5 Great Places to Celebrate Winter

Despite its often less than stellar reputation, winter is a great time to get out there and really celebrate the joys of the season. After all, sleigh rides and hot cocoa just don’t quite give off the same level of coziness in July. From the famous Canadian winter carnival to some of the most spectacular sites in Europe, we’ve rounded up a list of some of the best places on earth to celebrate winter this year. Now bundle up and get out there!
Ottawa, Canada
For 3 weeks in February, Canada’s capital becomes home to Winterlude, an annual celebration of all things frosty. Kids parks with ice slides and tons of wintery activities, incredible ice sculptures, live shows, and the chance to skate along the Rideau Canal are just some of the things you can expect when you hit up this Northern tradition. Whatever you do, don’t miss out on trying a Beaver Tail. Trust us, you’ll love them.

Zurich, Switzerland
In addition to its storybook ambiance and ability to make even the most blustery winters seem downright cozy, Zurich deserves to be at the top of every winter traveler’s list if only for its Singing Christmas Tree. What appears to be a giant evergreen is, upon closer inspection, an enormous structure supporting choir singers who treat spectators to a daily performance up until a few days before Christmas. Even the most cold-adverse will find their hearts warmed by the experience.

Sydney, Australia
Just not willing to deal with the cold? No problem, come join the thousands of like-minded souls who convene on Sydney’s Bondi Beach every December 25th for Sunburnt Christmas. Barbecues grilling up warm-weather delicacies, live music and DJs, beautiful sand, and inviting water all make for a winter celebration that promises to leave you feeling happy and warm all over. Although technically, it’s summer in Australia, we’ll let it slip. Because when it comes to escaping the cold, there’s little time for semantics.

Vienna, Austria
Not only is it one of the most beautiful places to be in the wintertime, Vienna is home to an incredibly expansive skating rink (7000 square meters) that boasts stunning views, an unparalleled ambiance, and pre-heated skate rentals to boot. Head over to Rathausplatz to experience the main rink, designated curling zones, the ice path that winds its way through the city hall park, or just wander the surrounding area where local merchants have set up shop, offering all sorts of delicious cold-weather treats.

Newfoundland, Canada
Fancy surrounding yourself with some of the friendliest folks around? Head to the Maritimes for Newfoundland’s Snow Westfestival, an event celebrating all things quintessentially winter including dog sledding, skiing, snowmobiling, and, for the more adventurous, zip lining. If you’re not  too exhausted from days packed with non-stop winter activities, you don’t want to miss out on the events that take place after the sun goes down. Live music, great food, theatre, and the kind of people you’ll feel like you’ve been friends with since childhood. Welcome to Newfoundland!

 
Kate Walker
Who is Kate Walker? She’s a freelance writer, yoga addict, and citizen of the concrete jungle. When not on the mat, Kate can be found at the dog park or on the dock in Muskoka. She is also pretty fond of running, skiing, and Settlers of Catan.