Winterlude kicks off Friday with new events and family fun

The annual winter celebration in the National Capital Region begins this weekend with traditional Ottawa winter weather. CTV's Dave Charbonneau reports.

Winterlude, the capital’s largest winter festival, starts Friday, offering skating, sliding, and family fun.

Ottawa resident Rebecca Roy said she’s excited about the festival’s return.

“There’s a ton of great programs happening at Lansdowne, and there’s roller skating, and there’s all these incredible things that are going on,” she said. “It’s fun because it’ll be the first time maybe everything doesn’t melt.”

Canadian Heritage is introducing new experiences this year.

“We’re going to have a Valentine’s Day drone show, so you’ll be able to see that over at Jacques Cartier Park,” said Melanie Brault, director of capital celebrations and program operations.

Other highlights include super slides for tubing and a kiddie zone at the Snowflake Kingdom in Gatineau’s Jacques-Cartier Park, ice sculptures and a sound and light experience on Sparks Street, and a Glow Skate Night and a unique winter market in the ByWard Market.

“On Sparks Street, we have this year the Urban Sugar Shack,” Brault said. “So, it’s an opportunity to learn more about Canadian traditions. We’re going to have lots of music and entertainment. And in the evening, Sparks Street actually changes into LüX, which is going to be a Winterlude sound and light experience.”

The festival also provides a boost for local tourism.

“It does create an uptick in terms of visitations to Ottawa. We do see more hotel room demand in those weekends in February,” said Jerome Miousse, Ottawa Tourism’s director of public affairs.

The Rideau Canal Skateway is open this year, but it won’t be a main Winterlude site.

“I’m just happy the canal is open this year and there’s still a lot to enjoy on it,” said Ottawa resident Jennifer Meredith.

Vancouver resident Laurent Boucher said the Rideau Canal Skateway offers a unique experience.

“It’s pretty awesome, just being able to skate along the city,” he said.

And for Rebecca Roy, this year’s winter is turning out to be one of the best so far.

“It’s just really nice to see people out moving and enjoying winter. The last two years have been hard, but I think we deserve a little bit of a break where we can actually enjoy Canadian winters.”

Winterlude runs from Jan. 31 to Feb. 17.

Main Winterlude sites include the ByWard Market and Sparks Street in Ottawa, and Jacques Cartier Park in Gatineau, with other events across the National Capital Region.

The Sno-Bus makes its return. You can ride specially designated buses for free to several official Winterlude sites.

Winterlude Sno-Bus Schedule

Between Elgin Street at Sparks Street to Jacques-Cartier Park North

• Feb. 1 and 2, 8 and 9, and 15 and 16, from 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.
• Monday, Feb. 17, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Gatineau Sno-Bus Schedule

Between Robert-Guertin Park and Ride and Jacques-Cartier Park North

• Feb. 1, 8 and 15, from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m.
• Feb. 2, 9 and 16, from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.
• No service on Monday, Feb. 17

Hop on a Sno-Bus on Elgin Street at Sparks Street. Look for buses signed “Sno-Bus” at bus stops marked by Sno-Bus signs.

On Feb. 1 between 12:10 p.m. and 4:30 p.m., catch an OC Transpo shuttle between Queen Street (at Metcalfe Street) to Rideau Hall for the Rideau Hall Winter Celebration.