Winterlude is Canada’s ultimate winter festival, held annually in downtown Ottawa and Gatineau on the first three weekends of February. More than a half-million people attend — locals and visitors alike — celebrating Canada’s unique northern culture and winter spirit.
Whether you’re tubing down mega slides, admiring ice sculptures, or attending a cultural performance, a world of adventure awaits at Winterlude. Here’s how to make the most of it.
While Winterlude attractions span several venues in Ottawa-Gatineau, there are three key sites in and around the downtown core. These locations are always bustling with activity. (Note that the Rideau Canal Skateway isn’t an official Winterlude site this year, but it’s still open for skating depending on the weather and ice conditions.)
Key sites include:
This year’s Winterlude programming is packed with events happening across Ottawa-Gatineau, and most of them are free! Here are some you don’t want to miss. (Visit the Winterlude website for the full calendar.)
Winterlude kicks off with several exciting events, including an opening-night celebration on Sparks Street with beats from Marquez the DJ, followed by LüX, a new sound-and-light experience.
What else can you do on Friday? Skate through decades of hits during Glow Skate Night on William Street. Discover the legacy of the beaver at the Canadian Museum of History. Or take in a 360-degree, multi-media show on Parliament Hill. And that’s just the start.
On Saturday and Sunday, events range from Rideau Hall’s Winter Celebration, with activities for the whole family, to winter crafts at the ByTown Museum as well as tactile workshops like printmakingat the Bank of Canada Museum and Indigenous beading at Beandigen Café.
Additional events include the Canadian Culinary Championship, a special Winterlude mini powwow and performances by Caity Gyorgy, The 33z and other artists as part of the Ottawa Winter Jazz Festival.
The fun continues on Weekend 2 with a special drag edition of Glow Skate Night, an ice-carving demonstration celebrating the 50th anniversary of the beaver as Canada’s national animal and the Family Pride Brunch at Nate’s Deli, to name a few.
Other events include a new exhibition at the Diefenbunker Museum highlighting Canda’s hidden heroes as well as the Shenkman Arts Centre’s free, annual Fête Frissons event: Indigenous performances, face-painting, dance and music workshops, poetry presentations and more.
If you want to stay active, there’s also the Embrace Winter Run. Register in advance to join the race and enjoy scenic views of the Ottawa River, downtown Ottawa, the Canadian War Museum and other landmarks.
Other physical activities include the Big Blizzard obstacle course and down hilling skiing and snowboarding lessons, happening every weekend at the Snowflake Kingdom.
Winterlude’s final weekend is a big one. One of the most anticipated events is Igloofest, the renowned outdoor electronic music festival founded in Montreal in 2007, coming to Gatineau for the first time.
Other fun activities include a magical drone show at the Snowflake Kingdom; Maple tree tapping at Ottawa’s only urban sugar bush; Cool Science Saturday at the Canada Science and Technology Museum; and the Mayor’s Family Day Skating Party at the Rink of Dreams.
And one more for the road: if you’re feeling brave, you can do the Centretown Cold Plunge. Or, if it’s too cold for you, you can cheer on everyone else while enjoying some warm drinks and family-friendly activities.
Not sure where to stay during Winterlude? Several hotels in Ottawa are offering special Winterlude packages or seasonal deals with savings of up to 20%.
Explore all limited-time hotel offers here.
Winterlude isn’t just a festival. It’s a celebration of what it means to be Canadian. It invites people from all over the world to not only admire but embrace the beauty of winter together. From light shows to live music to thrilling outdoor activities, there’s something for everyone. It’s an unforgettable experience.
Stay up to date on upcoming events and ideas to plan your next trip to Ottawa with friends, family or on your own by signing up for the Ottawa Tourism Newsletter.
