I have found these past few weeks of January to be a little challenging. Perhaps it’s been the post Christmas hangover, maybe the endless stuffy noses, fever and cough that keeps hitting everyone in our household, or just simply the frigid temperatures that make it hard to get outside…but I feel like I need something to look forward to. Fortunately, we have the start of Winterlude just around the corner! Winterlude 2019 runs from February 1 to 18th this year, and you can expect the return of your festival favourites plus a few new experiences and locations.

Winterlude never lets me down. There is so much going on and almost all of the festival activities are free. There is programming all week long but the majority of the events take place over the first three weekends of February, including Family Day on February 18th.

Favourite Festival Sites

Rideau Canal

One good thing about the cold weather – the entire Rideau Canal Skateway is now open for skating! Skating on the canal is one of my favourite things about living in Ottawa. Is there anything more Canadian than skating down the canal and stopping to enjoy a Beavertail?

Be sure to check on ice conditions and closures before you venture out. You can get the latest information on the Rideau Canal conditions here. A couple of items I recommend bringing when skating on the canal – a backpack (somewhere to carry your boots), a plastic bag for those wet boots, a small towel to dry off boots and skates and some cash to buy a Beavertail and hot chocolate! (If you have a stroller with a basket underneath, you might not need that backpack.)

If you don’t have skates, you can rent them at the following locations:

• Rideau Street Rest Area
• Fifth Avenue
• Dows Lake

It costs $22 dollars to rent skates for an hour, and $10 for every additional hour (not cheap, so maybe try to borrow some skates if you can!) Sleighs can always be rented for $32 an hour, an additional $16 for every hour after.

You can expect some special programming along or near the skateway during Winterlude. On February 3, you can cheer on the brave athletes who skate, ski and run in the Winterlude Triathlon at Dows Lake. And don’t miss the Ottawa Ice Dragon Boat Festival on February 8. Dragon boats with special blades will race down the canal skate way at Dows Lake.

Jacques Cartier Park

Jacques Cartier Park in Gatineau is home to the Snowflake Kingdom. It was moved to a different location last year – but it has returned to its original spot for 2019. This is THE place to go with your kids. There is so much for everyone to enjoy!

You can try out the snow slides, skiing and snowboarding lessons, a kiddie zone for toddlers, Lacrosse lessons and demos, a zip line and snow sculptures. Note: be sure to wear snow pants! They are necessary for those snow slides (to help you slide and to keep those bums warm.)

The Snowflake Kingdom is open from Thursday through Sunday, as well as the Family Day holiday Monday on February 18th from 9:00 am – 4:00 pm.

You are sure to find the Winterlude mascots – the Ice Hogs family – at the Snowflake Kingdom too, where they love to play in the snow and meet families.

Byward Market

Winterlude 2019 is bringing some changes to the regular program, and one of those is the new event site at the Byward Market. The Crystal Garden International Ice Carving Competition that usually takes place in Confederation Park has now been moved to the Byward Market. It’s always one of my favourite things to watch the professional ice carvers from around the world create their unique works of art.

The annual Byward Market 28th Winterlude Stew Cook-Off will be returning to its usual spot. On February 8th at lunchtime you can fill up on delicious hot stews while supporting local charities.

In the early afternoon of February 16 you can take in the 39th Accora Village Bed Race where 50 costumed teams will race modified beds down York Street for charity.

I think it will be great for tourism to bring more Winterlude visitors into the Byward Market, where everyone can take in the sculptures and events while shopping and dining in the area.

Sparks Street

Sparks Street, just one block south of Parliament Hill, is another new site for some first time ever Winterlude programming.

This new Winterlude site aims to combine family fun with programming that highlights cultural diversity, like the first-ever winter edition of Capital Pride which will celebrate the LGBTQ2+ community. Some of the new programming you can expect to see along Sparks Street includes: classic carnival games with a winter twist, a drag queen cabaret on the evening of February 8th, a photo exhibit commemorating the 50th anniversary of the partial decriminalization of homosexuality in Canada, and special programming and activities at the free Bank of Canada Museum.

Other Sites and Events to Check Out

The Glebe – stroll along Bank Street to see snowmen of all kinds, watch Indigenous filmmaking from the Arctic projected in a theatre made of snow at Lansdowne Park, visit the Ottawa Farmer’s Winter Market on Sundays, access the Rideau Canal or skate on Lansdowne’s outdoor rink just behind the Agriculture Pavilion.

Canadian Museum of History – check out the Winterlude Pow Wow on February 3 from noon to 4:30 pm. It takes place inside the Grand Hall, all are welcome to this free event.

Rideau Hall – in addition to the Winter Pavilion ice rink being open every week to the public for free skating, you won’t want to miss the annual Winter Celebration on February 9th. This free of charge event runs from 12:30 pm – 4:00 pm. Skate, snowshoe and cross country ski, take a tour of the residence, taste traditional foods from Nordic countries and other seasonal treats while keeping warm with hot chocolate.

So get out your calendars and start planning what Winterlude events and activities you want to take in with your family. Be sure to check out the event website for a full list of times as well as more information about parking and public transit. There is a free shuttle bus that runs between the Winterlude sites.