Winterlude 2025

This is the Official Website for Winterlude 2025 - but that’s a real mouthful when referencing on-air during my radio show, so I figured I’d make a quick ‘highlights’ page for those who wanna know!

Winterlude is MOSTLY FREE - Week 1 is from January 31 to February 2. Week 2 is from February 7 to 10 and Week 3 is from February 14 to 17 (Family Day).

There are three MAIN Winterlude sites in Ottawa/Gatineau. They are:

• Sparks Street; sculptures, music and light show, sugar shack, parliament light display

• Byward Market; carriage rides, farmer’s market, synthetic rink,

• Snowflake Kingdom; tubing, maze, intro to skiing/snowboarding, obstacle course, drone shows

Here’s how you can access the sites via free SnoBus shuttle which operates:

BLUE CIRCUIT (between Robert-Guertin Park-and-Ride and Jacques-Cartier Park/Snowflake Kingdom) on Saturdays from 9am to 9pm, Sundays from 9am to 6pm

RED CIRCUIT (between Snowflake Kingdom to Sparks St.) on Saturdays from 10am to 5:30pm, Sundays 10am to 5:30pm and Family Day Monday (Feb. 17) from 10am to 3pm.

Rideau Canal Skateway is NOT part of Winterlude’s official programming but it’s been a great season for skaters so far, so I wanted to include it!

There is Winterlude themed programming (not free) at both the Canadian Museum of History in Gatineau and the Museum of Nature in Ottawa. The Winter Jazz festival is also on at the Arts Court Theatre (not free).

photo by Amy Volume, Sparks Street, Ottawa

Rockfest Founder, Alex Martel, Talks Past, Present and Future of the Festival

“If it ends tomorrow morning, then you know, I already feel like I accomplished everything I had to accomplish with the festival.”

— Alex Martel, 32, reflects on the massive festival he started when he was only 17.

Is there an end in sight? What are you hungry for... maybe a band or changes to the grounds?

Alex Martel, the founder of Montebello Rockfest, grew up in Montebello with a population still listed at under 1,000. In 2005, his dreams took flight in the form of a small-scale rock music festival. Since then, the festival has grown to attract over 200,000 fans annually to the beautiful Quebec town.

No big deal - just chillin' with the creator of @montebellorockfest !! ⚡️Good things happen when you work with your studio door open! 👍

62 Likes, 3 Comments - Amy Volume (@amy.volume) on Instagram: "No big deal - just chillin' with the creator of @montebellorockfest !! ⚡️Good things happen when..."

Through the festival's ups and downs which Martel calls "growing pains" residents have mostly warmed up to the fest and embrace it's economic perks. Rockfest, once solely handled by Martel, now employs a team of close-knit organizers to help support the growing needs of a maturing music festival. This allows Martel to focus on his band, Deadly Apples, who're about to embark on a very massive tour with Rob Zombie and Marilyn Manson.

Tickets for Montebello Rockfest are 95% sold.

You can get yours online at: MontebelloRockfest.com 

or, in person at: Top of the World,
158 Rideau St., Ottawa.

The festival hits Montebello Thursday, June 14th through Saturday, June 16th with headlining acts: Prophets of Rage, Weezer, Five Finger Death Punch, Godsmack, Tenacious D and more. Click Here for the full line-up and schedule.

See you in Montebello. 

2017 Winterlude Fact Sheet

Want to enjoy Winterlude 2017 in Ottawa-Gatineau this year but aren't sure where to start? Here are some quick tips to get your adventure(s) planned!

There are 3 Main Locations:

1. The Crystal Garden at Confederation Park & Marion Dewar Plaze (Elgin at Laurier/City Hall) - here you will find breathtaking ice sculptures, family fun and the Sub-Zero Concert Series
2. The Snowflake Kingdom at Jacques-Cartier Park (Rue Laurier, Gatineau) - great for kids with snow slides and tonnes of outdoor fun
3. The Rideau Canal - the world's largest skating rink

Here are some other locations to enjoy various Winterlude activities: CLICK HERE.

Winterlude runs February 3rd to the 20th with all sites open on Family Day in Ontario.

Experience Winterlude, a celebration of winter, the first 3 weekends of February every year in Ottawa. Skate on the Rideau Canal, the world's largest skating rink! Crystal Garden in Confederation Park is home of the International Ice Carving Competition; watch dramatic sculptures unfold before your eyes .

The full calendar of events can be found HERE.

Let's get to the Sub-Zero Concert Series (highlighting KiSS 105.3 artists). Concerts happen every Friday and Saturday (Feb. 3rd, 4th, 10th, 11th, 17th and 19th) plus the last Sunday (Feb. 19th) @ 7:30PM, Confederation Park - CIBC Stage.

Opening night: Friday, Feb. 3rd: Karim Ouellet and Coleman Hell
Friday, Feb 10th - Alx Velix, DJ DOMENO and Trevor Guthrie
Saturday, Feb 11th - Canada 150 Signature Concert
Saturday, Feb. 18th - David Usher
Sunday, Feb. 19th - Scott Helman and more