It's hard to tell. As I said in another reply, the festival usually lasts for over one month, meaning it will end in early or middle Feb. While some reports say that it will last for three months. Totally confused.

It is wise not to go there during Chinese New Year. During that time, many people go there for a visit.

we visited Harbin three yrs ago .. festival lasts about 4 weeks depend on weather .. as ice start to melt and become unsafe they start to demolish display --- the ice "buildings" and sculptures are in a big open space just across the big bridge over the Songhua river.. we spent 5 amazing hrs there but it gets pretty cold . keep camera warm under your clothes! The snow sculptures are amazing too, located in a big park across the other side of the road from the ice sculptures .. the park is adjacent ti the frozen Songhua river. We went there Feb 10th and they started demolishing a few days after we left. Hope this helps