62 things to do this weekend in Ottawa – Feb 16-19

Have any plans for the long weekend? There’s plenty of things to do in Ottawa! Don’t miss the last weekend of Winterlude if you haven’t had the chance to enjoy its many activities! Share this post with your family and friends and tell us about any other event that you know.

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1. Winterlude Last weekend

Visit the Snowflake Kingdom, a huge playground with snow slides, zipline (paid), introduction to snowboarding and downhill skiing for kids, and many other fun activities. FREE.
When: Thursdays to Sundays, including Monday Feb 19. From 9am.
Where: Parc Jacques Cartier, 350 Laurier St, Gatineau.

2. The Great Canadian Kilt Skate

Join the 10 Annual Great Canadian Kilt Skate in Ottawa. You don’t need to be Scottish or to wear a kilt! The same event will take place in Pembroke (Feb 17, 1-4pm) FREE.
When: Sunday Feb 18 from 1pm to 3pm.
Where: Lansdowne Park skating court.

3. Pibon Winter Festival (Winterlude edition)

Join the Family Day Weekend. There will be Indigenous Makers Market, workshops (paid), cultural performances, and indigenous comfort foods, horse-drawn sleigh rides, and visits to the farm animals, including the Ojibwe Spirit horses.
When: Saturday Feb 17 to Monday Feb 19 from 10am to 5pm.
Where: Madahoki Farm, 4420 West Hunt Club Road.

4. Accora Village Bed Race

Fun event for teams of all ages. Participants must decorate their beds and compete in a race. Prizes for the best decorated bed, the fastest bed and the best fundraisers.
When: Saturday Feb 17
Where: Dallhousie and York St. Byward Market. 

5. Maple Tree Tapping

Museoparc Vanier invites families to learn about maple syrup production. A short training session on tapping and forest orientation will be offered every hour. (at 9 a.m., 10 a.m. and 11 a.m.) Bring your snowshoes (optional). FREE.
When: Saturday Feb 17 from 9am to 12pm.
Where: 320 des Pères Blancs Avenue

6. Big Bang Festival

A one-of-a-kind festival of musical adventures for children and their families. Most of the shows are free, and some paid from $5. 
When: Feb 17, 11am-5:30pm; Feb 18, 10:30am-5pm.
Where: National Arts Centre, 1 Elgin St.

7. PWHL Ottawa vs Minnesota

Cheer on Ottawa’s women professional hockey team against Minnesota.
When: Saturday Feb 17 at 2pm.
Where: TD Place, 1015 Bank St.

8. Ottawa Chinese New Year Fair

Come celebrate the Chinese New Year. There will be dragon dances, traditional handicraft exhibitions, artistic performances, interactive games and Chinese cuisine. FREE.
When: Sunday Feb 18, 10am-4pm.
Where: Horticulture Building, Lansdowne park, Princess Patricia Way.

9. 7th Annual Harbour Harvest

This is a family ice fishing derby to raise funds for three local charities. There will be two rounds of trophies and cash prizes at 11:30am and 3:30pm. No experience or fishing license required. There will also be a Pancake breakfast. Tickets: $13, $18, or $47 (family of 4). $20 (at the door).
When: Sunday Feb 18, 8am-3:30pm.
Where: Nepean Sailing Club, 3259 Carling Ave, Nepean.

10. Ottawa Senators vs Anaheim Ducks

Cheer on the Senators against the Anaheim Ducks. Tickets from $35.
When: Thursday Feb 15 at 7pm
Where: Canadian Tire Centre, 1000 Palladium Drive.

11.  67’s Games

Cheer on Ottawa’s junior hockey league. 
When: Wednesday Feb 14 at 7pm vs Kingston Frontenacs. Monday Feb 19 at 2pm vs North Bay Battalion. Tickets starting at $25. 
Where: TD Place Arena, 1015 Bank St.

12. Undercurrents Festival

Produced by Ottawa Fringe, this winter festival shows the best original, contemporary theatre being created by Ottawa performers and visiting artists. There will be French language productions and some French late-night programming. The lineup at undercurrents explores a vast landscape of theatre work in storytelling, political movements, and clowning. PAID. Feb 7-17. Arts Court Theatre, 2 Daly Avenue, Ottawa.

13. The Rainbow @ Live

Free indoor concerts at The Rainbow. **Limited FREE tickets are available at the door each night. Based on Capacity Restrictions. Doors open at 7pm.
WEDNESDAY FEBRUARY 14 8:00 PM CRAIG CARDIFF. THURSDAY FEBRUARY 15 10:30 CHRIS MURPHY (SLOAN): 9:15 FANCLUBWALLET; 8:00 CHEMICAL CLUB. FRIDAY FEBRUARY 16 10:30 BORN RUFFIANS; 9:15 NEON GHOSTHOUSE; 8:00 DUNNER. SATURDAY FEBRUARY 17 10:30 JOEL PLASKETT; 9:15 SARAH SWIRE; 8:00 SUMMERSETS.
Where: The Rainbow, 76 Murray St. Byward Market.

14. Gatineau Loppet

Canada’s largest international cross-country skiing event. More than 2,000 participants from 19 countries. ** Last day to register is Wednesday Feb 14.
When: Feb 16-18.
Where: Gatineau Park. Québec

15. Frost and Fire Perth

Winter carnival in Perth with a mix of indoor and outdoor activities for people of all ages. Scavenger hunt, axe throwing, outdoor laser tag, skating, sledding, snowshoeing, horse & wagon rides, and much more. Free & ticketed activities. 
When: Saturday Feb 17, 10am-10pm.
Where: Various venues throughout Perth.

16. Multicultural Bazaar

Immerse yourself in the diverse traditions, flavors, and performances from around the world. Discover unique crafts, clothing, and artwork while enjoying live music, dance performances, and delicious international cuisine. FREE. Feb 17-18, 11am-7pm. Nepean Sportsplex, 1701 Woodroffe Avenue Ottawa. 

17. Inuit Day

There will be throat singing, drums dancing, country food, traditional crafts and more. On Saturday Feb 17 from 12 to 3 pm. Located at 230 McArthur.

18. Buskerfest Winter edition

Enjoy street performances by entertainers from across Ontario and Quebec. FREE. When: Friday Feb 16 (6-9:30pm), Saturday Feb 17 (10am-9:30pm), Sunday Feb 18 and Monday Feb 19 (10am-6pm) Where: Sparks St.

19. 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.

20. 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.

21. 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.

22. 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.

23. Ice Carving Demonstrations

Don’t miss your chance to see the artist at work and witness the process of ice carving. FREE. Saturday Feb 17 and Sunday Feb 18 from 12pm to 2pm. At ByWard Market.

24. 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

25. 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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