Winterlude seems to embody the very spirit of Ottawa at her finest. This annual celebration seems to get better each year with more and more people choosing to celebrate our nation’s capital and the winter season. The good cheer is infectious so you can’t help but have a great time!

Winterlude takes place every February and is truly a city-wide celebration of all things winter. Snow-shoeing, snow-tubing, ice-skating down the Rideau Canal, and ice-sculpting are some of the many things going on. With all of the wonderful outdoor activities in the brisk winter weather it’s easy to build up an appetite. Fortunately, delicious treats are always abound as they continue to add new and exciting options for families and foodies alike. 

Visitors can try pure maple syrup rolled in snow and served on a stick and free outdoor pancake breakfast with hot chocolate to kick off Family Day weekend each year.  Skaters on the Rideau Canal can stop by the side of the river for a Beavertail – Ottawa’s flat whole wheat ‘donut’ served with crushed candies, syrups and whipped cream.
Food events also include an annual Winterlude charitable stew cook-off. Ten dollars provides access, all of the stew you can eat and a say in who walks away with the top prize. A fun event for a great cause! 

WinterBrewed is another great opportunity to take part in the delicious side of Winterlude. The beer festival on Sparks Street features craft beers made in the Ottawa region and always includes a number of fun filled events such as snowman building contests and a winter games showdown.

The entire city embraces the spirit of the Winterlude festival. For foodies, it is fortunate that this celebration showcases Ottawa’s good eats, making it a fun, tasty, albeit cold party to look forward to each year in Canada’s capital city.