The Winterlude Festival kicks off in Ottawa despite a bitter cold not seen in the city for years

The 48th edition of the «Winterlude» festival, one of the most prestigious winter festivals in Canada and the capital Ottawa, kicked off today, Friday, at a time when the city is experiencing a severe cold wave with low temperatures and official warnings of the risk of frostbite.
The Canadian Environment Agency reported that the wind chill index dropped to about –28 degrees Celsius, with the possibility of light snow showers and winds at a speed of about 15 kilometers per hour. The agency had canceled a previous warning after the actual temperature dropped to –23 degrees Celsius at 6 a.m., while the wind chill felt like about –35 degrees.
Despite these harsh weather conditions, the cold weather did not prevent thousands of visitors from flocking on the first day of the festival, which continues over three weekends until February 16, offering a packed program of winter activities and shows.
According to Ottawa Tourism, «Winterlude» includes a wide range of events, including:
Massive ice sculptures and live artistic performances
Cultural shows and exhibitions reflecting the diversity of Canadian heritage
Snowflake Kingdom, a huge snow playground city dedicated to families

Highlights of Winterlude 2026

Capital City Bites (January 31 – February 6): More than 50 restaurants offering special menus and limited-time offers
Igloofest (February 12–14): A music festival described as the coldest in the world, featuring the star Steve Aoki
Barbegazi (February 6 and 7): Snow bike stunt shows at the ByWard Market
Crystal Garden (Confederation Park): Ice sculptures, live shows, and the «Lantern Forest»
Snowflake Kingdom (Jacques Cartier Park – North section): Snow slides, winter games, and a Ferris wheel
The skating trail on the Rideau Canal remains one of the festival’s main attractions, with the National Capital Commission confirming that ice conditions are «very excellent» thanks to low temperatures, attracting thousands of skaters daily to the largest natural skating rink in Canada.

Harsh winter and exceptional start

The Canadian capital is experiencing a harsh winter this year, as several major snowstorms have caused dangerous driving conditions and school closures on some days. According to Ottawa municipal data, the city has recorded 143.5 centimeters of snow so far this season, which is about 15 to 20 centimeters above the usual average by the end of January.
The municipality also pointed out that the number of snowfall days was remarkable, with 41 measurable snow days recorded since the start of the 2025–2026 winter season, compared to an annual average of only 32 days, and a similar figure has only been recorded in four years during the last 25 winters.
Despite the cold and snow, the organizers confirm that the «Winterlude» festival remains an occasion that celebrates the Canadian winter with all its challenges and beauty, turning the harsh weather into a unique cultural and tourist experience.