This Free Winter Festival Near Montreal Has Glowing Ice Sculptures & A Giant Snow Slide

Montrealers in search of a winter escape need not look far this season. Winterlude is set to transform Canada's capital into an icy playground filled with enchanting experiences from February 2 to 19, 2024. The festival has over 200 activities, including an adrenaline-pumping "Super Slide," an awe-inspiring ice sculpture showcase, and an electrifying breakdance battle on ice.

Topping the list of must-try experiences is the Tim Hortons Chinook Super Slide. The gigantic slide, in the festival's Snowflake Kingdom, promises an exhilarating ride, combining the thrill of a rollercoaster with the charm of a winter sled.

For those who love to lace up their skates, the Rideau Canal Skateway offers a quintessential Canadian experience, complete with DJ-powered skating sessions. The festival's first weekend shines a spotlight on Indigenous cultures, while the second weekend embraces Winter Pride, celebrating LGBTQ+ diversity and inclusion.

People skate on the Rideau Canal.Vlad Ghiea | Dreamstime

Starting on February 11, the Capital Pride Ice Parade, Canada's first-ever Pride parade on skates, will start at 4 p.m. on the Rideau Canal near the Laurier Street Bridge, featuring live music, local drag performers, and community groups marching along, concluding at the Fifth Avenue Rest Area in The Glebe.

Adding to the festivities are Drag-On Ice events. On February 10 at Lansdown Park, from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m., attendees can enjoy public skating sessions with local drag performers like Devona Coe, Vera, and Charli Deville. Meanwhile, on February 12 in Vanier, from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., visitors can lace up their skates for more fun-filled sessions with drag performers, accompanied by music and hot chocolate.

Ice sculpture of two flamingos dancing in the evening during the Winterlude Festival in Ottawa.Michel Loiselle | Dreamstime

Art and winter collide in the Ice-Carving Showcase on Sparks Street, where talented sculptors from around the globe chisel and shape blocks of ice into stunning works of art. As night falls, the sculptures are illuminated, transforming the street into a luminous outdoor gallery, reflecting the sparkle and spirit of Winterlude.

Sparks Street will also come alive with street performers during the OLG Buskerfest – Winterlude Edition. A mini pow-wow will take place at the Canadian Museum of History and the Montcalm Bridge (aka. the Eiffel Bridge) will light up in a tribute to Gustave Eiffel, adding a touch of magic.

A child on a Winterlude-themed inner tube. Courtesy of Winterlude.

Family-oriented activities at Winterlude include a Big Blizzard obstacle course, while the Ice Dig treasure hunt offers a hands-on experience in ice craftsmanship. The Canadian Museum of History will provide a cultural touchpoint with an Indigenous-focussed experience on February 4, and the National Arts Centre's BIG BANG Festival promises sound-based activities for families.

For those who thought winter in Canada was all about shoveling snow and hibernating until Spring, Winderlude is ready to turn that notion on its frosty head.