Winter in Canada can be dark and cold and feel like it lasts forever. Many Canadian cities and communities have found a way to beat the winter blues and bring young and old together in a celebration of the season.
Here are nine of the country’s most notable winter festivals sure to bring fun and laughter to even the coldest winter night.
Winterlude, Ottawa
A mother and daughter slide down an ice slide at Jacques-Cartier Park in Gatineau during the Winterlude Festival in 2016. The Canadian Press/Justin Tang
Running from Feb. 2-19, Winterlude is one of Ottawa’s best winter events. With about 200 activities during the festival, there is plenty of winter fun for everyone of all ages—and the best part is most of them are free. Some of the top attractions include the infinite cave, which is created by snow and ice sculptors, a large tobogganing hill, a maze, triathlon, skating, ice sculptures, and more. Winterlude also offers public art displays and performances by entertainers at various venues around the city. This is the 46th year the event has taken place.
Carnival De Quebec, Quebec
With a history that goes back to 1894, Carnival de Quebec hosts a winter celebration from Jan. 25 to Feb. 11. Visitors can enjoy ice sculptures, musical performances, canoe races, night parades, skating, a snowman competition, polar bear plunge, hockey tournament and more. The Carnival de Quebec is full of activities for all ages.Festival Montreal En Lumiere, Montreal
People play on a series of 30 interactive seesaws with light and sound as part of the Montreal en Lumiere mid-winter festival in 2017. The Canadian Press/Paul Chiasson
Open from Feb. 29 to March 10, Montreal’s Light Festival is a great place to beat the winter blues. Offering samples from some of the best culinary artists in the city, coupled with musical performances and outdoor activities like night skating, the Festival Montreal en Lumiere captures the best of what this city has to offer. This will be the 25th year the event is held.
Festival du Voyageur, Manitoba
A view of the Festival du Voyageur in Montreal. Courtesy of Festival du Voyageur Inc.
Winnipeg hosts the Festival du Voyageur from Feb. 16-25, which offers various activities and concert performances for children, including a giant slide, playground, horse sleigh rides, crafts, and traveller workshops. There are over 150 performances that play at the festival offering Caadian-French violin and other local and national rock, indie pop, and rap.
Winterloo, Waterloo
Held in the city of Waterloo, Ont., for one day only, (Feb. 17), the Winterloo Festival is where the community of Waterloo gathers to enjoy winter. Events at Winterloo include pop-up curling, maple taffy, snow sculptures, sled dog races, crafts, and snow zone activities for kids and those young at heart.Hamilton Winterfest, Hamilton
From Feb. 2-19 the City of Hamilton celebrates Winterfest, bringing the community together to enjoy musical performances, art exhibits, theatre and dance performances, hockey, curling, crafting, and even some comedy. The event has over 70 activities, which include a pop culture exhibition and special family day features, including a pancake breakfast.Chinook Blast, Calgary
A view at the Chinook Blast in Calgary, Alta. Colin Way
For three weeks in February, Calgary, dubbed Canada’s sunniest city, comes alive to celebrate winter with the Chinook Blast Festival. Featuring a variety of events from hockey to art performances to night markets to light installations, the festival started in 2020 and has endured through the pandemic years. It runs from Feb. 2-19.
Snowking Festival, Yellowknife
Winter in Northern Canada is a unique experience and from March 2-28 in Yellowknife, locals and visitors alike will be celebrating the season at the Snowking festival. The centrepiece of the festival is the snow castle that is built on Yellowknife Bay by the Snowking and his helpers and takes about two months to create. The castle then hosts a variety of activities from children’s play, art exhibits, musical performances, film showings, and even serves as a dance club to warm up during the cold winter nights. This will be the 29th year of the festival.Yukon Rendevous, Yukon
An expansion of Yukon Carnival week, which was held back in 1945, Yukon Rendevous has grown from its beginnings as a sports-focused event to be a celebration of winter and all things Canadian, including contests for the best beard and mustache, snow carving, axe throwing, log toss, cultural craft fair, a parade, musical performances and more. Running from Feb. 9-25, it’s a unique way to honour Canada’s winter culture.Related Stories
