2026 Newport Winter Carnival
NEWPORT, N.H. – The 2026 Newport Winter Carnival, its 110th, is scheduled for Feb. 10-15, with the theme “Red, White & BRRR!” celebrating America’s 250th birthday, featuring parades, games, events like the opera house pageant on Feb. 13, and a big dance with The Party Crashers on Feb. 14, and kicking off a year of national anniversary celebrations, with events happening around the town common and opera house.
Please join us for the torch-lighting ceremony on Wednesday, Feb. 11, on the Newport town common. The ceremony starts at 5 p.m., on the big common, and the torch lighting will be held on the little common, at 6 p.m. Spectators will remain on the big common as we count down the official kickoff of Newport’s 110th winter carnival, the oldest continuous winter carnival in the country.
Newport’s beloved Winter Carnival Pageant will be held on Friday, Feb. 13, at 7 p.m. Purchase your tickets now, as this favorite event is certain to be sold-out.
Tickets can be purchased at www.app.arts-people.com/index.php?show=308188, or by calling the box office at 603-863-2412.
Meet the queen contestants, enjoy food from Newport Youth Football, music from WCNL Country AM 1010/FM 94.7 with a “Party in the U.S.A.” singalong, hot cocoa from LaValley Building Supply, Mount Sunapee Resort’s s’moresmobile, fire pits, and so much more.
Tuesday, Feb. 10
Pickleball tournament at LaValley Family Community Center, at 11 a.m.
Battle of the Budgets basketball game, town versus school, at LaValley Family Community Center, at 6 p.m.
Wednesday, Feb. 11
Children’s music class at the Library Arts Center, at 9:30 a.m.
Opening ceremony festival on the common, at 5 p.m.
Winter carnival dinner at the Old Courthouse Restaurant, at 6 p.m., fee for dinner
Thursday, Feb. 12
Official ski day at Mount Sunapee, from 9 a.m. – 4 p.m.
Table tennis tournament at LaValley Family Community Center, from 11 a.m. – 1 p.m.
U.S.A. trivia night at Salt Hill Pub, at 7 p.m.
Friday, Feb. 13
Basketball free throw contest at LaValley Family Community Center, at 4 p.m.
U.S.A. puzzle competition at LaValley Family Community Center, at 6 p.m.
Historic Queens Pageant at Newport Opera House, at 7 p.m.
Saturday, Feb. 14
Party in the U.S.A. Parade at Newport Health Center, at 10 a.m.
Horse-drawn wagon rides around the common, from 11 a.m. – 1 p.m.
California kids gold rush egg hunt on the Common, at 11:30 a.m.
Born in the U.S.A. beer fest at Salt Hill Pub, from 1-4 p.m., 21 and up
Sledding at Newport Family Moose, all day, cocoa and hot dogs from 2-4 p.m.
Golf on the Snow at Newport Golf Club, at 2 p.m.
Dance Party with Party Crashers at Newport Opera House, from 8 p.m. – 12 a.m.
Sunday, Feb. 15
Dodgeball for kids and adults at LaValley Family Community Center, at 1 p.m.
Ski jump competition at Newport High School, at 1 p.m., helmet and alpine skis required
Murder mystery dinner at Newport Moose Lodge, at 4 p.m., fee for dinner
For a full schedule of events, visit the Newport Winter Carnival Facebook page at www.facebook.com/p/Newport-Winter-Carnival-100068823660195.