Winter Carnival Schedule 2026

Wednesday, February 4, 2026

11-5 p.m. Tread of Pioneers Museum

Check out the Ski Town USA: The History of Winter Sports in Steamboat Springs exhibit and see the original Lighted Man pyrotechnic suit.

3-9 p.m. Mountain Tap Brewery

Stop by and try our collaboration brew in honor of TEAM USA. Open all week, Monday - Sunday.

5:30 p.m. Royalty Dinner

A celebration honoring the Winter Carnival Queen, her Court of Attendants, Little Princesses and the Grand Marshals. Location: Howelsen Hill

Thursday, February 5, 2026

2-6 p.m. Air Bag Athlete Demonstration 

4 p.m. Snow Sculpture Viewing

All ages are welcome. Coordinated by Steamboat Creates. Location: Lincoln Ave

4:15-5:30 p.m. Cross Country Obstacle Course

Ages 5-12 only. Location: Rodeo Grounds Howelsen Hill

4:30-5:30 p.m. Ski Jumping Jamboree 

Ages 4-11, Hill size HS 8 & 20. Location: Howelsen Hill

4:15-6 p.m. Family Duals 

All ages are welcome. Location: Howelsen Hill

5-6 p.m. Cookie Jam Terrain Park Jam Session 

Ages 14 and under. Location: Howelsen Hill

5-8 p.m. S’More Family Fun Night

Tickets required in advance. Presented by Moving Mountains.
Dinner tickets are available for $15 each beginning January 30 at 7 a.m. S’more tickets (including access to the event and all-you-can-eat S’mores) will be available at the door for $10, based on tent capacity. Buy tickets here. Location: Howelsen Hill Party Tent

7 p.m. Symphony of Champions - Celebrating the Olympic Spirit with Steamboat Symphony Orchestra

A special partnership with the Steamboat Symphony Orchestra and the Steamboat Springs Winter Sports Club. Imagine your heart pounding as the Olympic Fanfare begins. Feel the pride as local Olympians march through the hall, take the stage, and inspire us with their presence. Let your Steamboat Symphony Orchestra lift your spirits and stir your imagination with music that celebrates excellence, unity, and the very best of our community during this Symphonic Winter Carnival. Buy tickets here. Location: Strings Music Pavilion

Friday, February 6, 2026

10 a.m. - 1 p.m. Christy Sports Soda Pop Slalom

Registration is required for this event. Registration opens on January 31 at 7 a.m. and closes at noon on Wednesday, February. 5. Register here.

12:30 - 3 p.m. Winter Carnival Rail Jam Open

Winter Carnival Button required, and Ikon Pass required to access the lift. Make sure to check out the caldron in Steamboat Square. Location: Steamboat Resort

4:30-5:30 p.m. Nordic Jumping Exhibition 

5:30-6 p.m. Ski Ballet 

Registration is required for this event. Registration closes February 2. Register here. Location: Howelsen Hill, Ponyland

6-7 p.m. Amateur Ski Jumping 

Ages 15+. Location: Howelsen Hill

6-8 p.m. Johnsie Memorial Dual Slalom Bicycle Race 

Ages 12+. Location: Howelsen Hill

5-7 p.m. Friday Night Art Walk and Winter Carnival Poster Signing

Location: Downtown Steamboat Springs & Pine Moon Gallery

7-11 p.m. Tito’s Mountain Soiree 

Join the Waitlist. Location: Howelsen Hill Party Tent

Saturday, February 7, 2026

8 a.m. 100-Meter Nordic Sprint 

All ages are welcome. Location: Lincoln Ave

8 a.m. - 12 p.m. Gear Up Vendor Village

Everything you need to get outside in cutting-edge style and comfort featuring local Steamboat-based brands and companies. Location: 9th Street, Between Lincoln Avenue and Oak Street

8:30 a.m. - 11 p.m. Pancake Breakfast

Come enjoy pancakes, breakfast sausages, coffee and juice before diving into the day’s events. Brought to you by Knights of Columbus. Location: Holy Name Enrichment Center, 524 Oak Street

9 a.m.-noon Street Events

Presented by Yampa Valley Bank. Register here. Location: Lincoln Ave

1:30 - 3 p.m. Giant Ski Race Qualifiers 

Teams of six people race head-to-head against another team on a pair of 25-foot-long Giant Skis. The fastest eight teams and one people’s choice team will move onto the finals on Sunday and have the chance to race down Lincoln Avenue and fight for the 2025 championship. Registration opens January 15. Pre-registration is recommended, but day of registration will be available on site. Location: Howelsen Hill

1 p.m. Pro Alpine Ski Jumping Qualifications

Location: Howelsen Hill

1-2 p.m. Olympic Heritage Tour with Olympian Ben Berend

Coordinated by the Tread of Pioneers Museum. Join local Olympian Ben Berend to explore Steamboat's unmatched Olympic heritage and his personal athletic journey to Olympic excellence. Learn about the history of Carl Howelsen, ski jumping, Howelsen Hill, and the Steamboat Springs Winter Sports Club, and find out why Steamboat is home to more Olympic athletes than any place in North America. Meet at the front entrance of Howelsen Hill Lodge. 

5-8 p.m Fire & Ice: Winter Carnival Night Show Experience

(All ages, Ticket Required, Howelsen Hill Party Tent) New this year, FIRE & ICE: Winter Carnival Night Show Experience. Upgrade your Winter Carnival Night Extravaganza with premium access in the heart of the action at the base of Howelsen Hill. Join the Steamboat Springs Winter Sports Club in the heated tent for an evening of fire, light, and winter spectacle, including food, drinks, and front-row views of the iconic 113th Winter Carnival Night Extravaganza. Purchase tickets here.

6-6:40 p.m. SSWSC Athlete Exhibition

Location: Howelsen Hill

6:45 p.m. America 250 - Colorado 150 Drone Show

Stories in the Sky: Brought to you by the State of Colorado and The America 250 - Colorado 150 Commission (All Ages). Learn more here. Location: Howelsen Hill

7-8: p.m. Night Extravaganza

Presented by Yampa Valley Bank. Join us for this must-see evening of entertainment at historic Howelsen Hill! This community favorite draws thousands of spectators for an exciting light display! The evening showcases local athletes demonstrating their prowess in the dark, illuminated by flares and LED lights. The Lighted Man will then ski down Howelsen Hill and shoot fireworks from his pyrotechnic suit, and jumpers will soar through a fiery hoop off the Nordic jumps! End the night with a stunning fireworks show.

Sunday, February 8, 2026

9-11 a.m. Street Events 

Presented by Yampa Valley Bank. Register here. Location: Lincoln Ave

10:30 a.m. Giant Ski Race Finals

Teams of six people race head-to-head against another team on a pair of 25-foot-long Giant Skis downtown up Lincoln Avenue. The top 8 teams from Saturday’s qualifiers will compete along with one people’s choice team. Registration for Saturday Qualifiers opens January 15. Pre-registration is recommended, but day of registration will be available on-site. Location: Lincoln Ave

11:30 a.m. Diamond Hitch Parade 

Register here. Location: Lincoln Ave 

1-2 p.m.  Pro Alpine Ski Jumping Finals

By Qualification. Location: Howelsen Hill