Ottawa’s Winterlude Festival Announces 2024 Festivities

Canadian Heritage unveiled the programming for Ottawa’s premier winter festival today.

Photo Credit: Canadian Heritage

Winterlude is set to bring a vibrant blend of culture, art, and winter fun from February 2 to 19, 2024. Celebrating its 46th year, this winter festival is renowned for transforming the area into a hub of diverse activities and experiences, showcasing Canada’s rich cultural tapestry.

All mainstay activities of the capital city’s signature winter festival will be back in 2024.

Winterlude offers a plethora of both indoor and outdoor activities, catering to various interests and age groups. Attendees can look forward to a range of performances, interactive art installations, and street artists. Outdoor enthusiasts will be thrilled with attractions like the impressive ice sculptures, the iconic Rideau Canal Skateway, and the exhilarating Snowflake Kingdom, featuring the Tim Hortons Chinook Super Slide.

What to Expect at the 2024 Festival:

Credit: Infinite Cave/Winterlude/Canadian Heritage

Snowflake Kingdom Adventures: This area co-produced with Ville de Gatineau includes the thrilling Tim Hortons Chinook Super Slide, a breakdance battle on February 9, and the Big Blizzard obstacle course for youngsters aged 8-16 (a course is original and made of snow, tires, tunnels and all kinds of structures), a mesmerizing ‘Infinite Cave,’ zip-line, a snow maze creating a thrill of winter sports in a wonderland of ice and joy.
Indigenous Cultural Experiences: On February 4, the Canadian Museum of History offers enriching Indigenous cultural experiences, emphasizing the significance of Indigenous practices, beliefs, and history.
BIG BANG Festival: Held at the National Arts Centre, this two-day event offers sonic adventures for families, integrating music and sound into the festive atmosphere.
OLG Buskerfest, Ice-Carving Showcase and Light Installations: Sparks Street hosts street performers and breathtaking ice sculptures, presenting a blend of performance art and visual splendor. Explore installations like Light Wave, a 12 m long sculpture, The TUNNEL and more!
Capital Pride Ice Parade and Cultural Celebrations: The festival includes the Capital Pride Ice Parade and celebrates the Lunar New Year, showcasing Canada’s cultural diversity and inclusiveness.
Ice Sculpture Displays and Skating: Visitors can marvel at majestic ice sculptures and glide along the Rideau Canal Skateway, the world’s largest natural ice rink, offering a unique skating experience.
The BeaverTails Ottawa Ice Dragon Boat Festival, a unique spectacle, will host the 2nd IIDBF World Club Crew Ice Dragon Boat Championships on February 9 and 10. This event brings together global competitors who will navigate the icy waters of Dows Lake on the Rideau Canal Skateway. In this one-of-a-kind race, boats embellished with dragon heads and tails, fitted with skate-like blades, cut through the frozen course. The participants, armed with spiked icepicks, will battle the chill and each other in their quest for the coveted championship gold, blending tradition, endurance, and skill in an icy arena.
Music and Entertainment: ByWard Market features the Ottawa Ice Dragon Boat Festival’s indoor concert series at The Rainbow, with performances from notable artists, enhancing the festival’s lively atmosphere. The lineup features performances from Alanna Sterling, Bastards and the Buzzards, Brother Elsey, Chemical Club, Craig Cardiff, Chris Murphy, Dizzy, Dunner, Elliott BROOD, fanclubwallet, F!TH, The Hallions, Jasmine Trails, JJ Wilde, Joel Plaskett, Loon Choir, M.T. Walker, Neon Ghosthouse, Nick Posthumus & the Soft Maybes, OMBIIGIZI, Pony Girl, Rare Americans, Sarah Swire, Steph La Rochelle, Sorry Snowman, Stoby, Summersets, The New Hires, and Wintersleep.