Welcome to the final weekend of January. It looks to be full of winter fun…and very reasonable temperatures! The Rideau Canal is currently open, but if you are planning to go, be sure to check up-to-date conditions because temperatures are warming. You can check those conditions here. Also, this week I published a blog post on my guide to Winterlude 2020. Be sure to check that out to see all the fun coming up starting next week. Now, here is my guide to what’s going on around Ottawa for the weekend of January 25 and 26.

Saturday:

• Shiverfest – Manotick Village, 7:30 am – 3:30 pm (the day starts with a pancake breakfast at the Manotick Arena, then there’s children’s fun time, horse drawn sleigh rides, a chili cook off, bake sale and even toboggan races)
• Greely Winter Carnival – Greely Community Centre, 8:30 am – 10:00 pm (a jam packed schedule starting with a pancake breakfast, magic show, bonfire, hockey, and public skating)
• Animal Tracking on Snowshoes – Gatineau Park Visitor Centre, 10:30 am in French, 1:30 pm in English (Take a free guided snowshoe hike with a nature interpreter, and find out about animals and their tracks. 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. Space is limited and reservations are recommended.)
• Dragon Fest – Centre Wakefield, 11:00 am – 4:00 pm (skating, a curry cook-off, games, cake, storytelling, Winter vs Spring Tug-of-War, figure skating and more)
• Carnaval Cantley – Cantley, Quebec, 12:00 pm – 4:00 pm (free event, inflatables, horse drawn wagon rides, live entertainment and more)
• Rideau Hall Public Skating – Rideau Hall, 12:00 pm – 5:00 pm (come for a free skate at this beautiful outdoor pavilion)
• Winter Fun Day – Kingsmere Park, 12:00 pm – 3:00 pm (horse drawn sleigh rides, skating, marshmallow toasting, food for purchase)
• Whitehaven Winter Party – Whitehaven/George C Brown Park, 1:00 pm – 4:00 pm (skating, cookies and hot chocolate)
• Carlington Community Association Annual Carlington Cup – Ottawa Alexander Community Centre, 1:00 pm – 4:00 pm (The Carlington Cup is a neighbourhood Shinny Hockey Tournament. This is a chance for friends and neighbours to get together and play some hockey . Register as a team or individual or come and be a spectator)
• Winter Carnival at Westboro Beach – Westboro Beach, 1:30 pm – 3:30 pm (hot chocolate, marshmallow roasting, bonfire, cookies, and sledding)
• Rag and Bone Puppet Show: The Last Polar Bears – The School of Dance, 200 Crichton St, 1:30 pm ( funny, moving story of a grandfather’s unlikely trip to the Arctic with his opinionated dog, Roo. It features live action, live music and puppets)
• Canada’s Royal Winnipeg Ballet: The Wizard of Oz – NAC, 2:00 pm and 8:00 pm (L. Frank Baum’s cherished tale The Wizard of Oz, is vividly brought to life by choreographer Septime Webre in this new story ballet. )
• Jumanji: The Next Level – Ottawa Family Cinema, Notre Dame HS, 2:00 pm – 4:15 pm ( 3D show of new Jumaji sequel featuring the Rock)
• Dovercourt Winter Carnival – Dovercourt Rec Centre, 4:00 pm – 7:00 pm (face painting, sledding, skating, bonfire, hot chocolate and Dovertails…like Beavertails)

Sunday:

• Plaisirs d’hiver – Municipality of Chelsea, 10:00 am – 3:00 pm (free event, friendly hockey game, intro to cross country skiing, snacks and hot chocolate)
• Animal Tracking on Snowshoes – Gatineau Park Visitor Centre, 10:30 am in English, 1:30 pm in French (Take a free guided snowshoe hike with a nature interpreter, and find out about animals and their tracks. 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. Space is limited and reservations are recommended.)
• Super Hero Bingo – Zigazoom, Aylmer, 10:30 am – 11:00 am (fun prizes to win with this super hero bingo game, all welcome)
• Winter Princess Party – Boston Pizza Barrhaven, 11:00 am – 2:00 pm (crafts, games and even a concert!! You heard that right folks, your favorite winter princesses will be performing their favorite songs. Two seatings at 11 am and 1 pm, fee of $1.50 per person)
• Rideau Hall Public Skating – Rideau Hall, 12:00 pm – 5:00 pm (come for a free skate at this beautiful outdoor pavilion)
• Winter Party in the Park – 39 Onslow Cres, Old Ottawa East, 1:00 pm – 4:00 pm (Horse-drawn sleigh ride, fun in the snow, skating-skills competition, hot dogs, soup and hot chocolate.)
• Rag and Bone Puppet Show: The Last Polar Bears – Ottawa Citizen Dance Studio, Shenkman Arts Centre, 1:30 pm ( funny, moving story of a grandfather’s unlikely trip to the Arctic with his opinionated dog, Roo. It features live action, live music and puppets)