Welcome to Family Day long weekend! What do you have planned so far? This is the final weekend of Winterlude, so if you haven’t yet checked out the festival be sure to visit my Family Guide to Winterlude 2020 before heading out. It could also be an awesome weekend to get out and skate the Rideau Canal. There is so much happening…it will be tough to choose! Here is what is going on around Ottawa for the Family Day long weekend. Happy Family Day everyone!

Saturday:

• Tapping Maple Trees – Vanier Museoparc, 9:00 am – 2:00 pm (Join the Museopark team and its maple producers in the tapping of our maple trees in the purest Canadian tradition. The Museopark offers a pancake breakfast and hot soup to all volunteers.)
• Maplefest Pancake Breakfast – Hazeldean Mall, 9:00 am – 1:00 pm (Warm your insides with 2 pancakes for a toonie and learn about how maple syrup is made. Live maple taffy pulling brought to you by Fortune Farms.)
• Opening Weekend for Fulton’s Sugar Bush – Fulton’s Pancake House and Sugar Bush, 9:00 am – 3:00 pm (enjoy a yummy pancake breakfast, walk the trails, enjoy maple taffy on the snow, horse drawn sleigh rides and maple cotton candy for a fee)
• The Snowflake Kingdom – Jacques Cartier Parque, 9:00 am – 9:00 pm (snow slides, snow sculptures, live entertainment, skiing and snowboarding lessons, zip lining and more)
• Frost and Fire Winter Festival in Perth – various businesses in Perth, 9:00 am – 8:30 pm (Activities include laser tag in Stewart Park, bowling at The Spare Room, the Fire & Ice dance with the band Open Road at the Crystal Palace, a Frost & Fire vendor and demonstration area, skating with Perth Blue Wings, Beach Day at Perth Pool and more…check out the full schedule for details)
• Artissimo Studio: Imagination Station – National Gallery of Canada, 10:00 am – 4:00 pm (It’s play time! Boxes, yarn, wire, tape, paint! Each week there will be new materials to spark your imagination. Included with gallery admission.)
• Winterlude at the Bunker – Diefenbunker, 10:00 am – 4:30 pm (Enjoy a fun snowflake scavenger hunt through the bunker, plus enjoy some retro games like ping pong, darts, bean bag toss and more and have fun playing in a 3 on 3 mini Summit Series hockey game)
• The Museum Winter Carnival – Bank of Canada Museum, 10:00 am – 4:30 pm (free family fun event. Make an origami case for a lucky coin, borrow a detective toolkit for an artifact scavenger hunt, do some colouring or just take a fun selfie—with accessories)
• Winter Pop-Up for Maman Chic – The British Hotel, Aylmer, 10:00 am – 2:00 pm (come check out some awesome and stylish clothes for pregnancy, nursing, and every other “want to be a hot mom” day)
• Animal Tracking on Snowshoes – Gatineau Park Visitor Centre, 10:30 am in French, 1:30 pm in English (Take a free guided snowshoe hike with a nature interpreter, and find out about animals and their tracks. 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. Space is limited and reservations are recommended.)
• Byward Blizzard – Byward Market, 12:00 pm – 4:00 pm (Enjoy complimentary wagon rides around the Market, plus from 10 am to 5pm build some wintery theme LEGO with a LEGO master at Urban Barn )
• Rideau Hall Public Skating – Rideau Hall, 12:00 pm – 5:00 pm (free public skating on a heritage outdoor rink)
• Kids Valentines Party at BP – Boston Pizza Barrhaven, 12:00 pm – 2:00 pm (Kid’s 12 and under can decorate their own heart-shaped pizza as well as make their own sundae dessert at the dessert bar. Each child will also receive their own take-home chef hat to decorate when they arrive. $9.99 per child, reservations required)
• Accora Village Bed Race for Kiwanis – February 15, York Street and Dalhousie, racing takes place between 1:00 pm and 2:30 pm
• Winterfest 2020 – 64 Chimo Dr, Kanata, 1:00 pm – 4:00 pm (fun-filled afternoon of skating, curling, hockey and tobogganing at the Katimavik outdoor rink. Coffee, hot chocolate and snacks will be served and there will be face painting, music and entertainment.)
• ASNY Productions presents Disney’s The Little Mermaid – Meridien Theatres at Centrepointe, 1:30 pm and 7:30 pm (Based on one of Hans Christian Andersen’s most beloved stories and the classic animated film, Disney’s The Little Mermaid is a hauntingly beautiful love story for the ages)
• Spies in Disguise – Ottawa Family Cinema, 2:00 pm (synopsis: When the world’s best spy is turned into a pigeon, he must rely on his nerdy tech officer to save the world.)

Sunday:

• The Snowflake Kingdom – Jacques Cartier Park, 9:00 am – 6:00 pm (snow slides, snow sculptures, live entertainment, skiing and snowboarding lessons, zip lining and more)
• Harbour Harvest 2020 – Nepean Sailing Club, 9:00 am – 3:00 pm (This is cozy and fun ice fishing – you will have access to warm and clean washrooms, a restaurant, a fire pit with marshmallows, an indoor fireplace, and more. Anyone can fish)
• Family Day Weekend Glow Skate – RA Centre, 2451 Riverside Dr, 9:30 am – 11:30 am (GlowSport provides everything from the glowing jersey rental to the glowing face paint and family friendly tunes. All you have to do is show up with your skates (and a helmet if you’re under 12)
• Artissimo Studio: Imagination Station – National Gallery of Canada, 10:00 am – 4:00 pm (It’s play time! Boxes, yarn, wire, tape, paint! Each week there will be new materials to spark your imagination. Included with gallery admission.)
• Winterlude at the Bunker – Diefenbunker, 10:00 am – 4:30 pm (Enjoy a fun snowflake scavenger hunt through the bunker, plus enjoy some retro games like ping pong, darts, bean bag toss and more and have fun playing in a 3 on 3 mini Summit Series hockey game)
• The Museum Winter Carnival – Bank of Canada Museum, 10:00 am – 4:30 pm (free family fun event. Make an origami case for a lucky coin, borrow a detective toolkit for an artifact scavenger hunt, do some colouring or just take a fun selfie—with accessories)
• Animal Tracking on Snowshoes – Gatineau Park Visitor Centre, 10:30 am in English, 1:30 pm in French (Take a free guided snowshoe hike with a nature interpreter, and find out about animals and their tracks. 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. Space is limited and reservations are recommended.)
• 27th Annual Winter Garden Party – Ron Kolbus Centre, Brittania Park, 11:30 am – 2:00 pm (horse drawn sleigh ride, bouncy castle, photo booth, face painting, free games, prizes, cotton candy and more)
• Byward Blizzard – Byward Market, 12:00 pm – 4:00 pm (Enjoy complimentary wagon rides around the Market, plus from 10 am to 5pm build some wintery theme LEGO with a LEGO master at Urban Barn )
• Rideau Hall Public Skating – Rideau Hall, 12:00 pm – 5:00 pm (free public skating on a heritage outdoor rink)
• Big Bang Festival – The NAC, 12:00 pm – 5:30 pm ( the BIG BANG is back and it will transform the NAC into a joyful musical maze, just begging to be explored. Thrilling activities, festive concerts, surprise performances and strange sound machines. For kids aged 5 and up and adults)
• Winter Skate Day 2020 – Bandmaster Park, Kanata, 1:00 pm – 3:00 pm (Come out and enjoy an annual skate day including hot chocolate, music and (weather permitting) snowman competition)
• Anna and Elsa Visit the Grand – The Grand, Byward Market, 1:00 pm – 2:00 pm (Enjoy an enchanted afternoon at the outdoor patio, warm up by the fire pits, and have a pizza or two. Meeting, greeting and photo opportunities with princesses Anna and Elsa. There will be hot chocolate and seasonal beverages.)
• Family Day Drag Extravaganza – Ottawa Public Library, 1:30 – 3:30 pm (Guest drag queens will perform, read stories, and lead a kid-friendly Drag 101 lesson! The day will end with a drag performance that mini queens, kings, and royals can join in on and flaunt their newly learned skills. Free event)
• Kids Concert with the Dad Jokes Duo – Vimy Brewing Company, 4:00 pm – 5:00 pm (A combination of music and comedy made for families. Songs and skits are written with both the child and parent in mind. $10 per child, adults are free)

Monday:

• The Snowflake Kingdom – Jacques Cartier Park, 9:00 am – 6:00 pm (final day of Winterlude and the snow slides, snow sculptures, live entertainment, skiing and snowboarding lessons, zip lining and more)
• Zoo Crew Family Day Drop-In – 5721 Osgoode, 9:00 am – 1:00 pm (Open Drop in – all ages – come and hang out with the animals. There will be 40 mins shows each hour with loose time in between. And animals will be out between shows.)
• Family Day on the Farm – Canada Agriculture and Food Museum, 9:30 am – 4:00 pm (visit the farm, create a beautiful craft, and visit the demo kitchen for yummy pancakes)
• Family Day Movie: Grease – Mayfair Theatre, 9:30 am (FREE admission, drink & popcorn are included with a donation to Hospice Care Ottawa)
• Family Day at the Mint – Royal Canadian Mint, 9:30 am – 4:30 pm (you’ll have the opportunity to view and take pictures with the Million Dollar Coin.)
• SKGCA Annual Winter Carnival – Pushman Park, 10:00 am – 1:00 pm (Activities include horse drawn sleigh rides, skating challenges, a camp fire, snow games and entertainment from Orbital Talent. There will be snacks for sale.)
• Family Day Fun Day – St. Mother Teresa High School, Barrhaven, 10:00 am – 4:00 pm (Admission is $15 per child. Adults & kids under 2yrs are FREE. Archery Tag, Bazooka Ball, Art Lessons, Face Painting, Bouncy Castles, Laser Tag (10am-1pm), Movie: Frozen 2 @2:00pm, Family Photo Booth, Button Making, Archery Tag Practice Shooting Gallery, and more!)
• Artissimo Studio: Imagination Station – National Gallery of Canada, 10:00 am – 4:00 pm (It’s play time! Boxes, yarn, wire, tape, paint! Each week there will be new materials to spark your imagination. Included with gallery admission.)
• Winterlude at the Bunker – Diefenbunker, 10:00 am – 4:30 pm (Enjoy a fun snowflake scavenger hunt through the bunker, plus enjoy some retro games like ping pong, darts, bean bag toss and more and have fun playing in a 3 on 3 mini Summit Series hockey game)
• Byward Blizzard – Byward Market, 10:00 am – 4:00 pm (Enjoy complimentary wagon rides around the Market starting at noon as well as a petting zoo, plus from 10 am to 5pm build some wintery theme LEGO with a LEGO master at Urban Barn )
• Big Bang Festival – The NAC, 12:00 pm – 5:30 pm ( the BIG BANG is back and it will transform the NAC into a joyful musical maze, just begging to be explored. Thrilling activities, festive concerts, surprise performances and strange sound machines. For kids aged 5 and up and adults)
• Family Day Carnival – Lindenlea Community Association, 10:00 am – 4:00 pm (skating, Sing Song Party Time entertainment, Zoo Crew visit, pizza for sale, hot chocolate, cupcake decorating and more)
• The Museum Winter Carnival – Bank of Canada Museum, 10:00 am – 4:30 pm (free family fun event. Make an origami case for a lucky coin, borrow a detective toolkit for an artifact scavenger hunt, do some colouring or just take a fun selfie—with accessories)
• Free Family Day Breakfast and Skate – Johnny Leroux Arena, Stittsville, 10:00 am – 12:00 pm (Hosted by MP Pierre Poilievre, everyone is invited for a free breakfast and skate)
• Allstate’s Free Family Day Princess Skate and Food Drive – Ray Friel Arena, 11:00 am – 12:00 pm (free public skate and there will be hot chocolate, balloons, quote for ballot gift basket raffles and even a special guest appearance by a Princess. Families are asked to bring a non-perishable food donation)
• Family Fun Day at CardelRec – 1500 Shea Rd, Stittsville, 11:00 am – 4:00 pm (free admission, fitness class demos, family photo booth, kinder gym, crafts and games, family skating, family swim)
• Sky High Magic Series: The Magic of Chemistry – Canada Aviation and Space Museum, 11:00 am and 1:00 pm (Prepare to be captivated by amazing magic and science-based illusions. Seating is limited, reserve your tickets early)
• Free Family Day Skate – John G Mlacak Centre, Kanata, 12:00 pm – 2:00 pm (hosted by MP Karen McCrimmon and Councillor Jenna Sudds, free skate and hot chocolate)
• Rideau Hall Public Skating – Rideau Hall, 12:00 pm – 5:00 pm (free public skating on a heritage outdoor rink)
• Kanata Nordic Snow Day – Wesley Clover Parks, 12:00 pm – 4:00 pm (enjoy a variety of outdoor sports at no cost like snow shoeing, cross country skiing and orienteering)