Yes, it is still pretty cold throughout the Finger Lakes Region, but that has never stopped Canandaigua from celebrating the winter season!
The 10th-annual Fire & Ice Winter Festival returns to Downtown Canandaigua this weekend, Feb. 21 from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Feb. 22 from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.
According to Canandaigua Business Improvement Director Denise Chaapel, this year’s beloved event, which was ranked as one of the top ten best winter festivals in the world by Forbes, will feature ice carving competitions, fire shows, a dog sled team, fire-building competitions, encounters with water animals and more.
Here’s what to expect at the 2026 Fire & Ice Winter Festival.
Come out of hibernation specials and festival vendors
All weekend long, Downtown Canandaigua shops and restaurants will host “Come out of Hibernation Specials,” where they will highlight new products, hold special Fire & Ice menus, trunk shows, demonstrations, art openings, glass flaming and more.
Some of the festival vendors will include:
For a full schedule of events and vendor lineup, visit downtowncanandaigua.com/schedule-of-events.
Canandaigua Chef’s Challenge
This year’s theme for the anticipated Chef’s Challenge is “One Pot Wonders.” The Chef’s Challenge is a ticketed event that will run from 11:00 am to 3:00 pm on Saturday.
Local chefs from downtown restaurants will create their favorite one-pot winter meals, and participants will have the opportunity to vote for their favorite for the People’s Choice Awards.
Participants will get to meet local chefs while getting their special passport stamped at each downtown restaurant and business they visit.
According to Canandaigua BID, there is a limited supply of tickets, so purchasing ahead of time is encouraged. Tickets are $15 per person online or $20 per person at the event if they are not sold out.
To purchase tickets, visit downtowncanandaigua.com.
Comfort in a Cup Beverage Trail
The Comfort in a Cup Beverage Trail will be held on both Saturday and Sunday, starting at 11 a.m.
Participants will get to get their special passports stamped while sampling hot and cold beverages at all beverage trail stops. Tickets also include a collectable mug. Those who visit over half of the trail stops will be entered to win a prize valued at over $250.
Tickets are $5 online or $10 on-site if they are not sold out. To purchase tickets, visit downtowncanandaigua.com.
The Fire Guy Fire Show and other fiery events
The iconic Fire Guy, Brant Matthews, will return to the festival on Saturday from 2:30 p.m. to 6 p.m. at the Maxion Stage.
An “After Dark Fire Show” will be held at 6:30 p.m., and an eight-foot fire wall will be held at The Central on Main at 6 p.m. on Saturday.
On Saturday and Sunday, the Canandaigua Fire Department will hold a “Fireman Experience.”
Snow and ice events
Ice sculptures will line the streets of Downtown Canandaigua, but there will also be plenty of snow and ice shows for guests to see and participate in.
Live music and events
There is a decent lineup of musical and other live events on both Saturday and Sunday. Here’s who you can see:
Saturday:
Sunday:
— Madison Scott is a journalist with the Democrat and Chronicle who covers breaking and trending news for the Finger Lakes region. She has an interest in how the system helps or doesn’t help families with missing loved ones. She can be reached at MDScott@gannett.com.
This article originally appeared on Rochester Democrat and Chronicle: Fire & Ice Winter Festival returns to upstate NY this weekend
Reporting by Madison Scott, New York Connect Team / Rochester Democrat and Chronicle
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
