Crystal Garden
Confederation Park
Discover the return of an iconic Winterlude site!
Located in Confederation Park, in the heart of downtown Ottawa, Crystal Garden is one of the Winterlude’s official sites. It features a free outdoor ice sculpture exhibition, animation and many seasonal events in an enchanting winter setting. Located near Parliament Hill and the Rideau Canal Skateway, it offers a walkable winter festival experience for visitors of all ages.
This page provides practical information, including hours, accessibility, services, and details to help you plan your visit.
Getting here
Hours of operation
| Weekend | Date | Friday | Saturday | Sunday | Monday |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Weekend 1 | January 30 to February 1 | 4 pm to 9 pm | 10 am to 9 pm | 10 am to 6 pm | - |
| Weekend 2 | February 6 to 9 | 4 pm to 10 pm | 10 am to 9 pm | 10 am to 6 pm | - |
| Weekend 3 | February 13 to 16 | 4 pm to 9 pm | 10 am to 9 pm | 10 am to 6 pm | 10 am to 6 pm |
Hours may change due to weather.
Explore the site
Every weekend at Crystal Garden
- There are currently no featured activities.
Download the Crystal Garden map
Crystal Garden — map descriptive text
Confederation Park is located in downtown Ottawa, bordered by Elgin Street to the west, Laurier Avenue West to the south, and the Rideau Canal pathways to the east, extending north toward Queen Street. Pedestrian access is available from multiple entrances around the park perimeter.
Features and services within Crystal Garden
- Information Kiosk — Located in the central-west area of the park, accessible from the south-west entrance.
- Lost Children — Located near the First Aid Kiosk, in the central-west area of the park.
- Universally Accessible Washrooms — Located in the central-west area of the park, close to main pedestrian routes.
- First Aid — Located in the central-west area of the park, near Lost Children services.
- Food Concessions — Located in the central-west area of the park, near seating and gathering areas.
- OLG Sugar Shack Village — Located in the south-west area of the park, closest to the south-west entrance.
- Fire Pit — Located in the south-west area of the park, near the OLG Sugar Shack Village.
- Performance Area — Located in the south-west area of the park, near the south-west entrance.
- Confederation Park – Crystal Garden — Located on the west side of the park, accessible from entrances along Elgin Street and Laurier Avenue West.
- The Lantern Grove — Located in the north-east area of the park, closest to the north-east entrance from the Rideau Canal pathway.
- GlaciaLux – Ice, Light and Sound — Located in the north-east area of the park, near the Rideau Canal pathway entrances.
- On Screen — Located in the north-east area of the park, accessible from the east and north-east entrances.
- Interactive Installation — Located in the north-east area of the park, adjacent to the Rideau Canal pathway.
- Chill Zone — Located in the north-east area of the park.
- Ice Carving Demonstrations — Located in the central area of the park, accessible from multiple entrances.
- Ryan Hill Ice-Carving Public Challenge — Located in the central area of the park, near other ice-related activities.
- Ice Dig — Located in the central area of the park.
- Olympic Zone — Located in the central area of the park, accessible from multiple entrances.
- Flag Day Activity — Located in the central-east area of the park, near the Rideau Canal pathway.
- Public Art — Located in multiple areas of the park, primarily in the north-east section near the canal.
- Ice Sculptures — Located in designated areas throughout the park, primarily across the central and north-east portions, accessible from Laurier Avenue West and Rideau Canal pathway entrances.
- Rink of Dreams — Located east of Confederation Park, in front of Ottawa City Hall.
Download the Crystal Garden map
[PDF version - 4.2 MB]
Know before you go
- Admission to the sites is free. Many events are free, while others require a fee. Paid events are marked with a "Paid event" notification before the event title in the calendar of events.
- Pets are not permitted (service dogs are welcome).
- Food and beverages concessions nearby (fees apply).
- Washrooms are available on site.
- Dress warmly, as most events take place outdoors.
- Hotels and restaurants: Visit the hotels and restaurants page for nearby options.
Winterlude takes place on the traditional, unceded territory of the Algonquin Anishinabeg.
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