‘It’s about magic, joy and celebration’ — Lake George Winter’s Dream opens

The highly anticipated multimedia attraction, Lake George Winter’s Dream, opens today, Friday, December 8, 2023, at the Fort William Henry fortress, 48 Canada Street, Lake George, New York. At a Sneak Peak event, Village of Lake George Mayor Ray Perry describes Winter’s Dream as mystical, thought-provoking and magical. “This will change forever how people will think of Lake George, and when they think of winter, they’ll think of Lake George,” Perry says.

The experience, created by Moment Factory of Montreal, combines light, images, music and projections to invoke the sensations of a winter night. Five installations immerse visitors in a dream-like world of swirling snow, glittering ice, towering forests and glowing winter moons. As visitors approach the fort, they are surrounded by a swell of music and hints of what is to come with colored lights rising from the fort.

Once inside the fort, visitors are greeted by the sound of children cheering a weather forecast that is predicting a snow day. Stepping into the dream, dappled light on the ground creates a snowy scene warmed with crackling firepits surrounded by Adirondack chairs. The central installation, the Cabin of Dreams, is an interactive log cabin with the charm of a Christmas card. Visitors are invited to toss balls at the cabin walls to produce bursts of light. Projections of woodland creatures light the fort walls, and visitors may step into the beams of light to become part of the scene.

Examiner Associate Eric Burdett steps into a dreamscape to interact with a woodland creature/photo by Sarah Winter

Each of the fort’s four bastions holds a different winter scene — Full Moons, Frozen Lake, Winter Woods and First Snow. Each installation rises from the mist with waves of light and sound. Guests move along the free-flow pathway at their own pace to experience each scene and a glance over the North wall is rewarded with a view of Lake George.

Related: Winter’s Dreams and Winter Realms: 2 new icy attractions coming to Lake George

Calling it the first of its kind winter attraction, Chairman of the Warren County Coalition, Vinnie Crocitto, says “Winter’s Dream is about magic, joy and celebration.” Mark Behan, President of Behan Communications, echoes the sentiment, noting that these are dark times for many in the world, but hopes Winter’s Dream “can bring light and joy and peace to visitors.”

Winter’s Dream will be open from Dec. 8, 2023, through March 31, 2024. Hours are sunset to 10 p.m. The attraction is open five days a week, closed Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Christmas Day and New Year’s Day. Ticket prices start at $23.90 for adults, $19.90 for children ages 4-12, $21.90 for seniors ages 65+. Children aged 3 and younger are free. Tickets are available online at wintersdream.ticketspice.com. Ticket purchases include a discount savings passport that offers discounts at area attractions, lodging, restaurants and shopping.

This is an outdoor event requiring warm clothing and footwear suitable for snow. Food, beverages and Winter’s Dream merchandise are available in the gift shop. Note that Winter’s Dream does not accept cash. A major credit card will be necessary for these purchases.

Full Moons is one of five installations at Lake George Winter’s Dream. Moment Factory composed the music for each installation/Video by Sarah Winter