CAROGA LAKE, NEW YORK – The 3-Day Caroga Winter Carnival is back again for 2026, beginning on Friday, Jan. 30 through Sunday, Feb. 1.
The event kicks off Friday evening with a Winter Tournament Series of Events featuring Sleigh Races, a Cornhole Tournament, Closest to the Pin contest and highlighted by a four man/woman teamed Tug-of War competition, at the new Royal View Pub and Campground, located at 2533 St. Hwy 10 in Caroga with live music by Philip Arcuri, food and beverages.
The carnival weekend will consist once again with the vintage snowmobile show, new this year – a lighted snowmobile rave parade on West Caroga Lake at dusk followed by a fireworks display presented by the Fulton County Visitors Bureau. The extremely anticipate Outhouse Races will once again fly across West Caroga Lake on Sunday, information will be available at the Caroga Lakeview Store.
Plans are shaping up for another kids ice fishing clinic, a pancake breakfast, the chilly chili cook-off, and an endless variety of winter activities. Live musicand activities are planned at Vrooman’s . The all new Liquor By The Lake is having their grand opening with sample tastings all weekend. Free warm-up coffee and cocoa at the Caroga Lakeview Store! This is a town-wide event with local businesses, merchants and organizations all participating in their own way.
As always, Royal Mountain Ski Area offers downhill skiing and snowboarding, while Wheelerville Trails hosts avid downhill fat biking on its famed mountain biking trails. There will be opportunities to snowshoe, X-C ski and ice skate.
The Chilly Chili Contest will be Sunday at Vrooman’s on Sunday – be sure to cast your vote for best chili!
A welcomed addition to this years carnival; the Caroga Arts Collective will be shining their festive lights, ice skating, carousel rides and host beverages from Stump City Brewing. Sunday evening, tune in to a Grammy watch party at Nick Stoner Inn & 19th Hole to cheer on the nine CLMF Participants up for Grammy’s this year
Last year, the Fulton County Visitors Bureau was looking looking to assist with a winter event that would showcase all Fulton County has to offer during the winter months. With so much focused on the county’s endless summer amenities, it was a chance to reinforce Fulton County as a four-season destination. Caroga Lake businesses and organizations literally hit the ground running and created this now annual winter event. Please join us for a weekend full of exciting events, great food, music and definitely adventure!
2026 Caroga Winter Carnival Schedule of Events
*Events may be subject to change do to winter weather conditions, please dress appropriately for this weekend’s cold temperatures
Friday, Jan. 30:
- 3 pm – GRAND OPENING Liquor By The Lake, 2039 NY 10, Caroga Lake – Chamber ribbon cutting, spirit tasting all carnival weekend!
- 6 pm – TOURNAMENT SERIES GAMES, Cornhole, Closest to the Pin, Sleigh Races, and the Tug of War at Royal View Pub & Campground, 2553 State Hwy 10, Caroga Lake
- 6:30 pm – CORONATION of the 2026 Caroga Winter Carnival King & Queen – Royal View Pub & Campground, 2553 State Hwy 10, Caroga Lake
- 7-10 pm – LIVE MUSIC with Philip Arcuri – Royal View Pub & Campground, 2553 State Hwy 10, Caroga Lake
Saturday, Jan. 31:
- 8-11 am – KIDS ICE FISHING CLINIC, Caroga Fish & Game Club, West Caroga Lake in front of Sherman’s Park
- 8 am – VINTAGE SNOWMOBILE Show, Ride & Swap – gates open 7 am, awards, trophies, spectators, vintage sled ride to Lighted Rave Parade on West Caroga Lake, Royal View Pub & Campground, 2553 State Hwy 10, Caroga Lake
- 8-11 am – PANCAKE BREAKFAST FUNDRAISER – Wheelerville School, 2417 State Hwy 10, Caroga Lake
- 12-4 pm – 2026 WINTER GAMES at Pine Lake Lodge, 1050 NY-10, Caroga Lake, Trophy Awards, Stump City Bar & Pizza til 7 pm, LIVE MUSIC by David Wong from 5-7 pm
- 1-3pm – COOKIES & COCOA W/ THE GRINCH – Logged Inn, 101 Washington Square, Caroga Lake
- 4:30 pm – LIGHTED SNOWMOBILE RAVE PARADE, on West Caroga Lake in front of Sherman’s Park
- 6 pm – FIREWORKS OVER CAROGA LAKE, sponsored by the Fulton County Visitors Bureau
- 5-7pm – LIVE MUSIC by David Wong, violinist at Pine Lake Lodge, 1050 NY-10, Caroga Lake
- 8-11 pm – LIVE MUSIC, Nicholas Stark and These Dudes, Vroomans, 2040 NY 10, Caroga Lake
Sunday, Feb. 1:
- 11am to 4 pm – CHILLY CHILI COOK-OFF, vote for your favorite! Vroomans, 2040 NY 10, Caroga Lake
- 12 pm – CAROGA WINTER CARNIVAL OUTHOUSE RACES! On West Caroga Lake, near Sherman’s Park
- 1-4pm – LIVE MUSIC, Shianne & Steve Cowles at Royal Mountain’s Velcro Lounge, 3072 NY-10 Caroga/Johnstown
- 2:30-4:30 – Carousel Rides at Sherman’s Park – this event is weather dependent**
- 3 pm – AWARDS CEREMONY OUTHOUSE RACES & CHILI CONTEST, Vroomans, 2040 NY 10, Caroga Lake
- 7 pm – GRAMMY WATCH PARTY to cheer on CLMF participants up with nominations at Nick Stoner Inn & 19th Hole, 1810 NY-10, Caroga Lake
All weekend, you can enjoy Ice Skating at the CAC’s Sherman’s Park, Fat Biking and Snowshoeing at Wheelerville Trails, Skiing and Snowboarding at Royal Mountain Ski Center. Free coffee and cocoa all weekend-long at Caroga Lakeview Store. There are groomed and maintained snowmobile trails to ride. Visit the many merchants and eateries set to entertain in Caroga all weekend! See you at the Carnival!
Click here to download the 2026 Outhouse Race Rules, Regs and Application:
Check back for an event schedule in the near future!!
