Top winter festivals | Destination Ontario
Southern Ontario
Niagara Icewine Festival
Indulge in Ontario’s VQA wine culture and thriving culinary scene from wineries and restaurants across Niagara. Get your Niagara Icewine Discovery Pass to sample the finest “liquid gold” from dozens of wineries, paired with sweet and savoury chef-made treats.
Curated food pairings range from Icewine-inspired and infused bisques, soups and stews to tarts, ice cream and gelatos.
The festival sizzles with evening galas and glamorous events. The iconic Niagara Parks Power Station is the venue for the Cool as Ice Gala, where food from top chefs is paired with Niagara’s finest Icewine. The Sparkle and Ice Celebration showcases a spirited competition between talented mixologists that crowns the best Icewine cocktail.
Dates: January 12-14, 19-21 and 26-28, 2024 (three weekends in January)
Location: various venues in and around downtown Niagara-on-the-Lake
Stratford Winterfest
Come and play in the park this winter!
What began as a small winter event in 1998 is still running strong today with fun activities and entertainment. Fan favourites include snow glide and snow golf.
Date: Saturday, January 27, 2024
Location: Upper Queens Park, 55 Queen Street East, Stratford
Winterloo
Formerly Waterloo Ice Dogs Festival, Waterloo’s free winter festival takes the stage with exciting winter-themed attractions for all ages.
Highlights have included ice carving competitions, free skating to tunes in Waterloo Public Square, food trucks and more.
Dates: January 27, 2024 from 12:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Location: various venues in Waterloo
Goderich Winterfest
Ontario’s popular beach town hosts a fun and festive annual winter festival.
The widely anticipated 2024 Goderich Winterfest Trails features lights and lanterns, public skating, and the opportunity to participate in a tasting of the Rotary chilli cook-off to crown the best chilli.
Dates: February 3-5, 2024
Location: various venues in downtown Goderich
Hamilton Winterfest
Hamilton’s Winterfest features over 70 community-run activities across the city ranging from author readings and park tours to live entertainment.
And the best part? Hamilton is one of Ontario’s best destinations for foodies. From creative comfort eats to fine fusion dining, there’s something for every palate and craving, including halal, vegetarian and vegan.
Be sure to include the weekend brunch at the Ancaster Mill. There’s also a flourishing craft beer and cider scene in Hamilton, so plan for a brew at Collective Arts Brewery, Clifford Brewing, West Avenue Cider or one of the other excellent breweries and cideries.
Dates: February 2–19, 2024
Location: downtown Hamilton
Kingstonlicious
Experience delicious, innovative, regionally sourced and globally inspired food in one of Ontario’s favourite foodie cities. Kingstonlicious is a celebration of the best of Kingston’s culinary community.
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.
Book a food tour with Kingston Food Tours to experience Kingston’s foodie culture.
Dates: details coming soon
Location: throughout the city of Kingston
Winterlicious in Toronto
Explore Canada’s most exciting foodie city one bite at a time during this much-loved prix fixe event.
Participating restaurants offer special three-course lunch and dinner menus that showcase the diverse and distinct culinary culture at a range of price points in Toronto.
During Winterlicious, sign up for a local food tour with Culinary Adventure Co. or Toronto Food Tours for even more delicious discoveries in Toronto’s foodie neighbourhoods.
Location: restaurants throughout Toronto
Dates: January 26–February 8, 2024
Winterlude in Ottawa
Winterlude is one of the largest and most popular winter events in the nation and 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), endless frosty fun in Canada’s capital will build up an appetite.
Warm up with treats like hot chocolate, maple taffy, poutine and sweet or savoury BeaverTails. Central to all the highlights and activities, the ByWard Market is Ottawa’s famous foodie hotspot with great restaurants, cafes, bars, stalls and food shops. C’est Bon Cooking gourmet food tours offer guided walking tours to learn about the food and history of the neighbourhood.
Head to Beckta Dining + Wine Bar for upscale Canadian cuisine. Have a tea or something stronger at the opulent Joy on Sussex, or raise a glass at the Chateau Lafayette, affectionally known locally as the Laff, Ottawa’s oldest tavern.
Get tips on making the best cocktails from various Glebe restaurants, bars and cafes during the Winter Cocktail Corner. And visit the Ottawa Farmers’ Market on Sunday for fresh, local produce and food.
Dates: February 2-19, 2024
Location: downtown Ottawa
Toronto Chinatown Lunar New Year Celebration
Celebrate the Lunar New Year, also known as Spring Festival, in downtown Toronto’s Chinatown.
Welcome the Year of the Dragon with an exciting parade, special events and authentic and fusion East and South East Asian cuisine. You’ll find everything from spicy pho to steaming hot pots, dumplings, dim sum, bún, bánh mì, bibimbap bulgogi, sushi, maki and soul-warming noodle soups.
Toronto’s Chinatown is nestled west of Beverley Street and east of Augusta Avenue on Dundas Street West and south of College Street and north of Queen Street on Spadina Avenue. Events will take place in Chinatown Centre and Dragon City Mall.
Note: Additional Lunar New Year celebrations take place throughout the Greater Toronto Area, including Markham, Mississauga and Scarborough.
Dates: February 10-11, 2024
Location: Chinatown neighbourhood in downtown Toronto
