This Family Day weekend, come and celebrate with your loved ones in Ottawa! With a variety of fun-filled activities and events planned, there’s something for everyone.
From outdoor adventures to cultural experiences, you’ll find the perfect way to spend quality time with your family. Whether you’re looking for a day filled with excitement, learning, or relaxation, we’ve got you covered.
I. Family Events & Activities
II. Live Music & Concerts
III. Theatre & Performing Arts
III. Sports & Related Events
IV. Exhibitions, Festivals & Other Events
Generic Winter Activities (Weather Dependent)
Go Snowshoeing
Strap on a pair of snowshoes and explore the many trails within the city. Not only is this a great exercise, but also a great way to stop and appreciate the season. You can also explore Ottawa’s Greenbelt on a snowshoe. Gatineau Park also has dedicated snowshoe trails that can be accessed using a trail pass. Other places you can enjoy snowshoeing are Parc Omega and Arbraska Laflèche. Meandering through Wesley Clover Parks are snowshoe trails maintained by the Kanata Nordic Club that can be accessed with a day pass.
Snowshoe rentals can be obtained from Kunstadt Sports, Nakkertok Nordic (Gatineau, Quebec), and Ruckify online sharing platform.
Experience Nature Walks
Experience and get to know nature! There are plenty of opportunities for you to explore and enjoy nature in the Ottawa area.
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20 Family Hikes and Walks in and Around Ottawa
Enjoy Tobogganing
Grab your favourite sled and get ready to slide.
List of sledding hills in Ottawa.
Make the Most of Winter
With lots of snow outside you don’t have to go far to enjoy a fun time. Make a maple candy, build a snow fort, enjoy a scavenger hunt, have a snowball fight, and more – all activities that can be enjoyed even in your backyard.
Explore Gatineau Park
Discover stunning landscapes, spectacular trails, and winter adventure at the park. This all-season park is now a winter wonderland, where you can enjoy cross-country skiing, snow biking. snowshoeing, hiking, as well as overnight camping. Plan to visit on weekdays to avoid the crowds.
With trails ranging from easy to difficult, Gatineau Park is a great place to enjoy a walk in winter. Trail Map (PDF)
Enjoy a Picnic
A picnic in winter may sound unusual, but believe me, this is a really fun way to enjoy winter. So dress warm, pack hot food and drink, and head to your favourite picnic spot.
Ride a Fat Bike
Fat biking is a wonderful way to keep warm in winter. Head over to SJAM Winter Trail or the Britannia Winter trail. Gatineau Park also has over 30 kms of snow biking trails that can be accessed with a snow biking pass.
You might like: Top Bicycle Tours to Explore Canada
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Appreciate Public Art
There are many art installations, murals, and graffiti located throughout the city. House of PainT has created a map you can use to tour the murals and graffiti.
Go Skiing
There are hundreds of kilometers of groomed, scenic trails to enjoy in Ottawa including:
- Gatineau Park
- Mooney’s Bay Ski Centre
- Britannia Winter Trail
- Wesley Clover Parks
- Sir John A. Macdonald Winter Trail
- Rideau Winter Trail
- Ski Heritage East
- Ottawa West Winter Trail
- Ottawa’s Greenbelt
Take Winter Pictures
Pack your camera and test out your photography skills.
25+ Outdoor Winter Activities in Ottawa
Hunt for Geocaches
Explore the many geocaches located throughout the city. If you though geocaching is challenging, try geocaching in winter! This family-friendly activity uses a mobile app or a GPS device. Check out the trails where you can enjoy Geocaching Trails.
Go Bird Watching
Hike through the city parks looking for winter birds.
Mud Lake located within Lac Deschênes is a major migratory corridor and is a popular site for bird watching.
Go Ice Skating
Located in neighbourhoods throughout Ottawa are outdoor skating rinks. So get your skates and go skating! Reservations are required.
- Rink of Dreams
- Lansdowne Park Skating Court
- Ben Franklin Place Skating Rink
- Jim Tubman Chevrolet Rink
- RiverOak Estate
- Countryside Adventures
- Rideau Canal Skateway
- Skating in the Forest
- Brewery Creek Skating Rink
You might like: 25 Coolest Outdoor Ice Skating Trails in Ontario
Go Ice Fishing
Looking for a great fishing spot to call your own in Ottawa? Cast a line at:
- West Carleton—Morris Island Conservation Area, Fitzroy Harbour, Fitzroy Provincial Park, MacLaren’s Landing, Buckham’s Bay Port of Call marina
- Nepean North—Shirley’s Bay, Crystal Beach, Dick Bell Park, Champlain Bridge
- Ottawa East—Rockcliffe Yacht Club, Blair Road
- Orléans East—Petrie Island
- Vanier Parkway—New Edinburgh Park, Riverain Park
- Downtown—Dow’s Lake, Brewer Park, Billings Bridge Plaza area, Windsor Park, Brantwood Park, OC Transpo Bridge (between Lees and Hurdman Stations)
- Hunt Club Bridge South to Manotick—Eccolands Park, Black Rapids locks, Chapman Mills Conservation Area, Riverside Park
- Manotick Area—Walter Upton-Collins Park, Rideau Township marina
- Kars and Osgoode Area—Long Island marina, Kars recreation area, Kars public wharf, W.A. Taylor Conservation Area
- Dilworth Road, off Highway #416—Baxter Conservation Area, Reeve Craig boat launch
- Kemptville and Kemptville Creek—Rideau River Provincial Park, Muldoon Launch, Pirate Cove Marina, Curry Park
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