Ottawa Winterlude Festival - Get ready for 2024!

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Ottawa Winterlude Festival - Get ready for 2024!
As one of the top attractions in Canada, Winterlude is a festival you must add to your bucket list. Is this the first time you've heard about it, or are you already planning your trip? Either way, use my handy guide to learn all the details you need to know about Canada's winter wonderland!
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Attending a winter festival is undoubtedly one of the most magical experiences! From the Sapporo Snow Festival to the Ice Sculpture Festival of the Netherlands, the beauties of winter are truly on full display at these magical events. Winterlude is just one of these unique winter experiences.

A must-visit, it’s hosted annually in one of the top winter destinations: Ottawa, Canada. For those who love the cold, it's sure to spark a flame. Fun fact, though: Winterlude isn’t actually hosted over the festive season at all! But more on that later. 

First, discover everything you need to know about attending Winterlude right here!

winterlude logo
Image Courtesy of Winterlude

What Is Winterlude Festival?

Winterlude is a winter festival held annually in Canada's capital region ever since 1979. Notably, this event features the National Ice-Carving Championships and ice skating on the world's longest frozen canal. 

Drawing in hundreds of thousands of visitors every year, Winterlude is a staple event for Canadians and visiting winter lovers alike. Want to learn more? Take a look at the festival's history or continue through this guide on what to do at Winterlude.

Where Is Winterlude Held?

Winterlude is held in Canada's capital regions, specifically Ottawa, Ontario, and Gatineau, Quebec. During the festival, unique events take place across both cities. So consider this both a festival experience and a tour of two of the most famous Canadian towns. 

Most Winterlude activities, bar Snowflake Kingdom in Gatineau, Quebec, are held in Ottawa, though. Mainly in Jacques-Cartier Park, Confederation Park, and Rideau Canal Skateway. Since Canada's capital is a top winter vacation destination, many visitors come to enjoy this frosty experience with loved ones and friends alike.

Winterlude 2023 & 2024?

Generally, Winterlude is held from Monday to Thursday over the first three weekends of February.

In 2023, Winterlude happened from Friday, February 3, and end on Monday, February 20. So you're a few months behind if you're wanting to go right now! 

As it's currently May, there are only estimated dates. Currently, organizers are guessing Winterlude 2024 is happening from Friday, February 2, 2024 to Monday, February 19, 2024.

When you're able to visit, expect snow, ice, and sub-zero temperatures of up to 25°F/-13°C throughout the festival. Similar to what you would experience over the European Christmas season.

How to Get to Winterlude

Not sure how to get to the festival in Ottawa and Gatineau? Luckily, attending Winterlude is pretty easy, especially since both cities are pretty close to one another.

Furthermore, the events are easily accessible by various modes of transportation. Depending on where you're staying, you can choose to explore by foot, bus, taxi, Uber, or train. 

Plus, many of Winterlude's main attractions are free to attend, making Winterlude an excellent choice for budget-conscious travelers.

Specific events and their locations do vary each year, though. So it's recommended you double-check the details on the Department of Canadian Heritage Winterlude website page.

Ice skating on the Rideau Canal
Image Courtesy of Carey Moulton, WikiCommons

What to Do at Winterlude: Top 5 Things to Do

Worried about being snowed in? Since there are just so many things to get up to at Winterlude, that’s highly unlikely. From snow fights and ice-carving competitions to sampling local cuisine, staying indoors is a no-no despite the cold! 

Here are my top picks of things to do at this winter wonderland festival:

5. Go Ice Skating on the World’s Largest Ice-Skating Canal

The frozen-over Rideau Canal is one of the top attractions over the Winterlude Festival season. Why? The entire length of it transforms into the Rideau Skateway, which is completely free to skate.

At 7.8 km long, this makes it the world's largest ice-skating rink!

Yes, Ottawa's frozen canal certainly one-ups the Central Park rink, which has limited space and is often crowded. Just like Glacier National Park in British Columbia, this canal is a UNESCO World Heritage site, offering outstanding views of the city. If you don't have skates or they’re blunt, don't worry, either! 

You can rent a good-quality pair and sharpen yours at various locations on the canal. For those who can’t skate, sleds are even available for hire at some of the rental shops.

While you skate down the canal's length, you'll also find several activities, food & drink stalls, and shops to explore.

Keep skating and you'll find some fantastic thing to do to keep yourself warm; grab a hot chocolate and a hot snack.

My top recommendation is a Beavertail! Simply put, a decadent Canadian fried pastry with delicious toppings. Although they come in sweet and savory options, the Nutella-coated versions are the most popular with locals and tourists alike.

Visiting over the summer season? The canal and nearby rivers turn into a teeming hub, offering both sightseeing boat cruises and guided amphibious bus tours. Yes, really!

Pair of skates on ice skating rink the Rideau Canal
Image Courtesy of Sandra Ivleva, Unsplash

4. Fill Up on All-You-Can-Eat Stew at Byward Market, Ottawa

Hungry from all that ice-skating and snow-fighting? Winterlude's Stew Cook-Off is one stopover you must make, particularly after a busy afternoon. The best part about this event is that it's basically an all-you-can-eat buffet!

In fact, for around $10 per person, you can keep on taste-testing the different stews as long as your stomach allows it.

To find this cook-off, head to the ByWard Market, where you can also shop for souvenirs to bring back. But do expect some exciting takes on stew, not just your Mom's Monday night one-pot wonder!

Canadian cuisine is largely inspired by its diverse, multicultural population, notably of French, English, African, and Asian descent.

Each competitor has their own secret recipe, which is often a take their unique heritage. Plus, warming red meats, vegetables, and a good glug of wine! 

3. Take a Day Trip to the Snowflake Kingdom in Gatineau, Quebec

Just across the Ottawa River sits Gatineau, Quebec, home to another top Winterlude event: Snowflake Kingdom.

You can get there quickly in a number of ways: by train, taxi, and bus, as it's just 5 km away from Ottawa. If you're looking to take a quick break from the main city, plenty of winter activities await.

As the name implies, Snowflake Kingdom is all about snow, not ice. So this stop is for you if you love making snowmen, snow angels, snowball fights, and other snowy activities!

Besides gigantic snow sculptures, Snowflake Kingdom typically offers dog-sledding and snow-tubing, as well. What are you waiting for?

Other than the Snowflake Kingdom, there are a number of other activities you can get up to here. Sampling local drinks on a craft beer tour or boarding a hop-on-hop-off bus to sightsee, for example.

Pair sliding down the ice
Image Courtesy of Michel Rathwell, WikiCommons

2. Chill Out at Some of the “Coolest” Ottawa Ice Bars

Although Winterlude isn't a music festival like Osheaga or Escapade, there's still plenty of adult nightlife and entertainment to enjoy.

Most notably, the seasonal ice bars that pop up in Ottawa throughout the festival. Due to weather changes, the bars usually only last one season, though. 

So I can't give you exact details of the best Ottawa ice bars to frequent when you visit. Fortunately, most of the Ottawa bars and restaurants that may host these seasonal ice bars are situated in or nearby the ByWard Market.

A quick Google search or asking your hotel, hostel, or locals for recommendations should lead you in the right direction!

Image Courtesy of Andaz Ottawa Hotel on Instagram

1. Appreciate the Ice Sculptures at Crystal Gardens, Confederation Park

Ice sculptors and carvers from all over Canada come to Ottawa to show off their skills. The Winterlude National Ice Carving Championship provides them both with a chance to compete and display their beautiful sculptures. 

Every year, the Championship is usually held in Confederation Park, also known as Crystal Gardens. Visit during the competition to watch the ice carvers at work or return once the ice sculptures are fully finished. Or both. The choice is up to you! 

My favorite time to view the sculptures is at sunset or night-time when the city lights glint in the ice. Oh, and don't forget to wrap up and grab a warm beverage from Tim Horton's or one of the local Ottawa cafes nearby! 

You can also book a guided tour of the city to brush up on its history while in Ottawa.

Ice
Image Courtesy of Michel Rathwell, WikiCommons

Is Winterlude Worth It?

Canada boasts many attractions, including Niagara Falls, Banff National Park, and The Butchart Gardens. But, if you're a winter wonderland lover, this festival is definitely worth it!

In my opinion, few events are as magical as Winterlude Festival in Ottawa and Quebec. 

The fun activities, delicious food, and welcoming atmosphere are everything you could wish for in a winter festival, bar the Christmas décor! Plus, Winterlude sure makes that freezing Canadian weather more manageable and enjoyable.

Where to Stay in Ottawa

If you're considering attending the 2023 Winterlude in Ottawa, you probably want to know which accommodations are best. Some affordable options include Ottawa Backpackers Inn, Homewood Suites, or the Holiday Inn

My top tip? Choosing somewhere close by will ensure that you have more time for activities at the event.

Although, if you do decide to stay further away from the festival, the transportation system in Ottawa is 100% doable and easy to navigate.

Pilot Your Next Winter Adventure

Winterlude is a unique experience that many visitors continue to rave about long after attending! Whether you're attending it or prefer to escape the cold, be sure to use a trustworthy trip planner to organize your next great adventure! 

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Disclosure: Pilot is supported by our community. We may earn a small commission fee with affiliate links on our website. All reviews and recommendations are independent and do not reflect the official view of Pilot.

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