Works from sculptors during previous year’s Ice Art Festivals help turn downtown Northampton into a walkable winter art gallery.
Photo credit: Downtown Northampton Association.
NORTHAMPTON — Winter magic is returning to Northampton in the form of the 15th annual Ice Art Festival on Jan. 31, turning the city’s downtown into a walkable winter art gallery.
This year’s festival, once again put on by the Downtown Northampton Association, is set to be the biggest iteration yet, according to organizers, as 17 frozen art locations grace downtown.
Sculptors will begin carving in the morning and finish their work before dusk, and their finished art will be viewed until nature melts them over the following days.
Works from sculptors during previous year’s Ice Art Festivals help turn downtown Northampton into a walkable winter art gallery. Photo credit: Downtown Northampton Association. 
Works from sculptors during previous year’s Ice Art Festivals help turn downtown Northampton into a walkable winter art gallery. Photo credit: Downtown Northampton Association. 
Works from sculptors during previous year’s Ice Art Festivals help turn downtown Northampton into a walkable winter art gallery. Photo credit: Downtown Northampton Association.
“It’s really amazing to be able to watch a carver work to completion starting from just a block of ice,” Northampton DNA Board President Amanda Shafii told Reminder Publishing. “Typically, stations get two blocks of ice each, delivered between 8-9 in the morning and then throughout the day, the carver works on their masterpiece, and it’s amazing what they can do. We’ve had dragons, we’ve had the Grinch, we’ve had so many different beautiful works of art, and it’s very fascinating to be able to watch it all happen in live time.”
With more sculptures, more artists and more places to explore, visitors are invited to wander, discover and experience ice art around every corner. From iconic downtown spots to hidden gems, each location offers something unique, according to organizers. The festival encourages guests to explore local shops, restaurants and gathering spaces along the way.
“It happens to be a good time to try and bring an event downtown. Things get a little quieter after the holidays. Everyone loves it,” added Shafii.
The free, all-day festival is a beloved winter tradition in the community that highlights the energy of downtown Northampton while supporting local artists, shops, restaurants and gathering spaces. Shafii said a map of the ice art locations throughout downtown will be released the day of the event on the DNA’s website and socials.
There is also a competition element to the festival, as attendees will be asked to vote on their favorite piece by the day’s end. This year’s People’s Choice Award will be dedicated to the memory of local ice sculptor David Rothstein, who passed away unexpectedly in November.
“David was very active in the carving community and a carver with us for a bunch of years, and unfortunately, he just passed recently, so we want to honor him with dedicating the people’s choice award to him this year,” explained Shafii. “I hope that we get a busy day full of people coming downtown. I hope we get a lot of votes as well because we like to make the competition even more competitive, and it’s even more fun the more people that join in.”
A2Z, beryl, Eastside Grill, Familiars, Forbes Library, Hotel Northampton, Thornes Marketplace and more will feature frozen art.
For more information on this year’s Ice Art Festival visit www.nohodna.org/ice-art-festival-2026.
“I hope that everyone has a great day, gets to do a little shopping, and maybe warm up with a cup of coffee or get a nice dinner after,” added Shafii. “It’s really great to see the carvings come to life during the daytime, but at nighttime, they’re all lit up, so it’s like a completely different site and it’s really special to be able to see it all happen.”
