14 ideas for winter fun

Will it or won’t it freeze this winter? If you can’t wait for the Rideau Canal, Ottawa’s famous UNESCO World Heritage site, to freeze over (and let’s hope it does…last year was a disappointment), slide on over to the Rink of Dreams outside Ottawa City Hall. You can skate there for free from 9 a.m. to 11 p.m., seven days a week, weather permitting (the rink is refrigerated but temperatures need to be consistently under 5 degrees Celsius). You can also try the synthetic ice rink on William Street in the Byward Market. This pilot project, which features a small 16-x-88-foot polymer pad, is open daily from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.

Take a walk through a pathway of thousands of lights across Canada’s Capital Region. The pathway runs past many key sights, including Confederation Park, the Peacekeeping monument, the Supreme Court of Canada and Portage Park. The lights are lit every evening from December 5, 2024, to January 7, 2025. A stroll is a wonderful way to refresh after studying or to celebrate after your last exam!

The Lansdowne Christmas Market at Aberdeen Square next to TD Place is already in full swing but there are still plenty of performers to enjoy, not to mention the North Pole vibe of snow-capped heritage buildings and wooden chalets. Get giddy like Elf watching the kids line up to see Santa, grab a bite to eat or buy a holiday gift at one of 50+ vendors. The market is open on weekends, starting at 5 p.m. on Fridays, and then every day from Thursday, Dec. 26 to Sunday, January 5 at 10 p.m. It’s also an easy 40-minute walk from campus across the Corktown Footbridge.

Hunt down the best hot chocolate in Ottawa, and challenge your friends to defend their picks. Cacao ceremonies may be all the rage, but when you simply want a tasty pick-me-up in between exams, nothing beats a hot chocolate. With loads of cafés near campus, not to mention on-campus coffee shops, let the debate begin!

What’s your favourite? Home Alone, Die Hard, Elf, The Grinch, Charlie Brown? A frugal option for those on a student budget: get nostalgic by hosting a holiday movie marathon. If you’re binging Christmas movies on platforms like Netflix, the Hallmark Channel or Lifetime, you’re likely to recognize an Ottawa location. So many have been filmed here! You could even take it to the next level by visiting the locations of Christmas movies filmed in Ottawa before watching the movie!

Wander through the lobby of the Fairmont Château Laurier on Rideau Street and gaze at the 32 tastefully decorated Trees of Hope. You can walk in for free but this annual event is held to raise funds for a good cause –the Children’s Hospital of Eastern Ontario Foundation. Scan the QR code on site and vote for your favourite! The event runs until January 6, 2025.

Even though it’s cold, the Ottawa Locks (by the Rideau Canal) are an insta-worthy place to visit in winter. The historic locks are often less crowded, and the view of the frozen (or freezing) canal makes for a picturesque winter scene. If you listen closely, you can even hear the water freeze…

Go back in time to the 1920s and ’30s and explore festive light displays at the Vintage Village of Lights based at the Cumberland Heritage Village Museum. It’s about a half-hour drive from downtown Ottawa. Each $26.14 ticket (if you’re based in Ottawa) is good for a group of 1-to-6 participants, so be sure to go with friends to make the most of this outing. You do need to register and keep in mind that it’s only open on weekends until December 22.

Skip the big malls and instead choose from original artwork, ceramics, jewellery, crafts, books and more at the Ottawa Art Gallery’s Art & Parcel Holiday Sale, which runs until January 12, 2025. Find an original, thoughtful gift and support up-and-coming Canadian artists, or simply enjoy the art. You’ll find other student-friendly affordable ideas in this 2024 Gift Guide. It’s also just steps away from campus on Nicolas Street at the foot of the Mackenzie King Bridge. And the Jackson Café in the same building has one of the trendiest vibes in the city.

You can also support uOttawa student entrepreneurs and alumni. Explore the Alumni Engagement Office’s holiday gift guide, which features unique products and services from alumni and student-owned businesses.

If you’re willing and able to go further afield for a skate, you could try a forest trail. (This also depends on whether Mother Nature follows her usual routine). You may need a car to get to some of these spots, and it’s also a good idea to call ahead to check if the ice is ready, but there are many adventurous options: RiverOak Skating Trail, Icelynd Skating Trails, Countryside Adventures and Little Penguin Trail. In Quebec, you can try Éco-Odyssée or Patinage en fôret. Be sure to do your research to get the best option, but the average cost is around $20.

You’ll need a car for this one, but imagine cruising through two kilometres illuminated by over two million lights. Located about a 20-minute drive west of the University, the Magic of Lights at Wesley Clover Parks in Nepean is sure to put you in the holiday mood. Tickets are charged per vehicle, but you can save if you book ahead and go on a weeknight: the price is around $26 per vehicle compared to up to $40 at the gate on weekends (not too bad if you split the cost four ways). Also, some of the money raised goes to a good cause, namely the Children’s Hospital of Eastern Ontario. The Magic of Lights is open every night from 5 p.m. to 10 p.m. until January 4, 2025.

Take a hike, snow-shoe, ride a fat bike or cross-country ski (if there’s enough snow) on many winter wonderland trails throughout the Ottawa-Gatineau region. The Britannia Winter Trail is a popular option just over an hour away from campus via public transit. (We recommend you use the OC Transport planner.) In all, there are more than 150 kilometres of Greenbelt trails in the Ottawa region to explore. Some, like the Kichi Sibi Winter Trail, the Rideau Winter Trail and Ski Heritage East are easily accessible from downtown Ottawa. You can also head into Quebec: Leamy Lake is not too far away and, if you have a car, Gatineau Park offers more possibilities.

Ottawa is home to several museums, including the National Gallery of Canada, the Canadian War Museum, and the Canadian Museum of History, which offer excellent indoor options for learning and exploration. Many of them host special winter exhibits and offer activities geared towards kids and families. Plus, they’re free from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. on Thursday nights.

Besides the Winter Welcome Week that will be held on campus from January 6 to January 12, 2025 – featuring free beavertails and hot chocolate– don’t forget there’s also Winterlude to look forward to in the new year. Winterlude 2025 takes place over three weekends from January 31, 2025 to February 17, 2025 at four sites, including the Byward Market. Ice carving on Sparks Street is a highlight! Full details will be announced in January.