Bundle up and get ready for the 42nd Winterlude happening from January 31 to February 17. This year brings a host of events throughout the city that include skating on the canal, light installations, chef competitions and more. Winterlude is the perfect way to celebrate and embrace winter in the capital. Here’s everything you need to know about this year’s Winterlude:
Easily Get Between Locations
The free Snobus is a great option to make it between Winterlude locations. It operates from 10-5:30pm on Saturday and Sunday. Look for the Winterlude signs at the following routes:
- Dows Lake to Elgin Street
- Centre Robert-Guertin park-and-ride to Jacques-Cartier to Elgin Street
- Special family day bus (Feb 17) will go from Dows Lake to Elgin Street to Jacques-Cartier Park from 10-3pm.
Winterlude Destinations
Explore the urban Winterlude destinations throughout the heart of Ottawa. Winterlude will have multiple destinations full of unique activities to enjoy from January 31 to February 17. Here’s your guide to each destination:
Rideau Canal Skateway
Skate 7.8km from downtown to Dows Lake on the world’s largest outdoor skating rink. This is a winter must. Lace up your skates and see how far you can get. Don’t forget to stop by the rest stations to warm up by a bonfire with hot chocolate and a BeaverTailTM. Rentals are available downtown, at the Fifth Avenue Rest Stop and at Dows Lake. Make sure to take a photo at the giant photo frame downtown.
Besides enjoying a leisurely skate, you can also look forward to these events on the canal:
- On Saturdays, skate to the beat as a roving DJ booth makes its way from Dows Lake to Waverley/Bank from 7:30pm to 9:30pm
- Test your hockey skills at the Timbits Hockey Zone at the Fifth Avenue Rest Stop
- Skate, cross-country ski and run for the Winterlude Triathlon
- On Feb 7-8, the BeaverTails Ottawa Ice Dragon Boat Festival will be taking place at Dows Lake. Watch as boats equipped with skate-like blades are propelled along the course using spiked ice-picks for the world’s largest ice dragon boat race.
- On Feb 8, there will be over 100 hockey rinks where minor leagues will have the chance to play a game of shinny hockey on the unique setting of the canal.
Sparks Street
Just steps from Parliament Hill, this historic pedestrian mall will be Winterlude’s main hub.
Spark Your Curiosity With Light Installations
Throughout the street, you’ll be able to enjoy lighting effects and interactive light structures. Get your camera ready so you explore the largest interactive light path ever seen at Winterlude.
- Step inside Loop and pull the lever for a colourful, interactive fairy tale loop to appear.
- Make a sound into one end of Spectrum and it will carry sound a light throughout the rings of the installation.
- Step through Iceberg and light and sound will appear as you make your way through.
- Keep an eye out for The Luminuits. These three shadows will come alive with design if you take a photo with flash.
- When you pass by the building with pillars, you’ll find a piano at its doorstep. Make sure to play it because it will make the buildings change colour.
Admire Stunning Ice Carving Creations
Ice carving is a staple of Winterlude and you’ll find all the festivities on Sparks Street including the Winterlude International Ice Carving Challenge, Winterlude Battle of Americas Ice Carving Challenge, and more. Sculptors from all over the world come to create spectacular ice masterpieces. Stroll down the street and browse the incredible creations to see which one is your favourite.
Relax The Canadian Way
Head to the Brrr! Cabin to relax by cozy bonfires while watching entertainment. Sparks Street will have lots of family-friendly entertainment including a dino-ice dig to a hockey circus show, and more.
For a full event schedule on Sparks Street click here.
Downtown Bank
Melt away the winter blues at the Downtown Bank Fire & Ice Festival on February 8 and 9t. Here you’ll be able to join some fun events and embrace winter in a unique way.
Skate on Downtown Bank Street
Bring your skates and enjoy a synthetic skating rink on Bank Street between Lewis and Gilmour. Enjoy a live DJ and even Drags on ice! Skating is available here from 1pm to 11pm on February 8 and 9. After skating, make sure to stop by the ice sculptures at Snider Plaza.
Dance The Night Away At A Silent Disco
Two DJs will be battling it out on stage and you determine the winner by tuning into their channel on your headset. With the headset on, you’ll get lost in the music and if you take them off for a moment, you’ll hear complete silence. This event is on Feb 8 at 9pm (they’ll start giving out headsets at 8:15pm). Purchase your ticket in advance here. While you’re at the silent disco make sure to stop by the s’more and candy bar.
Enjoy Winter Glow Yoga
A yoga class like no other, join yoga teacher Nigel Walker for Winter Glow Yoga under a heated tent outdoors and shine under the black light. Participants will be given the same headsets used for the silent disco to make it a class only you can hear. Save your spot and purchase a ticket in advance here. This takes place Feb 9 at 8 pm.
For a full event schedule on Bank Street click here.
Winter Pride
Back again this year, enjoy Winter Pride on Bank Street from February 4 to 9. Make sure to wear your warmest and most colourful winter gear and get ready to have fun at the festive winter activities, performances and more. Enjoy a Winter Soirée, Drag on Ice, Family Skating, Parade on Ice and more.
Snowflake Kingdom (Gatineau)
Enjoy a snow playground that’s come to life in Jacques-Cartier Park. Kids of all ages are invited to come enjoy a day of adventure, exploring and good Canadian winter fun.
Find Adventure
From sliding down super snow slides, a zip line, intro to downhill skiing and snowboarding, a kid zone, treasure hunt, tug of war, and challenge course, there’s plenty of winter fun to be had at Snowflake Kingdom.
Take A Break
Get your camera ready for photos of the giant snow sculptures and take a selfie in the snowy alcove of the Chinook. Next, stop by the Tim Hortons Chill Zone for free hot chocolate and coffee and warm up by the bonfire.
Learn About Canadian History
How much do you know about Canada? Historica Canada will be on site asking skill-testing questions about Canada. Nearby Snow Kingdom, you can learn more about Indigenous history during the fur trade era at the Canadian Museum of History.
For a full event schedule at Snowflake Kingdom click here.
ByWard Market
During Winterlude, you’ll find family fun activities, snow sculptures, light installations and more in the ByWard Market.
Interact With Light and Sound Installations
See giant crystals that come alive through movement with Oscillation. As you move throughout the installation, you can begin to realize your movements manipulate the sounds and colors of the crystal like forms. Another installation, Cycle, will come to life by moving to the beat of the ambient music. The young and the young at heart transmit their energy to Cycle, transforming it into a larger-than-life musical show.
Free Wagon Rides Through the ByWard Market
Every Saturday and Sunday from noon to 4 pm, enjoy wagon rides throughout the ByWard market. Pickup/Dropoff is at William Square.
For a full event schedule in the ByWard Market click here.
Downtown Rideau
Downtown Rideau is a great spot to celebrate more arts and culture at Winterlude. Enjoy events like the Winterlude Creative Sundays at the Ottawa Art Gallery.
Don’t miss the installation Geometric Crystalline created by local artists Dems and Dolls. Under the Rideau Street Underpass you’ll find crystalline forms that glow and change colour to instrumental chill music.
For a full event schedule on Rideau Street click here.
Glebe
Make sure to stop by the Glebe and discover Snowmania, full of interesting snow sculptures. Make sure to check out Stories of the North, about Indigenous cultures in the arctic regions projected onto a snow screen.
For a full event schedule in the Glebe click here.
For the Foodie
Calling all foodies! Satisfy your taste buds with this lineup of foodie events taking place for Winterlude.
Winterlude Warm-Up Food Tour
Enjoy a 2-hour guided tour through the ByWard Market with C’est Bon Cooking. You’ll have the opportunity to sample from various shops and restaurants in the neighbourhood.
Fire and Ice Dinner
Queen Street Fare invites Ottawa’s top foodies for an event that pairs local celebrity chefs and amazing wine. This event takes place on February 9 from 6-9 pm.
For a full calendar of events on Winterlude click here. What are you most excited for at this year’s Winterlude?
This blog post was sponsored by Canadian Heritage. It was a pleasure partnering up for one of my favourite events in the capital 🙂 All opinions and thoughts are my own. I hope you have a wonderful time at Winterlude 2020. Make sure to share your adventures with me on Instagram.
Julia started Little Miss Ottawa as a way to explore her hometown as a traveller would. She’s always planning her next adventure, whether it’s local or abroad. You’ll find her exploring with her camera in hand. She hopes Little Miss Ottawa helps bring you on new and fun adventures. Happy exploring :)
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