Hello Winterlude 2025: Ottawa's biggest winter festival yet!

Get ready to embrace the magic of winter as Ottawa's beloved Winterlude festival returns for its 47th edition from January 31 to February 17, 2025.

This iconic celebration of all things frosty will once again transform Canada's capital region into a winter playground, offering three weekends of family-friendly activities, stunning ice sculptures, and unforgettable experiences. Our weather so far has been collaborating to transform this year's festival into the biggest and best one yet! 

Winterlude 2025 will feature a variety of attractions spread across Ottawa and Gatineau for all types of weather scenarios, and we've listed the highlights:

1. The magic of Sparks Street

Explore Ottawa's winter wonderland with energetic busker performances, unique ice carvings, and innovative interactive art displays. Newly added this year will be the Urban Sugar Shack experience, where you can taste our nation's liquid gold in all its glory. Check out "Live from the Booth: Winterlude Edition," featuring a diverse lineup of DJs celebrating LGBTQ+, Indigenous, and Canadiana sounds. Book a suite facing Sparks Street to get front seats on the action in the coziest ways.

2. Skate on the Rideau Canal or the Rink of Dreams!

The world-famous Rideau Canal Skateway, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is lined up to go live as the festival's centrepiece. Visitors can glide along the frozen canal, enjoying cultural performances and live music along the way. Alternatively, head to Ottawa City Hall and skate on the Rink of Dreams, a 12,500-square-foot outdoor refrigerated ice surface, complete with the option to purchase a delicious beaver tail.

3. Discover Inspiring Sculptures and Art Installations

Confederation Park will host popular ice carving competitions, showcasing intricate sculptures created by artists from around the world. The city will also feature illuminated, interactive structures, adding a touch of magic to the urban landscape.

4. Snowflake Kingdom

Jacques-Cartier Park in Gatineau will transform into the Snowflake Kingdom, a winter wonderland for families. Here, visitors can enjoy:

• Giant snow slides, including the Chinook Super Slides
• A kids' zone with mini-igloos and games
• Zip-lining with views of Parliament Hill
• Introductory skiing and snowboarding lessons
• Meet-and-greets with the Ice Hog mascots
• New Additions and Adaptations

Planning Your Visit

With an average of 600,000 visitors attending the festival each year, booking accommodations well in advance is advisable. Book early and save 20% when booking weekends until the end of April or 7 days ahead throughout the year. Need more advice on how to maximize your experience? Write to reservations@restays.com or call our reservations team today at 1-833-996-6200.

Celebrate the best of Winterlude with reStays! Just a short 5-minute walk from the festivities on the canal and right in the heart of Sparks Street’s action. Families and couples will rejoice with these fun-filled activities, so join in the adventure and embrace Winterlude 2025 as a unique Canadian experience on many 2025 travel trends list. Bundle up and join the adventures in Ottawa this winter!