A place to go in late January or early February?

Iceland - Food and Fun Festival and Sonar both happening in the capital (see how I dodged trying to spell it?) :)

Here's something that's four days earlier than you are thinking of going . . .

http://www.shetland.org/things/events/culture-heritage/up-helly-aa

From the web page:

Tuesday 26th January 2016

"There will be no postponement for weather". That's a defiant boast by Shetland's biggest fire festival, considering it's held in mid-winter on the same latitude as southern Greenland. But it's true: gales, sleet and snow have never yet stopped the Up Helly Aa guizers of Lerwick from burning their Viking galley - and then dancing the dawn away.

Up Helly Aa is a lot more than a sub-arctic bonfire and booze-up. It's a superb spectacle, a celebration of Shetland history, and a triumphant demonstration of the islanders' skills and spirit. This northern Mardi Gras lasts just one day (and night). But it takes several thousand people 364 days to organise. Much of the preparation is in strictest secrecy. The biggest secret of all is what the head of the festival, the 'Guizer Jarl', will wear and which character from the Norse Sagas he'll represent."

I would go earlier in Febuary with the plan to attend Carnevale, for instance in Ivrea, Italy. Since Ash Wednesday is on Feb. 10, 2016, the battles of oranges will be the few days before that.

What about the Quebec Winter Carnival? Maybe too kid-like but the ice sculptures are great to see. The cold definitely "adds to the place"..and it certainly will be cold!
http://carnaval.qc.ca/en/

Thanks for the suggestions!!