One of the best parts about living in Canada’s spectacular capital city is the annual winter activities that take place once the snow arrives. With at least six months of the year devoted to the blustery winter season, Ottawa residents have little choice but to keep active and have fun outdoors even despite the drops in temperature. There’s lots to do in and around Ottawa once winter arrives, from tobogganing on approved city sledding hills to skating the Rideau Canal Skateway.
Image from Winterlude website.
The Winterlude Festival is considered by many to be the highlight of winter activities in Ottawa. Running for about three weeks every year, Winterlude celebrates all the excitement that the season has to offer. Activities range from family-friendly events like the snow playground at Snowflake Kingdom in Gatineau, to the annual Winterlude Triathlon for the truly dedicated winter enthusiasts.
Three main locations host a variety of different activities: the Snowflake Kingdom, the Crystal Garden in Confederation Park, and the Rideau Canal. Unofficial locations around Ottawa also participate in Winterlude, including Lansdowne Park in the Glebe, the Byward Market downtown, the Canadian Museum of Nature in Centretown, and Ottawa City Hall. Visitors will find both free and paid events at the participating locations around the city, offering everything from ice skating shows and super slides to the impressive ice sculptures on display at Confederation Park.
Winterlude Kicks Off January 30th in Ottawa
This year’s Winterlude marks the festival’s 37th year and will take place from January 30th to February 16th 2015. While there will be various events beginning early on the festival’s first day, the official Winterlude Opening Ceremony will take place at Confederation Park at 7pm on January 30th, highlighted by musical performances and a DJ Dance Party. All Winterlude sites will remain open on Family Day, which will take place on February 18th this year.
Visit the Winterlude website for a full calendar of events and activities that you can enjoy when the Festival kicks off at the end of the month! For those who would like to get a head start on enjoying Ottawa’s winter season, the Rideau Canal Skateway is now officially open! Enjoy a weekend afternoon skating with the family or try shifting your daily work commute to the ice, all while taking in the spirit of the season in the heart of the nation’s capital.
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