The mother of all the world's snow and ice events, the Harbin International Ice and Snow Sculpture Festival puts on a jaw-dropping display. Spread throughout the city, the festival boasts absolutely enormous sculptures – think hulking castles and intricate temples – as well as an ice lantern fair and wintry sports like snow football.

The official opening ceremony is on 5 January 2026, but the main venue of the Ice and Snow Festival is expected to open between 20 and 25 December, and the festival will run until late February 2026.

Now take a look at these images of snow and ice in unexpected destinations

Stunning images of the world’s amazing ice and snow festivals