Winterlude is a children's paradise offering tubing, an ice maze, a thrilling zip line, swings, and much more. Most of the activities are located on the Gatineau side.

Having said that, adults can also find plenty of fun in the festivities. 

As night falls, Sparks Street transforms into a vibrant hub with DJs spinning techno tunes and warm cups of hot chocolate and apple cider to keep the chill off.

My absolute favourite part of the festival was the massive ice wall with two beavers. Each year, the festival tries to surprise the crowd and create something new and cool. I came twice this year to photograph the wall - in the evening, and again in the morning, but both times it was tricky to pick the right white balance due to the wall facing north and beavers being in the shadows. It makes perfect sense, of course, because the ice would otherwise melt and deform the wall art. 

Winterlude's ice carving competition is another big attraction which has been happening since 1985. You might even catch a glimpse of the festival's talented ice sculptors in action, as they transform blocks of ice into intricate works of art.

The igloo-like ice benches are decorated with famous faces and notable events, such as the 60th anniversary of the National Flag of Canada, which Canada celebrated in 2025. As much as I like winter stuff, I would not sit there for more than a few minutes, otherwise my butt would freeze off. 

The beloved Ice Hogs have been Winterlude's official mascots since 1979. The family has grown over the years, starting with Mr. Ice Hog, followed by Ms. Ice Hog, and then the twins, Nouma and Noumi.

But Winterlude isn't just about family fun – it's also a hub for sports enthusiasts. The festival's competitive events kicked off in 1983 with a hockey game between members of Parliament and the Parliamentary Press Gallery, an international skating competition, dragon-boat racing, and a waiters' and servers' race on ice.

In 1982, Winterlude attempted to set a Guinness World Record for the longest human chain, but unfortunately fell short. Twenty-four years later, the festival successfully set a record by building an astonishing 2,059 snowmen in just one hour!

For foodies, Winterlude is a treat. The festival features a variety of delicious Canadian fast food, including poutine, beaver tails, and maple syrup taffies. You can also warm up with a cup of hot chocolate or coffee, or try some unique winter-themed cocktails.