Winter Fun in Ottawa 2026: Top Events, Festivals & Activities

In winter 2026, Ottawa will be a hub of diverse activities.

Ottawa starts 2026 with an incredible lineup of events, making it a must-visit destination this winter.   Music lovers can enjoy concerts like Michael Bublé, and The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers – In Concert, while festival highlights include Winterlude and Igloofest. From comedy and theatre to family-friendly winter carnivals and major touring acts, the capital offers nonstop entertainment from January through March for all ages and interests.

For more, see things to do this weekend in Ottawa.

Contents:

• Events & Festivals
• Outdoor Winter Fun

Top Events & Festivals to Attend This Winter

Outdoor Winter Fun

1. Go Ice Skating

• Rink of Dreams
• Lansdowne Park Skating Court
• Ben Franklin Place Skating Rink
• Jim Tubman Chevrolet Rink
• RiverOak Estate
• Countryside Adventures
• Rideau Canal Skateway
• Icelynd Skating Trail
• Rideau Hall Rink

You might like: 25 Coolest Outdoor Ice Skating Trails in Ontario

2. Enjoy Tobogganing

Tobogganing is hands down the favourite winter activity for many, especially the young ones. So why not grab your favourite sled and get ready to slide? The snowy hills at Gatineau Park offer some of the region’s best sledding experiences.  List of sledding hills in Ottawa.

3. Go on a Ride

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 km of snow biking trails accessible with a snow biking pass.

You might like: Top Bicycle Tours to Explore Canada

Top Bicycle Tours to Explore Ontario

4. Winter Walking

Dress warm, grab a hot cup of coffee/cocoa, and head out to enjoy a walk. Make it a fun family hike by exploring Parliament Hill and easy hikes.

You may like: 15+ Waterfalls to Visit in and Around Ottawa

5. Maple Syrup Festivals and Sugar Shacks

Visit a maple farm and make maple memories!  Learn the art of maple syrup making, enjoy sugar shack food, taste maple taffy and more!

6. Explore Ottawa’s Greenbelt

Enjoy the winter snow, spectacular views, and great outdoor activities at the Greenbelt! Activities in winter include sledding at Green’s Creek Hill, snowshoeing, cross-country skiing, and ice-fishing, in addition to winter hiking.

7. Enjoy a Skate In the Forest

Located near Gatineau Park (45 minutes from Ottawa), Skating in the Forest offers the unique experience of skating on a 3 km nature trail. This enchanting site is also a great place to enjoy a winter walk or go snowshoeing.

8. See Birds at Mud Lake

Mud Lake, located within Lac Deschênes, is a major migratory corridor and is a popular site for bird watching.

9. See animals at Parc Omega

Breathe in the fresh air at the Parc Omega. Drive through the nature park and observe wild animals from the northern hemisphere, like wolves, elks, and deer – all from the comfort of your vehicle. The snowshoe trail at the park is now accessible at zone 11. Book an overnight stay at the cozy Wolf Cabin. Located one hour from Ottawa.

10. Discover 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.

11. 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.

12. 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.

13. Go Cross-country Skiing

There are hundreds of kilometres 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

14. 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.

You might like: 25 Date Ideas during Winter in Ottawa

15. Bird Watching

Hike through the city parks looking for winter birds.

16. Winter Fun at RiverOak Estate

With trails that pass through orchards, forests, and meadows, it is no surprise that the winter trails at RiverOak Estates are so popular. Grab your skates or snowshoes, hockey or ringette sticks, and enjoy your time outdoors. Located 30 minutes from downtown Ottawa.

17. Get Ready for an Adventure

Experience winter with Countryside Adventures. Located 45 minutes east of Ottawa is a place where families, couples, or groups can enjoy a day out in the open. You can enjoy skating, snowshoeing, and cross-country skiing.

18. Enjoy Night Skiing

Head over to Camp Fortune with 12 lit runs to enjoy night skiing and boarding. Night skiing can also be enjoyed at Mont Cascades.

19. Mer Bleue Conservation Area

Cross-country skiing, snowshoeing, hiking are activities to enjoy in winter at Mer Bleue Conservation Area.

20. Go Fishing

Looking for a great fishing spot to call your own in Ottawa? You can fish without a license on Family Day weekend.

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

You might like: 25 Ontario Provincial Parks to Visit During Winter in Ontario

21. Mill of Kintail Conservation Area

Embrace winter and the great outdoors at the Mill of Kintail Conservation Area.  The beautiful trails here are perfect for a family getaway. Located 45 minutes from Ottawa.

22. Enjoy a Picnic

A picnic in winter may sound unusual, but it’s a really fun way to enjoy winter. Dress warmly, pack hot food and drinks, and head to your favourite picnic spot.

23. Enjoy a Snowman Adventure

Enjoy snowshoe trails,  tours of the Laflèche Cave, and more at Arbraska Laflèche.

You might like: 5 Places to Enjoy Winter Zip-lining

24. Go on a winter day trip

Visit nearby counties and towns:

• Things to Do Outdoors this Winter in Brockville and Leeds & Grenville County
• Things to Do Outdoors This Winter in Prescott-Russell
• Things to Do Outdoors this Winter in and Around Cornwall
• 20+ Things to Do Outdoors During Winter in Lanark County
• 25 Outdoor Winter Activities in Renfrew County
• 22 Fun Outdoor Winter Activities in Kingston and Frontenac County
• 20 Things to Do Outdoors During Winter in Belleville and Hastings County
• 15 Things to Do During Winter in Algonquin Park
• 25 Ontario Provincial Parks to Visit During Winter