After all the jam-packed last few weeks of Winterlude events, this weekend’s line-up seems a little quiet in comparison. However, sugar bush season is in full swing and it looks like it will be an awesome weekend to get out there and hit up one of the Ottawa area’s many sugar shacks. Check out my blog post guide to all of Ottawa’s best sugar bushes to learn more about what each offers, and the opening dates and times. Here is what else is going on around the capital for the weekend of February 22 and 23.

Saturday:

• Elmdale Bookfest 2020 – Fisher Park/Summit Alternative Public School, 9:00 am – 3:00 pm (Second hand Children’s books, fiction, gardening, cookbooks, self help, art, and more. As well as raffles and a bake sale)
• Omega Carnival – Parc Omega, 10:00 am – 5:00 pm ( horse-drawn rides, a woodcarving demonstration, an igloo, face painting, maple taffy, and much more.)
• Artissimo Studio: Imagination Station – National Gallery of Canada, 10:00 am – 4:00 pm (It’s play time! Boxes, yarn, wire, tape, paint! Each week there will be new materials to spark your imagination. Included with gallery admission.)
• Mad Science Show – Carlingwood Shopping Centre, 10:30 am – 11:30 am (free fun science show)
• 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.)
• HCPCA Winter Festival – Elizabeth Manley Park, 10:30 am – 1:00 pm (all our welcome to this outdoor family fun day in the park)
• Rideau Hall Public Skating – Rideau Hall, 12:00 pm – 5:00 pm (free public skating on a heritage outdoor rink)
• Winter Carnival for Newcomers to the Capital – Gatineau Park Visitor Centre, 1:00 pm – 4:00 pm (for those celebrating their first winter in the capital region. Learn to play ball hockey, snowshoe in the forest, slide down a snowy hill, sample some winter treats – free admission)
• Ripopée – Meridien Theatres at Centrepointe, 2:00 pm (A clownesque fable about the strength of friendship is a great way to introduce the children in your family to the world of clown theatre. )
• Les Feux Sur Glace 2020 – Aylmer Marina, 4:00 pm – 11:00 pm (ticketed event that includes campfires, heated areas, a giant igloo accessible to all, an energetic DJ entertaining and a fireworks show)
• Mary Poppins in Concert Live to Film – National Arts Centre, 7:00 pm (experience Walt Disney’s classic movie on the big screen in South Hall, tickets $31 and up)

Sunday:

• Artissimo Studio: Imagination Station – National Gallery of Canada, 10:00 am – 4:00 pm (It’s play time! Boxes, yarn, wire, tape, paint! Each week there will be new materials to spark your imagination. Included with gallery admission.)
• Omega Carnival – Parc Omega, 10:00 am – 5:00 pm ( horse-drawn rides, a woodcarving demonstration, an igloo, face painting, maple taffy, and much more.)
• 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.)
• Rideau Hall Public Skating – Rideau Hall, 12:00 pm – 5:00 pm (free public skating on a heritage outdoor rink)
• Monkey Around’s 8th Birthday Party – Monkey Around Play Centre, 12:00 pm – 3:00 pm (regular admission fees apply but in addition to regular activities you can expect hourly drive for prizes, face painting, visit from Mickey the Monkey, and a colouring contest)
• Winter Carnival for Newcomers to the Capital – Gatineau Park Visitor Centre, 1:00 pm – 4:00 pm (second day for this event for those celebrating their first winter in the capital region. Learn to play ball hockey, snowshoe in the forest, slide down a snowy hill, sample some winter treats – free admission)