OTTAWA, February 9, 2023 — Everyone in the capital region Ski, snowshoe or sled your way to the grounds of Rideau Hall for this year’s Winter Celebration on February 11, 2023, from 12:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. Young and old alike will have fun outside while taking part in more than 20 free activities, performances and more on the grounds of the official residence and workplace of the governor general.
Come and skate on Canada’s oldest outdoor skating rink, or try your hand at Inukshuk building! You and your family will also get the chance to learn about outdoor winter survival techniques, go through a military-style obstacle course, and try out other winter activities from around the world.
All activities are free, but visitors are encouraged to pay it forward by bringing gently used articles of winter clothing for the Snowsuit Fund.
List of Winter Celebration activities
Winter Celebration Activities
Adapting to Canadian Winters: Discover how wild and domestic animals adapt to colder temperatures, as well as some special ways Canadian farmers care for their livestock during the winter months. Presented by the Canada Agriculture and Food Museum.
Curling: Learn the ins and outs of this historic sport. Presented by the Manotick Curling Centre and the Ottawa Valley Curling Association.
Eisstock: Try this traditional Alpine winter sport that is similar to curling. Presented by the Embassy of Austria.
Fit Break: Join the on-site instructor for dancing and aerobics to get your heart pumping! Presented by ParticipACTION.
Giant Skis: Strap on a pair of giant skis that hold eight people at one time and attempt to ski in unison, without falling over or stopping. Presented by the Royal Norwegian Embassy.
Indigenous Activities: Activities that reflect the diversity of Indigenous communities through traditional music, dance and various workshops. Presented by Indigenous Experiences.
Kicksledding: Try out this traditional means of Nordic transportation, which features a chair-mounted sled. Presented by the Embassy of Finland.
Korean Traditional Games: Enjoy traditional winter games including Korean variations of hacky sack and spin top. Presented by the Embassy of the Republic of Korea.
Musical Performance: Enjoy the sounds of local bilingual band Highway Sunrise.
Nunavut Traditions: Students from Nunavut Sivuniksavut will share their Inuit culture and language through drumming, dancing, throat singing, Inukshuk building and other winter activities.
Obstacle Course and Winter Camp: Learn about how a military camp is set up for winter and take part in military-style training exercises through a fun obstacle course. Presented by the Governor General’s Foot Guards.
Photo Booth: Immerse yourself in a typical Icelandic winter landscape and take home a digital souvenir to show friends and family. Presented by the Embassy of Iceland.
Sjoelen: Test your skills at Dutch shuffleboard, a variation on the table-top game that combines elements of bagatelle, pinball, billiards, skee-ball and miniature golf. Presented by the Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands.
Skating Rink: Bring your skates, lace up in the Winter Pavilion and skate on Rideau Hall’s outdoor skating rink.
Snow Angel Activity: Make an angel in the snow or create a paper version with colouring sheets by local artist Katerina Mertikas. Presented by the Snowsuit Fund.
Snowshoe Obstacle Course: Warm up by the fire pit after a challenging snowshoe obstacle course. Presented by Association des scouts du Canada and Scouts Canada.
Survive Outside: Learn how to safely plan and prepare for outdoor winter activities. Presented by Ottawa Volunteer Search and Rescue.
Taste: Indulge in some traditional Rideau Hall cookies and hot chocolate with marshmallows.
Touch a Truck: Get a close-up look at a variety of winter vehicles used on the grounds of Rideau Hall. Presented by the National Capital Commission.
Tours of the Residence: Visit the State rooms where the governor general fulfils official duties, welcomes dignitaries and honours Canadians. Presented by Rideau Hall.
Trivia: Learn more about the European Union (EU) by participating in a themed toss game and test your knowledge of the EU by answering trivia questions. Presented by the Delegation of the European Union to Canada.
Warm Hugs: Winterlude’s official mascots, the Ice Hog family—Papa, Mama, Noumi and Nouma—will be strolling the grounds to offer warm hugs to children and adults alike.
As in previous years, visitors are encouraged to walk or use public transportation to get to Rideau Hall (1 Sussex Drive). A free Winterlude shuttle bus will run in a loop from downtown (Metcalfe Street) to Rideau Hall every hour between 12:00 p.m. and 4:00 p.m. with the last bus departing Rideau Hall at 4:30 p.m.
Winter Celebration is a must-see! Presented in partnership with Winterlude and the National Capital Commission.
Please note that Rideau Hall is a working residence; scheduling for all activities is subject to change without notice due to official events.
photo licence This licence is non-exclusive, non-transferable and valid for the Rideau Hall winter celebration, residence tours and skating rink feature for the 2023 edition of Ottawa Times. Additional use/reproduction of any material listed as part of this licence will be subject of a separate permission request through the Office of the Secretary to the Governor General at photo@gg.ca
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