BELFAST — The Belfast Ice Festival, presented by Stanley Chevrolet and Maine Chevy Dealers, returns to downtown Belfast for the fifth year on February 21 - 23, 2025. The State of Maine Ice Carving Championship, presented by Rollies Bar & Grill, returns to the corner of Main and Cross streets, from 1 - 3 p.m., on Saturday, February 22.

Throughout the day on Friday, February 21, twenty-five ice sculptures will pop up around town. Among them will be a dragon, moose, sneaker, owl, Baby Yoda, and many other designs. There will also be live carving demonstrations on Saturday, February 22. Several downtown restaurants will offer drink and food specials all weekend, many at outside bars with warming stations.

Saturday will showcase the Annual State of Maine Ice Carving Competition sponsored by Rollie’s Bar & Grill and Rollie’s Remote Catering. New this year is two (2) categories of hand tools and mechanical. Hand tools will begin at 10 a.m. and have four (4) hours to compete. Mechanical tools will begin at noon and have two (2) hours. The competition is held at the corner of Main and Cross Street from 10 a.m. – 2 p.m. Judging will take place promptly at 2 p.m. by community judges. Cash prizes will be awarded to first, second, and third place.

Highlights of other weekend activities include a free (donations accepted) viewing on 1993’s Cool Runnings at The Colonial Theatre (163 High Street) on Saturday. Find Brody the Moose and hot cocoa all weekend long at The Purple Baboon (31 Front Street). Several places will offer hot cocoa – Maine Coast Roofing (33 Front Street), Belfast Community Coop (123 High Street), and find a hot cocoa fundraiser for the Belfast Academy of Dance outside of Alexia’s Pizza (93 Main Street). Mainley Gallery and Studio will be set up at the Front Street Pub (37 Front Street) with a glass torchwork booth. Head to Marshall Wharf Brewing (36 Marshall Wharf) for live music from the Down East Dead from 6 p.m. ($10 cover).

Looking to experience an “ice” bar? Head to Darby’s Restaurant (155 High Street), Dos Gatos (84 Main Street), Dockside Family Restaurant (30 Main Street), and Nautilus Seafood and Grill (3 Main Street). There will also be a variety of food trucks this year. Find the Red Barn Food Truck at the Grasshopper Shop (105 High Street) and Portable Pie Place and Taco Joe will both be at Nautilus (3 Main Street).

The full schedule of weekend activities and promotions can be found at ourtownbelfast.org/ice-festival/.

2025 Belfast Ice Festival Schedule of Activities*

FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 21

• All day: 25+ ice sculptures will pop up throughout the day around Belfast.

• Afternoon: Darby’s Restaurant, 155 High Street, Ice Bar will open.

• 3:00 – 8:00 p.m.: Nautilus Seafood & Grill, 3 Main Street, outside bar will be open with drink specials and the igloos will be open as warming areas. Featuring both Portable Pie Place and Taco Joe food trucks.

• 4:00 – 5:00 p.m.: Delvino’s Grill & Pasta House, 52 Main Street, Italian Margarita Making Class.

• 5:00 p.m. and 7:00 p.m.: Front Street Pub, 37 Front Street, Almond Snowcap Drink Making Class

SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 22

• All day: 25+ ice sculptures can be found around Belfast.

• All day: find sales and promotions at many downtown merchants.

• All day: find food and drink specials at many of our downtown restaurants.

• 9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.: The Purple Baboon, 31 Front Street: Live Ice Carving, free hot chocolate, and Brody the Moose!

• 9:30 – 6:00 p.m.: Grasshopper Shop, 105 High Street, hosting a warming station and cocoa. Featuring the Red Barn Food Truck all day.

• 10:00 a.m.: Ice Carving Competition Hand Tool Start time. Corner of Main & Cross Streets.

• 10:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.: Belfast Fiberarts, 171 High Street: Spinning and Weaving Demonstrations all day. 20% off Wool fiber for Spinning yarn or Felting.

• 10:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.: Maine Coast Roofing, 33 Front Street, Ste. 1A: Hot chocolate bar and coloring table for the kids (while supplies last).

• 11:00 a.m. – Noon: Front Street Pub, 37 Front Street, Buck a Shuck Oysters (cash only).

• 11:00 a.m. – Noon: Front Street Pub, 37 Front Street, Snowflake Margarita Making Class.

• 11:00 a.m. – Noon: Glass Torchworking booth with live glass sculpting demos hosted by Mainely Gallery & Studio, at the Front Street Pub 37 Front Street.

• 11:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.: Belfast Academy of Dance Hot Cocoa (by donation) fundraiser outside of Alexia’s Pizza, 93 Main Street.

• 11:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.: Belfast Community Co-op, 123 High Street, Buy a special cup of hot cocoa today only, and you get to dress it up with the fixings of your choice! Dairy free cocoa and variety of options for everyone.

• 11:00 a.m. – close: Dockside Family Restaurant, 30 Main Street: Ice bar will be open offering drink specials for adults and hot chocolate for kids. We will have a warming area and also have drink specials inside.

• 11:30 a.m. – 8:00 p.m.: Darby’s Restaurant, 155 High Street, Ice Bar will open.

• 11:30 a.m. – 8:00 p.m. Nautilus Seafood & Grill, 3 Main Street: outside bar will be open with drink specials. Igloos will be open as warming areas. Featuring both Portable Pie Place and Taco Joe food trucks.

• Noon: Ice Carving Competition Mechanical Tool Start time. Corner of Main & Cross Streets.

• Noon – 4:00 p.m.: Drop-in “make-it-now” glass icicles hosted by Mainely Gallery & Studio, at the Front Street Pub 37 Front Street.

• Noon: Marshall Wharf Brewing, 36 Marshall Wharf opening. 15% off all merchandise.

• Noon: Satori Craft Cocktail & Sushi Bar, 108 Main Street, Opening.

• 12:30 – 1:30 p.m.: Delvino’s Grill & Pasta House, 52 Main Street, Partnership with Titos vodka and the Miracle German Shepard rescue of Maine Belfast Mighty Paws fundraiser, $2 from each Mighty Paw Drink donated & matched by Titos.

• 2:00 p.m.: Ice Carving Competition winners announced Corner of Main & Cross Streets.

• 6:00 p.m.: Down East Dead playing at Marshall Wharf Brewing, 36 Marshall Wharf, $10 cover.

• Time TBD: Free or By-Donation ($8 suggested) Afternoon Matinee of ‘Cool Runnings’ (1993) at The Colonial Theatre, 163 High Street.

SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 23

• All day: 25+ ice sculptures can be found.

• All day: find sales and promotions at many downtown merchants.

• All day: find food and drink specials at many of our downtown restaurants.

• 11:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.: Belfast Fiberarts, 171 High Street: Spinning and Weaving Demonstrations all day. 20% off Wool fiber for Spinning yarn or Felting.

• 11:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.: The Purple Baboon, 31 Front Street: Free hot chocolate, a visit from Brody the Moose!

• 11:00 a.m. – Noon: Glass Torchworking booth with live glass sculpting demos hosted by Mainely Gallery & Studio, at the Front Street Pub 37 Front Street.

• 11:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.: Dockside Family Restaurant, 30 Main Street: Ice bar will be open offering drink specials for adults and hot chocolate for kids. We will have a warming area and also have drink specials inside.

• 11:30 a.m. – close: Darby’s Restaurant, 155 High Street, Ice Bar will open.

• 11:30 a.m. – 3:00 p.m. Nautilus Seafood & Grill, 3 Main Street: outside bar will be open with drink specials. Igloos will be open as warming areas. Featuring both Portable Pie Place and Taco Joe food trucks.

• Noon – 4:00 p.m.: Maine Coast Roofing, 33 Front Street, Ste. 1A: Hot chocolate bar and coloring table for the kids (while supplies last).

• Noon – 4:00 p.m.: Drop-in “make-it-now” glass icicles hosted by Mainely Gallery & Studio, at the Front Street Pub 37 Front Street.

• 3:00 – 4:00 p.m.: Delvino’s Grill & Pasta House, 52 Main Street, Jack Frost Cocktail Making Class.

*Schedule is subject to change. Visit ourtownbelfast.org/ice-festival/ for more information.