Pack up the skates and start dreaming of beaver tails again, Ottawa’s 45th annual Winterlude festival is set to return for 2023 after a two-year hiatus from in-person activities. Featuring a full program of winter, artistic, and cultural traditions set in a diverse program of events and activities, the iconic winter festival will take place from Feb. 3 to 20 across the Capital Region.
The festival celebrates not only the joys of Canadian winter, but also Canada’s artistic vitality, Indigenous cultures, Pride, and the country’s diversity, with organizers stating, “Arts and culture help define us and bring us together. There will be opportunities for everyone to create their own memorable moments.”
Full details and a schedule are available on the Winterlude website. Among them:
Ice sculptures
Truly the stars of Winterlude, visitors are invited to Sparks Street Feb. 3-5 to cheer on professional ice carvers who will have three days to create a majestic sculpture during the Winterlude National Ice-Carving Championships.
Thirteen pairs of experienced ice carvers, representing the 10 provinces and three territories, will compete. They will have 20 hours to carve 15 blocks of ice and create a work of art with the theme “Creatures of the Sea,” a nod to the underwater life in Canada’s oceans.
And it’s up to the public to choose the three winning sculptures by voting for their favourite, with pictures of all the sculptures e posted on the Winterlude website starting Feb. 10.
Opening weekend
• Catch the show Minsoshkite (“music to your ears”), presented by Elmnt FM and Red Music Rising, featuring William Prince, Snotty Nose Rez Kids and many others, on Friday, Feb. 3 at 7 p.m. in the Great Hall of the Canadian Museum of History, as well as a mini powwow and Indigenous craft fair on Sunday, Feb. 5 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
• Visit the Snowflake Kingdom at the northern end of Jacques Cartier Park.
• Cheer on the competitors in the Ice Dragon Boat Festival on the Rideau Canal Skateway.
Events, Ottawa and Gatineau
• The Snowflake Kingdom, a joint production with the City of Gatineau, will return to the northern end of Jacques Cartier Park with, among other things, super slides, a mega zip line ($), and many other activities for the whole family.
• Sparks Street in Ottawa will be alive with interactive light features, beautiful ice sculptures and performance art zones for all tastes.
• The ByWard Market, one of Canada’s oldest public markets, will host traditional activities such as sleigh rides, food experiences, interactive art installations and other features that will transform the public space.
• The iconic 7.8-km. Rideau Canal Skateway, presented by OLG, offers skaters a unique urban experience featuring a wide range of activities.
• Elsewhere in Ottawa and Gatineau, activities will be organized by program partners including the Canadian Museum of History, Vision Downtown Gatineau, the National Arts Centre with its BIG BANG Festival, and many more.
Spotlight on Indigenous cultures
The unique history, languages, cultural practices, and spiritual beliefs of Indigenous Peoples will be an integral part of the many Winterlude activities. The first weekend’s programming highlights Indigenous cultures, acknowledging the significant role of Indigenous Peoples in Canada’s winter traditions.
Winter Pride
The second weekend will allow all visitors to gather and take part in Winter Pride and the many activities that highlight the country’s cultural diversity and inclusion.