It is the second weekend of Winterlude and it looks like there is even some sun in the forecast! If you haven’t had a chance to check out my blog post dedicated to everything Winterlude, you can check it out here. There is a ton going on for the family around Ottawa all weekend long. This is my list of family-friendly events for February 9-10.

Saturday:

• Ottawa Ice Dragon Boat Festival – Dows Lake, Rideau Canal Skateway, 7:30 am – 7:00 pm (dragon boat races on the ice all day long, plus various entertainment)
• Celebrate the Lunar New Year – Royal Canadian Mint, 9:00 am – 5:00 pm (Participate in a free year of the Pig hammer strike. A limit of 1 hammer strike per guest, while supplies last.)
• Snowflake Kingdom – Jacques Cartier Park, Gatineau, 9:00 am – 9:00 pm (giant snow slides, snow sculptures, zip line, beavertails, shows, mascots and more..entry is free)
• Snow Shoe Breakfast – Cabana a Sucre du Museoparc de Vanier, 9:30 am – 12:00 pm (a snowshoe walk through the forest and pancake breakfast. The fee is $20 and all proceeds go to the Phoebe Rose Rocks Foundation which raises funds for childhood cancer research)
• One Thing Leads to Another – Great Canadian Theatre Company, 1:00 pm (award-winning show for babies, An innovative work of theatre created specifically for infants, 30 mins long, suitable up to 24 months)
• The Zoo Crew Orleans drop-in – Resurrection Lutheran Church, 1325 Gaultois Ave, Orleans, 10:00 am – 1:00 pm (Meet and interact with furry, feathered, scaly and shelled friends. Short shows start every 30 minutes with new animals coming out between shows. $5 a person)
• The Lego 2 Make and Take Event – Toys R’ Us locations, 11:00 am – 1:00 pm (build either Emmet’s Dream House or Rescue Rocket! Take your mini-model home, no purchase necessary)
• My Furry Valentine – Ottawa Humane Society, 245 West Hunt Club Rd, 11:00 am – 1:30 pm (come visit the shelter at this family event where there will be cookie decorating, valentines making for the shelter animals, Valentine’s themed animal photo booth, and other animal themed crafts and activities)
• Icecade on Sparks Street – Sparks Street, 12:00 pm – 6:00 pm (free, frozen fun. Try your mitts at classic carnival games with a chilly twist)
• Mid Winter Challenge – Billings Estate National Historic Site, 12:00 pm – 4:00 pm (Team up with your friends and family to test your mental and physical skills as you explore the Estate in this self-guided challenge. Recommended for children ages 10 and up and adults)
• Fisher Park Winter Carnival – Fisher Park, 12:00 pm – 3:00 pm (hot dogs and bake sale, shoot to win, skating races, scavenger hunt, sleigh rides)
• Winter Celebration – Rideau Hall, 12:30 pm – 4:00 pm (free shuttle running from the Byward to Rideau Hall for this celebration that includes skating, snowshoeing, cross country skiing, curling, snowman building and painting…all free)
• Animal Tracking on Snowshoes – Gatineau Park Visitor Centre, 10:30 am in French, 1:30 pm English (Snowshoes are provided for this free, two-hour activity. Make sure you dress warmly for an outdoor activity. Recommended for children of age 8 and older.)
• Vernon Winter Carnival – Vernon Recreation Hall, 1:00 pm – 4:00 pm (preschool area, outdoor games, youth ice hockey game, snowman building contest, free popcorn and hot chocolate)
• Riverside South Chinese New Year Celebration – Rideauview Community Centre, 2:00 pm – 5:30 pm (Cultural Display, Food Fest, Lucky Draw and Entertainment. Admission is $5 for adults, free for kids)
• Family Roller Skating – Aberdeen Pavilion, Lansdowne, 6:00 pm – 8:30 pm (retro roller skating disco, reserve your rental skates ahead of time via the link)
• ASNY Productions presents Beauty and the Beast – Meridien Theatres at Centrepointe, shows at 1:30 pm and 7:30 pm (the smash broadway musical)

Sunday:

• Snowflake Kingdom – Jacques Cartier Park, Gatineau, 9:00 am – 9:00 pm (giant snow slides, snow sculptures, zip line, beavertails, shows, mascots and more..entry is free)
• Snow Day 2019: Open House – Wesley Clover Parks, 411 Corkstown Rd, 10:00 am – 2:00 pm (free use of the trails, snowshoes and skis, free novice orienteering event, children’s ski park and more)
• Animal Tracking on Snowshoes – Gatineau Park Visitor Centre, 10:30 am in English, 1:30 pm French (Snowshoes are provided for this free, two-hour activity. Make sure you dress warmly for an outdoor activity. Recommended for children of age 8 and older.)
• Chinese New Year Festival – Horticulture Building, Lansdowne, 10:30 am – 4:30 pm (celebrate the Year of the Pig with Chinese and western arts and music)
• Icecade on Sparks Street – Sparks Street, 12:00 pm – 6:00 pm (free, frozen fun. Try your mitts at classic carnival games with a chilly twist)
• One Thing Leads to Another – Great Canadian Theatre Company, 1:00 pm (award-winning show for babies, An innovative work of theatre created specifically for infants, 30 mins long, suitable up to 24 months)
• ASNY Productions presents Beauty and the Beast – Meridien Theatres at Centrepointe, show at 1:30 pm (the smash broadway musical)
• Winter Carnival – Frank Ryan Park, 2:00 pm – 5:00 pm (sleigh rides, skating, sledding, roast marshmallows at the bonfire, coffee and hot chocolate for free, hot dogs available for purchase)