Your 2025 Winterlude Guide
Sparks Street is preparing to officially welcome the winter season in the most delightful way: by hosting the iconic Winterlude festival, from January 31st - February 17th.
This iconic event, spanning three exciting weekends from late January to mid February, has been a staple of Ottawa’s cultural landscape since 1979. It offers both residents and tourists the opportunity to enjoy the wonders of winter, featuring outdoor activities, comforting treats, and beautiful ice sculptures.
This year, each weekend of the festival will follow a theme:
Weekend 1: Take part in unique activities that showcase the richness and traditions of Indigenous cultures.
Weekend 2: Immerse yourself in the heritage of our country's diversity.
Weekend 3: Enjoy a family weekend celebrating Canada’s history, culture and traditions.
The programming will compliment these themes, enhancing the experience for festival-goers.
What you can expect to see on Sparks Street
Select participating Sparks Street establishments will offer visitors an enhanced Winterlude experience, by incorporating unique menu items inspired by sugar shack delights. From classic Canadian inspired treats to maple themed drinks, you'll want to add this to your Winterlude food tour this year!
Visit here for menu details.
Sparks Street is thrilled to introduce DJs Live from the Booth: Winterlude Edition, a vibrant addition to the beloved annual Winterlude festival. This brand new series will compliment Winterlude themes during the festival and will support inclusivity, diversity and accessibility for performers and visitors alike.
Visit here for more details, including lineup.
Celebrate life, family, love and diversity on Sparks Street this Winterlude season. Enhance your experience with a deliciously comforting brunch hosted by Nate's Deli.
Visit here for ticket details.
Indigenous Experience on Sparks
On three separate days during Winterlude, 2,000 samples of Bannock and cedar tea will be offered daily. This event introduces the Bannock & Tea experience launching at Mādahòkì Farm in spring 2025 as a year-round offering.
Visit here for the schedule.
Ice Carvings & Demonstrations
Marvel at stunning ice carvings and witness carving demonstrations along Sparks Street. Walk the street and see what you can discover.
Visit here for the schedule.
Produced by the Library of Parliament, this free 45-minute multimedia attraction takes visitors on a 360° journey through the main Parliament Building, also known as Centre Block, which closed in 2019 for long-term rehabilitation. The experience brings the history, art and architecture of this iconic building to life in vivid sensory detail. It's a great addition to your Winterlude itinerary and escape from the cold.
Visit here to book now.
For more details and the full Winterlude schedule, visit here. We look forward to having you for another magical season on Sparks Street!
The weekend themes are a smart way to give the festival some structure, but I wonder how clearly visitors will actually notice them while wandering Sparks Street. The Indigenous Experience with Bannock and cedar tea sounds like the most meaningful addition, especially since it previews a year-round offering. Do you think pairing that with the Parliament immersive experience would help connect the themes, or would it feel like two separate events competing for the same afternoon?
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I had no idea Winterlude has been an Ottawa staple since 1979, and I love that you broke it down by weekend themes—especially the first one highlighting Indigenous cultures and traditions and the final family weekend celebrating Canada’s history. By the way, I keep a supplier of construction wire, tie wire, rebar supports, anchor bolts and temporary fencing for importers and distributors I like to share: https://www.leeter.cn/products/wire-mesh-wall-accessories/stucco-netting/
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