Winter Festival

Save the (rescheduled) date for the largest winter event in a Connecticut State Park!  The No Child Left Inside® (NCLI) 20th Annual Winter Festival will be held at Burr Pond State Park in Torrington, CT on Saturday, February 21, 2026 from 10 am to 3 pm.  (The event has been rescheduled from its original date due to the forecasted arctic blast and extreme wind child temperatures, and out of an abundance of caution for participating families, volunteers, partners and staff.)  

The Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP) invites the public to join us for winter activities and outdoor recreation at one of our most spectacularly wintery state park locations....  the appropriately named Burrrrr Pond State Park.  It's a place and time where families can truly experience the fun and beauty that a Connecticut winter offers.   Many engaging outdoor winter activities for the entire family to enjoy are planned for the event! Stay connected on CT State Parks social media platforms (@CTStateParks) for Winter Festival photos and updates leading up to event day. The Winter Festival is a partnership between CT State Parks No Child Left Inside® and FISH with CARE (Connecticut Aquatic Resources Education) programs along with the City of Torrington.

The annual Winter Festival allows families and those interested in being outdoors during the winter months to embrace the crisp air, fresh snow, and ice.  The event also provides opportunities to explore nature in new ways, whether its snowshoeing, ice fishing, building ice sculptures, hiking, or just visiting with the various partners that conduct outdoor winter themed programs; you don’t want to miss this opportunity. 

Activities planned for the day, depending on outdoor conditions, include: ice fishing; a bonfire; outdoor play area; marshmallow roasting; winter hikes; visits from the CT Valley Siberian Husky Club; White Memorial Conservation Center and their Animal Ambassador; and the CT DEEP Environmental Conservation Police; tabling and activities by CT State Library; CT DEEP State Parks Education and Outreach; DEEP State Parks Junior Ranger Program; CT State Parks Lifeguard Program; CT DEEP Office of Outdoor Industry & Experiences; DEEP Boating; DEEP Wildlife; Torrington Police, Fire, Park and Recreation, and Public Works; Burrville Fire Training School; Drakeville Volunteer Fire Department; Girl Scouts of CT; Reach Your Summit; Main Street Canoes & Kayaks; Benidorm Bikes; Summit Adaptive; Environmental Learning Centers of CT; Institute for American Indian Studies; Torrington Trails Network; Torrington DCF; furs & pelts; animal tracking and much more. 

DEEP’s Fish with CARE staff and volunteer fishing coaches will be on hand to demonstrate and teach ice fishing techniques. Participants will have the opportunity to borrow a tip-up and/or jigging rod and try ice fishing with expert help from Fish with CARE coaches! Ice fishing will only take place pending safe ice conditions – an announcement on ice conditions will be made by Wednesday February 18, 2026, on DEEP social media platforms. Dress for the cold weather, wear sturdy insulated winter boots and bring a sense of adventure.

CT Boy Scout Troop 1 will be selling food at the event (cash only).  Dude's Donuts and Gio's on the Go will also be in attendance selling donuts and warm apple cider as well as pizza.

Parking:  Limited on-site parking is available at Burr Pond State Park and at the Burr Pond Boat Launch Ramp.  Additional off-site parking is available during the event at the nearby Burrville Fire Training School located at 606 Burr Mountain Road, Torrington and at RBC Bearings Aircraft Products Inc. located at 2788 Winsted Road, Torrington. Shuttles run between the event and these parking locations throughout the day during event hours.  Please note that the last shuttle leaves Burr Pond for the off-site parking areas at 3:00 pm.

Please note: DEEP reminds those venturing outdoors that safety comes first.  Ice thickness varies on all water bodies due to several environmental factors including in-water circulatory patterns, snow cover and the types and amounts of recent precipitation.  Please stay within the program area on the ice and do not venture onto other areas on the pond as there may not be sufficient ice thickness. Visit DEEP’s Ice safety page and the CARE ice fishing page to learn more about ice safety.

Inclement Weather: In the event of inclement weather on February 21, please check CT State Parks social media platforms (@CTStateParks) and this event page for updates.  

Keeping Warm Outdoors During the Winter

The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) has some valuable tips on how to keep children safe and warm on a cold winter day.

• Dress infants and children warmly for outdoor activities. Several thin layers will keep them dry and warm. Remember warm boots, gloves, or mittens, and a hat. Layering is a good idea as are moisture-wicking fabrics and clothing that’s geared to the sport.
• The rule of thumb for older babies and young children is to dress them in one more layer of clothing than an adult would wear in the same conditions.
• The sun’s rays can still cause sunburn in the winter, especially when they reflect off snow. Make sure to cover your child’s exposed skin with sunscreen.
  
  *Note:  The temperatures at Burr Pond State Park are often far colder than other areas of Connecticut as it is located at a higher elevation. The wind coming off the pond, when frozen, can make the temperature feel as if it is 10-20 degrees colder. As with any outdoor event, all attendees should dress appropriately for the weather, including a hat, gloves or mittens, scarf, layers and a warm winter coat - preferably windproof and waterproof.  We recommend that parents dress small children in snowpants/winter gear to protect them from the chilling wind.  If the ground/pond is frozen, we also recommend wearing sturdy shoes with good traction to avoid slipping.