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Top 10 winter festivals
6. Mardi Gras
Help New Orleans get back on its feet by living it up at Mardi Gras (this January 19–February 5, 2008). Don some beaded necklaces (exactly how you acquire this accessory is up to you) and hit the party of all parties in the French Quarter, where colorful parades with enormous floats full of bead-tossing mascots in crazy costumes — and all that jazz (literally) — are just part of the draw. Though its reputation brings to mind shirtless debauchery (which is likely found on Bourbon Street), locals celebrate — fully clothed — along parade routes near Charles Avenue and in uptown bars. Regardless of where you party, the celebratory spirit is palpable throughout the city.
7. Polar Bear Jumpoff and Ugly Fish Toss
People in wacky costumes jumping into 35-degree water in Alaska may look a little daft, but this charitable event (called the Polar Bear Jumpoff) that benefits the American Cancer Society is the highlight of a state-wide celebration held each January (this January 18–20, 2008). If getting into Resurrection Bay in Seward, Alaska strikes you as too frigid, an array of on-land activities will keep you warm and dry, whether you're dog-sled racing, oyster slurping, ice bowling, or participating in the Ugly Fish Toss, in which teams toss a slimy salmon between them, and gradually increase the distance, until one pair is crowned champion.
8. Sundance Film Festival
For fabulous people and film-junkies alike, the Sundance Film Festival (this January 17-27, 2008) in Park City, Utah, is a seen-and-be-seen event that attracts movie stars and wannabes the world over. And though regular Janes and Joes may have some trouble getting into the celeb-studded parties around town, anyone can purchase tickets to screenings and discussion panels for as little as $10. The festival's reputation for bringing independent films to mainstream audiences is well-founded — “Reservoir Dogs,” “Sex, Lies and Videotape” and “Little Miss Sunshine” are but three of recent note. Between screenings you can always hit the slopes of Park City — which is a mecca for ski bums all winter long.
9. Winterlude
Over three weekends each February (this coming February 1–17, 2008) Canada's capital city of Ottawa is transformed into a winter wonderland. Don your parka and tuque (a winter hat) and head for Snowflake Kingdom, a park that hosts the continent's largest snow playground, complete with 30 giant snow slides, and be captivated by ice-carving contests and magnificent ice exhibits. You can also lace up your skates or grab a sled for a magical glide along the frozen Rideau Canal; skating along this 7.8km icy piste is arguably the festival's singular highlight.
10. Winter Music Conference
If you want to see Miami's already stellar club and nightlife scene get truly sent into orbit, plan your trip around the Winter Music Conference (WMC), an action-packed DJ and electronic music festival that attracts thousands of dance-music professionals and enthusiasts from around the globe each winter. This year's annual party (from March 25–29, 2008) is sure to unveil new talent, the latest music technologies, and some of the hottest dance songs of the year. The event culminates with the Ultra Music Festival, the largest dance music festival of its kind in the United States, which sees over 200 DJs and artists take to 10 stages, much to the delight of some 40,000 music fans.
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