A scene from Carillon - The Flight of Time from Italy's Kitonb Extreme Theatre Co. at Toronto's WinterCity. (Handout)

Now that Mother Nature and Old Man Winter have teamed up to provide some normal weather, it's appropriate to take a look at some winter festivals.

Officially known as the second-coldest country in the world, Canadians are adept at finding ways to keep warm and have fun in the great outdoors, despite the snow and frigid conditions.

There are two major urban winter festivals in Ontario -- Winterlude in Canada's Capital Region and Toronto's WinterCity -- along with numerous smaller winter festivals all over southern Ontario.

WINTERLUDE

Ice hog grog and hot beaver tails (pastries) are mainstays of Winterlude in Ottawa and Gatineau, Que., being held on weekends from Feb. 2 to 18.

This 29th edition takes place at four main sites -- Confederation Park's Crystal Garden; Jacques-Cartier Park's Snowflake Kingdom (Gatineau); the Rideau Canal Skateway; and the Snowbowl above the skateway near Rideau Street.

The fun begins Feb. 2 at 7 p.m. when the National Capital Commission invites everyone to "put on their tuques and mittens" for the kickoff.

As a tribute to Ottawa's 150th anniversary as Canada's capital, the show will feature rock legend Randy Bachman and special guest Josee Lajoie, visuals and pyrotechnics.

It can't get any more Canadian than this. There will be an original song written by Jay Knutson and performed on the Six String Nation Guitar, made from pieces of the canoe paddle of late former prime minister Pierre Trudeau, Paul Henderson's hockey stick and other historically significant pieces of lumber.

Time out of a kiss on the Rideau Canal at Winterlude. (Handout - National Capital Commission)

There will be entertainment Friday and Saturday evenings featuring Canadian acts at the Snowbowl, a large outdoor amphitheatre.

It's also the location of Electro-Fashion, a runway fashion show of Canadian winter designs set to the electrifying beats of DJ Champion.

Snowflake Kingdom is billed as North America's biggest snow playground, with huge slides and a giant labyrinth made of snow.

Thirteen teams will display snow sculptures on the second weekend, with which they will depict winters of the past in every province and territory.

At Crystal Garden, there will be icy monuments representing the Arctic and Antarctica, along with the ice- carving competition starting on Feb. 2 with a one-block challenge.

On the second weekend, the master ice carvers will be sculpting 25 blocks of ice and there will be a majestic 26-tonne ice-carved depiction of the Vimy Ridge Memorial.

An Ice Cafe outside Ottawa city hall will have ice sculptures marking the 175th anniversary of the Rideau Canal.

WINTERCITY

WinterCity festival is a city-wide celebration from Jan. 26 to Feb. 8 to showcase Toronto's vibrant arts scene and cuisine -- and a reason to throw a party in the middle of winter.

There are three distinct segments, starting with Wild on Winter, with six days of free outdoor spectacle shows, live music concerts and performing arts throughout Nathan Phillips Square and at city hall.

The Warm-Up Series has "dazzling performances" and discounts to some of Toronto's leading cultural and tourist attractions.

There's also the return of the popular prix fixe promotion Winterlicious with an expanded restaurant selection. Taking part are 126 of the city's top dining spots offering three-course menus at $15 or $20 for lunch and $25 or $35 for dinner.

Partner hotel is the Sheraton Centre Toronto with a WinterCity Getaway package from $219 a night with breakfast at Bistro on Two and free parking (416-361-1000; www.sheratontoronto.com, code word: winter).

OTHER FESTIVALS

- Stratford Winterfest, Jan. 25-28, with an outdoor ice maze, ice carving, skating with dancing lights, a Hawaiian luau, big band night, entertainment, rides, games and more. Details: www.stratfordwinter fest.ca; 1-800-561-SWAN (7926).

- Goderich Winterfest, Feb. 2-4, with a chili cook-off, snow-pitch tournament, dances, figure skating, carnival and children's events. Details: www.goderich.ca; 1-800-280-7637.

- Winter WingDinginChing, Brampton, Donald M. Gordon Chinguacousy Park and Ski Hill, Feb. 4, skiing, snowboarding, tubing, ice sculpting and more. Details: www.brampton.ca; (905) 458-6555.

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IF YOU GO

- For a list of Winterlude events in Ottawa/Gatineau: www.canadascapital.gc.ca/winterlude or call 1-800-465-1867.

Most activities are free, with many taking place around the Rideau Canal Skateway. To check ice conditions: www.canadascapital.gc.ca/skateway.

To plan an Ottawa getaway: www.ottawatourism.ca; 1-800-363-4465.

- Toronto WinterCity information: www.toronto.ca/special_events; (416) 338-0338.