The 49th edition of Winterlude kicks off on Friday, the annual celebration of winter in the national capital region. Winterlude will take place on weekends until February 16, with events in Ottawa’s Confederation Park, the ByWard Market, at national museums and at Gatineau’s Jacques-Cartier Park. “It’s going to be incredible,” Melanie Brault, Canadian Heritage spokesperson, told CTV Your Morning Ottawa. “There’s just so much to see and do in the national capital region. We have Snowflake Kingdom over at Jacques-Cartier Park; that’s where we have the 18 corridors to do the tube sliding. In addition this year, we have a Ferris Wheel.” Brault notes all Winterlude events are free in Confederation Park and Jacques-Cartier Park. For a full list of events visit the Winterlude website at Canada.ca CTV News Ottawa looks at what you need to know about Winterlude. Sno-Bus The Winterlude Sno-Bus is a free shuttle service between Ottawa and Gatineau during Winterlude. In Ottawa The Sno-Bus Shuttle - Red circuit runs from Sparks Street and Elgin Street. The bus travels between the ByWard Market and the northern part of Jacques-Cartier Park. On Feb. 7, the Sno-Bus shuttle - Rideau Hall circuit will run between the Sparks Street Hall and Rideau Hall. In Gatineau The Sno-Bus shuttle – Blue circuit will run between the Robert-Guertin Park-and-Ride and the northern part of Jacques-Cartier Park. The Sno-Bus shuttle – Red will run from Jacques-Cartier Park to the ByWard Market, via Confederation Park. (Users must get off at the Sparks and Elgin stop). Confederation Park The Winterlude Crystal Garden returns to Confederation Park for Winterlude this year. The Crystal Garden will feature a free outdoor ice sculpture exhibition, animation and many seasonal events. Events on the opening weekend include the Winterlude Ice-Carving Exhibition, Giant Karaoke, short films and more. Canadian Heritage says the OLG Performance Stage in Confederation Park will feature performances during Winterlude. Snowflake Kingdom in Jacques-Cartier Park Jacques-Cartier Park in Gatineau, Que. is home to the Snowflake Kingdom. The winter playground includes snow slides, the Kids Zone, the ‘Lil’ Breeze obstacle course, winter activities, live performances and a Ferris Wheel. “Located in the northern part of Jacques-Cartier Park, the official Winterlude site in Gatineau offers free, outdoor, family-friendly winter activities, as well as attractions and events for visitors of all ages,” Canadian Heritage said. Rideau Canal The world’s largest skating rink is open for skating during Winterlude. The Rideau Canal Skateway is open between Rideau Street and Carleton University/Dow’s Lake for skating on the 7.8 km course. ByWard Market The ByWard Market is hosting several events during Winterlude. The weekend of Jan. 30 to Feb. 1 will be Pibòn Festival, bringing Indigenous art, fashion, music, and heritage to the ByWard Market through live performances and more. The weekend of Feb. 6-8 will see Barbegazi in the ByWard Market, an extreme winter storing event. “Expect a weekend with sky-high levels of adrenaline from February 6 to 8, 2026, with ice-cold freestyle snowmobile performances reaching up to 40 feet in the air, the chance to meet athletes, a snowsuit contest and a winter stewed cook-off!” the ByWard Market said. The weekend of Feb. 13 to 15 will see “Create and Celebrate” in the ByWard Market. Sparks Street Warm up with DJs Live from Sparks Street. The “DJs Live from the Booth: Winterlude Edition” brings music and movement to downtown Ottawa during Winterlude. Also, check out Lumitri will be on display on Sparks Street during Winterlude. A list of Winterlude activities by weekend Jan. 30 to Feb 1 Feb. 6-8 Feb. 12-16
