Cooperstown Winter Carnival
Organized by members of the community, the iconic New York tradition returns in-person after a two-year hiatus. This year’s theme, There’s Snow Place Like Home, celebrates community and embraces the many elements that make Cooperstown home to many of us. The 55th Cooperstown Winter Carnival kicks off Thursday evening, February 2 and continues through Sunday, February 5, 2023.
The 55th Cooperstown Winter Carnival kicks-off with an incredible opening night featuring hot chocolate, fireworks and a commemorative address by Cooperstown’s Mayor, Ellen Tillapaugh. The winter festivities continue throughout the weekend with special events such as the Fenimore Quilt Club Show, Family Movie Night, Friends of the Village Library Book Sale, Winter Carnival Craft Bazaar, Ice & Fire Skate Party, restaurant specials with live music and much, much more.
Since 1967, the Cooperstown Winter Carnival has provided a welcome mid-winter respite and recreational diversion for villagers and regional visitors alike. The carnival’s organization has always been led by community-spirited volunteers and after a two-year hiatus the community has rallied together to bring it back for its 55th anniversary.
“Since the first Cooperstown Winter Carnival in 1967, the carnival always had chairs and often co-chairs to organize the annual event. Last year’s carnival didn’t take place because of a lack of resources and the community felt the impact. This year, we put a call out to the community for people to help bring the festival back and the demand was high. So rather than appointing a chair, we created a committee of dedicated members of the community and worked as a team. Without the years of dedication from the previous chair members we would not be able to celebrate the 55th anniversary of the Cooperstown Winter Carnival.” - 2023 Cooperstown Winter Carnival Committee
The Cooperstown 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.