Burn up Winter at the Burning Snowman Fest! Held on Saturday, Feb. 25, the Winter Music Festival in Port Clinton on the shores of Lake Erie, it boasts live entertainment, craft beers, ice carving and a 25- foot Burning Snowman! (Photo by D’Arcy Patrick Egan)

Best known as the Midwest’s summertime playground, Shores & Islands Ohio is surprisingly an amazing winter and holiday getaway as well. Come celebrate the season along the Lake Erie shore this winter and make memories for years to come. From an ice sculpture festival to a 25-ft. snowman-on-fire, here are some upcoming special events to enjoy during January and February.

World War II Tea Time at the Maritime — Sunday, Jan. 29, 1-3 p.m.

Maritime Museum of Sandusky, Sandusky, $35. Join the Maritime Museum of Sandusky for a chance to travel back to 1943 with Tea Time Tiffin. Learn about life on the homefront in Northern Ohio and try some ration recipes. Your all-inclusive ticket includes: Tea and refreshments, an etiquette lesson by Tea Time Tiffin, a WWII history lesson by Museum Director and Historian Molly Sampson, exclusive recipe cards, WWII ration activity and admission to the museum. Wear your best 1940s outfit for a chance to win a prize.

Ice A Fair — Sunday, Feb, 4, 11 a.m.-7 p.m.

Downtown Vermilion. This popular one-day event hosted by Main Street Vermilion welcomes families, friends and neighbors to enjoy this Small Town on a Great Lake in the winter! The Ice A Fair will return for the 14th year of fun with ice sculptures, live ice sculpting demos, trolley tours, raffles and drawings, shopping and dining. There are more than 50 sponsored sculptures, the frozen playspace for children and the Fire & Ice finale.

Wine & Chocolate Open House — Sunday, Feb. 4,12-4 p.m.

Firelands Winery, Sandusky, $25/$45 per couple. An afternoon of fabulous wine, delicious food and fun for those 21 and over. Tickets include wine and food!

Firelands Symphony Orchestra presents: Across the Seasons — Sunday, Feb. 4, 7:30 p.m.

Sawmill Creek by Cedar Point Resorts, Huron. $25 general admission at the door, Students (youth and college students with valid student I.D.) free, but must be secured ahead of time.

This all-string orchestra concert features Vivaldi’s brilliant Four Seasons and masterpieces by Copland, Pachelbel and Elgar while the Vivaldi showcases extraordinary high school violinists from Northern Ohio schools.

3rd annual Valentine’s Wine & Chocolate Walk — Saturday, Feb. 11, 12-5 p.m.

Marblehead Merchants, Marblehead, $20. Marblehead Peninsula invites everyone to come and visit the participating shops and restaurants in downtown Marblehead and Lakeside during the 3rd annual Valentine’s Wine & Chocolate Walk. Enjoy chocolate treats, libations and raffle prizes.

Sleigh and trolley rides through Spiegel Grove — Saturday through Monday, Feb. 18-20.

R.B. Hayes Presidential Library and Museums, Fremont. Sleigh Rides: $5.50, Trolley Rides: $4.50, both free for ages 2 years and younger.

Celebrate Presidents’ Day by taking a horse-drawn sleigh through Spiegel Grove, as President Rutherford B. Hayes did when he lived here. Rides are pulled by South Creek Clydesdales and four people can fit in a single sleigh. A trolley that holds an estimated 16 will be available as well.

Rides will take about 10 minutes, and will take place whether or not there is snow, in the event of negative wind chills or thunderstorms rides could be canceled.

Harlequins Community Theatre presents: Silent Sky — Feb. 24-26 and March 3-5, Friday and Saturday, 7:30 p.m. and Sunday, 2 p.m.

Harlequins Community Theatre, Sandusky, $15. When Henrietta Leavitt began work at the Harvard Observatory in the early 1900s, she wasn’t allowed to touch a telescope or express an original idea. Instead, she joins a group of women “computers” charting the stars for a renowned astronomer who calculates projects in “girl hours,” and had no time for the women’s probing theories.

Burning Snowman Fest — Saturday, Feb. 25, with Family Freeze night on Friday, Feb. 24.

Dock’s Beach House and Mr. Ed’s Bar & Grille, Port Clinton, $25. Burn up winter at the Burning Snowman Fest! Held the last Saturday of February, the Winter Music Festival on the Shores of Lake Erie has live entertainment, craft beers, ice carving and a 25-foot Burning Snowman! Proceeds from the event are donated to local organizations and charities. This year’s non-profit recipients are Ottawa County Family Advocacy Center, Kids For Christmas, Team Viac and the Port Clinton Police and Fire departments.