Last weekend of Winterlude! If you didn’t have the time to go to some of Winterlude events, this is your last chance because Ottawa’s winter festival ends on Monday, the Family Day holiday. Check out this list of events and share it with your friends!
1. Winterlude
This is your last chance to visit the Snowflake Kingdom at Jacques Cartier Park with fun for all ages, and the ice sculptures at Sparks St, and Byward Matket. FREE.
When: Feb 16-20.
Where: Various venues
2. The Big Bang Festival
An exciting festival of music and performances for the whole family. Free and ticketed shows starting at $5.
When: Feb 18-19 from 11am and 10am respectively.
Where: National Arts Centre, 1 Elgin St.
Details: nac-cna.ca
3. 9th Annual Great Canadian Kilt Skate
The Scottish Society of Ottawa invites you to join them at the Lansdowne Park skating rink. Bring your kilts and tartans, along with your skates! Free treats and hot chocolate. FREE.
When: Sunday Feb 19 from 2pm to 4pm
Where: Princess Patricia Way
Details: ottscot.ca
4. Stew Tasting at Byward Market
150 bowls of stew will be served each day, with an invitation to taste them and vote for the best recipe. FREE with a donation for The Ottawa Mission.
When: Feb 18-20 from 12pm to 2pm
Where: George St Plaza
Details: @ottawamarkets
5. Harbour Harvest 2023
Come to the Nepean Sailing Club for a family fun day of ice fishing while supporting 3 local charities. No experience required. Tickets from $6.66. Buffet brunch. Prizes.
When: Sunday Feb 19 from 8am to 3pm.
Where: Nepean Sailing Club, 3259 Carling Ave.
Details: http://dropinsports.ca
6. Frost and Fire Winter Festival
The town of Perth will be celebrating the winter season with many cool activities for the whole family: scavenger hunt, horse and wagon rides, skating, pancake breakfast and more.
When: Feb 18-19
Where: Various venues
Details: perth.ca
7. Accora Village Bed Race
Come watch this unique bed race at Byward Market. 30 teams will compete with modified and decorated beds for honours and prizes as the fastest bed, the best decorated bed and the best fundraisers.
When: Saturday Feb 18 from 8am (decoration of beds) until 2:30pm. After party at 3pm.
Where: York Street near Dalhousie
Details: ottawakiwanis.org/bedrace
8. Undercurrents festival
A production of Ottawa Fringe. Original, contemporary theatre by Ottawa performers and visiting artists. Tickets $5, $10, $20, $50. Feb 8-18. At Arts Court Theatre, 2 Daly Avenue.
9. Winter Pride Drag Show
Featuring The Hot Glue Gun Girls. Sunday Feb 19 at 8pm, at Bronson Centre Music Theatre, 211 Bronson Ave. From $30.
10. Ottawa Senators games
Vs Chicago Blackhawks: Friday Feb 17 at 7pm.
Vs St Louis Blues: Sunday Feb 19 at 2pm.
At Canadian Tire Centre, 1000 Palladium Drive.
11. Ottawa’s 67’s vs Oshawa Generals
Game of the Ontario Hockey League. Friday Feb 17 at 7pm. At TD Place, 1015 Bank St.
12. Musical Evenings at Casino Lac Leamy
Bar 7 at Casino Lac Leamy is launching its musical evenings with a multimedia screen, and live performances, from Thursdays to Saturdays. FREE.
When: Thursday Feb 16 (Latin Fiesta) at 8:30pm ‘Andy Rubal’. Friday Feb 17 and Saturday Feb 18 ‘One love’ at 9:30pm.
Where: 1 Boulevard du Casino, Gatineau, QC
13. Wood Carving Demonstration by Josh Dagg
Feb 18-20 from 11am to 4pm. At George St Plaza.
14. Ottawa Psychic & Crystal Fair
Some of Canada’s Top Psychics, Mediums, Astrologers, Aura Photography, Rune Reading, Tea Leaf and Palm Readers will be at this fair. Feb 16-19 at Nepean Sportsplex, 1701 Woodroffe Ave, Nepean. Tickets: $10.
15. Ice Dragon Boat Concerts
The Ice Dragon Boat races were cancelled but not the free indoor concerts scheduled. Feb 15-20. At The Rainbow starting at 8pm. 76 Murray St. Check out: https://www.icedragonboat.ca/liveattherainbow/
16. Bank of Canada Winterlude weekend
Family Day Weekend: see (and touch) unusual currency, build a piggy bank, cut paper snowflakes, make puppets on a budget, and join a scavenger hunt. FREE. Feb 18-20. Where: 30 Bank St. Details: bankofcanadamuseum.ca
17. Brazilian Carnaval 2023
Celebrate Brazilian culture and heritage with Florquestra & Guests. Wear a carnaval costume for a chance to win prizes. Tickets from $ 22. Sat Feb 18 from 9pm to 2am. At Saw Gallery, 67 Nicholas St.
18. Can anyone hear my voice?
Charity dinner organized by Northern Lights Educational Services to raise funds for the victims of Syria and Türkiye earthquakes. Friday Feb 17 from 6pm to 8pm. Address: 335 Michael Cowpland Drive. Details: on Facebook: Northern Lights.
19. Arboretum Hill Club Snowshoeing Workout
Join the AHC for a snowshoeing workout at the Arboretum. All ages, all levels. Friday Feb 17 at 6:29 am. FREE. Dogs welcome. Lots of free parking. Meet them at Fletcher Wildlife Garden parking lot (entrance is 100m south of Prince of Wales roundabout).
20. Farmers’ Winter Market
The Farmers’ market is back for the winter season every Sunday until April 30. Fresh vegetables and fruit, meat, baked goods, spirits, crafts and more. FREE.
When: Sundays from 10am to 3pm.
Where: Aberdeen Pavilion, Lansdowne Park. 1000 Exhibition Way.
21. Ice skating at the Rink of Dreams
Grab your skates and head to the most popular ice-skating rink in Ottawa for some winter fun! FREE. You can rent skates there!
When: Everyday from 9am to 11pm
Where: 110 Laurier Ave West.
22. Public Skating at Rideau Hall
The historic skating rink at Rideau Hall, which dates back 1872, will be open to the public every weekend until March 5. FREE. No reservation required. No parking. Parking allowed on adjacent streets.
When: Saturdays and Sundays from noon to 5pm. (weather permitting). Details: gg.ca
23. Owl Rendez-Vous
Watch live owls in a special outdoor exhibition. At the Canadian Museum of Nature, 240 McLeod St, from Dec 14 to April 3, 2024.
24. Exhibition: Uramado AR, the awakening of the Tanukis
Uramado is a treasure hunt route in augmented reality. It tells the story of Tanukis which are spirits of the forest from Japanese mythology. The participants are invited to download the free app Uramado AR, Tanukis awake ( on IOS and Android ) to start this treasure hunt. FREE.
When: Mon to Fri from 9am to 12pm; and 2pm-4pm until April 30.
Where: Alliance Française Ottawa, 352 MacLaren St.
Enjoy!!