The festival includes the world's biggest ice sculptures

Officially, the festival starts on January 5 and lasts one month. However, exhibits often open earlier and stay longer, weather permitting. 

While ice sculptures are erected throughout the city, there are two main exhibition areas:

 Sun Island is a recreational area on the opposite side of the Songhua River from the city, which features an expo of enormous snow sculptures. 

Ice and Snow World is an area open in the afternoon and at night which features illuminated full size buildings made from blocks of 2–3' thick ice taken directly from the Songhua River. The park usually opens from late December to late February. In 1999, the first Ice and Snow World opened to public to celebrate the millennium.