Create a special
Offer an Ice Fest food or drink special, host a mini-event, or run an in-store promotion during Ice Fest Weekend. Participating businesses receive a listing on the official Ice Fest event page on VisitHaywood.com.
Get involved with Haywood's coolest event of the season and benefit from shoulder season traffic to your business.
Four days, five mountain towns, one winter wonderland
Ice Fest Weekend is Visit Haywood's signature winter event, drawing crowds from near and far. The weekend spans multiple signature events across the county, plus food and drink specials, shopping promotions, and activities at small businesses throughout the county.
Named a Signature Event of the Southeast by the Southeast Tourism Society, Ice Fest has grown into one of the region's most anticipated winter celebrations.
Why get involved
Drive revenue in the off-season
Late January and early February are among the quietest weeks on the Haywood tourism calendar. Ice Fest gives visitors a reason to make the trip and support businesses in our community.
Get regional exposure
Every participating business is featured on the Visit Haywood Ice Fest page, promoted across social media, and included in regional and out-of-state event marketing, all free of cost.
Bring visitors to your door
Ice Fest is designed to move visitors across all five mountain towns over four days. The more businesses participate, the richer the experience, and the more reasons visitors have to stay longer and visit more local businesses.
How to get involved
Sponsor a snow globe
Line the magical streets of Maggie Valley with your very own DIY snow globe. Your unique snow globe will be highlighted on a photo-op trail, which participants will explore to win prizes.
Purchase an ice sculpture
Commission a custom ice sculpture to be displayed at the Ice Block Party in Downtown Waynesville or at the Ice Extravaganza in Maggie Valley. Sculptures are a crowd favorite and a great way to put your brand in the middle of the action.
Supporting the local economy when it counts
Ice Fest Weekend is one of the most visible ways the HCTDA invests in Haywood's shoulder season, bringing visitors out when they'd otherwise stay home or choose somewhere else.
It’s an opportunity to fill hotel rooms that would otherwise sit empty, and keep local businesses busy through the slowest stretch of the year. It's also a point of pride for the whole community as an award-winning, multi-town winter event that keeps growing year after year.
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