If you want to experience a quintessential Canadian winter wonderland, then you have to go to Ottawa!
Canada’s capital city transforms itself into a winter playground. With outdoor activities like skating, skiing, tobogganing and snowshoeing.
Ottawans, that’s what locals call themselves, embrace the cold. That means there are endless things to do in Ottawa in the winter. As a former Ottawan, I’m sharing my favourites from the fun festivals to where to find the best hot chocolate.
My best tip: don’t make it another day trip in Ontario. Rather, stay a while. Enjoy the city and the season.
This post may contain affiliate links, meaning I get a commission if you decide to purchase something through the links, at no additional cost to you. Read my Affiliate Disclosure.
What to Do in Ottawa in the Winter: At-a-Glance Calendar of Events 2025/2026
Ottawa makes for a great destination for a winter getaway for families and couples. As soon as winter comes and it is here to stay, is the best time to visit Ottawa.
Whether that’s before the Christmas holidays to take advantage of the Christmas Lights and Markets. Or in January, when there are fewer crowds. The most popular time to visit Ottawa is in February during its famous Winterlude festival.
Things to Do in Ottawa in November 2025
- Tree Lighting Ceremony in Byward Market (21)
- Santa’s Parade of Lights (21)
- Winter Wander on Sparks Street (18)
- Ottawa Christmas Market (21-23)
Things to Do in Ottawa in December 2025
- Nutcracker – Canada’s Royal Winnipeg Ballet (3-7)
- Country Christmas at Saunders’ Farm (5)
- Alight at Night at Upper Canada Village (1-31)
- Magic of Lights in Wesley Clover Park (1-31)
Things to Do in Ottawa in January 2026
- Alight at Night at Upper Canada Village (1-3)
- Magic of Lights in Wesley Clover Park (1-3)
- Skating rinks open (weather-dependent)
- Tobogganing, skiing, snowshoeing (1-30)
- Winterlude kicks off (30)
Things to Do in Ottawa in February 2026
- Winterlude (1-16)
- Skating rinks open (1-28)
- Tobogganing, skiing, snowshoeing (1-28)
List of Favourite Things to Do in Ottawa in the Winter
My list of favourites goes far beyond wandering the charming Christmas markets in the Glebe, Lansdowne, and the ByWard Market. While those festive spots are worth a visit, they don’t last the entire season.
1. Admire the Sparkling Lights
Is there anything prettier than seeing the twinkle of lights against a dark winter sky? From early December until early January, Ottawa is draped in colourful lights.
The best place to see lights in Ottawa is at the Parliament Buildings. This must-see, free light display is part of the multimedia Christmas Lights Across Canada show that projects images on its famous buildings.
Here are more of my favourite places to see the lights in Ottawa.
- Confederation Park
- Landsdowne Park
- Elgin Street
- Supreme Court of Canada
- Garden of Provinces and Territories
If it’s too cold to walk, why not consider taking the popular hop-on, hop-off guided city tour bus? Get your pass here.
Lastly, a popular display of Christmas lights is Magic of Lights – a 2 km drive-thru in Wesley Clover Park. You can see nearly one million twinkling lights from the warmth of your car.
- Ottawa Winter 2025/26 Dates: November 21 to January 3, 2026
2. Go Skating at One of Ottawa’s Outdoor Rinks
Glide along the world’s longest outdoor skating surface. The 7.8-km Rideau Canal Skateway takes you from downtown Ottawa to beyond Dow Lake.
Stop at one of the kiosks along the frozen Ottawa River for a hot chocolate and a Beavertail. This Canadian treat is a yummy fried dough pastry shaped like a beaver’s tail,98 topped with sweet condiments and confections.
The Rink of Dreams, located in front of Ottawa City Hall, is a fun and lively place to skate with its music and colourful lights after sundown.
Or join the tradition since 1870 and glide along Rideau Hall at the Governor General of Canada’s residence.
Lastly, ice skating at Lansdowne Skating Court is a popular spot adjacent to the historic Aberdeen Pavilion, where you are steps from the trendy Glebe neighbourhood.
- All of these skating rinks are free and are roughly open from late December to early March
3. Attend the Famous Winterlude Festival
One of the best winter activities in Ottawa is Winterlude. Every year, for the first three weeks of February, you can see beautiful sculptures, play in a giant snow playground called the Snowflake Kingdom, skate on the canal, attend a music concert, and so much more.
One of the coolest things to see during Winterlude is the Ice Dragon Boat Festival, where boats equipped with skate-like blades race against each other. This amazing annual winter celebration is free and very family-friendly.
Ottawa Winter 2025/26 Dates: January 30 to February 16, 2026, for the 48th edition
4. Get Active with these Outdoor Winter Activities
Beyond ice skating, other popular outdoor winter activities in Ottawa are cross-country skiing, hiking, snowshoeing, tobogganing and fat biking.
Within the downtown core, you can ski on the groomed trails at Kichi Sibi Winter Trail (formerly known as the Sir John A. Macdonald Winter Trail) and Rideau Winter Trail.
Great tobogganing locations can be found all over the city; refer to the City of Ottawa’s map for the full list. Some notable ones include Bruce Pit and Lansdowne Park as some of the best free things to do in Ottawa winter.
Or, jump in the car and explore the 150-km trails in the Ottawa region. All of these trails are free and family-friendly.
Here are the best-rated trails just outside of the city of Ottawa:
- Ski Heritage East – 17 km of groomed trails
- Greenbelt Ski Trails – 150 km of recreation trails for cross-country skiing, snowshoeing, hiking, tobogganing and fat biking
- Gatineau Park is one of the largest networks of winter trails in North America, with over 200 km used for cross-country skiing, snowshoeing, hiking, and fat biking.
5. Ride on a Vintage Bus
Enjoy a relaxing ride around Ottawa and Gatineau aboard a vintage bus. Learn about the history of Ottawa from the onboard bilingual guide.
Rest your feet and step inside this cozy hop-on-hop-off sightseeing tour bringing you to some of the city’s top sites, like the Notre Dame Cathedral.
Let this trolley show you the best Ottawa places to visit in winter! Check prices and book your dates
6. Warm up with a Hot Chocolate
I love winter just as an excuse to drink hot chocolate. Is there anything more decadent than drinking a cup of liquid chocolate?
Here are some of the best places to get cozy with some hot chocolate, tea and a sweet treat:
- La Catrina – 105 B Clarence St
- Les Moulins La Fayette – 1000 Wellington St W
- Macaroons Canada – 70 George St
- Lindt Chocolate Shop – 73 Rideau St
- Cacao 70 – 225 Marche Way
7. Relax at a Spa
One of the best romantic things to do in Ottawa in winter is visit a spa. Just 10 minutes from downtown Ottawa, the Nordik Spa is the recommended place to go.
As the largest North American spa, indulge in outdoor saunas and indoor/outdoor relaxation spaces and book a massage or body treatment for a complete relaxation experience. Restaurants, even a beer garden, as well as accommodations, are on site.
8. Take a Day Trip to Parc Omega or Upper Canada Village
Escape the city for a day and explore two of the region’s most memorable attractions. At Parc Omega, drive through wildlife-filled forests and meadows where elk, wolves, and bison roam freely.
Or head to Upper Canada Village, a beautifully preserved 19th-century heritage site where costumed interpreters bring Canadian history to life under a bed of a million lights and Christmas music during their festival.
Ottawa Attractions You Can Enjoy Anytime
No matter when you are planning your trip, these classic Ottawa experiences belong on every itinerary.
From iconic landmarks to cultural must-sees, these activities offer a great taste of Ottawa in any season.
- Tour the Parliament Buildings and take in the Gothic Revival architecture that defines the city’s skyline.
- Step inside Notre Dame Cathedral, an ornate masterpiece and Canada’s oldest national church.
- Indulge in High Tea at the Fairmont Château Laurier, a timeless Ottawa tradition.
- Wander through the ByWard Market, one of the city’s most historic and lively neighbourhoods.
- Explore Ottawa’s top museums, from national galleries to interactive history and culture exhibits.
Where to Stay in Ottawa this Winter
The Andaz Ottawa ByWard Market sits in the heart of the lively ByWard Market district, making it an ideal base for exploring the city. But the real highlight of this contemporary hotel is the view.
Home to Ottawa’s tallest rooftop lounge, the Andaz offers sweeping, unforgettable panoramas—sunrise or sunset, summer or winter. No other hotel delivers uninterrupted sightlines stretching from the ByWard Market all the way to the Parliament Buildings.
When booking, request an upper-floor room overlooking the market. I stayed in Corner Suite 1117, and it was perfect. Bonus: the hotel is dog-friendly, too.
Another favourite of mine is the iconic Fairmont Château Laurier. If views are your priority here as well, ask for Room 324—you’ll enjoy postcard-worthy perspectives of the National War Memorial, the Parliament Buildings, and the Rideau Canal.
Final Thoughts
Visiting Ottawa in the winter is magical. It somehow brings out the inner child in you. Donning your toques and mittens, you were excited to be outside – skating, tobogganing or skiing.
I hope you found this helpful in planning your weekend getaway. Here are some more nearby places worth visiting:
- The Hallmark-esque small town of Perth
- Is Montreal on your radar? Get to know it through its cool and eclectic neighbourhoods, especially my favourite, the historic Old Montreal
- For those coming from the GTA, make a stop halfway in Prince Edward County
