From ice sculptures to snow slides, outdoor skating rinks, sugary Beavertails and maple syrup drizzled on snow – nobody else celebrates winter like Canadians. And as 2016 approaches, there will be plenty of opportunities to embrace the season.
Here's a look at five winter festivals that will make you want to pull on your toque and head outdoors in 2016:
1. Carnaval de Quebec, Quebec City, Que.
The Carnaval de Quebec is the quintessential Canadian winter festival.
Quebec City residents first held the celebration in 1894, and since then, it's expanded to become one of the city's top attractions, drawing in more visitors than any other event in the area, according to spokesperson Patrick Lemaire.
The 2016 carnival will run from Jan. 28 until Feb. 14, and will feature an indoor whisky-tasting event (http://eventouch.ca/bulles-whisky-et-cie), and the chance to buy VIP seats to watch the nighttime parades and ice canoe races.
While you're there make sure to sample the food and drinks for sale, including maple whisky, Beavertail pastries and the "Caribou," a cocktail of port, sherry, brandy, and vodka that is sure to warm revellers on even the coldest Quebec day.
Don't miss…
The classic attractions that made the Carnaval de Quebec famous throughout the years, including an ice palace, a snow sculpture competition, and live entertainment.
And, of course, the friendly mascot Bonhomme the snowman, who will be on hand to lead the celebrations.
"We say the carnival is to Quebec City what the Stampede is to Calgary," Lemaire said. "Everything is focused around … 'playing, celebrating, and meeting.' So you go to the carnival to play with your families and friends, to celebrate, and to enjoy."
The full schedule and ticket information are available on the Carnaval website.
2. The Yukon Sourdough Rendezvous Festival, Whitehorse, Yukon
Harkening back to the booming days of the Klondike Gold Rush, the Sourdough Rendezvous is a lively homage to Whitehorse's history.
Many of the festival's events are based off of traditional pastimes from 1898, spokesperson Derek Charlton said in an email exchange.
Some of the highlights include a flour packing contest, in which competitors try to carry up to 360 kilograms of flour, an axe-throwing competition, and a "Partner Pack," which Charlton describes as "similar to the 'wife carrying contest,' but open to all sorts of teams."
There's also the "Chainsaw Chuck," which Charlton said is exactly what it sounds like -- a test to see who can throw a chainsaw the farthest.
And despite the northern temperatures, Charlton said the gathering maintains a warm community feel.
"Having been to many other festivals around Canada, I can truly say that Rendezvous offers a sense of community spirit that I have not experienced when attending other festivals," he said.
Don't miss…
The Sourdough Rendezvous can-can dancers and snow shoe shufflers, who perform routines wearing snow shoes and "cause great fits of laughter," Charlton said.
The 2016 Yukon Sourdough Rendezvous festival runs from Feb. 19-Feb. 28. More information is available online.
3. The Festival du Voyageur, Winnipeg, Man.
Running from Feb. 12 – 21, the Festival du Voyageur bills itself as the largest winter festival in Western Canada.
The annual Francophone celebration is "centred around the fur trade" and Metis traditions, festival director Ginette Lavack Walters said.
The festival features fiddling and jigging competitions, and an old-fashioned "Kitchen Party" music, driven by the clattering of spoons. At the heart of the festivities is Fort Gibraltar, a replica of the historic fur trading post that was first built in 1809.
For the adults there's "Bar Gibraltar," a nighttime outdoor dance party complete with fire pits and DJs, and for the kids there's a playground and labyrinth.
This year's festival will also feature a sold-out concert by Francophone singer Coeur de Pirate and a beard growing competition.
Don't miss…
The chance to try your hand at traditional Inuit, Metis and settler activities.
The Festival du Voyageur features a blacksmith demonstration, and opportunities to try sash-weaving, Metis beading, or making Inuit snow goggles.
"It's really participatory and everybody can come and enjoy," Lavack Walters said. "And it's not just about celebrating music and culture, it's about celebrating winter and what makes Winnipeg so special."
For more information, visit the festival website.
4. Winterlude, Ottawa, Ont., and Gatineau, Que.
Ottawa's annual winter festival is spread across three unique sites, each of which offers visitors a unique way to enjoy the season.
Ottawa's Confederation Park is where the festival's Sub Zero concert series and ice-sculpting contest will take place. It'll also be the location of a number of light-up art installations.
"(Confederation Park) transforms into Crystal Gardens," Cyr said. "There are ice sculptures and also art installations. It's very impressive to see."
Meanwhile, across the Ottawa River, in Gatineau, Que., Winterlude hosts North America's largest snow playground. Called the "Snowflake Kingdom," the playground is complete with "larger-than-life ice slides," and winter sports and games, said Katherine Cyr, a communications advisor at Canadian Heritage.
The playground is also home to the festival's mascots, a group of "magical, furry animals" called the "Snow Hogs" who party all winter and hibernate in the summer months.
Don't miss…
The historic Rideau Canal, the world's largest naturally frozen outdoor rink. During Winterlude, visitors can strap on some skates and glide through the heart of the city. The UNESCO World Heritage Site wraps its way around Ottawa's downtown core, out to the frozen-over Dow's Lake.
And for those who aren't up to skating the entire 7.8 kilometres in one go, there a number of on-ice stalls where you can take a break and enjoy a warm Beavertail pastry.
Winterlude runs from Jan. 29 – Feb. 15, 2016.
5. The Jack Frost Children's Festival, Charlottetown, P.E.I.
For families on the East Coast, the Jack Frost Children's festival is an opportunity for kids aged three to 12 (and their parents or guardians) to celebrate the season.
The festival runs from Feb. 19-21, and features and an outdoor "snow kingdom," an indoor play centre, an interactive children's stage, and a free "family fun zone," where there will be busker performances, story time, and character meet-and-greets.
"This is a really fun festival for families," Jennifer Paynter, the festival's director of marketing, said. "There are lots of different things to do."
Don't miss…
The "Dragons and Dinosaurs"-themed snow kingdom, where there'll be sculptures, ice slides, a tube ride and an outdoor skating rink.
"That's all centred around having fun with outdoor activities," Paynter said.
And to warm up, families can head to the indoor play centre, which will feature a petting zoo, face painting, balloon tying and bouncy castles, Paynter said.
For toddlers, there will be a three-and-under section at the indoor centre, and arts and crafts stations.
Tickets are on sale online at jackfrostfestival.com, or by phone at the Eastlink Centre Box Office.
