Warm up at a winter festival in Ontario
Winterlude | Ottawa Tourism
Embrace the season with snow-based activities like tubing, ice skating and a polar plunge if you dare! Meet legendary mascots, admire ice sculptures, get cozy at outdoor fire pits and attend light festivals that brighten up long nights. Warm up with delicious food and hot drinks and toast the day with a glass of Icewine.
Many of Ontario’s winter carnivals take place outdoors, so dress warmly and in layers to stay comfortable. Some events are restricted to guests 19+.
Celebrate art, culture, food and fun at these Ontario winter events.
Greater Toronto Area
APIK Mississauga
Mississauga Celebration Square is transformed into a thrilling snowpark for the city’s first-ever urban ski and snowboard competition. Watch and cheer on skiers and snowboarders performing their best skills for cash prizes. This three-day event also features food trucks, pop-up shops, snow skate demonstrations, sports celebrity appearances and more for all ages.
Admission is free.
Date: February 7–9, 2025
Location: 300 City Centre Drive, Mississauga
Winterlicious in Toronto
Explore one of Canada’s most exciting culinary cities this winter.
Over 200 participating restaurants offer special three-course lunch and dinner menus at various price points that showcase Toronto’s diverse and distinct culinary culture.
Dates: January 31–February 13, 2025
Location: restaurants in Toronto
Lunar New Year Celebration
Celebrate the Lunar New Year and welcome the Year of the Wood Snake with an exciting Lion Dance parade in Toronto’s Chinatown.
Bring your appetite for an array of East and Southeast Asian cuisine in the area. You’ll find everything from spicy pho to steaming hot pots, dim sum, bún, bánh mì, bibimbap, sushi, maki and soul-warming noodle soup.
Dates: February 1–2, 2025
Location: Chinatown, Toronto
Niagara Region
Niagara Icewine Festival
Indulge in Ontario’s VQA wine culture and thriving culinary scene from wineries and restaurants across the Niagara Region over three fun-filled weekends in January.
Get the Niagara Icewine Discovery Pass to sample the finest “liquid gold” at local wineries paired with sweet and savoury chef-made treats.
Niagara-on-the-Lake’s historical district is transformed into Icewine Village during this annual festival. Wander through enchanting outdoor spaces, savour Icewine by bonfires and enjoy live entertainment.
The glamorous Cool as Ice Gala is held at the Niagara Parks Power Station on January 18, 2025.
Dates: January 10–12, 17–19 and 24–26, 2025
Location: Downtown Niagara-on-the-Lake and across the Niagara Region
Hamilton, Halton and Brant
Hamilton Winterfest
Hamilton’s annual winter celebration returns with over 70 events and activities across the city.
Check the calendar for ticketed and free events, including large-scale art installations, interactive games, live music, drag shows, handicrafts and special Valentine’s Day and Family Day activities.
Dates: February 1–17, 2025
Location: Downtown Hamilton
WinterTide
WinterTide is a series of enchanting musical evening events at the Royal Botanical Gardens for guests 19+.
The historic Rock Garden winter scape is transformed into an elegant indoor and outdoor jazz lounge with warming fire pits and twinkling lights. You’ll be treated to live music and classic cocktails, including the signature Rocktail and seasonal fare.
Reserve tickets in advance.
Dates: February 2025 (exact dates to be confirmed)
Location: 1185 York Boulevard, Hamilton
Ottawa Region
Winterlude in Ottawa
One of the nation’s largest and most popular winter events celebrates Ottawa’s cultural, artistic and culinary diversity.
From intricate ice sculptures to ice skating along the Rideau Canal, the world’s longest skate trail (weather dependent), enjoy endless frosty fun in Canada’s capital.
Warm up with treats like hot chocolate, maple taffy, poutine and BeaverTails. Central to the event, the ByWard Market is Ottawa’s famous foodie hotspot with great restaurants, cafes, bars, stalls and food shops.
Dates: January 31–February 17, 2025
Location: Downtown Ottawa
York, Durham and Headwaters
Fire and Ice 2025
When the temperatures dip, the historic Alton Mill in Caledon heats up with a family-friendly winter celebration. Enjoy ice carving events, a bustling vendor market, a special kids’ program and great food and drinks.
Outdoor and indoor activities take place at the Alton Mill Arts Centre, including ticketed evening live performances in the Hot Stove Lounge.
Dates: January 25–26, 2025
Location: Alton Mill Arts Centre, 1402 Queen Street West, Alton
Bruce, Grey and Simcoe
Barrie Winterfest
Bundle up for winter fun, including ice skating, lumberjack shows, ice carving demonstrations and live entertainment.
Most activities occur at Meridian Place and Heritage Park in downtown Barrie.
Dates: February 1–2, 2025
Location: 30 Simcoe Street, Barrie
Southeastern Ontario
Kingstonlicious
Celebrate the best of Kingston’s culinary community at one of Ontario’s top food festivals—Kingstonlicious.
The annual prix fixe event features everything from three-course dinners to casual takeout options from over 40 participating restaurants. Turn date night, girls’ night or dinner with your best friend into a weekend getaway in Kingston.
Date: February 3, 2025
Location: Restaurants in Kingston
Haliburton Highland to the Ottawa Valley
Dorset Snowball Winter Carnival
What began as a community event in 1991 has become a popular winter carnival that attracts visitors from across Ontario.
Enjoy the pancake breakfast, toboggan races, ice skating, and hockey games and discover what snow snake games are. Warm up with food, drinks, shopping and entertainment in the Dorset Recreation Centre.
Dates: February 14-15, 2025
Location: Dorset
Algonquin Park, Muskoka and Parry Sound
Fire and Ice Bracebridge
Experience a Muskoka twist on the traditional winter carnival with fun activities like ice skating, fat biking and axe throwing. Ice sculpting demonstrations, lumberjack shows and fireworks add to the excitement at this popular festival.
Choose from sweet and savour snacks like roasted marshmallows, inventive popcorn creations and hot apple cider.
Tickets are available online.
Date: January 25, 2025
Location: Downtown Bracebridge
Huntsville SnowFest
Downtown Huntsville and River Mill Park transform into a whimsical winter wonderland during the annual SnowFest.
Seasonal fun and festivities include on-ice performances, snow sculptures, buskers, live music and toasty treats like hot chocolate and roasted marshmallows.
Skating takes place at River Mill Park ice rink.
Date: February 22, 2025
Location: Downtown Huntsville
Huron, Perth, Waterloo and Wellington
Lights On Stratford
Entering its fifth year with the theme “Reimagine,” Historic Downtown Stratford and nearby parks are transformed with a captivating series of interactive art and light installations.
The Light Trail begins in Market Square; use the interactive map to plan your route to the installations. It also highlights a variety of local restaurants, shops and hotels offering festival-related promotions.
Dates: December 13, 2024–January 19, 2025
Location: Downtown Stratford
Stratford Winterfest
What began as a small winter event in 1998 is still popular today, with fun activities and entertainment for all ages. Fan favourites include ice skating, ice sculptures and the snow glide. Fuel up with hot drinks and snacks from food vendors.
Most of the daytime activities take place at Upper Queens Park. However, off-site events, including a retro Hawaiian Luau dance party, are also planned.
Date: January 25, 2025
Location: Upper Queens Park, 55 Queen Street, Stratford
Winterloo
Waterloo’s annual free winter festival takes the stage with exciting winter-themed attractions for all ages.
Highlights include ice carving competitions, ice skating, food trucks and more. Events are held throughout Uptown Waterloo at Waterloo Park, Waterloo Public Square and other venues.
Dates: January 25, 2025
Location: Uptown Waterloo
Goderich Winterfest
Ontario’s popular summer beach town also hosts a fun and festive annual winter festival.
Browse hand-crafted items at the vendor market, enjoy kids’ games and activities, visit the petting zoo and pop into the Winterfest bar for craft beer.
Dates: February 2025 (exact dates to be announced)
Location: Downtown Goderich
Sault Ste. Marie and Algoma
Bon Soo Ontario Winter Carnival
For over 60 years, Bon Soo has been a winter tradition in Sault Ste. Marie.
Marvel at ice carvings and snow sculptures. Participate in unique activities such as the snow slides and polar bear dips and enjoy live music and family-friendly entertainment.
Be sure to take a photo with Mr. Bon Soo, the festival’s beloved mascot—a six-foot-tall snowball with rosy-red cheeks.
Dates: February 7–15, 2025
Location: Sault Ste. Marie
Northwest Ontario
SnowDay on the Waterfront
Bundle up for family fun over Family Day weekend at this award-winning event, which features family-friendly activities and entertainment like ice and snow sculptures, ice fishing, snowshoeing, music, games and food.
Date: February 17, 2025
Location: Marina Park Drive, Thunder Bay
Voyageur Winter Carnival
Fort William Historical Park hosts one of Northern Ontario’s largest winter festivals.
Get active with outdoor activities like skating and snowshoeing. Meet toboggan makers, snowshoe weavers and other local artisans to learn about their traditional crafts. Take in live musical performances and join in on voyageur songs and dances.
Dates: February 15–16, 2025
Location: Fort William Historical Park, 1350 King Road, Thunder Bay
Northeastern Ontario
Ice Follies
Ice Follies, a biannual celebration of contemporary and community art, returns to Shabogesic Beach on the shores of Lake Nipissing.
The free outdoor art festival features family-friendly performances, innovative art installations and engaging activities.
Dates: February 7–21, 2025
Location: Memorial Drive, North Bay
Last updated: January 3, 2025