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Harbin ice festival draws sculptors and spectators to northern China, in photos

HARBIN, China (AP) — Sculptors converged over the weekend on the frigid northern Chinese city of Harbin for the annual Ice and Snow Festival, as families traveled from afar to admire the towering ice sculptures and some visitors braved the cold with winter swimming.

This is a photo gallery curated by AP photo editors.

Harbin ice festival draws sculptors and spectators to northern China, in photos | iNFOnews.ca
Competitors put the final touches on their piece for the ice sculpture competition at the annual Ice and Snow Festival held in Harbin in China’s Heilongjiang province on Sunday, Jan. 4, 2026. (AP Photo/Ng Han Guan)
Harbin ice festival draws sculptors and spectators to northern China, in photos | iNFOnews.ca
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. (AP Photo/Ng Han Guan)
Harbin ice festival draws sculptors and spectators to northern China, in photos | iNFOnews.ca
A child lies in an ice sculpture during the annual Ice and Snow Festival held in Harbin in China’s Heilongjiang province on Saturday, Jan. 3, 2026. (AP Photo/Ng Han Guan)
Harbin ice festival draws sculptors and spectators to northern China, in photos | iNFOnews.ca
Visitors look at a drone swarm show at the annual Ice and Snow Festival held in Harbin in northeastern China’s Heilongjiang province on Sunday, Jan. 4, 2026. (AP Photo/Ng Han Guan)
Harbin ice festival draws sculptors and spectators to northern China, in photos | iNFOnews.ca
A security guard is dwarfed by a huge ice structure at the annual Ice and Snow Festival in Harbin in northeastern China’s Heilongjiang province on Sunday, Jan. 4, 2026. (AP Photo/Ng Han Guan)
Harbin ice festival draws sculptors and spectators to northern China, in photos | iNFOnews.ca
An ice sculptor looks through his work as he prepares for competition in the annual Ice and Snow Festival held in Harbin in China’s Heilongjiang province on Saturday, Jan. 3, 2026. (AP Photo/Ng Han Guan)
Harbin ice festival draws sculptors and spectators to northern China, in photos | iNFOnews.ca
A 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. (AP Photo/Ng Han Guan)
Harbin ice festival draws sculptors and spectators to northern China, in photos | iNFOnews.ca
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. (AP Photo/Ng Han Guan)
Harbin ice festival draws sculptors and spectators to northern China, in photos | iNFOnews.ca
A visitor reacts to man made snow before the opening ceremony for the annual Ice and Snow Festival held in Harbin in China’s Heilongjiang province on Monday, Jan. 5, 2026. (AP Photo/Ng Han Guan)
Harbin ice festival draws sculptors and spectators to northern China, in photos | iNFOnews.ca
People visit the annual Ice and Snow Festival held in Harbin in China’s Heilongjiang province on Saturday, Jan. 3, 2026. (AP Photo/Ng Han Guan)
Harbin ice festival draws sculptors and spectators to northern China, in photos | iNFOnews.ca
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. (AP Photo/Ng Han Guan)
Harbin ice festival draws sculptors and spectators to northern China, in photos | iNFOnews.ca
A winter swimmer lies on snow before taking to the water in Harbin in China’s Heilongjiang province on Sunday, Jan. 4, 2026. (AP Photo/Ng Han Guan)
Harbin ice festival draws sculptors and spectators to northern China, in photos | iNFOnews.ca
Winter swimmers prepare to take to the water in Harbin in northeastern China’s Heilongjiang province on Sunday, Jan. 4, 2026. (AP Photo/Ng Han Guan)
Harbin ice festival draws sculptors and spectators to northern China, in photos | iNFOnews.ca
Winter swimmers take to the water in Harbin in China’s Heilongjiang province on Sunday, Jan. 4, 2026. (AP Photo/Ng Han Guan)
Harbin ice festival draws sculptors and spectators to northern China, in photos | iNFOnews.ca
An ice sculptor prepares his work for competition in the annual Ice and Snow Festival held in Harbin in China’s Heilongjiang province on Saturday, Jan. 3, 2026. (AP Photo/Ng Han Guan)
Harbin ice festival draws sculptors and spectators to northern China, in photos | iNFOnews.ca
A Wolf Supermoon rises over a snow sculpture at the annual Ice and Snow Festival held in Harbin in northeastern China’s Heilongjiang province on Sunday, Jan. 4, 2026. (AP Photo/Ng Han Guan)
Harbin ice festival draws sculptors and spectators to northern China, in photos | iNFOnews.ca
Fireworks are set off during the opening ceremony for the annual Ice and Snow Festival in Harbin, northeastern China’s Heilongjiang province on Monday, Jan. 5, 2026. (AP Photo/Ng Han Guan)

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