A Wolf Supermoon rises over ice structures at the annual Ice and Snow Festival held in Harbin in China’s Heilongjiang province on Sunday, Jan. 4, 2026. (Ng Han Guan/Associated Press)
HARBIN, China – Each January, an odd and beautiful thing happens in the frigid northeastern Chinese city of Harbin.
Some would argue that the place, the capital of Heilongjiang province, has enough ice already. But sculptors converge on the town not far from China’s border with Russia to bring out more of it, and to compete for the best ice sculpture of the year.
The effect is dreamlike. Sculptures are lit from within, and a section of the city becomes a magical expanse that feels like a holiday TV special. Families journey from distant locations to see the sculptures – and bundle up while doing so.
An ice sculptor prepares his work for competition as the Wolf Supermoon rises over the annual Ice and Snow Festival held in Harbin in northeastern China’s Heilongjiang province on Saturday, Jan. 3, 2026. (Ng Han Guan/Associated Press)
Visitors stand near a giant ice sculpture of a train at the annual Ice and Snow Festival held in Harbin in China’s Heilongjiang province on Sunday, Jan. 4, 2026. (Ng Han Guan/Associated Press)
Attendees take in the sights at the annual Ice and Snow Festival held in Harbin in northeastern China’s Heilongjiang province, Saturday, Jan. 3, 2026. (Ng Han Guan/Associated Press)
Winter swimmers take to the water in Harbin in China’s Heilongjiang province on Sunday, Jan. 4, 2026. (Ng Han Guan/Associated Press)
In these photos by Associated Press photographer Ng Han Guan, taken Jan. 4, an ice sculptor prepares his work for competition at the Ice and Snow Festival and a Wolf Supermoon rises over an obelisk sculpture glowing in purple.
The festival lasts until mid-February. And yes: If they want to, visitors can go swimming amid the ice, too.
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