Lava Hot Springs Fire and Ice Winterfest

View on map
UniqueLava Hot Springs
DatesDates TBA · Usually FebruaryCheck locally before booking
DurationWinterEstimate from available data
Crowd-Public scale varies
Best forUnusual spectacle, playful rulesFire and Ice Winterfest turns Lava Hot
LanguageLocal language; English access variesCurrency: USD
CategoryUniqueFestival type
The story

Lava Hot Springs Fire and Ice Winterfest in Lava Hot Springs

The first full weekend of February, the small town of Lava Hot Springs, Idaho hosts Fire and Ice Winterfest, once named one of the ten zaniest winter festivals in the world by USA Today. Highlights include the Running of the Bulls into the hot pools, a Polar Bear Float down the icy Portneuf River, a penguin race off the 3rd Street bridge, fire dancers, and fireworks.

Lava Hot Springs, a small town in southeastern Idaho built around a set of natural mineral hot pools, has turned the coldest weekend of the year into its biggest tourism draw.
Your trip starts here
What is special

The part that makes it specific.

01

The place changes

Fire and Ice Winterfest turns Lava Hot Springs's namesake natural hot pools into the centerpiece of a genuinely offbeat winter festival

02

The mystery stays covered

In the Running of the Bulls, participants sprint down Main Street in swimsuits and jump straight into the hot pools, and the Polar Bear Float sends costumed participants a quarter mile down the ice-cold Portneuf River on tubes before they, too, reach the warm water

03

The city starts moving

A Penguin Race Fundraiser drops up to 1,000 rubber penguins off the 3rd Street East Bridge to race downriver for prizes up to $300, fire dancers perform to live music, and the weekend closes with fireworks launched from both ends of town

04

The water draws everyone in

USA Today has named it one of the ten zaniest winter festivals in the world

Traditions & symbols

The language of the festival.

What moves first

Living ritual

The Running of the Bulls

Water and renewal

Living ritual

sprinting down Main Street in swimsuits before jumping into the hot pools

The sacred route

Living ritual

and the Polar Bear Float down the icy Portneuf River are the festival's signature rituals

The local code

Living ritual

both built around the contrast between Lava Hot Springs's cold winter air and its genuinely hot mineral pools

Tradition 5

Living ritual

The Penguin Race off the 3rd Street bridge functions as an established annual fundraiser

Tradition 6

Living ritual

with proceeds and prizes tied to a simple raffle-style format that has run for years

Before you go

Essential information

When to go

Dates TBA · Usually February

Getting around

For Lava Hot Springs Fire and Ice Winterfest, plan transport around the exact Lava Hot Springs venue, route or gathering point rather than the city name alone.

What to wear

A swimsuit is required for the Running of the Bulls and the Polar Bear Float, typically worn under warm layers or a costume until you reach the water. Otherwise, heavy winter clothing...

Safety

Keep valuables light, follow local instructions, and watch how residents use the space before joining in.

Where to stay

For Lava Hot Springs Fire and Ice Winterfest, stay near the part of Lava Hot Springs you will actually use, with reliable return transport.

Tickets/cost

Check official or local sources for ticketed areas, paid stands, and same-year access rules.

Language/currency

USD

Family friendly

unknown

Interactive map42.62 N, 112.01 WOpen in Google Maps

Lava Hot Springs, ID

Nearest airportPIH — Pocatello Regional
TransportFor Lava Hot Springs Fire and Ice Winterfest, plan transport around the exact Lava Hot Springs venue, route or gathering point rather than the city name alone.
Stay areaFor Lava Hot Springs Fire and Ice Winterfest, stay near the part of Lava Hot Springs 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 Lava Hot Springs via local transport.Search routesFind a place to stayStays near Lava Hot Springs, close enough for the event-day route.Browse staysFind flightsCompare fares into the nearest practical airport for February.Compare faresFestival gearA swimsuit is required for the Running of the Bulls and the Polar Bear Float, typically worn under warm layers or a costume until you reach the water. Otherwise, heavy winter clothing, boots, hat, and gloves suit the cold February air between pool visits.Shop the kitCheck visa requirementsSee whether you need a visa for United States 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 Lava Hot Springs Fire and Ice Winterfest?

Lava Hot Springs Fire and Ice Winterfest is listed for February · Winter. Always re-check the official or local source close to travel.

Where does Lava Hot Springs Fire and Ice Winterfest take place?

The festival is listed in Lava Hot Springs, United States. The map coordinate is a planning reference, not a guarantee of a ticket gate or exact venue.

How long should I plan for?

Winter 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?

Lava Hot Springs, ID

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 URLlavahotsprings.org
Organizer accessAre you the organizer? Claim this listing →
SourceSource link available
Listed datesDates TBA · Usually February
Source statusOfficial source linked
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