One of the featured events of the year in downtown Chambersburg is IceFest. I personally visit IceFest at least one day out of the 4-day event each year. If you are currently living in the Chambersburg area, or are looking to visit, the end of January or early February is the time to visit if you want to see some beautiful ice sculptures, good food, and tons of activities.
IceFest is an event that Chambersburg has been hosting for the past 22 years, and it’s a way for both businesses and the community to come together for a wonderful way to forget the winter blues.
Local businesses sponsor ice sculptures that are handcrafted onsite by professional ice sculptors. These beautiful sculptures then line the streets of downtown Chamberbsurg while many events are going on around them. This truly is Chambersburg’s winter wonderland.
Check out some of my favorite events below.
The Ice Sculptures
Ok, this one might seem obvious, but the artistic talent used to create these sculptures blows my mind every year! Check out a few of my favorites from last year.
The Run Your Ice Off 5k
This past year the event hosted a 5k, where many participants bundled in their winter attire took to the streets to race for a good cause. This year’s event was fundraising for the event itself as well as Leadership Franklin County Alumni Scholarship.
No, I did not run in this race, but I do enjoy watching those willing to brave the cold go at it!
The Ice Slide
One of the main attractions for the kids attending the event is the 40 foot ice slide made entirely of ice! The slide is a double slide so two people can go down together, and for the competitive at heart, even race.
Chili-Q Cookoff
Each year both professional and amateur cooks face-off during the Chili-Q Cookoff! You can purchase tickets to be able to sample chili prepared by various chefs and have access to the event itself held in the beer garden.
Carriage Rides
To make the mood a bit more romantic, you can cuddle up on a carriage ride around the event in a horse drawn carriage. This is one of my favorite activities if it isn’t too cold in the evening!
So Much More!
There are events throughout the day over the course of the 4-day event including other competitions, performances, live music, food trucks, tastings, and so much more! To truly get the sense of this magical event please visit the 2026 Chambersburg IceFest!
