Home / Editor's Pick /

Close to -30°C: Biting cold for Harbin's Ice Festival

10:00
20 December 2023

Close to -30°C
Biting cold for Harbin's Ice Festival

harbin

While conditions remain mild across the UK and Ireland, transport yourself to somewhere more festive and seasonable, at Harbin’s Ice and Snow Festival.

This annual event in China’s Heilongjiang province is a sight that needs to be seen to be believed. As the largest ice and snow festival in the world, 20 million people travel to Harbin each year to see stunning ice sculptures.

The festival begins on December 20th, and runs for just over two months, until March 2024. Average temperatures in the region’s winter months are a chilly -16.8°C, although lows of around -25°C are not uncommon.

In fact, on opening day, temperatures are forecast to stay below -20°C throughout the entire day, dropping as low as -28°C overnight. Some snow showers are also possible.

In the days following, temperatures should lift a little, with highs nearer -10°C to -15°C by day the week after.

Multiple layers are a small price to pay for the largest ice sculptures in the world. Past years have seen life-sized trains, a sphinx, and even palaces. Almost 10,000 workers are needed to create and maintain the art.

The festival has taken place annually since 1985 with roots in Harbin's traditional ice lantern shows. This is a definite bucket list location for those who just love this season... and can stand the cold!

Weather & Radar editorial team
More on the topic
Monday 23 June 2025

Gusts of up to 45 mph

Wind warnings start the week
Saturday 28 June 2025

Grab the sun cream

High UV levels to end the week
Monday 30 June 2025

Noctilucent cloud season

Shimmering clouds over UK and Ireland
All weather news
This might also interest you
Thursday 3 July 2025

Gusty too

Rainfall passes through the north
Monday 30 June 2025

Take precautions

Heatwave takes grip once again
Friday 4 July 2025

Breakfast brief

Gusty and wet end to the week
All articles
Weather & Radar

www.weatherandradar.ie

facebooktwitteryouTubeContact uslinkList
Privacy Policy | Legal info | Accessibility statement