Canada: Heartland, Best Winter Festivals and Celebrations in Ontario and Manitoba.
Canadians know how to celebrate winter embracing snow exuberance and creative style. No place is the family fun better than in Canada’s Heartland. See what it takes.
Ontario: Niagara Falls, 29th annual CAA Winter Festival of Lights (November 5, 2011 - January 31, 2012). This amazing festival features more than 120 spectacular illuminations, including the world-famous Enchantment of Disney® displays including the iconic TD RINK at the Brink, the breathtaking Fireworks over the Falls, the CYTEC Candy Cane Lane 5k Race & Fun Run, and a Christmas concert series.
Bonus points: From now until the end of February one of the most magical ice skating rinks in all of Canada - the TD RINK at the Brink - an open-air, outdoor ice skating rink located a snowball's throw of Horseshoe Falls. This is an ideal spot to view both the American and Horseshoe Falls, along with nighttime illuminations weekly fireworks all part of the Winter Festival of Lights.( For Festival details toll-free 1-800-563-2557 or
www.WFOL.com and for rink information The Niagara Parks Commission (905) 353-1134 or
www.NiagaraParks.com)
Ontario: Toronto, 8th annual WinterCity Festival (January 27 to February 9, 2012). I love this city for its art, food, quirky museums (shoes only!), ethnic neighborhoods (including Chinatown) and lively theatre scene. Any time of year Toronto will challenge your imagination. The earth friendly urban atmosphere is exhilarating and it offers families dozens of ways to share the fun. Toronto’s WinterCity Festival is a 14-day city-wide celebration to be held in late January and early February offering both indoor and outdoor activities created for pure fun. All events are family-friendly and many are free. For example Eaton Center Mall is hosting WinterCity Warm Up, with acrobat shows, cooking demos, and shopping bargains – of course and there will be oodles of live theatre and interactive museum activities to be shared. The list of great activities goes on and on. (
www.toronto.ca/special_events/winterlicious)
Ontario: Ottawa, 34th annual “Bal de Niege” or Winterlude (February 2012, weekends).
The winter celebration promises to be splendid. The Canadian Museum of Civilization is the spot for the opening ceremony which promises a dazzling show with breathtaking fireworks. Visit the largest snow playground on the continent, Sun Life Snowflake Kingdom in Gatineau, where sliding on the snow is an art. During the festivities skating along the Rideau Canal Skateway - the world’s largest skating rink - is a must. Meander through the Rogers Crystal Garden with its glittering ice sculptures. Meet the festival mascots Ice Hog Family. Wait for it! Watch the Bedzzz an annual bed race. (Toll-free 1-800-465-1967, (613) 239-5000 or
www.winterlude.gc.ca)
Manitoba: Winnipeg Festival Voyageur (February 18 – 27, 2012).
While Carnaval in Québec is a huge block party Festival du Voyageur is “The World’s Largest Kitchen Party”, with an emphasis on the beauty of winter, numerous historical, educational and entertaining activities, and scrumptious food and drink of the season. The 10-day province-wide celebration of sights, sounds, snow and spirit focuses on the joie de vivre of the fur traders, who established the Red River Colony. Experience Manitoba’s Joie de Vivre in Whittier Park’s winter wonderland known during the Festival as Voyageur Park. Gigantic sculpture reaching up to 50ft long and 18ft high set the stage for wintertime fun. During the snowy months on the weekends you’ll find free programming and fun activities for the whole family.
Bonus points: In addition to ice skating, activities include broomball, candlelight skating, torchlight walks, arctic digs, snow shoe workshops, ice sculpting, and ice painting.
Wait for it! Winnipeg’s River Trail is the Guiness World Record-holding longest naturally frozen skating trail in the world. (Festival Voyageur (204) 237-7692 or
www.FestivalVoyageur.mb.ca)
Content researched and posted by FTF with images provided by Winnipeg’s Festival Voyageur and Ottawa's Winterlude. Copyright 2011.
