, pickleball, tennis, bocce ball, shuffleboard courts, and horseshoes.