OTTAWA – Winterlude wants you to enjoy Ottawa’s annual winter celebration from the cozy confines of your warm home.

Winterlude has brightened winter in Canada’s Capital Region since 1979. This year’s event has been reinvented to follow public health requirements during the COVID-19 pandemic. Canadians across the country are invited to celebrate winter with unique virtual experiences, Feb. 5 to 21.

“As we go through this unprecedented time together, sharing our positive experiences is more important than ever,” Minister of Canadian Heritage, the Honourable Steven Guilbeault said. “Winterlude brings a touch of summer warmth into the heart of the Canadian winter. Throughout Canada, let’s celebrate the cultural and artistic diversity that are our country’s greatest assets. Whether we’re playing outside or keeping warm indoors with virtual activities, join me in celebrating winter, Winterlude style.”

Exploring Canada’s Winter Traditions — a national virtual show — kicks off the 43rd annual Winterlude on Friday, Feb. 5 at 7 p.m. on the Canadian Heritage YouTube channel.

Featuring Ariane Moffatt, Alexandre Tétrault, the Ivan Fleet Memorial Dancers, the National Arts Centre Orchestra, Corneille, Faouzia, Ria Mae, Masson Stomp, Tracy Trash, William Prince and figure skater Elladj Baldé.

Check out the dedicated artists taking part in the first-ever virtual Winterlude National Ice-Carving Competition. For the first time, Winterlude challenged Canadian professional ice sculptors to present their work simultaneously in Yellowknife, Banff/Lake Louise, Winnipeg, Ottawa, Gatineau, Québec City and Halifax. Each of them had 28 hours to transform eight blocks of ice into an artwork on the theme of the joys of winter. Starting February 5, you can see their creations online and vote for your three favourites.

Go to the Winterlude website to find out what our program partners are doing to help you celebrate winter. The Juno Awards, Festival du Voyageur, National Arts Centre, Canadian Museum of History, Parks Canada, Library and Archives Canada, Capital Pride and the City of Gatineau are just a few that have put together a wide range of things to listen to, watch and do.

Better still, download the Winterlude app and add to your experience with exclusive activities. There are playlists, podcasts, masterclasses, do-it-yourself workshops and much more. There’s even virtual fireworks, brought to you by OLG.

To top it all off, kids and adults alike can experience The Ice Hog Adventure and become characters in a virtual storybook featuring the warm and fuzzy Winterlude mascots.

Celebrate the joys of winter in Canada Feb. 5 to 21. Inspiration, entertainment and warmth… This is Winterlude.

“Follow us on social media,” event organizers said. “Be the first to get the latest Winterlude news and share your experience with your community with the hashtag #Winterlude.”

• Facebook: @CdnHeritage @capitalexperience
• Twitter: @CdnHeritage @capital_exp
• Instagram: @o_canadiana @canada_cap
• YouTube: @CdnHeritage