It is often the case that when a new year is in, travelers feel the need to turn over a new leaf, visit new places, and make new memories. The first month of the year in the United States is an amazing time to do just that with the abundance of colorful and diverse festivals.
While January festivals are, in general, celebrating everything from local heritage to global culture, the picture can range from the icy beauty of winter carnivals in northern states to lively parades in the southern states.
Think of being surrounded by snow-covered streets in Minnesota, where the ice castles are glowing under the small light bulbs, or simply being a part of the Mardi Gras-style celebrations in Louisiana, which are full of life.
If you happen to be a lover of food, music, sports, or history, then you are bound to find something during January that will make you want to go and see it everywhere in the US.
1. Sundance Film Festival – Park City, Utah
Every January, Park City, Utah, becomes a hub of the global film industry as the Sundance Film Festival. Since its inception by Robert Redford in 1978, Sundance has developed into the biggest independent film festival in the US, drawing filmmakers, celebrities, and film lovers from all over the globe.
The festival has been the launchpad for many independent films, raving documentaries, a lot of which later get very good reviews. The films such as Whiplash, Get Out, and Little Miss Sunshine that were later successful were also presented at Sundance for the first time.
Tourists can roam Park City’s snow-covered streets, drop into small cafés, and go to parties where the creative works flow as easily as the champagne. Sundance is undoubtedly one of the most amazing festivals to watch fantastic films and be amidst the beauty of Utah’s winter landscape, even if you are not a film industry insider.
Why is it worth attending the Sundance Film Festival?
To watch the next breakout film, to have a face-to-face with filmmakers, and to feel the creativity flowing in a beautiful mountain town.
2. National Western Stock Show – Denver, Colorado
The National Western Stock Show has been the bedrock of the Western culture of the United States for more than a hundred years. This 16-day event, which takes place every January in Denver, is the celebration of the heritage of ranching, rodeo, and agriculture.
Visitors can see professional rodeo competitions, livestock shows, horse exhibitions, and a huge parade that inaugurates the celebrations. The Stock Show, an agricultural fair, is a cultural experience that provides the cowboy traditions and the ranching innovations.
Due to its combination of rodeo excitement and family-friendly activities, the National Western Stock Show offers the cowboy lifestyle experience, thus being one of the most unique festivals in January.
Why is it worth attending the National Western Stock Show?
To feel the real Western culture and see the top rodeo performances in the country.
3. Palm Springs International Film Festival – California
The Palm Springs International Film Festival is an excellent alternative if you don’t like the idea of being buried under snow but still want to enjoy the sun in California.
Running from the 3rd to the 14th of January, this festival is well-known for its glamorous red carpet events and a rich selection of international films.
In 1989, the festival came into being, and since then, it has been expanding its horizon to become one of the most important festivals in North America. A lot of the stars from Hollywood are there for the Film Awards Gala, an event that marks the Oscars season.
Nevertheless, the festival not only attracts the glamor of Hollywood, but it also brings together around 500 films from over 60 different countries with the aim of offering a global perspective through films.
At this time, visitors have the opportunity to watch the movies they would like to see at the cinema, and after that, they can stroll through Palm Springs’ trendy restaurants, boutique shops, and picturesque desert scenery.
Why is it worth attending the Palm Springs International Film Festival?
To experience world-class cinema under the desert sun with a stroke of Hollywood glamour.
4. International Snow Sculpture Championships – Breckenridge, Colorado
Every late January, the picturesque ski town of Breckenridge becomes the stage for the International Snow Sculpture Championships, a fairy tale event that attracts artists and spectators from all over the world.
Teams of artists receive huge blocks of snow and only a few days to produce a stunning piece. The works can be anything from funny characters to detailed architectural masterpieces. When the sculptures are lit up at night, Breckenridge essentially becomes a glowing winter wonderland.
People can walk around the sculptures, take a sip of hot chocolate from local cafés, and do other winter activities like skiing, snowboarding, and taking sleigh rides. The event is family-friendly and has free admission, thus it is a marvelous January festival for all ages.
Why is it worth attending the International Snow Sculpture Championships?
To be amazed by the gigantic, hand-carved snow sculptures right in one of the most stunning mountain towns of Colorado.
5. Key West Food and Wine Festival – Florida
Though snow in winter might not be your cup of tea, you can still have a great time down south at the sunny beach of Key West. Just in case you didn't know, the Key West Food and Wine Festival is held every year at the end of January, and it's a festival of dreams for a foodie and a wine lover.
The festival is a leisurely event filled with tastings, dinners, cooking demos, and wine pairings, all of which are hosted by top chefs as well as sommeliers.
The events are held in very beautiful places, such as oceanfront resorts or historic mansions, and thus the attendees are offered a unique combination of excellent dining and the charm of the tropics.
Moreover, people who are there for the festival can relive the island's relaxed mood, take pleasure in the live music, and sunbathe under the warm Florida sun.
Why is it worth attending the Key West Food and Wine Festival?
To get away from the cold and enjoy gourmet delights in a tropical heaven. Key West Food and Wine Festival, with its laid-back vibe and gastronomic excellence, is nothing less than a dream winter getaway.
6. Charleston Restaurant Week – South Carolina
Food enthusiasts, get ready! During the Charleston Restaurant Week in January, visitors can bite into the world-famous cuisine of the city at discounted prices.
Hundreds of eateries get involved to offer special prix-fixe dining options that feature Lowcountry cuisine and contemporary Southern flavors. Charleston's food scene offers a complete sensory delight from the ocean to the land, with great seafood and the creative use of traditional dishes.
Dinners aside, tourists can wander around the city to enjoy its historic charm, stroll its narrow streets, or take in the views of the picturesque waterfront.
Why is it worth attending the Charleston Restaurant Week?
To experience the best food of Charleston at a bargain. Charleston Restaurant Week is a great excuse for a winter break filled with art and taste.
7. Winter Carnival – St. Paul, Minnesota
The St. Paul Winter Carnival is among the oldest and most magnificent of the United States’ winter festivities, with a history dating back to 1886.
The incredibly cold Minnesota weather has never been able to keep the festival away from the crowd that it attracts every January for its colorful events. The festival is already underway, featuring the making of the king and queen of the carnival along with numerous other events like ice and snow sculptures, torchlight parades, ice palace.
The St. Paul Winter Carnival is rich with traditions, and the treasure hunt is one of the most peculiar ones. It is a time when the citizens of the city are out and about looking for the hidden medallion in the hope that they are the first ones to find it.
Moreover, concerts, ice skating, and fireworks have always been present annual attractions, making great Winter Carnival traditions. The Ice Palace day is when the Ice Palace, a glimmering castle made out of ice blocks, is created. The event is then the highlight of the carnival and a true winter wonder.
Why is it worth attending the Winter Carnival?
The St. Paul Winter Carnival experience is more than a test of ‘cold bravery’, but it is a celebration of arts, community spirit, creativity, and the magic of winter.
8. Martin Luther King Jr. Day Parades – Nationwide
On the whole, in the United States, Martin Luther King Jr. Day is commemorated in January by means of parades, festivals, and community events. Among such cities as Atlanta, Washington D.C., and Los Angeles, the biggest celebrations occur. They usually consist of marching bands, cultural performances, and speeches that mirror Dr. King’s legacy.
Besides the parades, volunteer events, and educational programs are organized by many communities to highlight service and unity as the core values. Participating in one of these events provides a great opportunity to celebrate American history and focus on the values of equality and justice that are still present.
Why is it worth attending the Martin Luther King Jr. Day Parades?
To recognize the legacy of Martin Luther King Jr. and be part of those communities that pay him the honor of his vision of equality.
9. Gasparilla Pirate Festival – Tampa, Florida
Every January, pirate crews from all over the Tampa Bay region descend on the area to stage a full-scale "invasion" and Galapagos Pirate Festival, which, inspired by the legend of the pirate Jose Gaspar, sees the festival "invasion" of Tampa by the large pirate ship, followed by a parade with floats, bands, and pirates in costumes.
The Gasparilla Parade of Pirates is one of the largest parades in the US, attracting a crowd of between 200,000 and 300,000 people. Numerous events attend the festival program of the city, including music, art, and children’s activities.
Why is it worth attending the Gasparilla Pirate Festival?
Gasparilla Pirate Festival is one of the largest parades in the country, and with its eccentric theme and lively atmosphere, it is a great and unique way to celebrate January in Florida.
10. Elvis Presley Birthday Celebration – Memphis, Tennessee
Every January, fans from all corners of the globe come to Memphis to celebrate the birthday of Elvis Presley, the King of Rock ‘n’ Roll. The event, which is a very emotional homage to his life, music, and his never-dying influence, of course, is held at Graceland, his iconic home.
The celebration has gotten very popular and now it consists of concerts, film screenings, panel discussions with Elvis historians, and special tours of Graceland. On January 8th, Elvis’s actual birthday, fans gather for the traditional cake-cutting ceremony, a moment which is the climax of the whole event and very touching as it makes people feel so close to his legacy.
Why is it worth attending the Elvis Presley Birthday Celebration?
The Elvis Presley Birthday Celebration is not only for the hard-core fans of Presley, as it is a cultural event that lets you live the music history and pays tribute to one of the greatest American entertainers of all time.
