Thousands head to Ottawa to celebrate winter
Ottawa is going big this year, with weeks of family-friendly activities celebrating Canadian winter and fun. Every year, hundreds of thousands of people come to the capital to enjoy the landmark winter events Christmas Lights Across Canada and Winterlude.
This year will be the 40th annual Winterlude celebration in Ottawa, and you can bet it’s going to be a great year, according to Julie Descôteaux, manager of the event.
Running from Feb. 2-19, Winterlude will draw close to 700,000 people to Canada’s Capital Region to celebrate the beauty and joys of the Canadian winter. This year’s theme is “I love MY Winterlude.”
“It’s about celebrating our Canadian winter and traditions, and being part of something unique,” says Descôteaux. The event’s official sites will offer a flurry of activities and shows.
You won’t want to miss the 40th Winterlude Kick-Off Celebrations at Confederation Park on Feb. 2, when Canadian performers will take the stage, accompanied by a laser show and much more to be announced in the coming weeks.
The Sub-Zero Concert Series will liven up the park on Friday and Saturday evenings with a variety of talented Canadian entertainers.
Also at Confederation Park, Crystal Garden, Winterlude’s enchanted ice garden, offers dazzling masterpieces where you can witness the fusion of ice, art and light. You and your family can watch ice carvers at work during the 31st Crystal Garden International Ice Carving Competition, which will host artists from around the globe as they face off for the winning title.
The park is located in downtown Ottawa, steps from the historic Rideau Canal Skateway and Marion-Dewar Plaza at Ottawa City Hall, where more fun-filled activities await.
Meanwhile, Snowflake Kingdom in Jacques-Cartier Park in Gatineau is a huge winter playground and welcomes kids of all ages. It is the home-away-from-home of Winterlude’s furry mascots, the Ice Hog Family, and features giant snow slides, larger-than life snow sculptures, acrobatic shows and much more.
Visitors to the park can also participate in hands-on winter activities, learn to snowboard, immerse themselves in Indigenous culture and take part in Quebec’s traditional sugar shack experience.
Be sure to visit the park at night for extraordinary digital art projection and a cool sliding experience.
Complete your Winterlude adventure with the Rideau Canal Skateway. It’s the world’s largest skating rink, with 7.8 km of skating and many other activities, so be sure to sharpen your blades for a unique Canadian outdoor winter experience.
The Rideau Canal Skateway will once again host some of Winterlude’s classic activities, including the 2nd edition of the Ottawa Ice Dragon Boat Festival, the 35th Winterlude Triathlon, the 38th annual Bed Race and many more surprises.
Winterlude partners will also present a wide range of activities at other venues around the region. Timeless memories are guaranteed as Winterlude turns 40.
“Come visit us. You’ll fall in love with Winterlude too,” Descôteaux says.