64 things to do this weekend in Ottawa – Feb 8-11

If you missed the opening of the Winterlude events over the last weekend, you’ll have another chance to catch some this weekend! There is still a lot going on in Ottawa! Share this post with your family and friends and start making plans!

1. Winterlude Snowflake Kingdom

Visit the Snowflake Kingdom, a huge playground with snow slides, and many other fun activities. Don’t miss the Breakdance Battle (Friday Feb 9, 7pm-9pm)
When: Thursdays to Sundays, including Monday Feb 19. From 9am.
Where: Parc Jacques Cartier, 350 Laurier St, Gatineau.

2. Dragon’s Dance and Eiffel Tower

Watch ice carvers create a monumental ice sculpture to highlight the Lunar New Year, and another one of the Eiffel Tower. FREE.
When: Saturday Feb 10 from 11am to 5pm
Where: Sparks St.

3. Chinatown New Year Parade

Come to Chinatown to celebrate the Year of the Dragon with a colourful parade. Mesmerize yourself with the Dragon Dance, a symbol of strength, power, and good luck. FREE.
When: Saturday Feb 10 from 10am to 12pm
Where: Somerset Street West between Bay and Preston St.

4. Fête Frissons

Enjoy shows, artistic creations, workshops and stories, face painting for kids, meet the Winterlude mascots, the Ice Hogs. There will be food kiosks. FREE.
When: Saturday Feb 10 from 10am to 2pm.
Where: Shenkman Arts Centre

5. 613 Flea Valentine’s Day Edition

This iconic market opens its 2024 season with a Valentine’s Day edition. Shop from 150 vendors for unique gifts for your special person. FREE.
When: Saturday Feb 10 from 10am to 4pm.
Where: Aberdeen Pavilion, Lansdowne Park, 1015 Bank St.

6. Be My Valentine Craft Market

Shop for crafts from over 40 local artists and makers. FREE.
When: Saturday Feb 10 from 10:30am to 3pm.
Where: Glebe Community Centre, 175 Third Avenue
Details: @squarelemon_ottawa on IG.

7. The Rainbow @ Live

While the Ice Dragon Boat Festival has been cancelled due to the warmer weather, the free indoor concerts are still going on during Winterlude. This weekend: Bastards and the Buzzards, and Alanna Sterling. **Limited FREE tickets are available at the door each night. Based on Capacity Restrictions. Doors open at 7pm.
When: From Thursday Feb 8 to Saturday Feb 10 and next weekend.
Where: The Rainbow, 76 Murray St. Byward Market.

8. Senators vs Toronto Maple Leafs

Cheer on the Senators in this new edition of the Battle of Ontario against the Toronto Maple Leafs. 
When: Saturday Feb 10 at 7pm.
Where: Canadian Tire Centre, 1000 Palladium Drive.

9. 67’s games

Cheer on Ottawa’s junior hockey team this weekend.
When: Friday Feb 9 at 7pm: vs Peterborough Petes
Saturday Feb 10 at 3pm: vs Kitchener Rangers
Where: TD Place, 1015 Bank St.

10. Westboro Beach Winter Carnival

Warm your fingers and toes by the bonfire, roast marshmallows, enjoy some homemade treats and a cup of hot chocolate (please bring a mug). Build a snow fort with ice blocks or a snowperson. Everything is free but please be generous and make a donation so the association can keep doing fun things all year long for the community. Saturday Feb 10, 12:30pm-3:30pm. Selby Plain, 378 Selby Ave, Ottawa.

11. Ottawa Chinese New Year’s Gala

Join us for a fun Lunar New Year Celebration in Leeds 124. There will be people making arts and crafts, exchanging lucky red envelopes, and enjoying some snacks. FREE. Feb 10, 4pm to 5:30pm. Leeds House, 1125 Colonel By Dr, Ottawa.

12. The Onyx Expo Event

Celebrate Afro-centric health and wellness. Explore the vibrant marketplace filled with local vendors offering a variety of Afro-centric products, including natural skincare, hair care, and traditional remedies. Indulge in delicious and nutritious food options that showcase the rich flavors of African cuisine. FREE. Feb 10, 2pm-6pm. Glebe Collegiate Institute, Glebe Avenue, Ottawa.

13. Buskerfest Winter edition

Enjoy street performances by entertainers from across Ontario and Quebec. FREE. When: Friday Feb 2 (6-9:30pm), Saturday Feb 3 (10am-9:30pm), Sunday Feb 4 (10am-6pm) Where: Sparks St.

14. Eiffel Bridge Illumination

Enjoy this 10-min show of amazing choreography of more than 40 spotlights in commemoration of the 100th anniversary of Gustave Eiffel’s death. FREE. When: Every weekend between Feb 2 and 19 from 6:30pm to 7:30pm. Where: Montcalm bridge, rue Montcalm, Gatineau.

15. Sleigh rides around ByWard Market

Come experience the ByWard Market tradition of sleigh rides as you take in the heritage of the area from a unique perspective. FREE. Saturdays and Sundays including Monday Feb 19 from 12pm to 2pm. 55 ByWard Market Square.

16. Meet Doctors Without Borders staff

Doctors Without Borders staff and you will be able to write a personal message (on a ribbon) in solidarity with the over 100 million people – including children –who have been forcibly displaced. Saturdays and Sundays, and Monday Feb 19, from 12pm to 6pm.

17. Winterlude Creative Sundays

Celebrate the Lunar New Year with the OAG in the Studio. Kick off the Year of the Dragon with sustainable crafts that are fun for the whole family! FREE admission. Sunday February 11 from 10am to 2pm. At the Ottawa Art Gallery, 10 Daly Ave.

18. Winter stew

Culinary students from Chef Ric’s and staff from the ByWard Market District Authority will serve hot stew every weekend of Winterlude. This is a pay-what-you-can culinary event for charity in support of the Lowertown Community Resource Centre. Saturdays and Sundays including Monday Feb 19 from 1:30pm to 3pm. At 66 ByWard Market Square.

19. C5: Chinese Canadian Children’s Choir of Canada

BeaverTails Ottawa Ice Dragon Boat Festival presents this free concert. This internationally recognized award-winning choir is comprised of singers aged 5-16; its mission is to nurture an appreciation of music for exploring personal expression and intercultural awareness. Friday Feb 9 from 6pm to 6:30pm. HMCS Carleton 79 Prince of Wales Dr.

20. Indigenous Experiences

The BeaverTails Ottawa Ice Dragon Boat Festival takes place on unceded territory of the Algonquin Anishinaabe Nation and will honour this with a special presentation by Indigenous Experiences as part of the event’s opening ceremony. This highly visible and interactive performance will introduce several traditional and contemporary style dancers in full regalia. Friday Feb 9 from 6:30pm to 6:45pm. HMCS Carleton 79 Prince of Wales Dr.

21. Love Notes Independent Film Showcase

Enjoy an exciting evening of independent films. Get ready to immerse yourself in a world of love, passion, and creativity with a selection of thought-provoking films created by talented independent filmmakers from across the world. PAID. Thursday Feb 8 at Gallery SAW, 67 Nicholas St, Ottawa.

22. Brazilian Carnival

Celebrate Brazilian culture and heritage with the best in marchinha, samba, frevo, from afoxé to Axé!! Wear your best Carnaval costume for a chance to win prizes! PAID. Feb 10, 9pm – Feb 11, 2am. Queen St. Fare, 170 Queen St, Ottawa.

23. Ottawa Bagelshop Storytime

Storytime will feature 8 Ottawa and area authors presenting their most
exciting literary works on Sunday afternoons over the next 8 weeks. FREE. Every Sunday at 2pm. This Sunday Feb 4: Don Butler – “A Life Of Bliss” Part mystery, part romance, part ghost story & wholly entertaining.. with an opera twist! Written by former journalist for the Ottawa Citizen. At Ottawa Bagelshop & Deli, 1321 Wellington St West. Parking out front.

Upcoming events

24. LunarHacks III

This is a gender-focused hybrid mini-hackathon for all high school and university students that identify as women+. Great opportunity to network, meet new people, and compete for prizes. This event will run simultaneously in person and online for students anywhere in the world. LunarHacks will provide FREE lunch and snacks, swag, prizes, and more for in-person participants! Sunday Feb 25. Information: @lunarhacks on Instagram.

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