DID YOU KNOW? Family Day coincides with President’s Day in the United States!
Family Day is on Monday, February 19th, 2018 and it’s a great day to relax, and have a great time with your loved ones. If you’re looking for fun things to do in Ottawa, here are a few suggestions!
1. Winter Lude
In its 40th year, Winterlude wraps up on Family Day weekend. It has three main sites that span across Ottawa and Quebec with a plethora of activities. Jacques Cartier Park is home to the Ice Hogs mascots, the kids playground and kiddie zone, a collection of ice sculptures, the woodcarvers’ demonstration. Confederation Park is home to the world famous Crystal Garden which displays the International Ice Sculpture entries for the festival. They even offer programs such as introduction to downhill skiing and snowboarding at one of their sites.
2. Glow Family Fun Day
Taking place at the RA Center, Glowsport the Glow Entertainment Company hosts a day of glow in the dark fun with a variety of activities for family bonding. Starting at 3:30, Glowing Family Fun Day begins with glow in the dark skating complete with a live DJ. Later that evening, glow in the dark dodgeball is the next activity of the day. And if you want your day to start earlier, the RA Center offers free curling all day.
3. Canada 150 Rink
Only around until Feburary 25, this may be your last chance to skate on the Canada 150 rink. This rink provides a once in the lifetime chance to skate underneath the Peace Tower. Open to the public, this is the rink to skate on on Family Day.
4. Skate the Lake Portland
This skating contest lasts two days but allows lots of activities to spectators as well as competitors. Try your hand at curling, take a scenic sleigh ride, or skate in the kids area. There is a public skate after the race on Saturday night and a fireworks show to close the contest on Sunday night.
5. Far North Family Day at the Canadian Museum of History
On top of the fantastic hall dedicated to Indigenous and Inuit history and the indoor collection of totem poles in the history museum, the Canadian History Museum has chosen to use Family Day to educate the public about Inuit history. They will be hosting Inuit craft workshops as well as performing Inuit stories in French and English.
6. Canadian Museum of Space and Aviation
An out of this world museum, the Canadian Museum of Space and Aviation has a day packed full of fun and information. They have a magician, a print making workshop, and story time. The Museum also features two hours full of experiments meant to teach about how the solar system works and what Mars is made of. The Canadian Museum of Space and Aviation is truly one of Ottawa’s brightest stars.
7. Lunar New Year Celebration
Visit Ottawa’s Chinatown to get an authenic Lunar New Year experience on Feburary 17! This celebration is complete with live drummers and a visit from the Kings of Good Fortune from 12:30pm to 1:30pm. Ten lucky people have the chance to recieve a red envelope from the Kings of Good Fortune so be sure to check out Chinatown.
8. Mosaivernales
Until March 4, come check out the famous ice sculpture garden in Jacques Cartier Park. This garden features sculptures of all types and sizes with over thirty masterpieces on display. This garden draws sculptors from all over the world to create this winter wonderland. Be sure to take a leisurely stroll through the park and explore these wintery works of art.
9. Lansdowne Civic Garden
Photo by @lansdowne_ottcity
Photo by @rawan.abdou
True to the winter season, Lansdowne also features a winter sculpture garden as well as a lantern collection. Join the Lansdowne civic garden on the last day of the garden, February 18, for a day of lantern making workshops and family entertainment.
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