Monday, January 26

Winterlude is finally here, and it’s time to embrace the "coolest" festival of the year! While the festival runs for three weeks, this opening weekend is packed with the biggest events for families.

📍 Where to be this weekend:

Snowflake Kingdom (Jacques-Cartier Park): This is the "parent paradise." It features the legendary giant snow slides, obstacle courses, and a chance to meet the Ice Hogs. It’s basically a massive, outdoor, snow-filled gym for the kids to burn off energy.
The Ice Sculptures (Sparks St. & Confederation Park): Starting Friday, Jan 30, you can watch the pros turn blocks of ice into masterpieces.
- Pro Tip: Head here around 4:30 PM. You get to see them in the daylight, and then stay for the "glow up" when they light them up at dusk!
The ByWard Market "Pibòn" Hub: A great spot to grab a BeaverTail and enjoy Indigenous storytelling, live drumming, and interactive art displays.

⛸️ Can we skate yet?

The Rideau Canal: Keep an eye on the NCC Ice Conditions. If the "Red Flag" is flying, head to the Rink of Dreams at City Hall instead—it’s refrigerated, free, and always has a great vibe during Winterlude.

🚌 The "Parent Hack" for Parking

Forget circling for a spot downtown. The O-Train is great, but the Sno-Bus is better! It's a free shuttle service that runs on weekends between the main sites in Ottawa and Gatineau. Just park once and hop on.

Plan your weekend: Check the full official schedule here.

⛸️ Lace Up: Where to Skate for Free This Week

Ottawa is the skating capital of the world, and this week is the perfect time to enjoy the ice.

Location	Best For...	Public Hours	Pro-Tip
Rideau Canal	The Full Experience	Open 24/7 (check NCC for daily status)	All 7.8km are currently open! Park at Dows Lake for easier family access.
Rink of Dreams	Downtown Vibes	9:00 am – 11:00 pm	Located right at City Hall. The refrigerated ice stays smooth even on "mild" days.
Lansdowne Court	Shopping & Cocoa	6:00 am – 11:00 pm	Great for little ones. Bring your own skates and grab a BeaverTail nearby after!
Rideau Hall	Heritage Magic	5:00 pm – 8:30 pm (Weekdays) 1:00 pm – 8:30 pm (Weekends)	Enter through the Princess Gate. It’s a refrigerated historic rink and feels like a movie set.

Winter Coloring Pages for Kids

Coloring_pages_Jan_2026.pdf

5.09 MB • PDF File

❝

"Behind every frozen nose and snowy boot is a child making a memory that will last a lifetime."

Beyond skating, Ottawa has a wealth of free activities that are perfect for saving a bit of money while keeping the kids entertained. Here are a few more "no-cost" ideas to include in your email for January 19-25:

1. The "Play Free" City Program

The City of Ottawa has a fantastic initiative called Play Free.

What it is: Free drop-in swimming, skating, and gymnasium sports every Saturday.
Who it’s for: Children and youth (17 and under) and their accompanying adults.
How to do it: Check the City of Ottawa website for specific schedules at your local community center (like Nepean Centrepointe, Richcraft, or Minto).

2. Parliament Hill & Senate Tours

While the Centre Block is under construction, you can still take the family inside the capital's most iconic buildings for free.

The Senate of Canada Building: Located in the old train station, it’s stunning and very "Harry Potter" for kids.
House of Commons (West Block): See where the laws are made.
Note: You must reserve your free tickets online in advance at visit.parl.ca.

3. Winter Trail Treasure Hunts

Ottawa’s community-maintained winter trails are free to use for walking, snowshoeing, or "fat biking."

Kichi Sibi Winter Trail: Walk along the Ottawa River. Kids love looking for the "hidden" ice formations near the water.
Britannia Winter Trail: Very flat and stroller-friendly, perfect for a short nature walk followed by a hot chocolate at home.
Animal Track Detective: Head to Stony Swamp (Old Quarry Trail). It's a great place to feed chickadees (bring birdseed!) and look for rabbit or deer tracks in the fresh snow.

4. The Bank of Canada Museum

Location: 30 Bank Street.
Why it’s great: It is always free. It’s highly interactive—kids can design their own digital "avatar" on a wristband and play games that teach them about money in a way that feels like a video game arcade.

Free Family Events in Ottawa this Week Jan 26 - Feb 1

Monday, January 26

Tuesday, January 27

Wednesday, January 28

Thursday, January 29

Friday, January 30

Saturday, January 31

Sunday, February 1

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