Harbin International Ice and Snow Festival 2027

The Harbin International Ice and Snow Festival is the world's largest winter festival, held in Harbin, northeast China. The 2027 edition's opening ceremony is expected on January 5, with the Ice and Snow World theme park opening in late December 2026 and attractions running into late February. Visitors explore vast illuminated palaces and towers built from Songhua River ice, plus giant snow sculptures, ice slides and skating. Exact dates shift each year with weather conditions.

The gateway is Harbin Taiping International Airport (HRB), about 35 km southwest of the city. The festival's flagship site, Harbin Ice-Snow World, sits on Sun Island on the north bank of the Songhua River. Harbin's Metro Line 2 links the airport with the city and crosses the river toward the Sun Island area; from the nearest station a short taxi ride reaches the park gates. Taxis or ride-hail from the airport take roughly 40-60 minutes. Dress for extreme cold, often well below minus 20C, and aim for an evening visit when the ice sculptures are lit from within.