McCall Winter Carnival Guide 2026
Get ready for the biggest celebration of the year! The McCall Winter Carnival returns January 30th – February 8th with dazzling snow sculptures, vibrant local art, live music, a vendor court overlooking Payette Lake, and a full slate of festive events to brighten the snowiest season. Indulge in savory food and drinks, enjoy days filled with winter fun, and cap it all off with the Mardi Gras Parade—a highlight not to be missed.
Carnival History
Celebrating all things winter, the McCall Winter Carnival was inspired by the Payette Lake Winter Games, first held in 1924 when a train from Boise brought 248 visitors to McCall. The official McCall Winter Carnival started in the 1960s and events included dog and snowshoe races, ski jumping, horse skijoring, and a tug-o-war where the prize was a box of oranges—now that’s a treat! In addition to these events, visitors could also take an exhilarating ride across the lake ice on a motor sleigh, a standard sleigh outfitted with an airplane motor for power. Over the years, the Carnival has grown into an iconic Idaho event bringing more than 60,000 people to McCall each year.
Winter Carnival 101
You’ve packed the car and are headed to McCall to enjoy a few wild winter days at the Winter Carnival—hooray! Here are some top tips for preparing for winter weather, icy conditions, crowds, traffic, and fun in McCall:
1 - Expect Snow and Ice at the Carnival
2 - Layer Up - It’s Going to be a Cold One!
3 - Walk Like a Penguin… It’ll Help You Avoid Slipping
4 - Keep Right and Keep Moving - There Will Be Lots of Traffic
5 - Bring Your Best Smile, Attitude, and Get Ready to Have Fun!
Ice Sculptures
One of the most unique parts of the Winter Carnival are the amazing Ice and Snow sculptures. Each year, local businesses dream up towering glacial creations and bring them to life during the Carnival. Grab your mittens and a cup of hot chocolate, and take a stroll to see castles, pyramids, mythical creatures, and more across McCall.
Event Schedule
There are plenty of events going on in McCall for the Winter Carnival! Make sure you check out the event schedule below so you can plan your weekend and optimize your fun!
Enjoy more than 100 unique events throughout the McCall Winter Carnival. Experience live music, parades, dog sledding, and fireworks—just to name a few. Events change from year to year, but there are many events held annually.The McCall Winter Carnival is definitely not the event to miss out on!
