Pole of Cold Festival

Полюс холода

View on map
Nature & SeasonOymyakon
DatesDates TBA · Usually MarchCheck locally before booking
DurationSpringEstimate from available data
Crowd-Public scale varies
Best forSeasonal rites, water traditionsOymyakon and Verkhoyansk have long competed
Language["ru"]Currency: RUB
CategoryNature & SeasonFestival type
The story

Pole of Cold Festival in Oymyakon

The Pole of Cold Festival is held in and around Oymyakon and the nearby village of Tomtor in Yakutia, one of two settlements (alongside Verkhoyansk) that claim the title of Northern Hemisphere's coldest inhabited place. The festival leans into that extreme-cold identity with winter folk activities, extreme sport challenges and cultural programming tied to Sakha traditions of surviving and thriving in record-low temperatures.

The Pole of Cold refers to the places on Earth, in each hemisphere, where the lowest air temperatures have been recorded; in the Northern Hemisphere, that title has long been contested between two towns in the Sakha Republic, Verkhoyansk and Oymyakon, both of which have recorded extreme historical lows placing them among the coldest permanently inhabited places on the planet.
Your trip starts here
What is special

The part that makes it specific.

01

The place changes

Oymyakon and Verkhoyansk have long competed for recognition as the coldest permanently inhabited places in the Northern Hemisphere, with reported extreme lows historically cited in the range of minus 67 to minus 71 degrees Celsius, and the region has drawn extreme-sport stunts such as a documented 50-kilometer charity run completed at temperatures around minus 60 degrees Celsius near the Pole of Cold

02

The mystery stays covered

The festival trades on this record-cold identity as a tourism draw, giving visitors a chance to experience and mark, through organized winter activities, one of the most extreme inhabited climates on the planet

Traditions & symbols

The language of the festival.

What moves first

Living ritual

The Pole of Cold identity itself

Water and renewal

Living ritual

contested between Oymyakon and the town of Verkhoyansk

The sacred route

Living ritual

functions as a point of regional pride reflected in the festival's programming and branding

The local code

Living ritual

The area's Sakha cultural traditions

Tradition 5

Living ritual

including horse breeds specially adapted to extreme cold and practices built around surviving Yakutia's punishing winters

Tradition 6

Living ritual

underpin the festival's broader cultural framing even where specific event-by-event details were not independently confirmed

Before you go

Essential information

When to go

Dates TBA · Usually March

Getting around

For Pole of Cold Festival, plan transport around the exact Oymyakon venue, route or gathering point rather than the city name alone.

What to wear

Extreme cold-weather gear is not optional here: heavy insulated parkas rated for temperatures well below minus 40 degrees Celsius, insulated boots rated for extreme cold, thermal base and...

Safety

Keep distance from unsafe water edges and follow local crowd or weather warnings.

Where to stay

For Pole of Cold Festival, stay near the part of Oymyakon you will actually use, with reliable return transport.

Tickets/cost

Public water rituals are often open, but boat, viewing, or activity access may be paid.

Language/currency

["ru"] · RUB

Family friendly

unknown

Interactive map63.46 N, 142.79 EOpen in Google Maps

Oymyakon, Sakha Republic, Russia

Nearest airportUSR — Ust-Nera
TransportFor Pole of Cold Festival, plan transport around the exact Oymyakon venue, route or gathering point rather than the city name alone.
Stay areaFor Pole of Cold Festival, stay near the part of Oymyakon you will actually use, with reliable return transport.

Your Trip Starts Here

External travel services to turn the plan into a trip — each opens in a new tab.

How to get thereRoutes, times and prices to Oymyakon via local transport.Search routesFind a place to stayStays near Oymyakon, close enough for the event-day route.Browse staysFind flightsCompare fares into the nearest practical airport for March.Compare faresFestival gearExtreme cold-weather gear is not optional here: heavy insulated parkas rated for temperatures well below minus 40 degrees Celsius, insulated boots rated for extreme cold, thermal base and mid-layers, insulated mittens rather than gloves, and full face protection against frostbite risk are standard necessities for anyone spending meaningful time outdoors during the festival.Shop the kitCheck visa requirementsSee whether you need a visa for Russia and apply online.Check entry rulesTravel insuranceCover for trip hiccups, gear and health on the road.Get covered

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FAQ

Quick answers.

When is Pole of Cold Festival?

Pole of Cold Festival is listed for March · Spring. Always re-check the official or local source close to travel.

Where does Pole of Cold Festival take place?

The festival is listed in Oymyakon, Russia. The map coordinate is a planning reference, not a guarantee of a ticket gate or exact venue.

How long should I plan for?

Spring is the listed festival span. Add time for arrival, local transport, queues, and any route changes during the event.

Is a source linked?

Official source linked. Eventisimus separates source confidence from travel suggestions, so check final details before booking.

Where exactly is it?

Oymyakon, Sakha Republic, Russia

Is it family friendly?

unknown

Sources and editorial review

About this guide

This guide is independently written by Eventisimus using publicly available information, official event and organiser sources where available, local tourism references, and additional editorial research. Eventisimus is not the official organiser of this festival and is not affiliated with it unless explicitly stated.

Festival dates, schedules, ticket conditions, access rules, and local arrangements can change. We aim to present useful and accurate information, but travelers should confirm important details with the official event source before booking transport, accommodation, or tickets.

Found something inaccurate or outdated? Email hello@eventisimus.com with the festival page link and the correction.

Official URLchuchuna.ru
Organizer accessAre you the organizer? Claim this listing →
SourceSource link available
Listed datesDates TBA · Usually March
Source statusOfficial source linked
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