Updated for 2024
When you live up north, your winter outdoor activities typically call for a heavy coat to endure the freezing temperatures. However, if you’re a snowbird who travels south for the winter, you can enjoy a more comfortable climate. Don’t let the cold weather keep you from some of the country’s best events and festivals. Hop in your RV and head south for these 14 winter events for snowbirds, from RV Trader.
1. Dec. 13–17, 2023: Newport Beach Christmas Boat Parade and Ring of Lights
Celebrate the holiday season southern California style at the 115th Newport Beach Christmas Boat Parade and Ring of Lights. Brightly decorated yachts, boats, kayaks, and canoes float along the harbor as spectators watch from various waterfront locales. Don’t miss the dazzling fireworks display on the first and last days of the boat parade, visible from around the harbor. Parking at nearby lots fills up quickly, so you might want to leave your travel trailer at the campsite and just drive your tow vehicle to the parade.
2. Dec. 31, 2023: New Year’s Eve on the Plaza
Ring in the New Year in Santa Fe, New Mexico at New Year’s Eve on the Plaza. This free, fun celebration begins at 8 p.m. with live music on the Santa Fe Bandstand. At midnight, a colorful Zia symbol, handcrafted by a traditional local artist, will rise against the backdrop of sparkling fireworks launched from the historic La Fonda on the Plaza hotel.
3. Jan. 11–21, 2024: Restaurant Week South Carolina
Planning to snowbird to South Carolina? Head south in January for Restaurant Week South Carolina. For 11 days, restaurants across the state offer multi-course menus, from fine dining to casual eats. This is a great opportunity to get a taste of South Carolina cuisine, whether you’re in the Charleston area, the Grand Strand, York County or Beaufort County.
4. Jan. 12–15, 2024: 30A Songwriters Festival
The 30A Songwriters Festival features more than 175 artists and 225 performances at 30 music venues along the beaches of Walton County, Florida. Catch performances from established musical acts and up-and-coming singers. Jeff Tweedy, Elvis Costello & The Imposters, Rosanne Cash, Grace Potter, Rodney Crowell, and KT Tunstall headline this year’s festival.
5. Jan. 13–14, 2024: Florida Keys Seafood Festival
The beauty of the Florida Keys is complemented by the fresh seafood dishes you can enjoy on the islands. Indulge in some of the best seafood in the area at the Florida Keys Seafood Festival at Bayview Park in Key West. This two-day festival includes a menu of fried fish, fried clams, lobster platters, Key West pink shrimp, Bahamian-style conch chowder, and so much more.
6. Jan. 27, 2024: Gasparilla Pirate Fest
Pirates take over Tampa, Florida in January for the Gasparilla Pirate Fest. Whether you’re snowbirding with all adults or have little ones tagging along, there’s a Gasparilla event for everyone. Saturday, Jan. 20 is the Children’s Gasparilla, an alcohol-free event featuring a children’s parade. The following weekend, Jan. 27, is the well-known (and often raucous) main Gasparilla Pirate Fest. This event has live music and the Parade of Pirates along the bay.
7. Feb. 7–17, 2024: Santa Barbara International Film Festival
The Santa Barbara International Film Festival is one of the leading film festivals in the country, attracting more than 100,000 attendees annually. Over the 11-day event, get your ticket for one of the 200-plus films, tributes, and panels, featuring award-winning actors, directors, writers, and producers.
8. Feb. 22–March 17, 2024: Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo
A trip to Texas isn’t complete without a trip to the rodeo arena. From bull riding and barrel racing to roping competitions, the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo has it all. More than 65,000 fans fill NRG stadium to watch talented cowboys and cowgirls perform thrilling feats. Festivities also include a livestock exhibition, barbecue competition, parade, and more.
9. Feb. 24, 2024: Taste of Mardi Gras Food Festival
If you want to avoid the hustle and bustle of the Mardi Gras festivities throughout the Gulf Coast, head to Bossier City for the Shreveport Bossier Taste of Mardi Gras food festival at the Lebossier Event Center. Get your fill from some of Louisiana’s best chefs and restaurants serving up classic Cajun and Creole cuisine.
10. Feb. 24, 2024: Orange Beach Seafood Festival & Car Show
Local seafood and hot rod cars meet at the Orange Beach Seafood Festival & Car Show in Alabama. This festival takes place on the Wharf and features crawfish, seafood gumbo, crab cakes, and more, as well as over 100 Southern artists, live music, and a kid’s zone. The second part of this event is a massive car show with antique and classic cars along the Orange Beach Main Street.
11. March 1–3, 2024: Death Valley Dark Sky Festival
Death Valley National Park is one of the largest national parks in the country with almost 1,000 miles of paved and dirt roads beneath rugged mountains. Every year, visitors flock to the desert for breathtaking stargazing during the Death Valley Dark Sky Festival. This ranger-led event includes astronomy lectures, astrophotography workshops, and the opportunity to view thousands of stars, constellations, and planets visible to the naked eye.
Death Valley National Park’s Furnace Creek Campground can accommodate RVs up to 100-feet long. The campground, which is open during the winter season, has full hook-up pull-through and back-in sites perfect for campervans, pop-up campers, and motorhomes.
12. March 8–16, 2024: SXSW
The South By Southwest (SXSW) Festival is one of the world’s premier events that showcases film, music, and other interactive media. Get your tickets for one of the many panels, film screenings, exhibitions, and more during the festival in Austin, Texas.
13. March 15–24, 2023: International Cherry Blossom Festival
Close out the winter season by viewing over 350,000 Yoshino cherry trees in bloom at the International Cherry Blossom Festival. For 10 days, Macon, Georgia becomes a pink paradise during one of the most extravagant displays of spring color in the country. Festival events also include live music, parades, amusement rides, food trucks, and more.
14. Dates to Be Announced: Arizona Outdoor Adventure Fest
If you’re snowbirding near Scottsdale, Arizona, mark your calendar for the first-ever Arizona Outdoor Adventure Fest. This event takes place during Arizona Car Week and is an off-road enthusiasts’ paradise. View the latest models from off-road vehicle and motorbike manufacturers and browse camping and outdoor sports equipment and gear, such as paddleboards, mountain bikes, and kayaks.
Whether you’re traveling to one of these warm-weather destinations or several of them, you’ll surely want to make a pitstop or day trip to one of these exciting winter events in the South. And, if you’re looking for a new or used RV for your winter getaway, browse the nationwide inventory on RVTrader.com.
