Lesser known facts about this inhumane punishment
Every year, Amsterdam lights up between November and January in an attempt to drive away the winter blues. In a given year, there are hundreds of light installations across land and water.
The views are stunning and the installations are creative, with some that respond to touch and sound.
The winter festival in Cologne is a tradition that dates back to the Middle Ages. People come from far and wide to join in the festivities, which normally go on for about a week.
The Harbin Ice Festival is perhaps one of the most impressive events held in China. Every January a huge winter wonderland is created by ice sculptors from across the country.
Although not strictly winter-themed, the Berlin International Film Festival takes place every February. With around 500,000 admissions every year, it has the largest public attendance of any annual film festival.
In addition to the impressive sculptures, there are many activities to enjoy, such as sledding and ice skating.
Being a German celebration, the beer and glühwein is never in short supply at this festival.
The namesake of the event, the huge green dragon, leads all the other creatures in the parade. The dates of the festival move with relation to Easter.
The annual winter carnival in Ljubljana is held at the turn of every spring. Festivalgoers dress up as bears, fairies, witches, and devils with a view to scaring off the bad weather.
Inspired by the European tradition of light festivals, once a year the city of Portland becomes brightly lit by impressive and creative light displays.
The world's biggest winter carnival boasts all the festival favorites: music, ice sculptures, and, of course, an impressive parade.
There is one feature of Iceland's capital Reykjavik that makes its annual light festival particularly special: the opportunity to see the Northern Lights.
Every February, visitors flock to the cold city to enjoy music, art, and culture underneath the glow of the Northern Lights.
This niche festival actually comprises 12 different fire festivals that are held annually between January and March. They are intended to celebrate the end of the yule season.
Every February, Japan's fifth largest city, Sapporo, comes alive with festival spirit. The Sapporo Snow Festival features slides, mazes, and ice sculptures as tall as 15 meters (49 ft).
Every year in January/February, the South Korean village of Hwacheon is beautifully decorated to host an impressive and rather extreme winter event.
Many of the activities involve freezing cold water, with some visitors taking the opportunity to catch fish with their bare hands.
At the main festival, held on the last Tuesday of January, Viking ancestors parade through the town of Lerwick, carrying torches that they will then use to set fire to a mock Viking ship.
The annual two-week carnival held in Venice is another one that marks the end of winter. One of the main events is a boat parade, in which brightly colored boats sail down the Rio di Cannaregio.
Other attractions include a costumed procession between Garibaldi and Piazza San Marco, and an acrobatic display.
Thanks to the likes of Glastonbury, Coachella, and Burning Man, many people associate festivals with summer. When we hear the word "festival," it's most often images of tents, sun-soaked stages, and massive crowds that spring to mind. But during winter, the word takes on a slightly different meaning. From ice sculptures and winter games to floating light installations, there are many great events taking place every winter that rival the festivals of the summer.
Check out this gallery to learn more about the world's annual winter events.
The winter carnival at Saranac Lake in New York is one of the oldest in the US. Every year there is an ice palace around which winter games are played.
To mark the end of the event there is a huge fireworks display, referred to as the "storming of the palace."
Sources: (Seeker) (All Exciting) (All The Rooms)
See also: Top tips for healthy winter skin.
The winter festival in Québec is steeped in tradition and dates back to 1894, when it was created to take the edge off the harsh Canadian winters.
Around the world in this seasons' winter festivals
From ice sculptures to fireworks displays
TRAVEL Seasonal events
Thanks to the likes of Glastonbury, Coachella, and Burning Man, many people associate festivals with summer. When we hear the word "festival," it's most often images of tents, sun-soaked stages, and massive crowds that spring to mind. But during winter, the word takes on a slightly different meaning. From ice sculptures and winter games to floating light installations, there are many great events taking place every winter that rival the festivals of the summer.
Check out this gallery to learn more about the world's annual winter events.