The 47th edition of Winterlude kicks off in Ottawa and Gatineau today, celebrating winter in the national capital region.
The annual winter festival runs until Feb. 17, with activities on Sparks Street and in the ByWard Market, Gatineau’s Jacques-Cartier Park, and at museums and other venues across Ottawa.
Canadian Heritage says Sparks Street will be home to the “Urban Sugar Shack.”
“We always want to be able to offer something new and different. People will actually get immersed into the traditions. There will be lots of artists. It’s going to be a lot of fun,” Melanie Brault, Canadian Heritage’s Director of Capital Celebrations, told CTV Morning Live.
“In the evening, we’re going to transform it into LuX, which is our Winterlude sound and light show. We’re going to have DJs performing, lots of lights (and) lots of sound. It’s going to be a big, big party.”
Brault says the Snowflake Kingdom in Jacques-Cartier Park is made for “kids of all ages.”
“You get to go sliding, there’s ziplining available as well and lots of activities for the kids.”
This year, Winterlude is celebrating the 60th anniversary of Canada and the 50th anniversary of Parliament’s designation of the beaver as the official symbol of Canada. The third weekend of Winterlude will include Igloo Fest at Place des Festivals Zibi.
Skaters can also visit the Rideau Canal Skateway, with the green flag flying on the full 7.8 kilometres of the world’s largest skating rink.
CTV News Ottawa looks at what you need to know about Winterlude.
Sno-Bus
You can ride the Sno-Bus for free to several official Winterlude sites.
Here is the schedule for the Sno-Bus during Winterlude:
Winterlude Sno-Bus Schedule
Between Elgin Street at Sparks Street to Jacques-Cartier Park North
- February 1 and 2, 8 and 9, and 15 and 16, from 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.
- Monday, February 17, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Gatineau Sno-Bus Schedule
Between Robert-Guertin Park and Ride and Jacques-Cartier Park North
- February 1, 8 and 15, from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m.
- February 2, 9 and 16, from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.
- No service on Monday, February 17
Sparks Street
Sparks Street is home to a unique sugar shack setting during Winterlude.
Canadian Heritage says there are ice sculptures, outdoor art installations and performances during Winterlude.
Ottawa Tourism presents LuX, a sound and light experience that fuses rustic charm with city energy during Winterlude (Jan. 31, Feb. 1, Feb. 7-8, Feb. 14-16).
Veterans Affairs Canada’s Winterlude exhibit honours Canadians who have served to defend peace and freedom at home and around the world. The Canadian Armed Forces Around the World exhibit is located in Confederation Square.
ByWard Market
Ottawa’s ByWard Market is home to several Winterlude activities, including the unique winter market and skate on a new synthetic rink.
Indigenous culture takes centre stage Feb. 1 and 2 with Pibòn Fest by the Assembly of Seven Generations. Winterlude hosts the Immigrants’ Market on Feb. 8 and 9.
There are also horse-drawn carriage rides and more in the ByWard Market.
Snowflake Kingdom
The Snowflake Kingdom is located in Gatineau’s Jacques-Cartier Park.
Activities include slides for tubing, a kiddie zone, a maze, obstacle courses, a zipline and more.
The Snowflake Kingdom is open Jan. 31 to Feb. 2, Feb. 7 to Feb. 10 and Feb. 14 to Feb. 17.
Rideau Canal
The world’s largest skating rink is open for skating in Ottawa.
The Rideau Canal Skateway is open between Rideau Street and Carleton University/Dow’s Lake for skating on the 7.8 km course.
Confederation Park
Confederation Park is home to Lumen Eira, a free, immersive light and sound experience illuminating the park.
“Stroll through the glowing Faery Forest, where illuminated trees pulse with colours in tune with custom soundscapes inspired by nature and imagination,” says Ottawa Tourism on its website. “Gather around the captivating Fountain Fire installation, a luminous sculpture evoking the warmth of a crackling bonfire. Let the interplay of light, sound, and winter’s magic draw you into a world where reality is suspended, and imagination takes center stage.”
The show runs daily between 4 p.m. and 12 a.m. until Feb. 17.
A list of activities by weekend during Winterlude
Jan. 31-Feb. 2
- Launch party with DJ: The official opening on Sparks Street in Ottawa on Jan. 31, starting at 5 p.m.
- Mini Pow Wow and Indigenous Artisan Market at the Canadian Museum of History.
- Winterlude Urban Sugar Shack
- LüX: A Winterlude sound and light experience, featuring a rhythmic show, every Friday and Saturday evening on Sparks Street.
- Rideau Hall Winter Celebration.
- Ottawa Winter Jazz Festival.
- The Tim Hortons Chinook Super Slide at the Snowflake Kingdom
Feb. 7-10
- Interactive urban art installations on Sparks Street.
- Captivating exhibits at participating museums.
- Ice sculpture exhibition on Sparks Street.
- Luminous night skating in the ByWard Market: Enjoy an evening of luminous night skating in addition to the winter market in this historic area.
- Fête Frissons 2025 at the Shenkman Arts Centre.
Feb. 14-17
- BIG BANG Music Festival at the National Arts Centre.
- Gatineau Igloofest at Place des Festivals Zibi.
- Winterlude in the Stars Drone show at the The Snowflake Kingdom.
- 60th anniversary of the National Flag of Canada on Sparks Street.
- Family Day Skating Party at Ottawa City Hall’s Rink of Dreams.
- Cool Science Saturday: Discover the wonders of science at the Canada Science and Technology Museum.
For a full list of activities at all locations, visit the Winterlude website.
