Winterlude begins Jan. 30, 2026

Winterlude starts today in Ottawa–Gatineau, and the forecast is simple: dress warmly and stay outside longer than planned. The festival began in 1979, when the National Capital Commission set out to make winter feel inviting rather than isolating—and that thinking still holds.

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Today in History

Wind-powered ice racing
Jan. 30, 2024Aýna, Albacete, Spain
Jan. 30, 2025Vancouver International Boat Show

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Hop into Lunar New Year
Celebrating our looming lunar neighbour
Nov. 4, 2024Grasmere, Lake District, Cumbria, England
Dec. 18, 2024English National Ballet performing The Nutcracker
Aug. 29, 2024Castellfollit de la Roca, Catalonia, Spain
Jul. 26, 2025International Day for the Conservation of the Mangrove Ecosystem
Feb. 19, 2026Dragons Eye, Uttakleiv Beach, Norway
Blurring the lines with wearable art
Jun. 11, 2025Greater flamingos, Lüderitz, Namibia
Regal Radiance
Jan. 26, 2026Neuschwanstein Castle, Bavaria, Germany
Jan. 2, 2025Ardez village, Graubunden, Switzerland
Dec. 8, 2023La Rocque Harbour, Island of Jersey
Nov. 3, 2023World Jellyfish Day
Dec. 22, 2024Christmas tree at Crystal Pier, San Diego, California, United States
Apr. 6, 2024Japan Castle Day
Jun. 3, 2024World Bicycle Day
Aug. 17, 2024International Lighthouse and Lightship Weekend
Aug. 15, 2024Hang Sơn Đoòng, Phong Nha-Kẻ Bàng National Park, Vietnam
Aug. 14, 2025Cable car station on Piz Nair mountain, Graubünden, Switzerland
Nov. 21, 2023Grey seal pup
A chocolate lovers favourite fruit
May 1, 2024Lei Day
Sep. 5, 20242024 Toronto International Film Festival
Jul. 16, 2025Temple of Philae, Aswan, Egypt
Dec. 9, 2025National Llama Day
Sep. 8, 2024International Literacy Day
Jan. 22, 2025Ad-Deir, Petra, Jordan
Feb. 21, 2026Red fox, Grand Teton National Park, Wyoming, United States
Rocky Mountain runoff