Ottawa 
Photo Credit: Canadian Heritage
Canada’s Capital Region will host a multitude of activities highlighting our country’s cultural, artistic and culinary diversity during 41st edition of Winterlude. Indigenous culture will be in the spotlight during the first weekend of festivities, while LGBTQ2+ culture, history and pride will be the focus of the program for the second. The 41st Winterlude offers a more urban experience with new destinations, including the ByWard Market and Sparks Street.
In addition to such popular Winterlude highlights as the slides at the Snowflake Kingdom, the Rideau Canal Skateway, snow and ice sculptures, the Ice Hog family, and the traditional BeaverTails® pastries, an even richer and more varied program awaits visitors in 2019.
This year’s theme says it all: “THIS is Winterlude!”
While continuing to offer such iconic activities as skating on the Rideau Canal Skateway and the slides at the Snowflake Kingdom, this year’s Winterlude will include new destinations: the ByWard Market, Sparks Street, Downtown Rideau, and the Glebe!
Throughout Winterlude, cultural, artistic and culinary diversity will be in the spotlight:
- Festibière Winter at the Canadian Museum of History and Winter Brewfest at Lansdowne Park
- Food tastings
- Shows and cultural animation
Indigenous culture will be featured on the first weekend. Activities will include:
- A contemporary powwow at the Canadian Museum of History
- Aboriginal craft and writing workshops
- A digital interactive screening
LGBTQ2+ culture, history and pride will be the centrepiece of the programming on Sparks Street on the second weekend:
- Winter Pride, presented by Capital Pride
- A photo exhibit commemorating the 50th anniversary of the partial decriminalization of homosexuality
Winterlude 2019 Destinations
Over the three weekends of Winterlude, Canada’s Capital Region becomes the stage for activities that showcase Canadian winter culture and traditions. Visitors can enjoy a multitude of indoor and outdoor activities with various themes such as arts, culture, music, theatre, humour, sports, culinary experiences and much more. There’s something for everyone! Visitors are encouraged to get to the Winterlude official sites with the free OLG Sno-Bus service.
The Snowflake Kingdom
Co-produced by the Ville de Gatineau and Canadian Heritage, he Snowflake Kingdom comes to life in Jacques-Cartier Park in Gatineau. Beautiful snow sculptures and a host of thrilling activities await visitors in this huge winter playground. The Ice Hog family, the beloved Winterlude mascots, settle in for their annual stay.
The new Kiddie Zone is a toddler friendly area close to the super slides that will allow smaller kids to play safely. Enjoy the rush of hurtling down the zip line ($) or get your culture fix at Maison Charron, where arts and crafts, and Indigenous customs will be explored. All this and much more is awaits you at the Snowflake Kingdom.
The ByWard Market
Enjoy a traditional winter dish in this unique setting at the ByWard Market Stew Cookoff ($), and admire the finesse of the artwork at the 32nd Tim Hortons Crystal Garden International Ice Carving Competition on York Street. Dance the night away in one of the many ByWard Market bars, and don’t miss your chance to experience Chimes, an interactive art structure that is both luminous and unifying!
The Rideau Canal Skateway – presented by OLG
Put on your skates and head out onto the Rideau Canal Skateway. Experience the thrill of third Ice Dragon Boat Festival. Discover the pure delight of biting into a Beaver Tail® pastry or sipping a tasty hot chocolate. In addition to these Winterlude classics, you will find kiosks to rent skates and sleds, take a break to refresh yourself, and most likely come across someone you know!
Sparks Street
Warm up while playing ice games and get your picture taken in front of the giant OTTAWA letters. Sparks Street will also host Winter Pride, a colourful street party presented by Capital Pride. Put on your finest rainbow attire and brave the cold as waves of diversity, pride and solidarity unfold over Canada’s Capital Region! Canadian Heritage will also present the photo exhibit Standing Up, Standing Out: Portraits from the Collection of the National Archives commemorating the 50th anniversary of the partial decriminalization of homosexuality in Canada.
Downtown Rideau
Grab a bite to eat in one of downtown Rideau’s many restaurants and cafes.
The Glebe
During Winterlude, the entire neighborhood takes part in the Snomania event, and everybody… rolls with it! Take a stroll in the Glebe and see why it has become the “snowman capital of the planet!” Discover the brewing heritage of Ontario and Quebec at the Winter Brewfest, and savor delicacies at the Ottawa Famers Winter Market—all in the enchanting setting of Lansdowne Park’s Aberdeen Pavilion.
Winterlude will take place on the weekends from February 1 to 18, 2019 in Ottawa–Gatineau.