There is always so much to see and do in Ottawa, and this is especially the case in the winter. Our nation’s capital has a wide variety of events and activities to choose from to help you stay cheerful during the chilly winter months. From festivals to sports, comedy, and even roller skating, there is something for everyone. Here is our list of 10 events you do not want to miss in Ottawa this winter.
1) Winterlude – February 3rd-20th
Ottawa Winterlude is a fun and unique winter festival that happens annually in the downtown core and across the river in Gatineau. This year is especially exciting because it is the first year back since the pandemic. There will be a wide variety of events and activities to choose from, including the annual Snowphy Trophy competition, a Winterlude mini pow-wow, the National Ice-Carving Championship, the National Ice-Carving Championship, and more.
Photo By Ottawa Tourism
2) Ottawa Winter Jazz Fest – February 3rd & 4th
The Ottawa Winter Jazz Festival is held annually and features a wide variety of local and international musicians. The festival will be held from February 3rd to the 4th, 2023. The shows will be held at various locations all over the city. For more information about the lineup and locations, check out the festival's website.
Photo By Ottawa Festivals
3) Minoshkite, Music to Your Ears – February 3rd
On the first weekend of Winterlude, you can experience local Indigenous culture at Minoshkite, Music to Your Ears. This free event features the artists William Prince, Snotty Nose Rez Kids, and more. This event will take place at Grand Hall at the Canadian Museum of History.
Photo By Red Musc Rising
4) Candlelight Concert Series – Ongoing
You will not want to miss this one-of-a-kind experience. Candlelight Concert hosts live classical performances in intimate locations worldwide. Local Ottawa churches are lit up with candles and filled with beautiful live music. You can enjoy a variety of music genres and performances in concerts illuminated by candles. From ABBA to Taylor Swift, Queen, and more, there is something for everyone. You can check out their website for more details.
Photo By Candlelight Concert Series
5) WonderStruck: Ottawa Magic Experience – February 3rd & March 3rd
After a long hiatus due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the WonderStruck magic experience is back and better than ever. In this 75-minute show, you will experience magic like you never have before. Micheal Bourada is incredibly talented and will perform tricks you did not know were possible. The audiences are kept small so that you can experience the magic firsthand. You can catch the show on February 3rd and March 3rd at the One Up Room in Ottawa. You can purchase tickets here.
Photo: Event Brite
6) Social Roller-Skating: Ottawa Quad Session – Ongoing
Ottawa Quad Sessions are all about fun on eight wheels. The Ottawa Quad Roller-skating Club welcomes all levels of skaters to this fun and unique event. From January till April, you can head to Carleton University and participate in this indoor recreational roller skating. Purchase your tickets here.
Photo: Ottawa Quad Session Rollerskating
7) Ottawa 67’s games
The Ottawa 67’s has had an exciting season, and you want to catch a game before the season ends. You can purchase your tickets here and find the list of upcoming home games below.
Photo: Ottawa 67’s
Home Games This Winter: GATT vs OTT – Feb. 9, NIAG vs OTT – Feb 10, OSH vs OTT – Feb 17, NB vs OTT – Feb 20, WSR vs OTT – Feb 24, MISS vs OTT – Feb 25, KGN vs OTT – Mar 1, SAG vs OTT – Mar 4
MISS vs OTT – Mar 10, OSH vs OTT – Mar 15, PBO vs OTT – Mar 24, BAR vs OTT – Mar 25
8) Ottawa Senator Games
The Ottawa Senators have a few home games left this season. If you are interested in attending, here is a list of the rest of the games at The Canadian Tire Center this season.
Home games this winter
Senators vs. Montreal Canadiens – Jan. 28, Senators vs. Edmonton Oilers – Feb. 11, Senators vs. Calgary Flames – Feb. 13, Senators vs. Colorado Avalanche – March 16, Senators vs. Toronto Maple Leafs – March 18
Photo By Fansided
9) Crack-Up Comedy Festival
Multiple live comedy shows will be held here in the capital for the annual Crack-Up Comedy Festival. There will be a wide variety of local talent performing. The shows include, Got Land? Indigenous Comedy Show, An Evening with Mary Walsh, and Comedy Night in Ottawa Featuring the Candy Awards. You can purchase tickets for these events here.
Photo: Cracked-Up Comedy
10) International Film Festival of Ottawa – March 8th-19th
Ottawa’s International Film Festival will show the works of many prestigious Canadian and International cinema talents. The festival’s third edition will take place in venues across downtown Ottawa and screen over 20 feature films, along with Canadian short films. You can find more information about the dates and locations on their website here.
Photo: IFFO
There is a wide variety of events and activities going on in the city this winter, and you can’t go wrong with any of them. Take your pick and have fun everybody!
