Family Day long weekend in Ontario (which also coincides with Valentine’s Day in 2026) just got a whole lot more exciting thanks to the return of a beloved Wasaga Beach winter tradition.
SnowmanMania is back for 2026, and this year marks the 21st anniversary of the winter festival.
Taking place over four days from Feb. 13 to Feb. 16, it’s a jam-packed schedule of live entertainment, winter fun, sweet treats, and tons of indoor and outdoor family-friendly programming.
With Valentine’s Day landing right in the middle of the long weekend, SnowmanMania doubles as the perfect excuse for a cozy winter date!
Here’s a closer look at what’s in store this year.
Winter magic in Wasaga Beach
Expect the return of annual favourite activities, including Super Dogs, wrestling, inflatable maze, and the annual SnowmanMania chili cook-off, a competitive crowd favourite.
This year’s festival also features a Winter Wanderland with ice sculpting, a fire show, outdoor skating, igloo building for kids, a live DJ, cozy fire pits with Muskoka Chairs, and more.
Sweet Treats of Winter offers a taste of the season with marshmallow roasting, hot chocolate, Beavertails, and s’mores.
Feeling creative? The first annual Mayor’s Snowman Challenge invites visitors to show off their snowman building and decorating skills, with a trophy (and serious bragging rights) on the line for the best snowman.
Meanwhile, Sledfest is aiming to shatter a Guinness World Record with the world’s largest snowmobile parade, all in support of Sledheads for Kids and local food banks.
Four days of fun
New in 2026, SnowmanMania has partnered with Nancy Island Historic Site, adding a unique heritage twist to the weekend’s festivities.
Visitors can join family-friendly snow tubing, snowshoeing, hockey target shooting, maple taffy tasting on the island, and more.
SnowmanMania guests will also be invited to come in from the cold to explore the museum, enjoy a tasty treat, join crafts for kids, and get an up-close look at the charred hull of the HMS Nancy.
For more than two decades, SnowmanMania has brought people from far and wide together to celebrate winter in Wasaga Beach. It’s such a beloved event that it even earned a shoutout from Minister of Tourism, Culture, and Gaming, Stan Cho.
“Family Day weekend is a great time for people of all ages to visit Wasaga and discover this special, long-standing festival,” said the minister in a press release.
Celebrate the 21st annual SnowmanMania
How can you join in on the fun? Admission to almost all festivities is included with the purchase of a $3 SnowmaMania pin (check out the full 2026 SnowmanMania Festival Guide for details). Pins can be purchased same-day at each event or in advance at the Town’s RecPlex, library, Town Hall, and other community locations.
Festival programming will take place across three locations: The RecPlex (1724 Mosley Street), the Wasaga Stars Arena (544 River Road West), and Nancy Island Historic Site (119 Mosely St.). Plus, public transit will be free all week long!
Don’t miss out! Grab your boots and hats — and loved ones — and head out to SnowmanMania in Wasaga Beach this Family Day long weekend.
Good to know: some events are weather permitting — so keep an eye on the 2026 SnowmanMania Festival Guide for the latest information and updates.
SnowmanMania
- When: Feb. 13 to Feb. 16
- Where: Wasaga Beach
- Price: $3 admission with purchase of SnowmaMania pin (unless otherwise noted).
