Winter is coming! Brace yourself for an exciting line-up of winter events and festivals around Cottage Country this year. From popular annual holiday events that bring out the whole family to thrilling winter sports that give you chills, there are tons of things to do during the winter. This is the ultimate guide to winter events in Ontario Cottage Country!
Bookmark this page and set your calendar to these winter events around Cottage Country. With so much to do, you’ll want more than a day to explore the many great towns and local attractions. At CottageLINK Rental Management our curated portfolio of cottage rentals in Ontario has everything you are looking for!
Winter Festivals in Ontario Cottage Country
Annual winter festivals keep spirits high in Ontario Cottage Country all season long. Experience the local winter joy at activity-filled carnivals, performances that will warm you up, and more. With all these activities, you’ll be wishing you had booked a longer stay at one of our winter cottage rentals! Check out these festivals:
Fire & Ice Festival – Bracebridge – Jan 28, 2023
Downtown Bracebridge turns into a clash of elements every year for the Fire and Ice Festival. Both elements go head-to-head with live performances, displays, and interactive activities.
Fire & Ice Festival is a reimagined winter carnival experience. Join the crowds in time for flaming pyro shows exhibited by fire artists, slide down Manitoba Street on the tube run, and watch overhead as fireworks erupt in the winter sky. There are so many things to do in the town of Bracebridge!
Huntsville Festival of the Arts – Huntsville – November
Three decades later, the Huntsville Festival of the Arts continues bringing culture to Cottage Country. This seasonal festival showcases music, art, literature, and entertainment for the entire family.
Downtown Huntsville, Ontario turns into the Cottage Country cultural epicentre as its local venues spotlight live artists and performers. This year, it will host events like Snow Queen Outdoor Play, Teen Performing Arts Nights, and Disco Ducks for kids.
Severn Winterfest – Severn – March TBA
Jump, skate, drink, and slide at this year’s Severn Winterfest! The ODAS Park fairgrounds become a winter wonderland the entire family will enjoy.
Severn Winterfest is a multi-day event featuring activities and events throughout the day. Get active with activities like ice skating or riding the giant slide. Cool down with a plunge in Lake ODAS during the Polar Bear Dip before warming up with drinks at the ice bar.
Port Carling Winterfest – Port Carling – February 7, 8 & 9 2023
Stay in cottage Country to attend all three days of the Port Carling Winterfest—or as much of the winter fun as you can take! You’ll never run out of things to do with a line-up of family fun every day of the festival.
The locals in Port Carling have looked forward to the Winterfest for more than 50 years with horse carriage rides, face painting, pet shows, ice skating on Park Trail, and more.
Dorset Snowball Winter Carnival – 3rd Weekend in February
The award-winning Dorset Snowball Winter Carnival is well deserving of its accolades. Generations have created memories at the festival for the last 30 years, and it continues to grow.
Dorset Snowball Carnival has a host of events lined up every year—Body zorbs battles, snow snake games, and toboggan races. Be sure to pop inside the Dorset Rec Center to warm up with a cup of hot chocolate.
Enjoy The Outdoors With These Winter Sport Events
Pack your hat, gloves, and dress in layers. Winter is a popular season to enjoy winter sports events and recreational activities. While cottage rentals are most visited in the summer, our winter cottage rentals offer fun activities and things to do for all ages! Hit the snowy trails and experience the thrills at these events:
Arrowhead Ice Skating Trail – Open All Season
Weekend plans in Cottage Country always include a visit to the Arrowhead Ice Skating Trail. This popular winter attraction lets you skate through the Muskoka Forest on an icy path through Arrowhead Provincial Park more than one kilometre long. See for yourself why it was named one of Travel + Leisure’s ‘Top Stunning Natural Ice Skating Rinks Around the World.’
Learn to Fat Bike – Bracebridge – Open All Season
Carve your own path through the snowy hillsides in Cottage Country with fat biking. The snowy terrain is perfect for those thick tires to shred through and take you on a wild, high-speed winter adventure.
Try fat biking on natural trails in Muskoka Forest and the Trans Canada Trail.
Midland City Forest – Trail Open During the Winter
Snow covers the rugged trails winding through Midland City Forest for hours of winter sports fun! The forest is open to the public, with built-in attractions like an ice rink. The snowy hills turn into slippery fun with toboggan races and tackle the mountain bike trails on a fat bike.
Minden Ice Racing – Minden – Mid-January 2023 for six weeks
Snow on the tracks doesn’t stop motorsport enthusiasts from enjoying one of Ontario’s most trendy winter sports. So, rev up those engines because it’s time for Minden Ice Racing.
Cars slide, glide, and collide while speeding around the snowy tracks at the Minden Fairgrounds. The event is free to watch every weekend.
Snowmobiling – Available all Winter (Weather-Dependent)
While not an event, Cottage Country offers some of the best snowmobile trails in all of Ontario. Whether looking for the top snowmobile trails during a Haliburton cottage rental or looking for a guide to snowmobiling in Cottage Country, there is no shortage of trails to enjoy throughout the area.
Kid-Friendly Winter Events in Ontario Cottage Country
There’s no age limit to the fun in Cottage Country this winter! Give the kids something fun to do at one of these events:
Eclipse Walk With Light – Huntsville – Nov 11, 2022-Mar 18, 2023
Illuminate the night with the Eclipse Walk With Light. This walk-through experience is one of the best holiday light displays in Cottage Country.
Stroll the history-filled streets in Muskoka Heritage Place to see many of its buildings decorated with brilliant light. Themed displays track moon cycles, and others have interactive features like sound-activated lights that make kids a part of the display.
Muskoka Arts & Crafts Holiday Market – Bracebridge – Nov 25-27, 2022
Don’t wait till the last minute to do your holiday shopping! The Muskoka Arts & Crafts Holiday Market brings together more than two dozen talented local artisans and vendors for unique gift ideas for everyone on your nice list!
Get your face painted and snap a silly photo for your holiday cards at the photo booth. There will even be a special appearance from Santa.
Huntsville Santa Claus Parade – Huntsville – Dec 8, 2022
The North Pole comes to Downtown Huntsville for the annual Christmas Parade. Crowd on the Clinton Ave. sidewalk for the spectacular display. Watch as more than 80 floats soar overhead and local marching bands put on show-stopping performances that get you dancing.
Are you visiting Cottage Country this winter? Let us know which of these events and activities you’re most excited about attending! At CottageLINK Rental Management we have lots of incredibly winter cottage rentals and our team is happy to find that PERFECT cottage for you and your family or friends! Shoot us a message or check out all of our cottage rentals below!
Plan Your Next Visit at One of Our Many Ontario Cottage Rentals
There’s never been a better time to plan your next cottage vacation! Contact CLRM today to learn more & book your stay at one of our many great waterfront cottage rentals!
If you are interested in cottage rental management services, we would love the opportunity to speak with you and hear more about your cottage! At CottageLINK Rental Management we are focused on tailoring our services to the needs of our individual homeowners. Our cottage rental management services help to maximize rental income, minimize time involvement and offer a seamless guest experience! Our team would be happy to chat and you can learn more by submitting your contact details HERE.
