Winterlude 2025 – running January 31 to February 17. This year marks the 47th edition of Winterlude. Known as Bal de Neige Ottawa in French, this celebration of Canadian winter lets you witness beautiful ice sculptures, skate on the world-famous Rideau Canal Skateway, and play till you drop in the Snowflake Kingdom.
Most festival activities are free and take place in the urban Ottawa-Gatineau region during the first three weekends of February (including Family Day, Monday, Feb. 17). Here’s your guide to the main festival sites in 2025. The official website lists 4 locations for the Winterlude winter festival; Snowflake Kingdom in Gatineau, Sparks Stree and Byward Market in Ottawa, and “Elsewhere in Ottawa”. These are fun family activities that are being run at the same time, but not officially part of the festival.
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A FAMILY GUIDE TO WINTERLUDE IN OTTAWA
For Winterlude, Ottawa and Gatineau are transformed into a winter wonderland that features some of the world’s greatest snow and ice sculptors, concerts and performances by some of Canada’s most talented, and a massive playground of ice slides, tube rides and sled tracks.
This is all topped off by having turned the beautiful Rideau Canal into the world’s longest skating rink at 5 miles. One of the best features of Winterlude is that, except for your accommodations, almost all of the activities are free!
GETTING AROUND OTTAWA DURING WINTERLUDE
The free Snobus is a great option to make it between Winterlude locations. It operates from 10-5:30pm on Saturday and Sunday. Look for the Winterlude signs at the following routes:
- Dows Lake to Elgin Street
- Centre Robert-Guertin park-and-ride to Jacques-Cartier to Elgin Street
- Special family day bus (Feb 17) will go from Dows Lake to Elgin Street to Jacques-Cartier Park from 10-3pm.
WINTERLUDE DESTINATIONS
“ELSEWHERE”
RIDEAU CANAL SKATEWAY
Rideau Canal Skatway is the world’s largest outdoor skating rink. Over the last few years, the Rideau Canal Skateway has had a hard time remaining frozen. The hard workers in the City spray the ice with layers of water to encourage thicker ice. The last few years have seen the Canal only be open for a few weeks at a time and in a limited area. 2025 will be the first year that the Rideau Canal Skateway is open through its entire length and for such a long period.
This 7.8 kilometre (4.8 mile) UNESCO World Heritage Site conveniently winds through downtown Ottawa within walking distance of most hotels.
Skating on the Rideau is said to be more difficult than a traditional outdoor rink. Due to uncontrolled temperatures, width at various areas and thickness of the ice, skating on the Rideau Canal can prove to be more difficult for beginner skaters. That being said, I can not skate and decided to go on my boots instead. I wanted to join the festivities while keeping everyone around me safe. I was happily surprised to see that I wasn’t the only one choosing not to be on the ice in skates.
Skate and sleigh rentals
If you don’t have your own skates, you can rent a pair (as well as helmets and other accessories) on the Skateway. Rentals are available at both Capital Skates kiosks (National Arts Centre and Fifth Avenue) and at Dows Lake Pavilion.
SENS RINK OF DREAMS
Enjoy free ice skating on a 12,500-square-foot refrigerated ice surface 7 days a week from 9:00 am to 11:00 pm. Located on the front yard of City Hall, this is the perfect place to skate outside of the Rideau Canal. City Hall does have underground parking, as well as Street parking attached, for those that aren’t sure who they will get there.
SPARKS STREET
In the heart of the city, numerous activities are going on at the same time. On Sparks Street, the entire walkway is lined with Ice Sculptures and Art Instillations. There is a smattering of “Tim Hortons Chill Zones” to warm up by a nice fire, and Street performances.
ICE SCULPTURE CREATIONS
You will find incredible ice sculptures throughout Spark Street already created and brought into location.
STREET PERFORMANCES
A true one of a kind spectacle, this Calfornia-native turned Canuck impresses us with his hockey-puns and juggling acts. Don’t forget to collect his official Hockey Trading Card after the show.
ICE CARVING COMPETITIONS
Between the ice sculptures and the children’s activities, there are countless artists at work, creating amazing ice masterpieces.
SNOWFLAKE KINGDOM AT WINTERLUDE
JACQUES CARTIER PARK: GIANT WINTER PLAYGROUND
During Winterlude, Northern Jacques Cartier Park in downtown Gatineau – just across the Alexandra Bridge from downtown Ottawa – becomes a giant winter wonderland for all ages. Snowflake Kingdom is packed with fun activities, including:
- Tube sliding
- Skiing and snowboarding lessons
- Kiddie Zone for toddlers
- Zipline
- Indigenous performances
- Snow sculptures
Snowflake Kingdom is open Thursdays through Sundays during the festival (plus Family Day, Monday, February 18).
From sliding down super snow slides, a zip line, intro to downhill skiing and snowboarding, a kid zone, treasure hunt, tug of war, and challenge course, there’s plenty of winter fun to be had at Snowflake Kingdom.
GIANT SNOW SCULPTURES
Experience the magic of gigantic snow sculptures when you visit the Snowflake Kingdom! Discover fantastic characters shaped by the hands and skills of wonderful artists.
TUBBING ON CHINOOK SLIDE
The Chinook slide looks like a giant iceberg in the middle of the park. While you line up, the side of the ice has human-sized holes in various configurations and makes for great photos with the kids. You can get a single-person tube or a two-person one and make your way up the gentle hill to the top. There is a safe place to wait for your loved ones at the bottom of the hill and take a few pictures.
PHOTO SPOTS
The city has truly embraced its people’s need to Instagram everything. There are many photoshoots throughout the park. Guests are generally very respectful about lining up and taking turns.
PARKING AT SNOWFLAKE KINGDOM
If you’re like me and simply forgot that the Snowbus was an option or don’t have the patience to travel on someone else’s schedule, you will need to self-drive and park your vehicle. Remember that Snowflake Kingdom is in the Northern part of Jacques-Cartier Park. This will come in handy when deciding where to park and how much walking you will need to do
Jacques Cartier Park closed its parking lot to make way for more activities. While we appreciate the thought, this means guests need to find alternative places to park their cars. There are a few make-shift parking lots that open up around the Park for $10/day, but their space is limited and they don’t tend to close their gates when the lot is full.
Street parking is available to you as well, just make sure you stay clear of the “no parking” signs and avoid blocking the locals’ driveways. Last year I decided to park at the Wharf, where the Ottawa River Cruise launches, and walk the 13minutes to the site. There was less traffic and less crowded in the parking lot itself.
TIPS FOR VISITING WINTERLUDE
- Don’t Bring A Stroller – we’ve seen many strollers, but they have all been jogging strollers. They tend to have the best maneuverability in snow and slush.
- Bring A Sled – if the baby is old enough to sit up, we suggest bringing a sled instead. Not only will this make the whole experience that much more magical, but you will also find it much easier to move around Snowflake Kingdom.
- Don’t worry if you can’t skate – As I have mentioned on Instagram, I can’t skate. I can stand up, push myself a little and more or less get around the rink on my own. Once I’m down though, I’m down. If you don’t want to risk falling and looking like a lost soul, plenty of people are boot-skating. Enjoy the Rideau skateway any way you want.
- Dress warmly – it’s cold in Ottawa, especially after being outside for a few hours. The heaters and fireplaces are great but they are few and far between. Dress warm and dress in layers.
- Take The Bus – The free Snobus is a great option to make it between Winterlude locations. It operates from 10-5:30 pm on Saturdays and Sundays.
- Beavertails and Hot Chocolate – There are Beavertail locations at every Winterlude destination. The queue looks long but there are at least 4 workers taking your order and they are fast. Cash is preferred, but they do take plastic as well.
WINTERLUDE PACKING GUIDE
- Snow pants
- Bag for boots while you skate
- Warm accessories – A warm hat, gloves or mittens, a scarf
- Proper winter boots
- Skates and sleighs
- A little cash – technically everyone takes debit/credit but having a little cash on hand can speed the process along and it never hurts to tip
- Tissues and wipes
- Water bottle
- Sunglasses, sunscreen, and lip balm
- Camera
There’s nothing more Canadian than standing in your skates with a BeaverTail (a hot pastry treat) in one hand and a hot chocolate in the other, on the Rideau Canal Skateway.
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