Winterlude in Ottawa 2023: Ultimate Guide
Winterlude is a special winter festival in Ottawa that people visit from far and wide to partake in all the fun festivities. In this article, we’ll guide you through everything you need to know about Winterlude!
Before we proceed, here’s a quick overview of everything you need to know about Winterlude 2023 in Ottawa:
When is Winterlude?
Winterlude starts on February 3 (Friday) and ends on February 20 (Monday). That means it’s almost three weeks of festivities in total this 2023.
Winterlude doesn’t start or end on the exact same dates every year, which means next year’s Winterlude can begin and end slightly earlier or later than this year’s dates.
Where is Winterlude in Ottawa?
You can find most of the Winterlude festivities in Ottawa at Rideau Canal Skateway, the Canadian Museum of History, and Sparks Street.
How many days do you need at Winterlude?
To really experience Winterlude in full, you need to spend at least 3 days in Ottawa to try out all the fun activities you just can’t miss.
In particular, you can enjoy cool activities like skating along the world’s biggest skating rink, the Rideau Canal, or window-shopping in the historic Byward Market.
You shouldn’t miss the ice sculpting competitions going on throughout Winterlude too!
What to Expect from Winterlude in Ottawa
You can expect a lot of activity during Winterlude in Ottawa, in particular at Rideau Canal, where the main events take place. You can also find many nighttime events along Bank St. & Spark St., like the ice carving competition.
There are also luminous interactive structures, a public art installation, music, fun children’s activities, informative talks, dancing, and so many more cool things to do!
How to Dress for Winterlude
Because Winterlude takes place during the winter season, you definitely have to wear at least 1 base layer, 1 mid-layer, and 1 outer layer to stay warm enough. You shouldn’t forego wearing mittens and hats to keep off the winter chill.
For specific suggestions on how to dress during Winterlude, you may refer to the table below:
Activities You Should Try in Winterlude
Winterlude in Ottawa is a very festive period in the city, and it’s filled to the brim with so many exciting events and activities you just can’t pass up. With that said, here are some of the fun things you should try during Winterlude in Ottawa:
Skate along the world’s biggest skating rink.
You can’t celebrate Winterlude without trying out the Rideau Canal Skateway at least once. This UNESCO World Heritage Site will be on its 53rd season of skating this winter, so why not skate down its 7.8km course for yourself?
For more information, you may refer to the table below:
Visit the historic Byward Market.
Byward Market is a historic area in Ottawa and is home to many food stalls and local artisans selling their wares. Aside from window shopping and trying out local food like BeaverTails, there’s a lot more you can do here.
For example, there are horse-drawn sleigh rides available for you to try out, or you can go the whole mile and go on a foodie trip by sampling the best restaurants.
What’s more, there are interactive art installations that you can admire while exploring.
Speaking of restaurants to try out in the actual Byward Market, you can check out the table below for some suggestions:
*Pricing Guide
$ = Affordable/Budget-friendly
$$ = Mid-range/Slightly more expensive
Learn more about national history and indigenous cultures at the Canadian Museum of History.
The Canadian Museum of History is one of the country’s national museums on anthropology, Canadian history, cultural studies, and ethnology. In particular, it promotes Canadian heritage and helps support any related research.
So if you’re visiting Ottawa during Winterlude and want to learn more about local history and culture while you’re here, this is a must-visit!
Aside from visiting the museum’s galleries, there’s also a Minsoshkite (Music to Your Ears) show presented by Elmnt FM & Red Music Rising during opening weekend. There’s also a mini powwow and artisan fair promoting indigenous culture.
You may refer to the table below for more information on a few of the events that will take place at the Canadian Museum of History during Winterlude:
Take a walk along Sparks Street.
Sparks Street once had the first permanent open pedestrian mall in all of North America, located just a hop, skip, and a step away from Parliament Hill. During Winterlude, it’s one of the main hubs of activity.
From beautiful lighting effects and interactive light structures along the street to the Winterlude National Ice-Carving Championship, it’s a place you have to see for yourself!
Take a look at the following table for more information on the events being held at Sparks Street during Winterlude:
Where to Eat during Winterlude
The best restaurants where you should eat while in Ottawa during Winterlude are Riviera Ottawa, Play Food & Wine, and JOEY Rideau.
Exploring Ottawa in Winterlude can get tiring really quickly, so taking frequent breaks and sitting down for a warm meal should be a necessity during your stay.
With that said, take a look at the details of the mentioned restaurants below:
*Pricing Guide
$ = Affordable/Budget-friendly
$$ = Mid-range/Slightly more expensive
$$$ = High-end/Expensive
Where to Stay for Winterlude
If you’re visiting Ottawa for Winterlude and need somewhere to stay, the best hotels are Fairmont Chateau Laurier, Andaz Ottawa, and Westin Ottawa.
All these hotels are placed in strategic locations near the main hubs of activity in Winterlude, like Byward Market and Rideau Canal.
For each hotel’s details, you may refer to the table below: