Frugal Fun Ottawa - Best of Winterlude

Winterlude - February 3 to 20, 2012

Skating on the canal and taking in the ice sculptures at Confederation Park are always great Winterlude activities, but there is much more to see and do! Mmmm, Beaver Tails... :)

Most Winterlude activities take place at the following locations:

Confederation Park (Elgin and Laurier Streets)
Jaques-Cartier Park (Gatineau)
Festival Plaza at Ottawa City Hall
Major's Hill Park (behind the Château Laurier)
and of course, on the Ridea Canal!

On Saturdays and Sundays during Winterlude you can travel from one location to another on the free Sno-Bus shuttle. You can find Sno-Bus routes and schedule information here.

Here are my picks for the Best of Winterlude 2012:

Winterlude Opening Night
Museum of Civilization
- Friday, February 3
- Free admission to the museum as of 5pm
- Official Winterlude Opening Ceremony at 8:30 pm
- Musical Fireworks at 9pm
- DJ Dance Party at 9:15 pm

Sun Life Snowflake Kingdom (always a big hit with my family!)
Jaques Cartier Park
The site is open on Mondays (including family day), Thursdays and Sundays from 9 am to 6 pm;
on Fridays and Saturdays from 9 am to 9 pm (9:30 pm on February 3rd, opening night);
and is closed Tuesdays and Wednesdays. Ongoing events include:

Giant snow slides
Snow sculptures
Obstacle courses
Kicksleds
Crafts
An introduction to downhill skiing for kids aged 5-8 (from 9 am to 4 pm)
The Canadian Rangers exhibit, where you can talk to members of the 3rd Canadian Ranger Patrol and learn about their work assisting in emergencies and see their tools and vehicles
and more!

Canadian Forces Winter Obstacle Course
Jacques Cartier Park
- Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays, 10 am to 5 pm

Kite Flying Demonstrations and Introduction
Jacques Cartier Park
- Saturdays and Sundays from 10 am to 5 pm

Free Subway® Learn to Skate Sessions
Rideau Canal at Fifth Avenue
- Saturdays and Sundays, 11 am to 4 pm
- Sign up for a free 45 minutes skating lesson
- Registration required; register on-site, on the hour

Roger's One-Block Ice Scultping Challenge
Confederation Park
- The challenge theme is "Northern Legends"
- Friday, February 3, 8 to 10 am
- Award ceremony at 5 pm

25th Rogers International Ice-Carving Competition
Confederation Park
- Friday, February 3, 11:30 am to 11 pm
- Saturday, February 4, 8 am to 11 pm
- Sunday, February 5, 8 am to noon

Tethered Hot Air Balloon
Jacques Cartier Park (weather permitting)
- Friday, February 3, 4 to 9 pm
- Friday and Saturday, February 17 and 18, 4 to 7 pm

8th Annual Free Pancake Breakfast
Festival Plaza at Ottawa City Hall
- Saturday, February 4, 10 am
- While the pancakes last!

32nd Annual Bed Race
Rideau Canal at Dows Lake
- Saturday, February 4
- Parade of beds at 12:30
- Race from 1 to 3 pm

Cheer on your favourite team in the Annual Great Canadian Beaver Cup Pond Hockey Championship
Rideau Canal at Dows Lake
- Friday, February 10, 3 pm to 8 pm
- Saturday, February 11, 8 am to 8 pm
- Sunday, February 12, 8 am to 4 pm

Ice Sculpture Secret Ice Carving Demonstrations
Confederation Park
- Saturdays, February 11 and 18, noon, 1 pm and 3 pm
- Sunday, February 19, noon, 1 pm and 3 pm

COOL Photography Workshop for Youth aged 12 to 18
Rideau Canal
- English workshop on Saturday, February 11, 2 to 4 pm
- French workshop on Sunday, February 12, 2 to 4 pm
- REGISTRATION REQUIRED - see website for details.

Ice Carving Championship
Confederation Park
- Come cheer on professional ice carvers and vote for your favourite!
- Sunday, February 12

Rogers Public Ice-Carving Challenge
Confederation Park
- Saturday, February 18, 11:30 am to 2:30 pm
- Interactive public vote casting: 2:30 pm
- Click here if you'd like to register!

Young Sculptors at Work
Confederation Park
- Learn the basic tequnique of ice carving with professional ice carvers
- Sunday, February 19
- Ages 8 to 12 - 10:30 am to noon
- Ages 13 to 17 - 1:30 to 3 pm

and many, many more!

Search the official Winterlude website for more winter fun.

Take me to Frugal Fun Ottawa.

advertisements