McCall Winter Carnival

03/08/2026

It’s hard to believe it’s already been a month since the 2026 McCall Winter Carnival wrapped up! ❄️

We’re incredibly grateful to the sponsors, business owners, volunteers, and community members who helped make WC26 such a success. Your support, creativity, and energy are what keep this beloved tradition going year after year.

Now it’s time to start looking ahead… mark your calendars! 📅
The 2027 McCall Winter Carnival will take place January 28 – February 6, 2027.

We can’t wait to celebrate with you all again next winter! ⛄✨

02/08/2026

That’s a wrap on the 2026 McCall Winter Carnival 🎆

For ten days, our town was filled with snow sculptures, music, parades, busy sidewalks, and people from near and far enjoying winter together. Events like this only happen because so many people step up to make them happen—and we have a lot of people to thank!

Thank you to our VOLUNTEER Planning Committee for months of work behind the scenes, and to the many volunteers who gave their time throughout Carnival - we could not have done this without your hard work 💙

Thank you to our presenting sponsor, The Retreat McCall, as well as our other sponsors, vendors, and musicians who helped bring the experience to life 🎉

Thank you to our Torchlight and Mardi Gras Parade participants, the McCall businesses who hosted events all over town, and the Find Sharlie partners and participants—your smiles and support make it all worthwhile ✨

Thank you to the McCall Police Department, McCall Fire & EMS, City of McCall Parks and Recreation, and McCall Public Works for keeping everything safe, running smoothly, and ready for the crowds.

Thank you to the McCall community for welcoming visitors, supporting events, and showing what makes this place special.

And finally—thank you to everyone who came, explored, bundled up, and joined in. Winter Carnival is what it is because of you!

We look forward to seeing you again next year! Stay tuned for 2027 dates ❄️

📸 Samantha Sais Photography

02/08/2026

And the winner of the 2026 Mardi Gras Parade is… the McCall Public Library! Congratulations on an incredible float and a well-deserved win! 🏆

A huge THANK YOU to everyone who participated in this year’s parade. The creativity was amazing—we saw so many impressive and imaginative renditions of Sharlie around the world (and even in outer space)! You brought the streets of McCall to life this afternoon, and we think our friendly lake monster would approve 🎉

Another big thank you to:

🎭 Parade sponsors, Idaho Power and Tamarack Resort
🫶 Our amazing parade volunteers
🎤 Idaho News 6 for their live coverage
🚧 Bighorn Traffic Services
🚨 McCall Police Department & Idaho State Police

And of course, thank you to everyone who came out to cheer today—your energy, smiles, and Mardi Gras spirit made the day unforgettable 💜💚💛

02/07/2026

As we draw closer to the 2026 McCall Winter Carnival Mardi Gras Parade, we'd like to give a big shoutout to our Traffic Control Company and Nickel Sponsor - Bighorn Traffic Services!

They've been amazingly easy to work with as we coordinate the permitting, route, closures, and numerous safety aspects of the parade. We are so thankful to have their help, so as you're viewing the parade today, make sure to give a friendly wave or hello to the Bighorn crew 👋🏻💛

🚧 As Bighorn, McCall Police Department, and our volunteers work to keep everyone safe, please remember to be respectful and stay behind the barricades until the parade has officially ended.

Have fun, stay safe, and thank you Bighorn!

02/07/2026

Let’s end the 2026 McCall Winter Carnival with a bang! 🎇

Join us tonight at 7pm at Legacy Park for the Closing Fireworks over Payette Lake—one last chance to gather lakeside, look to the sky, and celebrate an incredible Carnival together.

A HUGE thank you to our fireworks sponsors for helping make this grand finale possible:

Orkin, Broken Horn Brewing Company, Banyans on the Green, McCall Jewelry Company, McCall Pet Outfitters & Supply, Inc., Gem State Paper, Stacey Cakes, Pilgrim Cove Camp, Cornerstone Building, Century 21 Whitewater Clark, and Albertsons McCall 💙

And most importantly, thank you to everyone who joined us for the 2026 McCall Winter Carnival—from near and far, you brought the energy, smiles, and community spirit that make this event so special every year.

Bundle up, bring your crew, and we’ll see you tonight by the lake! Join us afterward for music with Matt Hopper & The Roman Candles and the beer garden with Hotel McCall and Jug Mountain Ranch until 10pm 🎸🍻

📸 Samantha Sais Photography

02/07/2026

The 2026 McCall Winter Carnival Mardi Gras Parade starts tomorrow at noon!🎭🎉

The biggest Winter Carnival Parade in recent memory is rolling through downtown McCall with 43 floats planned! Catch the excitement in person on 3rd St. and Lake St., or tune in as Idaho News 6 provides live coverage 🎤

Thank you to our parade sponsors Idaho Power and Tamarack Resort, with special thanks to the Payette Lakes Progressive Club for helping make this tradition possible!

Pro tip: After the parade, skip the rush to your car and take in the sights downtown!
🛍️ Browse the shops
🍔 Grab a bite or explore Vendor Row
🎶 Hang out at the Main Stage with Big Country News

And the easiest way to enjoy the day? Take the FREE parade shuttle with Mountain Community Transit and avoid traffic and downtown parking altogether. Park and ride from Payette Lakes Middle School or the McCall Post Office 10am-12pm & 1pm-3pm. Go to mccallwintercarnival.com for full details.

Bundle up, bring your Carnival spirit, and we’ll see you on the parade route! We have a feeling you'll see Sharlie 👀

📸 Samantha Sais Photography

02/06/2026

Make the most of this beautiful Winter Carnival day by stopping by our 2026 Photo Op Locations:

📍Frenchies on Third
📍Brundage Mountain Resort
📍Flying S Title & Escrow - McCall
📍The Connector Cache
📍Sacred Lotus Spa-Wellness Center-Boutique Gift Shop

Snap a pic, share it on social media, and be sure to tag and the business you’re visiting so we can see your Carnival fun!

Grab your friends, strike a pose, and enjoy the sunshine out there! ☀️❄️

02/06/2026

Thank you, McCall Police Department! Save yourself the parking headache and take the FREE parade shuttle tomorrow!

Have fun and be safe out there ❄️

Let's all be safe during the parade tomorrow!

Please obey all traffic control devices, closed roads, and detours.
Do not step in front of moving floats or vehicles.
Do not cross safety barriers.

Utilize the free shuttle before and after the parade-
Depart from McCall Post Office (495 Deinhard Ln)
Depart from Payette Lakes Middle School (111 S Samson Trail)
Drop-Off/Pick-Up: Near Legacy Park (1100 E Lake St), just one block from downtown.
Schedule:
Before the Parade: 10:00 AM – 12:00 PM
After the Parade: 1:00 PM – 3:00 PM

02/05/2026

After a lot of amazing feedback from visitors and participating businesses we've decided to EXTEND Find Sharlie another day! Search for our friendly lake monster in local businesses through Friday, Feb. 6th! 💙

Don't forget to tag us when you find her!

02/05/2026

We’re heading into the final weekend of the 2026 McCall Winter Carnival—and it’s going out with a bang! 🎆

From live music and vendors to the Mardi Gras Parade and fireworks, there’s something happening all weekend long!

Don't forget to check the full schedule for amazing events like the Winter Carnival Craft Fair, the Winter Carnival Play, the Winter Carnival Ice Show, Silent Disco, Pancake Breakfast, Mask-making, Speed-dating, and more! Go to mccallwintercarnival.com 💙

A huge thank-you to our Main Stage Sponsor, McCall Event Co., and our Presenting Platinum Sponsor, The Retreat McCall, for helping make the music, events, and magic of Winter Carnival possible.

We'd also like to thank Hotel McCall and Jug Mountain Ranch for keeping the beer flowing at Main Stage! 🍻

Cheers and see you downtown! ❄️

02/05/2026

FREE SHUTTLE SERVICE FOR SATURDAY 🎉

In partnership with Mountain Community Transit, we're excited to announce a free shuttle service for Winter Carnival on Saturday, February 7 for the Mardi Gras Parade!

Shuttles and parking are completely FREE and intended to make the Mardi Gras Parade and Carnival experience easier for visitors.

Shuttles will run approximately every 10 – 15 minutes from the McCall Post Office and Payette Lakes Middle School to drop off carnival goers near Legacy Park, just one block from the heart of downtown McCall. The shuttles will run two hours prior to the parade, 10:00 am – 12:00 pm, and two hours after the parade, 1:00 – 3:00 pm.

The shuttle and parking are completely free. We encourage you to take advantage of the shuttle to avoid parking headaches in the main downtown area.