What’s on in the Outaouais in February

February is the ultimate month of love. Even if the temperatures outside are freezing, the Outaouais is bursting with fun-filled activities to warm your heart. Check out our suggestions to tap into your love of winter, especially since it’s been a long time coming this year! 

GO HAVE FUN OUTSIDE

The cold has the advantage of thickening the ice on the region’s lakes and rivers. This is essential for ice fishing! Introduce your family or friends to ice fishing this winter. The region’s waterways are teeming with trout, even in winter! Fish in the private lakes of Kenauk Nature, treat yourself to an ice-fishing package at the Centre touristique du Lac-Simon or visit the Pourvoirie de la Lièvre to tease the fish. Who do you think will catch the biggest fish?  If you’re a gambler, take part in Pêche Blanche Gatineau’s annual ice fishing tournament on February 1 for a chance to win up to $2,000!

Take advantage of the snowpack to enjoy cross-country skiing or snowshoeing on the Outaouais trails. Enjoy over 500 kilometers of classic cross-country and skating trails. Challenge yourself and test your stamina by participating in a cross-country skiing event. Until February 7, The Friends of Gatineau Park invite you to put on your snowshoes in the evening and admire the moonlight and twinkling stars along the trails. Learn more about the flora and fauna of the park.  Looking for an exciting family adventure? Glide through the snow on a dog sled in the middle of the forest with Gatineau Sled Dogs! Improvise as a musher for a day or let your instructor guide you and your furry, energetic animals. Afterwards, warm up with a cup of hot chocolate and cuddle your new canine friends.  Enjoy a memorable experience with the International School of Earth Studies. Meet a pack of Seppala Siberian Huskies in a private workshop, interact with them in the kennel, and learn about dog sled equipment.

If you’re still stuck for inspiration despite all our suggestions, close your eyes and choose at random from our list of 100 activities to do this winter! 

For Valentine’s Day

On February 13 and 14, head to Le Rituel restaurant and enjoy a four-course menu created especially for the occasion. Start your meal with a choice of tuna tataki or baby greens salad. Then enjoy a soup; choose from a pepper and tomato soup or a wild mushroom and truffle soup. For your main course, choose from Manhattan Striploin or Chicken Breast. For dessert, indulge in a chocolate mi-cuit for a decadent end to the evening. Reserve your table now.

February 14, make way for seduction and daring at Cabaret Coquin at La Cocktailerie! Immerse yourself in a glamorous and seductive atmosphere where burlesque performances and a variety of artists will spice up your evening. Enjoy refined cocktails specially created for the occasion and let yourself be enchanted by the atmosphere. Celebrate the month of love with a touch of elegance and sensuality!

On February 14 and 15, Hôtel-Casino du Lac-Leamy – Complexe de divertissement de Loto-Québec will celebrate Valentine’s Day with Le coeur à la fête! Dazzling evenings await you. Come celebrate as a couple or with friends. Dress in red and head to Bar 7 for a performance by Centerstage before trying your luck on the slot machines. The grill and seafood restaurant Arôme Hilton Lac-Leamy offers a special menu for the occasion! From February 14 to 16, treat yourself to a three-course table d’hôte and enjoy a delicious meal created just for you.

Fancy a custom-made Valentine’s Day? Check out our guide for a perfect Valentine’s Day to help you plan.

An array of events

From January 31 to February 17, Winterlude returns to Gatineau and Ottawa with its must-see snow slides at Snowflake Kingdom and exciting additions like the Winterlude Urban Sugar Shack on Sparks Street. With hundreds of activities for all tastes, the event features shows, exhibitions, interactive urban art installations, street artist performances and more. Whether you’re looking for something to do with the family, alone, as a couple or with friends, Winterlude has something for you.

Then head to Gatineau’s Snowflake Kingdom – Winterlude. It’s guaranteed to take you back to your childhood! Take photos with the Ice Hog family, run through a maze and participate in obstacle courses. Cheer on the various teams representing the region’s restaurants, bars and hotels at the Waitresses’ and Waiters’ Race.

The Université du Québec en Outaouais has a whole program planned for Black History Month! On February 6, meet young entrepreneurs from the community at the Salon de l’entrepreneuriat étudiant noir. From February 17 to 28, put on your augmented reality glasses and discover MLK: Now is the Time, an immersive experience that puts you in the shoes of 250,000 demonstrators during Martin Luther King’s iconic “I Have a Dream” speech. On February 18, meet Kevin Raphaël at a conference at Café-Bar le Tonik. On February 21, attend a performance by RèN Darah, a Canadian artist of Haitian descent. On February 28, learn about customs from elsewhere and taste traditional dishes from many countries at Saveurs et cultures du monde, a cultural and gastronomic event that promises to awaken your senses.

From February 7 to 9, take part in the longest and oldest cross-country ski race in North America, the Canadian Ski Marathon. Each skier sets his or her own challenge, choosing a distance between 15 and 160 kilometers in two days and trying to complete it. Online registration is open through February 7. Last-minute registrations are also possible; contact the organization directly for details.

On February 8, bring your family to l’Estacade for the musical show Arthur L’aventurier, les trésors du Maroc. Through lively songs, visit the bustling souks, the alleys of the blue city of Chefchaouen and the deserts. Let the character take you on a journey as he recounts his childhood dream of exploring the Sahara on the back of a dromedary! Get your tickets today; family packages are also available.

On February 9, head to these locations to experience the Super Bowl sports action in a big way. Dine on restaurant-style food and sip a cold beer while watching the big screens. You’ll be right in the middle of the action! Plan your trip with friends in advance…the atmosphere will be electric!

On February 13, join us for the second event in the Art from the Archives series, an initiative of Library and Archives Canada. Spend the evening discovering painting through a presentation of inspiring works from LAC’s collection. In celebration of Black History Month, recreate a late 19th century portrait in acrylic paint during an activity led by a local artist. The activity is free and all materials will be provided.  Register now, places are limited!

From February 13 to 15, Igloofest Gatineau will take over Place des Festivals Zibi. Dress warmly and shake it up with friends on the coldest dance floor in the world. Take part in activities in the Igloovillage, enjoy food from street trucks and discover new artists through fiery performances.

From February 14 to 16, the Gatineau Loppet takes over Gatineau Park. Join Canada’s largest cross-country skiing event. Online registration is open until February 12. Last-minute registrations will be accepted on site.

Attention book lovers: the Salon du livre de l’Outaouais will be held at the Palais des congrès de Gatineau from February 20 to 23. Join us for this 46th edition of a joyful celebration of reading aloud! Meet hundreds of authors and make unforgettable literary discoveries!

On February 21 and 22, experience the magic of Les feux sur glace in Aylmer. The winter sky will light up with spectacular fireworks that will amaze young and old alike. In addition to the pyrotechnics, enjoy a festive atmosphere with on-site entertainment, lively music and gourmet treats from street vendors.

On February 22, attend the Danses européennes show presented by the Orchestre symphonique de Gatineau and be enchanted by the beauty and elegance of the most beautiful dance music from the world’s cultures.

On February 26, attend the cocktail reception of L’Outaouais en cuisine, a gourmet competition organized by Tourisme Outaouais in partnership with the École hôtelière de l’Outaouais. Discover the culinary talents of the region’s chefs by tasting sweet and savory bites carefully prepared by the chefs and their student brigades. At the end of the evening, two prizes will be awarded: the Jury’s Prize and the Public’s Favorite. Join us and vote for your favorite bites. Get your tickets now, seats are limited!

To get even more suggestions, take a look at our full program on our Events page.

More to discover in the Outaouais

Discover The Outaouais Market, a cooperative that celebrates the region’s local products and artisans. Located in the heart of Gatineau, this regional online farmers’ market brings together a vast selection of fresh, organic and homemade products. Whether you’re looking for delicious artisan cheeses, savoury meats, freshly baked breads or unique gourmet creations, you’ll find something to delight your taste buds. Take advantage of this opportunity to support local producers while exploring the authentic flavours of the Outaouais. You can even opt for delivery throughout Greater Gatineau! Outaouais.

Fall under the spell of Origine Aventure! It’s the perfect place to immerse yourself in nature. Stay in a mini-chalet on stilts and escape into the heart of the forest. Go snowshoeing on the nearby trails and enjoy the different views of the surrounding area. Ripon has never seemed so magical. +Tourisme Outaouais is on TikTok! Follow us for inspiring content and even more ideas for exploring our beautiful region.

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Outaouais Tourism is now on TikTok! Follow us for inspiration and even more ideas for discovering our great region.