Winterlude Weekends, Warm Between Stops
Winterlude fills Ottawa and Gatineau with ice sculptures, snow play and skaters from 29 January to 15 February 2027, its 49th edition. Travel in your own minibus or Sprinter, driver included, and your family or club can hop between sites and warm up on the way instead of waiting at a cold bus stop.
Two cities, several sites
The festival spreads across the river. The 2026 edition put the ice sculptures in Confederation Park on the Ottawa side and the Snowflake Kingdom snow playground in Jacques-Cartier Park, Gatineau. Layouts can change between years, so check the 2027 site plan when it appears.
Organized by Canadian Heritage, the festival pulls in over half a million visitors in an average year.
When and where
- Ottawa-Gatineau: Confederation Park (Ottawa), Jacques-Cartier Park (Gatineau) and the Rideau Canal Skateway
- January 29 - February 15, 2027 (49th edition)
Skates on, if the ice allows
Skating depends on the ice. The canal's 7.8 km Skateway tends to open at some point from January to early March, and only when the weather allows. If skating is the point of your trip, keep a second plan ready, such as the ByWard Market, or the Canadian Museum of History on the Gatineau side.
Shuttles, transit and your own driver
In the 2026 festival, a free Sno-Bus connected the official sites each weekend and on Family Day, and parking is free at OC Transpo's Park & Ride lots, which connect to downtown by bus and O-Train. Those suit a couple. For a group with small children, strollers or older relatives, a vehicle nearby is kinder.
Downtown Ottawa has marked places for tour buses to load near Parliament Hill and the ByWard Market, such as the north side of George Street and the east side of Metcalfe Street between Queen and Sparks, plus tour bus parking on Daly Avenue and Commissioner Street. Your driver uses those, so meet at the agreed corner rather than the nearest curb.
Winter roads
Allow extra time for snow and cold mornings. Gatineau is in Quebec, where the winter-tire law, in force from 1 December to 15 March, binds only vehicles registered in Québec; those from elsewhere are exempt. Either way, ask for a vehicle ready for winter driving and the operator will confirm how it is equipped.
Your questions
How far is the airport?
By road it's about 14 km from Parliament Hill to the airport, around 20 minutes when traffic is light; pre-arranged pickups are on Level 1 at Pillars 12 and 13.
Can we add a day trip?
Gatineau Park is about 20 minutes away, and Parc Omega at Montebello is about an hour.
What should we tell you when we book?
Your dates, how many are coming, the hotel and roughly which sites you want to see. Mention strollers, sleds or skates too, since they take up luggage space.