IceFest 2025 in Pennsylvania

IceFest is a four-day festival with the streets of Chambersburg lined with various ice sculptures. The event is labeled as the largest ice festival in Pennsylvania. Here, in downtown Chambersburg, you will have a chance not only to witness a live carving of enormous sculptures or ride a free ice slide but also to enjoy a number of winter activities, such as contests, games, scavenger hunts, and other attractions.

Event Program

The festival officially opens with a ribbon-cutting ceremony on the Courthouse Plaza. The downtown is filled to the brim with sculptors, creating ice masterpieces in front of the town visitors. The sculptures of various shapes and sizes can be found in various places throughout Chambersburg and make for a great photo op. Ice slides, food and beverage vendors, and exhibits are just some of the regular attractions of the festival.

You can also take part in a chili cook-off and the festive SnowFall Ball. More sporty visitors can join the Run Your Ice Off 5K. Laid-back visitors will enjoy a Food Truck Fest, a scavenger hunt, a Kids' Obstacle course, and various demonstrations.

SnowFall Ball (January 31, 2025)

Taking place at the Central Presbyterian Church, SnowFall Ball is a great occasion to dress up and immerse yourself in an atmosphere of true glitz and glamour mid-winter. Learn the dance moves from Frank Hancock, a renowned dance instructor in Central Pennsylvania, or dance the night away to your own rhythm. The event usually begins at 5:30 pm. Tickets can be purchased at the door and cost $20.

Run Your Ice Off 5K (February 2, 2025)

A grand finale to the festivities of the event, Run Your Ice Off challenges the participants with a 3-mile (5 km) course in one of the coldest months in the state. The route usually begins at W King St, passes through Downtown Chambersburg and continues along the city's Rail-Trai, a paved path between the neighborhoods. The top female and male runners will receive a cash prize of $100 each. The race is set to take place at 1 pm.

Schedule

IceFest is jam-packed with events, all of which have varying schedules. The ribbon-cutting ceremony, which opens the festival, usually takes place at 5-5:30 pm. Giant sculpture carving normally unfolds from 5 to 8 pm on Thursday and Friday. Food Truck Fest takes place on Saturday from 10 am until 4 pm, while SnowFall Ball usually kicks off at 5:30 pm. The Run Your Ice Off 5K begins at 1 pm on Sunday.

Parking

There are several parking options throughout Downtown Chambersburg, including both metered and free parking lots. Metered parking operates from 8 am until 5 pm and costs 25 cents per hour. Parking is available near the Old Jail, Chambers Fort Park, and Coyle Free Library.

Location in Chambersburg

The event spans all throughout the city of Chambersburg, which is situated in Franklin County, in South Central Pennsylvania, 95 miles (153 km) from Washington. The festival attractions take place in Central Presbyterian Church, the Courthouse Plaza, and other venues.

History of the Ice Festival

IceFest started in 2002 to help people shake the mid-winter melancholy. Volunteers bring numerous displays and other activities to get the community out of their homes and share the joy. In recent years, the fun, the attractions, and the number of people attending have continued to grow, with the festival being one of the biggest winter events in Pennsylvania.