Winter Bliss in Ottawa: Your Guide to Winterlude, Ottawa, Canada

If you’re looking for the ultimate winter wonderland experience, Ottawa’s Winterlude Festival is the place to be! Every year, Canada’s capital transforms into a playground of frosty fun, filled with activities that will make you fall head over skates. Here’s how you can spend a weekend soaking up the winter magic during this iconic celebration, which runs from Friday, January 30th to Monday, February 16th, 2026 - and the best part? It’s free!

First stop: the Rideau Canal Skateway, the crown jewel of Winterlude! At nearly 8 kilometres long, this UNESCO World Heritage Site becomes the world’s largest skating rink each winter. Grab your freshly sharpened skates and get ready to hit the ice.

The best part? The canal is dotted with little huts serving up warm treats like hot chocolate and, of course, the famous Beavertails (more on that later!). If you’re a newbie skater like me, don’t worry - there’s always a friendly vibe, with locals zipping past and kids wobbling adorably.

And don’t worry! On the canal, you can rent a pair of sharpened skates, training bars for the kids, and even sleds.

Speaking of Beavertails, these warm, crispy pastries are a Winterlude must! Shaped like a beaver’s tail (because, Canada), they’re deep-fried perfection topped with whatever your heart desires. I usually opt for the classic with cinnamon and sugar, but you can always level up with Nutella or maple toppings. ...... (follow the instructions below for accessing the rest of this article).