Five Winter Festivals to Spice Up the Season

Looking for a reason to escape from hibernation this winter? Numerous festivals and carnivals around the world offer opportunities for partying and celebration during the next few months.

From climbing ice castles in Quebec City to dancing samba in Brazil, the festivities taking place at these five events make them well worth the trip.

Winter Carnival -- Quebec City, Canada
(Jan. 30-Feb. 15, 2009)

Quebec City's 17-day-long carnival -- the largest winter festival in the world -- offers classic wintertime activities like dogsled races, ice sculpture gardens, massive snowball fights and canoe races on the ice-packed St. Lawrence River. Revellers can climb an enormous ice palace and enjoy a hot drink called Caribou (usually some combination of maple syrup, whiskey and wine or rum), which street vendors sell in horn-shaped cups.

Bonhomme, mascot of Quebec City's 17-day-long carnival --the largest winter festival in the world.

The 400-year-old city's fortified historic district, atop a steep hill beside the river, makes a spectacular setting for the event. Keep an eye out for Bonhomme, a giant snowman who serves as the festival's beloved mascot, and don't forget your hat and mittens: The average high for February in Quebec City is 21 degrees Fahrenheit.

Sundance Film Festival -- Park City, Utah
(Jan. 15-25, 2009)

Once a year, Hollywood stars and up-and-coming names in the film industry flock to Park City in the snowy mountains of Utah to attend this independent film festival founded by actor Robert Redford.

If you decide to join them, you can get an early glimpse of some of the best films set to be released in 2009 and hob-knob with celebrities in laid-back setting. Rumor has it this year's offerings will include more international productions than usual. And after the credits roll, you can hit the slopes at three local ski resorts or explore Park City's quaint shopping and dining scene.