Event Date: Jan 29, 2016 - Feb 15, 2016
Location: Jacques-Cartier Park in Gatineau, Confederation Park in Ottawa, Rideau Canada Skateway in Ottawa and many other locations in Canada’s Capital Region
A flurry of fun in Canada’s Capital Region! Come to Winterlude, where three fun-filled weekends of excitement and activity await the whole family! From glittering ice carvings and majestic snow sculptures to a gigantic snow playground and explosive shows under the winter sky, Winterlude is a great way to celebrate and enjoy the winter season. Experience the Rideau Canal – a UNESCO World Heritage Site and the world’s largest skating rink. All this and much more await you during Winterlude, Canada’s winter celebration.
The twin themes of Winterlude 2016 are "Discover the Great Canadian North" and "Discover Canadian Flora and Fauna."
The festival's mainstays are back: skating on the frozen Rideau Canal, sliding down ice chutes in Jacques Cartier Park and strolling among the crystalline sculptures in Confederation Park. But this year's activities will also centre around the Rink of Dreams at Ottawa City Hall, Lansdowne Park and the Shenkman Arts Centre.
Other activities include:
- Two of the official sites will focus on a specific theme: "Discover the Great Canadian North" in Jacques-Cartier Park and "Discover Canada's Flora and Fauna" in Confederation Park.
- Winterlude will also highlight milestones on the road to the 150th anniversary of Confederation, including the 175th anniversary of Sir Wilfrid Laurier's birth, the centennial of women's suffrage and the Franklin Expedition. These activities will be held at Jacques-Cartier Park's Maison Charron.
- In Confederation Park, the National Research Council of Canada will present a majestic ice sculpture made from 100 blocks of ice to mark the organization's 100th anniversary.
- In addition to CIBC, the official sponsors for this year's edition include Enbridge, sponsor of the skating shows and the free pancake breakfast at Marion-Dewar Plaza; and Metro Ontario, exclusive sponsor of the Winterlude Volunteer Program.
Check out calendar of events HERE
Crystal Garden in Confederation Park, Ottawa
"Discover Canada's Flora and Fauna"
Witness a fusion of art and ice at the Crystal Garden and discover a world of memories. Located in Confederation Park, this spectacular display of ice sculptures will take your breath away. Come admire this icy world of wonder at night and discover a vibrant outdoor space filled with electrifying music from Canadian artists. Some of the highlights include:
- the Winterlude Kick-off Celebration, featuring Canadian superstar Gregory Charles;
- the Sub-Zero Concert Series featuring Canadian artists (Fridays and Saturdays);
- the 29th Crystal Garden International Ice-Carving Competition;
- majestic ice sculptures representing the 100th anniversary of the National Research Council Canada and the 40th anniversary of the opening of the European Union's diplomatic mission in Ottawa and the EU-Canada Framework Agreement;
- the public art exhibit *fLORA and fAUNA*
- special ice displays, presented by the Canadian Museum of Nature and Parks Canada; and
- opportunities to explore the rich culture and daily lives of Aboriginal peoples.
Snowflake Kingdom in Jacques-Cartier Park, Gatineau
"Discover the Great Canadian North"-with the Ice Hog Family!
The Snowflake Kingdom in Jacques-Cartier Park, presented by Canadian Heritage and the Ville de Gatineau, is the biggest snow playground on the continent and the home-away-from-home of Winterlude's furry mascots, the Ice Hog family. Outfitted with larger-than-life snow slides and snow sculptures, the Snowflake Kingdom provides enjoyment for the young and the young at heart. A few of the highlights are:
The Snowflake Kingdom in Jacques-Cartier Park, presented by Canadian Heritage and the Ville de Gatineau, is the biggest snow playground on the continent and the home-away-from-home of Winterlude's furry mascots, the Ice Hog family. Outfitted with larger-than-life snow slides and snow sculptures, the Snowflake Kingdom provides enjoyment for the young and the young at heart. A few of the highlights are:
- Super Slides: snow and tube slides;
- Inuit Circle with Nunavut Sivuniksavut;
- the XTREME Zone with dogsledding, ziplining, ATVing for kids and a winter merry-go-round;
- special lighting effects for an illuminated sliding experience;
- family entertainment on the Snowflake Stage, with special performances by Shilvi and Atchoum;
- the 175th anniversary of Sir Wilfrid Laurier and the Franklin Expedition, presented by Parks Canada;
- Snowtime! 3D;
- And more!
Rideau Canal Skateway
Celebrating 46 seasons of skating!
Set in a UNESCO world heritage site, the world's largest skating rink will host a variety of activities-so sharpen your blades for a unique Canadian outdoor winter experience! During Winterlude, the Rideau Canal Skateway will be centre stage for several events, including:
- CIBC Skate for the cure;
- special performances at the OLG Sno-Bus Station;
- the Giant Tiger Interactive Hockey Zone;
- Library and Archives Canada presents "Let Them Howl: Images From 100 Years in the Women's Rights Struggle";
- the 33rd Annual Winterlude Triathlon; and
- the 36th Annual Accora Village Bed Race.
The National Capital Commission is custodian of the Rideau Canal Skateway and steward of the official sites.
To find out more about Winterlude, call 819-997-0055, 1-866-811-0055 (toll free) or 1-888-997-3123 (TTY toll free). You can also visitwww.winterlude.gc.ca.
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