Email
PrintFamilies frolic at winter festivals
There are five major festivals in February and some smaller ones run by local boroughs.
It's easy to lose sight of winter's pleasures when you're shovelling two feet of snow from the walkway and wondering how long it is going to take to dig out the car. But every year, communities in and around Montreal reach out to winter-weary residents by organizing festivals that highlight having fun in the snow and ice. You'll find family-friendly activities for young and old, along with tasty treats and toe-tapping music. So bundle up in your warmest gear and go enjoy the snow, no shovelling required!
La Fête des Neiges de Montréal
January 21 to February 5, 2012
An annual tradition at Jean Drapeau Park, this festival courts families with more than 20 outdoor activities, including skating, ice sculpting, zip-lining, tubing and ice hockey plus the extreme slide called the “Super Glisse.” Many activities are free and there will be outdoor concerts and the chance to meet Boule de Neige, the festival mascot, and take a ride on a horse-drawn sleigh. Parking is available but the site is easily accessible by metro (Parc Drapeau station). It's always best to check the website before heading out to the festival as some activities are only held weather permitting. For information, visit www.parcjeandrapeau.com.
Ste. Rose en Blanc in Laval
Feb. 3-12, 2012
The charming community of Ste. Rose in Laval hosts an annual festival featuring a wide array of family activities from traditional Quebecois and international singing to horse-drawn sleigh rides and dog sledding. You can get lost in a snow labyrinth or enjoy artistic workshops and live shows under a giant outdoor tent. If you need to warm up, step inside the Ste. Rose Church for performances by the Lost Fingers. Fireside storytelling at the Berges des Baigneurs with Ti-Jean, Ti-Pat and Ti-Ted of Les Contes de Normanville will be a humourous and historic treat for the whole family. Activities take place in downtown Ste. Rose. For more information, visit www.sainteroseenblanc.com.
Fête des Neiges de Magog
Feb. 3-5, 2012
Take one frozen lake and add in acrobats, trampolines and fireworks and voila, you are describing Magog’s Fête des Neiges. During this Eastern Townships’ festival, which is approximately a 90-minute drive from Montreal, the boardwalk around Lake Memphremagog is transformed into a giant winter playground, with more than 40 free activities for families. You’ll find ice fishing, bowling on ice, face-painting, zip-lining, marshmallow roasts, dancing and a special play area for children. Adults can take a polar bath in the icy water and then warm up in a sauna or try out a giant trampoline. There will also be live circus and musical performances, including Sunny Duval and Rockabilly Jive. For more information, visit www.fetedesneigesdemagog.com.
Winterlude in Ottawa
Feb. 3-20, 2012
Festival enthusiasts won’t mind driving to Ottawa when the nation’s capital turns on the lights, sounds and fun during its popular Winterlude. This year’s festival, dubbed Fire and Lights from 1812 to 2012: Forging the Canadian Spirit, commemorates the 200th anniversary of the war of 1812. The festival has more than 25 free activities, such as an obstacle course, arts and crafts lessons, snow slides and snow sculptures. For a small fee ($5 maximum per person), visitors can try a rock-climbing wall or horse-drawn sleigh rides. Ottawa is home to the world’s largest outdoor skating rink, the Rideau Canal Skateway, so bring your own skates and sleds from home or rent them on-site to have fun on the 7.8 kilometres of ice. There will also be a hockey game, a bed-race, the Winterlude triathlon, and an eco-art exhibition along the canal featuring children’s artwork. For a complete listing of activities, information on skate rentals, and a map to guide you through Winterlude’s activities, visit www.canadascapital.gc.ca/winterlude.
Festival Feu et Glaces in Repentigny
Feb. 11-19, 2012
This year, the organizers of Repentigny's winter celebration have a message to pass along: you can stay active and healthy despite the cold, ice and snow. They prove it with a host of fun activities including zip lines, tubing, sledding and skating (bring your own skates, there’s no on-site rental). Visitors can also watch fireworks, take a sleigh ride, and try dog sledding and even ice-sculpting. There will also be special performances by Bobby Bazini and Jonathan Painchaud. Most of the festival’s activities are free and take place at Parc de l’Île-Lebel in Repentigny. For more information, visit www.feuetglace.com.
While these major Winter Festivals are amazing fun for young and old alike, most area boroughs also hold winter carnivals during January and February. They may be a bit smaller, but still offer loads of activities for families. Click on the links below for more information on the festival(s) nearest you:
Boucherville
January 8 to February 26 from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. Every Sunday, families can enjoy outdoor activities together. Strap on some skates or slide down the inner-tube hill. There is a mascot on site and you can dance to music.
Cote St. Luc
February 5 from noon to 4 p.m. There will be activities for the entire family to enjoy, including inflatables, taffy on the snow, horse-carriage rides, a pancake breakfast and more.
Dollard des Ormeaux
February 12 from noon to 4 p.m. Drop by to enjoy horse-drawn wagon rides, taffy on the snow, games, ice sculpting, skating, tobogganing, face painting and music. (In case of bad weather, event will be held on February 19th)
Dorval
February 8-12 at various times depending on the day. Five days of fun include sleigh rides, a comedy night, pancake brunch, tobogganing, outdoor sports and activities, etc.
Hudson
January 28 to February 12 at various times. Activities include a pancake breakfast, a family movie event, an old-fashioned skating party with music and sleigh rides, an ice hike and more.
Joliette
February 3, 4, 5, 11 & 12 at various times, depending on the day. The Festi-Glace de la rivière L’Assomption offers many activities, including outdoor & indoor shows, fireworks, taffy on snow, ice sculpture competition and demonstrations, entertainment for children and more.
Kirkland
January 25-28 at various times. Compete in an Amazing Race competition, enjoy a family bingo game, face painting, crafts, sleigh rides, tobogganing, ice sculptures, inflatables and outdoor games.
Montreal West
February 12 from noon to 3 p.m. Take a ride on a horse-drawn wagon or enjoy some outdoor activities like skating. There will be face painting, music and more fun throughout the day.
Notre Dame de Grace
February 11 from noon to 4 p.m. A Winter Carnival in Benny Park for the whole family to enjoy. Bring your skates; snowshoes and cross-country skis provided by the festival organizers. Play snow games, have sled races, enjoy the inflatables and roast marshmallows at the campfire.
Oka
February 4 from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. See the beautiful ice sculptures on display and learn how they are made. Enjoy an outdoor and indoor movie, tubing, bungee trampoline, inflatables, clowns, face painting and more.
Pincourt
January 28 from 12:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. Enjoy inflatable games, ice sculpting, animators, dog sled rides, tobogganing, horse sleigh rides, snow volleyball, pedal co-carts, skating and many other activities that are sure to please.
Pointe Claire
February 4 from noon to 4 p.m. Enjoy Family Skate Day with inflatables games, hot chocolate, skills competitions, kids game and, of course, skating.
Ste. Agathe des Monts
January 28 to March 10 at various times. Every weekend brings a new theme for families to enjoy such as ice fishing (Jan. 28-29), winter camping (Feb. 4-5), snow sculpting (Feb. 11-12), RZR racing (Feb. 18-19), ice sculpting and fireworks (Feb. 25-26), snowman making (March 3-4), video game competitions (March 4-10) and an outdoor concert (Mar.ch 10)
Ste. Anne de Bellevue
February 16-19 at various times. Four action-packed days and nights with activities such as a Youth Hockey Night, Disco on Ice, pyro-musical (fireworks) show, food tasting, sleigh rides, sliding, inflatable structures, ice sculptures, hot chocolate to keep you warm, nature rally and walks, etc.
St. Lazare
January 27 to February 5 at various times. Families can enjoy a hockey shoot-out competition, outdoor activities, a parade, night skating, fireworks, craft and bake sale and more.
St. Placide
February 18-19. Enjoy one of the largest winter kite festivals that attracts about 20,000 visitors each year. See giant inflatables float through the air and enjoy the demonstrations of kite flying and racing. You can even bring your own kite to fly. There will also be kite-making workshops.
Sherbrooke
Feb. 25-27 at various times. Visit seven different areas during the festival. At the Snow Village, enjoy snow sculpting demonstrations and workshops, outdoor activities, kite demonstrations and sliding. The Family Village offers mini zip-line, a small farm, inflatable games, dog sledding, horse-drawn carts, pony rides, taffy on the snow and more. Warm up at Village Chaleur with a heated picnic area, music, entertainment and demonstrations plus free coffee from Tim Hortons. The new arrival is the Hockey Village where there will be 3-on-3 tournaments and games. Village d’Antan offers up dog sledding, traditional music, local artisans and produce, exhibition of old snowmobiles and a sugar shack. At the Extreme Village you will find ice wall climbing, a mega trampoline and sporting demonstrations. Finally, at Village Mont Bellevue, enjoy alpine competitions, entertainment and activities.
Terrebonne des Moulins
January 28 to February 5 at various times. Over two weekends, enjoy shows, live entertainment, night-time skating, games and outdoor activities.
