Well, I don’t know about you but I am super relieved February is finally here. January felt like the longest and coldest month ever! Now I am feeling excited for all of the fun that Winterlude has in store for our city over the next few weeks. If you haven’t checked out my guide to Winterlude, then make sure you do! I’ve got the low down on all the family fun. This weekend is jam-packed with awesome activities so here is your list of family events in Ottawa for February 2-3.

Saturday:

• National Ice Cream for Breakfast Day – The Merry Dairy, 8:00 am – 2:00 pm (who doesn’t feel like ice cream in the middle of winter? Enjoy a cone and come in your pyjamas and get a free hot chocolate or coffee)
• 36th Annual Interlude Triathlon – Rideau Canal, Dows Lake, 8:00 am – 12:00 pm (if you and the family want to come and cheer on these brave competitors , its got skating on the canal combined with cross country skiing and running)
• Snowflake Kingdom – Jacques Cartier Park, Gatineau, 9:00 am – 9:00 pm (giant snow slides, snow sculptures, zip line, beavertails, shows, mascots and more..entry is free)
• Crystal Garden – York Street in the Byward Market, 9:00 am – 10:30 pm (see ice carvers create spectacular masterpieces during the 32nd  edition of the Crystal Garden International Ice-Carving Competition)
• Celebrate Indigenous Culture – Jacques Cartier Park and the Museum of History, 9:00 am – 4:00 pm (from 9-4 you can learn about and try Lacrosse at Jacques Cartier Parc, and from 10-4 learn about Indigenous History at the History Museum)
• The Avatar Puppet Market – Bank of Canada Museum, 10:00 am – 5:00 pm ( kids can make fun and easy-to-build puppets. Children will have to buy the parts for their puppets with play money. The catch? They need to decide which parts they can afford. It’s fun, but on a budget! free activity)
• Meadowlands PS Winter Carnival – 10 Fieldrow St, Nepean, 10:00 am – 2:00 pm (Zoo Crew presentation, visit with Elsa and Anna, taffy on snow, sledding and snowshoes, face painting, food, bake sale)
• Fete Frissons – Shenkman Arts Centre, 10:00 am – 2:00 pm (Enjoy complimentary musical entertainment, face-painting, art-making, storytelling, dancing and outdoor fun in the snow)
• Family Fun Frost Fest – Canterbury Community Association, 2185 Arch St, 10:00 am – 8:00 pm (skating, ice games, figure skating demos, family skate, ball hockey, sleigh rides, chill cook off)
• Winter Pop-Up Shop – The British Hotel, Aylmer, 10:00 am – 2:00 pm (this is a pop up shop for local retailer Maman Chic, a great spot to stop in for stylish womens clothes, including maternity and nursing clothing)
• RCMP Musical Ride Open House – 1 Sandridge Rd, 10:00 am – 3:00 pm (admission is free, but accepting donations for the food bank, meet the riders and horses, tour the musical ride centre, fun activities for kids)
• Winter in Brrrhaven – Larkin Park, 76 Larkin Dr, 11:00 am – 2:00 pm (sleigh rides, family skating, crafts, games, music, food, drinks)
• Paw Patrol at Countryside Adventures – Countryside Adventure, 16495 Sixth Rd, 11:00 am – 3:00 pm (come for a skate and meet Chase and Everest)
• The Lego Movie 2 Building Event – Participating Toys R’Us stores, 11:00 am – 1:00 pm (in celebration of the upcoming movie, come in to build a LEGO original character to take home, no purchase necessary, while quantities last)
• Red Bull Power 5 – Rideau Canal, 12:00 pm – 8:00 pm (round robin 4 a side hockey tournament taking place at the Fifth Avenue Rest Area, and then semis and finals taking place from 6 pm onwards at the Rideau Locks)
• Icecade on Sparks Street – Sparks St, 12:00 pm – 6:00 pm (Try your mitts at classic carnival games with a chilly twist. Enjoy a warm beverage as you lounge, toss, throw, or shuffle!)
• Mid Winter Challenge – Billings Estate, 12:00 pm – 4:00 pm (Team up with your friends and family to test your mental and physical skills as you explore the Estate in this self-guided challenge. Recommended for adults or families with children ages 10 and up)
• ASNY Productions presents Beauty and the Beast – Meridien Theatres at Centrepointe, shows at 1:30 pm and 7:30 pm (the smash broadway musical)
• Animal Tracking on Snowshoes – Gatineau Park Visitor Centre, 10:30 am in French, 1:30 pm English (Snowshoes are provided for this free, two-hour activity. Make sure you dress warmly for an outdoor activity. Recommended for children of age 8 and older.)
• Madagascar – Ottawa Family Cinema, 2:00 pm (this favourite comes back to the big screen)
• Kinder Winter Jam at the German Embassy – 1 Waverly Street, 5:00 pm – 8:00 pm (dj spinning tunes for the whole family to dance to, fun in the snow, food sampling, art unveiling)
• Light Up the Night on the SJAM Trail – Kitchissippi Woods, just past Champlain Bridge, 6:00 pm – 8:00 pm (Bring your friends and family, your headlamps, skis, snowshoes or fat bikes and meet for a bonfire and hot chocolate. )
• Ottawa Contra Dance Community Dance – Churchill Rec Centre, 345 Richmond Rd, 6:30 pm – 7:30 pm (community dance for adults and kids of all ages, live music, optional community potluck starting at 5:15 pm)

Sunday:

• The Zoo Crew February Drop-In – 5721 Osgoode Main St, 9:00 am – 1:00 pm (come in and get up close with the animals, drop in cost is $5, cash only)
• Snowflake Kingdom – Jacques Cartier Park, Gatineau, 9:00 am – 9:00 pm (giant snow slides, snow sculptures, zip line, beavertails, shows, mascots and more..entry is free)
• Crystal Garden – York Street in the Byward Market, 9:00 am – 12:00 pm (see ice carvers create spectacular masterpieces during the 32nd  edition of the Crystal Garden International Ice-Carving Competition, awards ceremony is Sunday at 5:00 pm)
• The Avatar Puppet Market – Bank of Canada Museum, 10:00 am – 5:00 pm ( kids can make fun and easy-to-build puppets. Children will have to buy the parts for their puppets with play money. The catch? They need to decide which parts they can afford. It’s fun, but on a budget! free activity)
• Carlingwood Winter Carnival – Woodroffe Park, 11:00 am – 2:00 pm (Wagon rides, skating, curling, snow games and crafts and food)
• Winterlude PowWow 2019 – Canadian Museum of History, 12:00 pm – 4:30 pm (all welcome free event, dancers, music)
• Icecade on Sparks Street – Sparks St, 12:00 pm – 6:00 pm (Try your mitts at classic carnival games with a chilly twist. Enjoy a warm beverage as you lounge, toss, throw, or shuffle!)
• ASNY Productions presents Beauty and the Beast – Meridien Theatres at Centrepointe, show at 1:30 pm (the smash broadway musical)
• Animal Tracking on Snowshoes – Gatineau Park Visitor Centre, 10:30 am in English, 1:30 pm French (Snowshoes are provided for this free, two-hour activity. Make sure you dress warmly for an outdoor activity. Recommended for children of age 8 and older.)
• Meet Elsa from Frozen – The Grand restaurant, 74 George St, 1:00 pm – 2:00 pm (Meet and greet with Elsa on the outdoor patio. Photo opportunities, fire pits, activities for the kids. Hot chocolate and seasonal beverages. FREE event, please no outside food)
• Mechanicsville Winter Carnival – Laroche Park, 2:00 pm – 4:00 pm (free horse and sleigh rides, ice skating, kids activities)
• Music at the Museum – Canadian Aviation and Space Museum, 2:00 pm (free concert with admission, featuring music from well known musicals)