Amazing Events and Activities at Ottawa’s Winterlude Festival 2026
Every year people from across Canada travel to the capital to revel in the winter season during Ottawa’s Winterlude festival. As the ultimate celebration of winter, Winterlude has tons of amazing family-friendly winter activities taking place over three weekends each February. From skating the Rideau Canal Skateway and maple taffy on snow, to ice carving competitions and a huge winter playground filled with snow tubing and giant snow sculptures, you won’t want to miss these fun events at this year’s Winterlude festival.
When does Winterlude take place?
Winterlude 2026 takes place on weekends from January 30-February 16, 2026. While most events and activities get underway on Saturdays and Sundays, there are some activities and events open on Fridays as well. We recommend coming for a full weekend, Friday to Sunday, to enjoy the festival fully.
Where does Winterlude take place?
Below are the main Winterlude sites across Ottawa and Gatineau, as well as the activities you’ll find there during every weekend of the festival. While most events take place at these locations, there is also additional programming at other venues across the city. Find the full official 2026 Winterlude schedule by visiting Canadian Heritage.
Snowflake Kingdom, Jacques-Cartier Park, Gatineau
• Chinook Super Slides – Giant snow slides
• Kids Zone - Mini-igloos, slides, structures and games for kids from 2 to 5 years old
• Winterlude maze, snow tug of war, snow snake games, giant foosball, Big Ferris wheel, lil’ breeze obstacle course
• Intro to Downhill Skiing and Snowboarding, winter kick sled
• Meet the Winterlude mascots, the Ice Hogs
• Maple taffy on snow, Beavertails, food vendors, indoor warming area, outdoor fire pits
• Afterslide - After-hours evening event for teens and young adults featuring music and DJs
Confederation Park, Ottawa
• Ice-Carving Exhibitions and Demonstrations at the Crystal Garden
• DJ on screen - Dance the night away with live DJs
• Beavertails, maple taffy on snow, food vendors
• Cold Yoga and Snow Fitness
• Giant Karaoke and Winter Swing Dance nights
Rideau Canal Skateway
• Day and night skating on the largest outdoor skating rink in the world *weather dependent
• Beavertails
• Ice sleds, trikes and skate rentals available
Check out our Guide to skating the Rideau Canal Skateway
ByWard Market
• BARBEGAZI - High-octane winter sports event sports featuring snowmobile stunts
• Pibòn Indigenous Winter Festival
• Create and Celebrate - Family activities, horse-drawn carriage rides, live performances and vendor market
• ByWard market shopping, Beavertails, Outdoor patios and ice bars
Winterlude Events, Weekend 1 - January 30- February 1, 2026
Ice Carving Demonstrations - Watch ice carvers in action at the Crystal Palace
When:
January 30 | 10:00 am - 9:00 pm
January 31 | 9:00 am - 9:00pm
February 1 | 9:00 am-4:00 pm
Where: Confederation Park, Ottawa
Cost: Free
Annual Winterlude Triathlon - Skating, running, and cross-country skiing event
When: February 1 | 8:00 am to 11:00 am
Where: 2960 Riverside Dr., Ottawa
Cost: Free to watch, cost to participate
Winterlude Mini Pow Wow - Featuring grand entry, intertribals, invited drums, and dancers of all ages
When: February 1 | 11:00 am to 4:00 pm
Where: Canadian Museum of History, 100 Laurier Street, Gatineau
Cost: Free
Pibòn Winter Festival -Indigenous art, music, and heritage
When:
January 30 | 5:00 pm to 7:00 pm
January 31 & February 1 | 12:00 pm to 4:00 pm
Where: ByWard Market, Ottawa
Cost: Free
Cold Yoga - Outdoor yoga class for all skill levels
When: January 30 | 6:00 pm to 7:00 pm
Where: Confederation Park, Ottawa
Cost: Free
Giant Karaoke - The ultimate winter karaoke event
When: January 30 | 7:00 pm to 9:00 pm
Where: Confederation Park, Ottawa
Cost: Free
DJs Live from the Booth - Music and dancing in the heart of downtown
When: January 31 & February 1 | 6:00 pm to 7:00 pm
Where: Sparks St. - between Elgin St. and Meltcalfe St., Ottawa
Cost: Free
DJ on Screen - Music, DJ’s and dancing in snow pants
When: January 31 | 7:00 pm to 9:00 pm
Where: Confederation Park, Ottawa
Cost: Free
Winterlude Events, Weekend 2 - February 6-8, 2026
Ryan Hill Ice-carving Public Challenge - Learn the art of ice carving
When: February 7 | 12:00 pm to 5:00 pm
Where: Confederation Park, Ottawa
Cost: Free
BARBEGAZI - High-octane winter sports event featuring snowmobile stunts and performances
When:
February 6 | 7:00 pm to 9:00 pm
February 7 | 2:00 pm to 4:00 pm & 7:00 pm to 9:00 pm
February 8 | 2:00 pm to 4:00 pm
Where: ByWard Market, Ottawa
Cost: Free
Rideau Hall Winter Celebration - Skating, tours, winter activities and performances
When: February 7 | 12:30 pm to 4:00 pm
Where: Rideau Hall, 1 Sussex Drive, Ottawa
Cost: Free
Winter in Dance Mode - Outdoor swing dance classes and demonstrations
When: February 6 | 6:00 pm to 7:00 pm
Where: Confederation Park, Ottawa
Cost: Free
Afterslide - Afterhours event for teens and young adults featuring DJs, music and free hot drinks
When:
February 6 | 6:00 pm to 10:00 pm
February 7 | 6:00 pm to 10:00 pm
Where: Snowflake Kingdom, Gatineau
Cost: Free
Giant Karaoke - The ultimate winter karaoke event
When: February 6 | 7:00 pm to 9:00 pm
Where: Confederation Park, Ottawa
Cost: Free
DJ on Screen - Music, DJ’s and dancing in snow pants
When: February 7 | 7:00 pm to 9:00 pm
Where: Confederation Park, Ottawa
Cost: Free
DJs Live from the Booth - Music and dancing in the heart of downtown
When: February 7 | 11:00 am to 9:00 pm
Where: Sparks St. - between Elgin St. and Meltcalfe St., Ottawa
Cost: Free
The Nordic Race - Winter running race along the Gatineau River and Leamy Lake
When: February 8 | 10:00 am to 12:00 pm
Where: Snowflake Kingdom, Gatineau
Cost: Free to watch, cost to participate
Winterlude Events Weekend 3 - February 13-16, 2026
Ice-Carving Demonstrations at the Bytown Museum
When: February 14 | 11:00 am to 4:00 pm
Where: Bytown Museum. Ottawa
Cost: Free
Igloofest Music Festival - The world’s coldest music festival featuring world class DJs
When: February 13, 14 & 15 | 7:00 pm to 11:00 pm
Where: Place des Festivals Zibi, 60 Jos-Montferrand Street, Gatineau, QC
Cost: Ticketed event
Create and Celebrate in the ByWard Market - Street curling, live busking, family-friendly workshops, vendor market, horse-drawn wagon rides
When:
February 13, | 5:00 pm to 7:00 pm
February 14, | 12:00 pm to 7:00 pm
February 15 & 16 | 12:00 pm to 4:00 pm
Where: ByWard Market, Ottawa
Cost: Free
Cold Yoga - Outdoor yoga class for all skill levels
When: February 13 & 14 | 6:00 pm to 7:00 pm
Where: Confederation Park, Ottawa
Cost: Free
Giant Karaoke - The ultimate winter karaoke event
When: February 13 | 7:00 pm to 9:00 pm
Where: Confederation Park, Ottawa
Cost: Free
DJs Live from the Booth - Music and dancing in the heart of downtown
When: February 14, 15 & 16 | 11:00 am to 9:00 pm
Where: Sparks St. - between Elgin St. and Meltcalfe St., Ottawa
Cost: Free
DJ on Screen - Music, DJ’s and dancing in snow pants
When: February 14 | 7:00 pm to 9:00 pm
Where: Confederation Park, Ottawa
Cost: Free
Big Bang Festival – Musical performances, workshops, concerts
When: February 14 & 15 | 11:00 am to 5:30 pm
Where: National Arts Centre, 1 Elgin St, Ottawa
Cost: Some free events, others ticketed
Polar Bear Challenge - Watch participants brave the icy waters of Leamy Lake in support of Special Olympics Québec
When: February 14 | 12:00 pm to 4:00 pm
Where: 1 Bd du Casino, Gatineau, QC
Cost: Free
Embrace Winter Run - Winter running race through Ottawa including marathon, half marathon, 10K, 5K, 3K, and kids 1K
When: February 15 | 8:30 am to 2:00 pm
Where: LeBreton Flats - 1 Vimy Pl, Ottawa
Cost: Free
Diefenbunker Winter Carnival - Snow sculpting, tug of war, and temporary exhibit on the Diefenbunker’s historic Winter Carnival
When: February 14, 2026
Where: Diefenbunker: Canada’s Cold War Museum, 3929 Carp Road, Ottawa
Cost: Outdoor activities free, tickets required for museum
How to get around Ottawa during Winterlude
Sno-Bus - Free Winterlude Shuttle
The Sno-Bus is a free shuttle providing access to official Winterlude sites on Saturdays, Sundays and on Family Day Monday during the festival. There are several loops departing from both Ottawa and Gatineau linking the main Winterlude sites: Confederation Park, the ByWard Market and Jacques-Cartier Park (Snowflake Kingdom).
Blue Circuit (no Family Day Monday service)
From the Robert-Guertin Park-and-Ride in Gatineau, to Jacques-Cartier Park (Snowflake Kingdom)
Red Circuit
From Jacques-Cartier Park (Snowflake Kingdom), to the ByWard Market, and Sparks Street Mall - Sparks at Elgin (Confederation Park stop)
Special Loop on February 7th
From Sparks Street Mall (Metcalfe at Queen) to Rideau Hall
• Check the detailed Sno-Bus route and accessibility information
Buses, LRT, Ride Share and Taxis
Ottawa’s light rail transit system provides an easy way to get around the city from east to west, while buses service all other areas of the city. There is a light rail station located at the VIA Rail Train station and the Ottawa International Airport, providing quick access to the downtown core for train travelers.
Ride shares are readily available around the city, as well as many taxi local services. Note that Ubers and Lyft can be less reliable when picking up in Gatineau, QC.
How to get to Ottawa
Ottawa is easily accessible by daily domestic flights from many Canadian cities, as well as by VIA Rail. Driving is also a good option if you want more flexibility, however it isn’t necessary to have a car while in town.
