Rideau Canal Skateway
Skate from Parliament to Dows Lake — 7.8 km of natural ice.
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Winter Activities · Winter
Winterlude
Ottawa, Ontario Early – late February (three weekends)
Skate the world's largest skating rink and wander a city of ice sculptures.
Type
Winter Activities
Attendance
600,000+ visitors
Duration
3 weekends
Best For
Families, skaters, first-time Canadian winter visitors
Family Friendly
Yes
Setting
Outdoor
About This Event
The story of Winterlude
Skate the world's largest skating rink and wander a city of ice sculptures.
Canada's capital embraces winter with three weekends of skating on the Rideau Canal Skateway, monumental ice sculptures in Confederation Park, and a snow playground in Gatineau. It is winter in Canada at its most accessible and most magical.
History
Launched in 1979 by the National Capital Commission to encourage Canadians to embrace winter, Winterlude is now North America's premier winter festival.
Why it matters
A celebration of Canadian winter identity, hosted by the country's bilingual capital.
What makes it unique
The 7.8 km Rideau Canal Skateway is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and the world's largest naturally frozen skating rink.
Who attends
Families, school groups, Ottawa locals, and international visitors curious about Canadian winter.
Why travelers love it
Reasons to go
What makes Winterlude unforgettable.
01
Skate 7.8 km on the Rideau Canal Skateway
02
International ice carving competition
03
Snowflake Kingdom in Jacques-Cartier Park
04
BeaverTails warm pastries between rinks
What to expect
Schedule & highlights
The headline experiences inside the festival.
Ice Sculptures
Confederation Park hosts the international competition.
Snowflake Kingdom
Snow slides and family fun across the river in Gatineau.
BeaverTails
Cinnamon-sugar fried pastries served on the canal — a tradition.
Tickets, passes & admission
Pricing & how to book
Editorial overview — confirm current prices on the official ticketing site.
| Ticket type | Price | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Festival access | Free | All Winterlude programming is free. |
| Skate rental | CAD $20 – $30/day | Multiple shops along the canal. |
Navigating the event
Venue guide
Everything you need to find your way around Rideau Canal Skateway, Confederation Park, Jacques-Cartier Park.
Rideau Canal Skateway, Confederation Park, Jacques-Cartier Park
Rideau Canal, Ottawa, ON
- Parking
- Use Park & Skate lots at Dows Lake; or take OC Transpo.
- Transit
- Confederation/Rideau LRT stations are at the canal's heart.
- Walking distances
- Canal stretches 7.8 km — pick an entry point near your hotel.
- Accessibility
- Viewing platforms along the canal; warm-up huts every 1 km.
Event zones
Skateway (canal)Confederation Park (sculptures)Snowflake Kingdom (Gatineau)
Travel information
Getting there
How to reach Ottawa from across Canada and beyond.
Fly in
Ottawa International (YOW) — 20 min from downtown.
Drive in
From Toronto: 4 hr 30 min on Hwy 401/416. From Montréal: 2 hr.
Train
VIA Rail Corridor service from Toronto, Montréal, Québec City.
Local transit
OC Transpo LRT serves downtown directly.
From major Canadian cities
Toronto4 hr 30 min · Drive
Montréal2 hr · Drive
Québec City5 hr · Drive
Best areas to stay
Where to stay
Curated accommodations across price tiers and neighbourhoods.
Luxury
Fairmont Château Laurier
ByWard Market
Steps from the canal.
Boutique
Andaz Ottawa ByWard Market
ByWard Market
Mid-Range
Lord Elgin Hotel
Downtown
Directly opposite Confederation Park sculptures.
Family-Friendly
Delta Hotels Ottawa City Centre
Downtown
Budget
Auberge des Arts
ByWard Market
Best neighbourhoods
ByWard Market
Restaurants, nightlife, walk to the canal.
Best for: Foodies
Downtown
Walking distance to Parliament and sculptures.
Best for: Sightseers
The Glebe
Quieter, with canal access at Dows Lake.
Best for: Skaters
Explore beyond the event
Things to do nearby
Make Ottawa the start of a wider Canadian adventure.
Attractions
Canadian War Museum
Restaurants
ByWard Market food halls
Beavertails, poutine, Obama-famous cookies.
Museums
Canadian Museum of History
Across the river in Gatineau.
National Gallery of Canada
Iconic Maman spider sculpture.
Historic Sites
Parliament Hill
Free Centre Block tours.
Neighbourhoods
Sussex Drive embassies
Make the most of your visit
Suggested itineraries
Plans for every length of stay — from a single day to an extended adventure.
One Day Winterlude
Morning
Skate the canal · BeaverTails stop
Afternoon
Confederation Park sculptures
Evening
ByWard Market dinner
Winterlude Weekend
Day 1
Full canal skate · evening lights
Day 2
Snowflake Kingdom · National Gallery
Three-Day Capital Winter
Day 1
Skate · sculptures
Day 2
Parliament Hill · museums
Day 3
Gatineau Park snowshoe
Know before you go
Local insider tips
Editorial advice from on-the-ground travelers.
Skating
Check the daily Skateway condition report — closures happen during thaws.
Layers
Skating warms you fast — dress for sweating, not for standing still.
BeaverTails
Order the Killaloe Sunrise — cinnamon, sugar, lemon. Eat it on the ice.
Photos
Sculpture lighting peaks at blue hour, 5–6 pm.
Planning around the seasons
Weather & best time to visit
Temperatures
Highs -6 °C / Lows -15 °C
Conditions
Cold, sunny, occasional flurries.
What to pack
Insulated coat, warm gloves, scarf, toque, waterproof boots, thermal socks for skating.
Best times to attend
Mid-February has the most reliable canal ice.
Photo gallery
A visual taste
A glimpse of Winterlude and the surrounding destination.
Editorial photography curated by The Canadian Explorer.
FAQs
Frequently asked questions
Nearby
Extend your trip
Parks, campgrounds and road trips within reach of Ottawa.
National Parks nearby
Provincial Parks nearby
Explore more of Canada
Related destinations
Continue the journey from where the festival ends.
Trip planning assistance
Need help planning your visit?
Tell us about your trip and we'll send a tailored plan with recommendations for hotels, transport, itineraries and surrounding destinations. This is travel planning assistance — not a booking form.
Curated by Canadian travel editors