OTTAWA — Ottawa Tourism is expanding its winter programming ahead of Winterlude 2026 with the launch of two new experiences designed to deepen visitor engagement and support local creative and culinary sectors during one of the capital’s busiest tourism seasons.
Announced on Jan. 8, the initiatives include The Lantern Grove, an immersive light and sound installation set to debut in Confederation Park, and Capital City Bites, a new restaurant week presented by Taste Ottawa. Ottawa Tourism is delivering the projects in collaboration with Immersive International, Optimal Show Experience and Taste Ottawa as part of its broader effort to enhance Winterlude’s appeal for both residents and out-of-town visitors.
Winterlude has long served as a cornerstone of Ottawa’s winter tourism strategy, attracting hundreds of thousands of visitors annually. The addition of immersive arts programming and a city-wide dining initiative reflects a growing emphasis on experiential travel and the economic role of festivals in supporting local businesses during the off-peak tourism season.
The Lantern Grove is a light and sound animation produced by Immersive International, a global creative design and innovation studio that recently opened its North American headquarters in Ottawa. The installation will transform Confederation Park into what organizers describe as a visually striking, story-driven environment, featuring sculptural installations enhanced by dynamic lighting and animated content.
Visitors will be able to walk through the installation and explore the illuminated structures throughout the festival. A short film, presented in both French and English, will be screened on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays, while the broader lighting installation will run daily from 5 p.m. to 10 p.m. for the duration of Winterlude.
“Winterlude is a central part of Ottawa’s winter offering and we are proud to be a partner in promoting and expanding it,” says Michael Crockatt, President and CEO of Ottawa Tourism. “The Lantern Grove and Capital City Bites will add new dimensions to Winterlude, offering visitors and residents new opportunities to gather and experience the winter through light, sound and flavour.”
For Immersive International, the project also represents a significant milestone following the establishment of its Ottawa headquarters. Jordan Foster, Head of Studio, North America for the company, said the installation reflects both creative ambition and community collaboration. “We’re thrilled to bring the Lantern Grove to life for Winterlude 2026 and share this magical experience with visitors of all ages,” he says. “Blending large-scale sculptural elements, immersive sound and lighting, and animated storytelling, the Lantern Grove creates a nostalgic winter world built around a fable focused on community and generosity. We’re grateful to Ottawa Tourism, the National Capital Commission, Canadian Heritage, and our partners at OSE for their collaboration. This project marks an exciting beginning for Immersive International in Ottawa, with many more experiences to come.”
Complementing the immersive installation is Capital City Bites, a new restaurant week running from Jan. 31 to Feb. 6, 2026. The program will feature exclusive prix fixe menus and special offers at more than 35 participating restaurants across Ottawa. Diners can access the offers through a free digital pass, aimed at making the initiative widely accessible while encouraging exploration of different neighbourhoods.
According to Ottawa Tourism, Capital City Bites is designed to showcase the city’s diverse culinary landscape while providing additional business opportunities for restaurants during the winter period. Steven Hellmann, Executive Director of Taste Ottawa, said the initiative highlights the breadth of Ottawa’s food scene. “Capital City Bites brings together Ottawa’s culinary community to showcase the city’s diverse food scene across many neighbourhoods,” he says. “It’s an invitation to everyone to explore the city and enjoy exceptional dining experiences during Winterlude, one of our city’s signature festivals.”
Ottawa Tourism estimates that the capital welcomes approximately 10 million visitors each year, generating $2.6 billion in annual spending and supporting economic development across the region. By pairing large-scale immersive art with a city-wide culinary promotion, the organization aims to strengthen Winterlude’s role as both a cultural attraction and an economic driver.
With Winterlude 2026 approaching, the introduction of The Lantern Grove and Capital City Bites signals a continued effort to evolve the festival, offering new ways to experience Ottawa in winter while supporting the city’s creative industries and hospitality sector.
