Schedule of Events

Please note: Additional events are still being added. Some event plans may change depending on weather and conditions.

Follow @dartmouth.winter.carnival on Instagram for up to the minute changes.

Please note: Events marked with 💚 are for Dartmouth ID holders only.

Don't want to miss anything? Subscribe to our Google Calendar for all the events!

Ongoing

Baum-y Weather: ‘Blizzard of Oz’ Strikes Campus

Toto, we’re not in Hanover anymore… Come visit the Wizard and first editions of L. Frank Baum’s timeless children’s stories in our very own Special Collections Library! Follow the red brick buildings to our Roman-pillared façade and marvel at the evolution of this fantastical classic through sequels, spin-offs, a playbill from the first run of the hit Broadway musical Wicked, and more!

Rauner is open 9:00am-5:45pm Monday-Friday, and 9:00am-1:00pm Saturday. Closed Sundays.

Location: Rauner Library

Pink vs. Green: Novack Beverage Battle

Stop by Novack during its hours on Thursday or Friday to order a Matcha/Green Tea or Strawberry Refresher! Put your receipt in the correlating box (Green for Matcha/Green Tea, Pink for Strawberry Refresher) for the raffle! The box with more receipts will be drawn from for first and second place prizes, the box with less receipts will be drawn from for the third place prize.

PRIZES:

1st Place: Sony ULT Field 5 Portable Speaker

2nd Place: Beats Solo 4 True Wireless On-Ear Headphones

3rd Place: Desktop Selfie Ring Light with Tripod Stand

Thursday & Friday at 8:00am-9:00pm.

Location: Novack Cafe

Wicked Ticket Challenge

Just like the lion, the tin man, the scarecrow, and Dorothy, YOU will have the opportunity to earn your HEART, COURAGE, BRAIN, and HOME, in the Winter Carnival 2026 Wicked Ticket Challenge!

The Wicked Ticket Challenge can be completed by simply participating in all sorts of Winter Carnival events.

By being present at at least one event from each category (heart, courage, brain, and home) you will be awarded an exclusive Winter Carnival sticker!

Additionally, completing the Wicked Ticket Challenge will enter you into a raffle where your name could be drawn to win…

First Place: A Broadway Ticket Voucher (good for at least two Wicked tickets!)!
Second Place: A Wicked Lego Set!
Third Place: Two Wicked or Wizard of Oz FunkoPops of your choice!

Click through for the details

Wednesday, February 4

8:30-10:45pm Late Night Open Skate 💚

Lace up those ruby skates and glide down the yellow brick road at Late Night Skate! Please come early - 4 designated skating blocks - 8:45, 9:15, 9:45, 10:15 - no new skaters after 10:15pm.

Location: Thompson Arena

Thursday, February 5

9:00am-4:00pm FREE Lift Tickets for students @ Dartmouth Skiway 💚

Skiway Shuttle info

Students are FREE to ski at the Skiway from Thursday-Sunday of Winter Carnival. Please book online to reload to your existing ticket or to create a new profile for us to quickly print upon your arrival. One ticket is good for all days!

Please note: rental equipment in not included with the free lift ticket and must be reserved separately. We recommend reserving equipment early if you plan to attend! Reserve rentals here.

1 Ticket per person with valid Dartmouth Student ID.

7:00pm Winter Carnival Opening Celebration 💚

Let’s start the Winter Carnival weekend off with One Short Night in the Emerald Common Ground! Come join us at our Opening Celebration for themed refreshments, creative activities, and even to the chance take home a stuff-a-plush lion, tiger, or bear – oh my! You’ll be flying high, defying gravity the whole night! (Plushies available for students only)

Location: Collis Common Ground

8:00pm Carnival Karaoke 💚

Between The Wizard of Oz, The Wiz & Wicked, there's a song for everyone to sing! Join us and let your vocals defy gravity.

Location: One Wheelock

9:00pm CGB presents Winter Carnival Trivia 💚

Bring yourself, and up to 5 of your friends, and join us in Common Ground for a special carnival edition of Thursday Trivia. Test your knowledge. Have fun and maybe win some cool Winter Carnival prizes, Amazon gift cards, and more!

Location: Collis Common Ground

5:00-11:00pm Frost Lights: Over the Rainbow

Go over the rainbow and ease on down the yellow brick road as you venture into the merry old land of Oz at this immersive display of light and sound. Grab some hot cocoa, look out for the twister, ask the Wizard your deepest questions, then warm up by the fire and take in the ambience.

Volunteer for Frost Lights

Location: College Park, Observatory Hill

Friday, February 6

9:00am-4:00pm FREE Lift Tickets for students @ Dartmouth Skiway 💚

Skiway Shuttle info

Students are FREE to ski at the Skiway from Thursday-Sunday of Winter Carnival. Please book online to reload to your existing ticket or to create a new profile for us to quickly print upon your arrival. One ticket is good for all days!

Please note: rental equipment in not included with the free lift ticket and must be reserved separately. We recommend reserving equipment early if you plan to attend! Reserve rentals here.

1 Ticket per person with valid Dartmouth Student ID.

11:00am-1:00pm Print a Letterpress Winter Carnival Poster

Stop by the Book Arts Workshop for a fun time printing a poster we’ll have set up on one of our antique presses. Anyone and everyone is encouraged to drop by any time between 11:00am and 1:00pm — bring your friends to celebrate Winter Carnival 2026 with us! (No letterpress experience required!). No registration required! We’ll have fresh ink around, so wear clothes you’re not worried about!

Location: Baker Library, Lower Level - Book Arts Workshop

12:00-3:00pm Baker Tower Tours

While it’s not the view from a broomstick, take a trip up Baker Tower for a gorgeous view of our Big Green Emerald City! Tours fill up within the first 15 minutes and people wishing to go up to the tower are encouraged to come at the beginning of the scheduled time.

Tours will be in 20-minute intervals, and sign-ups start at noon in person at the Baker Level 1 Stacks Entrance. Spots fill quickly. The last tour will start at 2:40pm.

Please note: Each participant must be able to navigate many steep steps and a ladder independently. Individuals with issues related to height or tight spaces are discouraged from participating.

Location: Baker Level 1 Stacks Entrance, Baker-Berry Library

12:00-9:00pm Ice Sculpture Competition Carving 💚

Come take a look at the Wonderful Wizardous works in progress by our student artists as they chip away at their designs. Watch as student teams bring their favorite wickedly exciting art to (frozen) life.

Location: Collis Porch, Robo & McNutt Lawns

2:00-4:30pm Polar Bear Swim 💚

We promise this water won't melt you - quite the opposite in fact.

PLEASE REVIEW IMPORTANT INFORMATION ABOUT THE POLAR BEAR SWIM HERE.

Volunteer for Polar Bear Swim

2:00-4:30pm Cookies & Cocoa

Whether you take the plunge or not, come in and warm up from the cold!

Location: The Roth Center for Jewish Life - 5 Occom Ridge (white building behind the Choates)

3:00pm Women's Hockey vs. Princeton

Games are always free for students. All others can purchase tickets here.

Location: Thompson Arena

4:30-8:30pm Dinner @ '53

This themed meal out of Oz is not complimentary. Be sure to bring your Dartmouth ID with preloaded swipes or pay at the '53 Commons entrance.

Location: '53 Commons

5:00-11:00pm Frost Lights: Over the Rainbow

Go over the rainbow and ease on down the yellow brick road as you venture into the merry old land of Oz at this immersive display of light and sound. Grab some hot cocoa, look out for the twister, ask the Wizard your deepest questions, then warm up by the fire and take in the ambience.

Volunteer for Frost Lights

Location: College Park, Observatory Hill

7:00pm Aca-lympics

Show some heart and support our Oz-some A cappella groups at the Hop! Featuring the Dartmouth Sings, Decibelles, Cords, Rockapellas, Subtleties, Brovertones, and Dodecaphonics.

Location: Spaulding Auditorium, Hopkins Center

8:00-11:00pm Winter OZlympics Opening Ceremony Watch Party 💚

The Big Green has a storied history of sending outstanding OZlympians to compete at the winter games. Join us in Top of the Hop for a watch party of the Opening Ceremonies from Milano Cortina. We’ll have refreshments and beverages (alc & non), and we’ll be lighting our very own OZlympic cauldron!

Location: Top of the Hop, Hopkins Center

Saturday, February 7

9:00am-4:00pm FREE Lift Tickets for students @ Dartmouth Skiway 💚

Skiway Shuttle info

Students are FREE to ski at the Skiway from Thursday-Sunday of Winter Carnival. Please book online to reload to your existing ticket or to create a new profile for us to quickly print upon your arrival. One ticket is good for all days!

Please note: rental equipment in not included with the free lift ticket and must be reserved separately. We recommend reserving equipment early if you plan to attend! Reserve rentals here.

1 Ticket per person with valid Dartmouth Student ID.

11:30am-4:00pm Ice Sculpture Carving

Come take a look at the Wonderful Wizardous works in progress by our student artists as they chip away at their designs. Watch as student teams bring their favorite wickedly exciting art to (frozen) life.

Location: Collis Porch, Robo & McNutt Lawns

12:00-5:00pm Outdoor Programs Winter Fun Day

Stop by the DOC House on Occom Pond to skate and enjoy the fire pits, snacks and s’mores. Free skate, tube & sled rentals (snow permitting) will be available to Dartmouth ID holders.

Location: DOC House

1:00-2:00pm Toto Tow & Yellow Brick Road Race 💚

Are you feeling wicked fast? Join us for this annual Carnival tradition to test your speed at the Toto Tow (Human Dogsled Races) or go head-to-head in your ruby snowshoes. Put together your own team of 3-4 or join one on site!

Location: DOC House

2:00-4:00pm Glinda's Bubble Rides (Zorbs) 💚

Glide across the Emerald Green in your own giant bubble! No magical abilities required (weather permitting)

Location: The Green

**Unfortunately due to extreme cold, the equipment (zorbs) for this activity become too brittle to safely operate.

2:00-5:00pm Phi Delta Alpha Chili Cookoff with Native American Program Fry Bread

Location: Collis Patio

3:00pm Women's Hockey vs. Quinnapiac

Games are always free for students, all others can purchase tickets here.

Location: Thompson Arena

3:00-5:00pm Blizzard of Oz Cozy Stop: Sips, Cookies & Snapshots 💚

Warm up between Winter Carnival adventures—grab cocoa or cider, enjoy fresh-baked chocolate chip cookies, and snap a Blizzard of Oz pic at our headshot station in McNutt.

Location: Center for Career Design @ McNutt, Ground floor

4:00pm-4:05pm Moment of Reflection for Brown University

Our friends at Brown University have asked all Ivy League institutions to observe a moment of silence & reflection for the lives lost and individuals impacted by the December 13th shooting.

Location: Collis Porch

4:05pm-4:45pm Ice Sculpture Voting

Check out all the student teams' ice sculpture creations. Vote for the most wicked masterpiece to win the People's Choice Award, a $200 cash prize!

Location: Collis Porch, Robo & McNutt Lawns

5:00pm Men's Basketball vs. Harvard

Games are always free for students, all others can purchase tickets here.

Location: Leede Arena

5:00pm Ice Sculpture Awards

Did your favorite design win? Come see which student team and their magical creation win one of the awards being presented.

Location: Collis Patio

5:00-11:00pm Frost Lights: Over the Rainbow

Go over the rainbow and ease on down the yellow brick road as you venture into the merry old land of Oz at this immersive display of light and sound. Grab some hot cocoa, look out for the twister, ask the Wizard your deepest questions, then warm up by the fire and take in the ambience.

Volunteer for Frost Lights

Location: College Park, Observatory Hill

**Unfortunately due to extreme cold, sub-zero temperatures, Frost Lights has been cancelled for Saturday night.

7:00pm HopFilm: The Wiz

This beloved 1978 Motown musical brings Oz to life with an ensemble of legendary talent, including Diana Ross, Michael Jackson and Lena Horne. Sponsored in collaboration with Black Legacy Month.

Location: Loew Theater, Visual Arts Center

7:30pm The Hop presents Kishi Bashi

With his violin in hand, the indie-rock artist weaves together lush, layered melodies that pulse with life. His music stretches across boundaries—symphonic folk, Brazilian jazz, 70s funk, orchestral rock and Japanese city pop—blending them into something new. With a backup band that is pure energy, Kishi Bashi's songs create an immersive, one-of-a-kind experience.

Location: Spaulding Auditorium, Hopkins Center - TICKETS REQUIRED

8:00-9:30pm DFSC Figure Skating Exhibition

There’s no place like the rink! 🌈 Celebrate Winter Carnival with the Dartmouth Figure Skating Club at an exhibition where courage, heart, and magic take center ice.

Location: Thompson Arena

9:00pm OzDust Ball 💚

Show your heart and dance through life down at the Ozdust! Come for beverages (alc & non), dancing, and amazing interludes featuring performances from Sugarplum, Fusion and Street Soul! The dress code is whatever makes you feel the most swankified.

Location: Top of the Hop, Hopkins Center

Sunday, February 8

9:00am-4:00pm FREE Lift Tickets for students @ Dartmouth Skiway 💚

Skiway Shuttle info

Students are FREE to ski at the Skiway from Thursday-Sunday of Winter Carnival. Please book online to reload to your existing ticket or to create a new profile for us to quickly print upon your arrival. One ticket is good for all days!

Please note: rental equipment in not included with the free lift ticket and must be reserved separately. We recommend reserving equipment early if you plan to attend! Reserve rentals here.

1 Ticket per person with valid Dartmouth Student ID.

12:00-5:00pm Outdoor Programs BONUS Winter Fun Day

Stop by the DOC House on Occom Pond to skate and enjoy the fire pits. Free skate, tube & sled rentals (snow permitting) will be available to Dartmouth ID holders.

Location: DOC House

4:00pm There's Snow Place Like Bingo 💚

Before we burst the Carnival bubble, round out your weekend with a final chance to win some Wonderful prizes.

Location: Collis Common Ground