At a glance
Key takeaways
- The Sno-Bus is a free shuttle linking Winterlude sites across Ottawa and into Gatineau—no payment or tapping required
- Two new stops for 2026: Crystal Garden at Confederation Park and ByWard Market.
- Regular OC Transpo buses and trains are not free during Winterlude—only the Sno-Bus shuttle is complimentary
- The Sno-Bus will run every weekend from January 30 through February 16, including Family Day
Lace up your skates and buckle your snow pants—Winterlude is coming!
About half a million people brave the cold each year to enjoy the mid-winter celebration, with event sites in Ottawa and Gatineau serving up snow shortage of fun.
But visitors who aren’t part polar bear need a heated ride between Winterlude event sites when nearby parking options are pricey and hard to find. That’s where the Sno-Bus comes in. Every year, the Sno-Bus service shuttles riders between popular event sites on both sides of the river. And best of all, it's free for everyone who needs a ride.
Find details on Sno-Bus service hours and routing here. Seasoned Sno-Bus riders will notice that the 2026 map looks a little different from last year. To better connect you with this year’s Winterlude programming, we’ve added stops at Confederation Park and the ByWard Market.
With so many options and so few degrees Celsius, it’s important to have a game plan before you head into the cold!
That’s why we here at The Next Stop Blog have chiseled out a virtual travel guide to what you’ll find at major stops along our Sno-Bus route.
Ride the Sno-Bus2026 Sno-Bus stop guide
Elgin Street at Sparks Street
A short walk from Parliament Station, the Sno-Bus stop on Elgin Street at Sparks Street is also steps from the Lumitri interactive installation and Parliament: The Immersive Experience.
- Fueling up? Options on Sparks Street have you covered from a quick coffee to elevated cuisine.
- Don’t let the snow suit stop you from bopping to live sets by local DJs.
Canadian Museum of History
Rue Laurier at Rue Victoria
Step out of the cold and back in time! At the Canadian Museum of History, you can keep the Canadiana going while you defrost your toes!
Snowflake Kingdom
Jacques-Cartier Park North
The official Winterlude site in Gatineau is Snowflake Kingdom, a massive winter playground where fun never freezes over! Ride the Ferris Wheel, zip down a snow slide, try new winter sports, navigate a snowy maze, catch music acts, and more…
Whether you’re a kid by age or just at heart, the Snowflake Kingdom is your go-to spot for burning off that leftover winter break energy.
- Check what’s on the lineup on the official Winterlude site.
- This stop also links up with the Sno-Bus blue circuit shuttle to the Robert-Guertin Park and Ride.
Confederation Park - Crystal Garden
Ice sculptures are back in Confederation Park for the first time since 2018 as the park transforms into Crystal Garden, the official Winterlude event site in Ottawa.
- Take your time exploring this destination for all ages and enjoy activities, events and art.
- Gotta skate? Hop on the ice at the nearby Rideau Canal Skateway or City Hall's Rink of Dreams.
ByWard Market
Sussex Drive at York Street
We don’t need to remind you that the ByWard Market has it all. At this stop added to the Sno-Bus route for 2026, you’ll catch a number of can’t-miss events.
- Celebrate Indigenous art and culture at the Pibòn Festival by the Assembly of Seven Generations.
- Kick it into high gear with BARBEGAZI, because no winter is complete without a few freestyle snowmobile stunts.
- At the Create & Celebrate event, families are invited to enjoy horse-drawn wagon rides, busking performances, creative workshops, and a little live chainsaw carving to tie it all together.
