Winterlude is Ottawa’s iconic winter festival, attracting between 500,000 and 600,000 visitors each year! Over three incredible weekends, from January 31 to February 17, there will be countless activities and exciting events to enjoy. Don’t miss the Snowflake Kingdom with its thrilling snow slides, Igloofest Gatineau for electronic music lovers, the stunning ice sculptures on Sparks Street, and so much more!
The magic of Winterlude is all about embracing winter, even if it’s a little chilly—so bundle up and get outside!
Here’s a curated and comprehensive list of Winterlude events. Check it out and share it with your family and friends!
To make planning easier, I’ve organized the events by weekend. Some events run across all three weekends, others are limited to just two weekends, and some happen only once—so plan accordingly!
First Weekend
- Winterlude Opening Night With DJ (FREE)
Talented Marquez the DJ will have you dancing with his music, inspired by house, electro, Afro-Latin, funk, rock and hip-hop. There will be also looping presentations of LüX, the new sounds and light Winterlude experience.
Friday, Jan 31, 5pm-9pm at 56 Sparks St.
2. Snowflake Kingdom (FREE)
Jacques Cartier Park in Gatineau transforms into a giant snow amusement park during Winterlude. Enjoy the Chinook Super slides, the Zip Line (paid), the kids zone, introduction to downhill skiing ski and snowboarding for kids, obstacle courses, a maze, a giant foosball, a live performance stage and much more!
Jan 31 to Feb 17. Fridays to Mondays (except Monday Feb 3).
- Friday Jan 31 (opening day) 4pm-9pm
- Fridays and Saturdays 9am-9pm
- Sundays and Mondays: 9am-6pm
3. Rideau Hall Winter Celebration (FREE)
Enjoy winter sports and fun activities on the grounds of Rideau Hall. Skate on the historic skating rink and tour the beautiful state rooms at the residence.
Saturday Feb 1, 12:30pm-4pm. At Rideau Hall, 1 Sussex Drive.
4. Mini Powwow (FREE)
Experience a mini Pow Wow featuring a Grand Entry or opening ceremony, intertribals, drums, and dancers of many styles and ages.
Sunday Feb 2, 11am-4pm. Grand Hall of the Canadian Museum of History, 100 Laurier St, Gatineau.
5. Bytown Museum Activities (FREE)
Build your own snowfolk outside the Bytown Museum and bring it to life with decorations! Materials will be provided by the museum; the activity is weather-dependent. Enjoy a complimentary hot drink with admission and explore the Commissariat Building. Participate in winter craft activities.
From Friday to Sunday from Jan 31 to Feb 16. 11am to 3pm. At 1 Canal Lane, Ottawa.
6. Ottawa Winter Jazz Festival (PAID)
A three-day celebration of jazz featuring a dynamic lineup of renowned artists and rising stars such as Caity Gyorgy, Hilario Duran Trio, Nitroturtle, Don Byron Solo, Jocelyn Gould, etc
Jan 30 to February 1 at 4 venues: Arts Court Theatre, OOD Box, Club SAW and Alma Duncan Salon at the Ottawa Art Gallery (OAG).
7. Winterlude Urban Sugar Shack Menu (PAID)
Enjoy delicious treats and comforting food in the real sugar shack tradition!
- Fridays from 5pm to 9pm
- Saturdays from 12 am to 9pm
- Sundays from 12pm to 6pm
- Monday Feb 17 from 12pm to 6pm.
At Sparks St
8. Winterlude Triathlon (PAID)
Participate in the World’s Oldest Winter Triathlons. This event has been going on since 1984 and it’s part of the annual Winterlude Festival. This winter triathlon is made up of skating, running, and cross-country skiing.
Saturday, February 1, from 8am to 11am at 2960 Riverside Dr., Ottawa
9. Design your own bank note (FREE)
Design your own unique bank note at Bank of Canada Museum’s craft station! Use paper elements and supplies to create your personalized “currency.” Other activities will be also available during the three weekends of Winterlude.
Feb 1-2 and 8-9. All day. At Bank of Canada Museum, 30 Bank St.
10. Poetry Shack by Lucion (FREE)
Poetry Shack is a place where magic is created. By entering 3 words that answer the question “What’s home?”, a poem and a unique surreal image appear on the windows, immersing you in your own work.
Friday, Saturday and Sunday, (and Monday February 17) during the three weekends of Winterlude. Different schedules. At Sparks St.
11. Enbridge Free pancake medallions
Enjoy free pancake medallions while supplies last.
Feb 1 and 15, 6pm-8pm at 56 Sparks St.
12. Beavers (PAID)
This film follows a family of beavers as they grow, play, and transform the world around them. The film begins with two beavers, setting off together to build a new home.
Everyday from Jan 31 to Feb 17 from 9am to 5pm. At 100 Laurier St, Gatineau.
13. Lumen Eira at Confederation Park (FREE)
Stroll through the glowing Fairy Forest, gather around the captivating Fountain Fire installation. Let the interplay of light, sound, and winter’s magic draw you into a world where reality is suspended, and imagination takes centre stage.
From Jan 31 to Feb 17 from 4pm to midnight. At Elgin St with Laurier St.
14. Sparks St DJ
Let the music take you away and enjoy a one-of-a-kind festive experience in the heart of winter. DJ XX will keep you dancing every weekend of Winterlude.
- Fridays from 5pm to 9pm
- Saturdays from 12 am to 9pm
- Sundays from 12pm to 6pm
- Monday Feb 17 from 12pm to 6pm.
15. Glow Skate Night (FREE)
Glow Skate Night is a vibrant, neon-lit skating event where the rink is illuminated with glowing lights and music. It’s a fun, energetic way to enjoy skating under the colourful lights with friends and family.
Fridays Jan 31 at 55 Byward Market Square, 6pm-8pm. Feb 7 and 14 from 6pm to 8pm at the synthetic ice rink on William St.
16. Relaxed Night Out (PAID)
This is a “choose your own adventure” kind of event that combines the cozy vibes of relaxing at home with the fun of going out to try new things and meet new people. Activities include a headphone disco, large scale games, board and tabletop games, maker/craft spaces, art studio activities and more!
Friday Jan 31 from 6:30pm to 10pm at Lansdowne Park, 1525 Princess Patricia Way, Ottawa.
17. Community Winter Pentathlon
The community is invited to embrace winter with five fun, free sessions that will have participants laughing, sweating and smiling. 1. Snowshoeing on the Great Lawn 2. Tobogganing on the Lansdowne Hill 3. Skating on the Lansdowne Park Skating Court 4. Winter running/walking/workout near the fountain 5. Winter bowling in front of the Aberdeen Plaza.
Saturday Feb 1, 11am-1pm at 110 Laurier St W.
18. Horse Drawn Carriage Rides
Experience the magic of winter with a free horse and carriage ride through the ByWard Market!
Saturday Feb 1, 12pm-2pm. Pick-Up: Corner of William & York (in front of Giulia, 61 York St.)
19. Pibon Fest by the Assembly of Seven Generations (FREE)
“Pibòn” means winter in Algonquin Anishinaabemowin. Indigenous culture takes centre stage with vibrant vendors, traditional hide tanning, and live performances. Don’t miss the stunning fashion show highlighting our rich heritage at 5pm.! From 12 p.m. to 6 p.m.: Hide tanning on George Street Plaza, Indigenous Makers’ Market at 60 ByWard Market Square (in the red containers), Live music and performances by Indigenous artists at the George Street Plaza stage. 5 p.m.: Indigenous Fashion Show at George Street Plaza.
Feb 1-2, 12pm-6pm at Public plaza at the intersection of George Street and ByWard Market Square.
20. Beading Workshop at Beandigen Cafe (FREE)
Stop in at Beandigen, an Anishinaabe-owned and -operated café in the Glebe, to participate in a beading workshop led by resident beader, Jayde. Jayde will lead you in the creation of a snowflake pin to celebrate the winter season. This is a free event and open to all ages; however, spots are limited! Please email events@intheglebe.ca to register.
February 1-2, from 1pm to 4pm at Beandigen Café, 106-900 Exhibition Way, Ottawa.
21. Family Roller Skating (PAID)
Join the Winterlude Roller Disco at Lansdowne Park. Drop-ins are possible on February 1 if there is space. Register in advance to secure your spot. You can rent quad roller skates from the Ottawa Quad Rollerskating Club. There is a rental fee and that it is advisable to reserve your skates in advance to ensure you get the right size. Tickets: $9.80 for children 14 and under; $11.07 for 15 and over.
Saturday Feb 1, 2pm-4pm; 5pm-7pm; 8pm-10pm. At the Aberdeen Pavilion, 1000 Exhibition Way, Ottawa, ON K1S 3W7.
Second Weekend
22. Embrace Winter Run (PAID)
This winter running event has something for everyone: Marathon, Half Marathon, 10K, 5K, 3K, and Kids 1K.
This scenic run takes you through true Canadian winter landscapes and is a great motivator to stay active this winter.
Sunday Feb 16, from 8am at the Canadian War Museum, 1 Vimy Place
23. Snowga Yoga (FREE)
The community is invited to take over the Great Lawn with a yoga ritual that celebrates the season. Note: Yoga mat not required. Dress appropriately for the weather.
Saturday, Feb 8, 11am-12:30pm at 1525 Princess Patricia Way.
24. Ice Carving Demonstrations (FREE)
Watch how these artists carve the ice to make beautiful ice sculptures.
Saturdays and Sundays. Feb 1-2 and Feb 8-9, 1pm-4pm. Feb 15-17, 1pm-6pm. At Sparks St.
25. The Waiter and Waitresses Race (FREE)
Teams representing local restaurants, bars and hotels will put their teamwork, agility, patience and precision to the test. Come and cheer them on!
Saturday, Feb 8 from 1:30pm to 3pm at 350 Laurier St, Gatineau, Quebec.
26. Fete Frissons (FREE)
Enjoy family fun activities like bubbles, face painting and poetry presentations.
Sunday Feb 9 at 11am at Shenkman Arts Centre (Upper Lobby)
27. Indigenous Experiences on Sparks St
On three separate days during Winterlude, 2,000 samples of Bannock and cedar tea will be offered daily. This event introduces the Bannock & Tea experience launching at Mādahòkì Farm in spring 2025 as a year-round offering.
Feb 1, 8 and 15, 12pm-6pm at 56 Sparks St.
28. Snowball: A Cool Winter’s Eve (PAID)
An all-inclusive cocktail party supporting The Snowsuit Fund. Enjoy gourmet chef stations, specialty bars, live music by The Electric Company, DJs, beauty bars, silent auctions, and live art at the Ottawa Art Gallery. All proceeds provide snowsuits for underserved children in our community.
Third Weekend
29. Igloofest (PAID)
Igloofest is coming to Gatineau for the very first time after Montreal and Quebec City! It’s the must-attend winter event for all electronic music enthusiasts, featuring a lineup of renowned DJs and artists, both local and international.
February 13-15 at the Place des Festivals Zibi, 60 Rue Jos-Montferrand, Gatineau
30. Vieux Hull Frosty Fun (FREE)
Enjoy music by DJs, taste the products of a guest microbrewery, warm up by bonfires and take part in convivial activities, including giant games and roaming quizzes. Free hot chocolate and maple taffy will also be available.
Feb 14-15, 3pm-7pm at Rue Laval, Gatineau.
31. Aurora Ottawa Festival (FREE)
Experience the season through music, culture, and community. The 2025 edition highlights the rich cultural contributions of Indigenous and French Canadian communities. Enjoy performances, storytelling, and cultural displays.
February 14-15, 6pm-11pm at 110 Laurier Ave W, Ottawa.
32. Centretown Cold Plunge
Join Ottawa’s boldest winter challenge. Participants will enjoy saunas and take an icy dive into freezing waters to raise funds for two vital community organizations: Centre 507 and the Centretown Community Health Centre. Come watch the action and cheer on participants. Warm up with hot drinks, live DJs, and fun family-friendly activities. Free to watch.
Friday Feb 14, 6pm-11pm; Saturday Feb 15, 12pm-4pm and 7pm-11pm. Sunday Feb 16, 12pm-4pm. At 140 Bank St.
33. Winterlude in the Stars (FREE)
Hundreds of drones rise above the Snowflake Kingdom, dancing elegantly to create a magical show. The adorable Ice Hogs invite you to look up and let yourself be swept away by this luminous moment.
Feb 14-15, 7pm-7:15pm at 350 Laurier St, Gatineau.
34. Big Bang Festival (PAID)
This joyous musical festival for 5+ has plenty of surprises in store for young and old alike. Bouncing rhythms and colourful scores will echo through the building, thanks to a merry mix of shows, mini-concerts and interactive experiences.
Feb 15-16, 10:30am-5:30 pm at National Arts Centre, 1 Elgin Street,
35. Maple tree tapping at Museopark (FREE)
Tap sugar maple trees in the traditional way: drilling holes in the trees, inserting spigots and hanging buckets to collect maple water, the tree’s sweet sap. The Vanier Sugar Shack is the only operating sugar shack in an urban setting in Canada! A quick training session on tree tapping and forest orientation will be offered every hour on the hour. For all ages.
Saturday, Feb 15, from 9am to 12pm at 320 des Pères-Blancs Avenue, Ottawa.
36. Wood Carving Demonstrations (FREE)
Josh Dagg is an accomplished Aylmer-based chainsaw artist and wood carver. Watch him transform raw wood into intricate works of art!
February 15-17, 12pm-4pm at 55 Byward Market Square, Ottawa.
37. Latin Social Dance (PAID)
Enjoy live Latin bands and social dancing. Singles and couples are welcome at this inclusive event. No experience necessary. Ticket: $30,$37
Friday Feb 14, 6:30pm-10pm at the Horticulture Building, Lansdowne, 1525 Princess Patricia Way.
For the full list of Winterlude events, visit the official website:
https://www.canada.ca/en/