ILLUSTRATION: CANADIAN WAR MUSEUM

1. Visit The Canadian War Museum For Special Fighting In Flanders Exhibit

When the First World War began 100 years ago, the fighting quickly centered on Belgium and the battles at places like Ypres and Passchendaele. The Canadian War Museum is putting on a special exhibition this winter–highlighting the famous poem In Flanders Fields by John McCrae–that will allow visitors to experience what life was like on the front lines.

Fighting In Flanders – Gas. Mud. Memory.
Jan. 1–April 26
The Canadian War Museum, Ottawa
www.warmuseum.ca

2. See Toronto Do Its Part

The City of Toronto’s Market Gallery presents an exhibit called Toronto Does Her Bit: The Home Front In The Great War. The focus is on life in the city during the First World War using archival photographs, artworks and artifacts.

Toronto Does Her Bit: The Home Front In The Great War
Until Jan. 17
Market Gallery, St. Lawrence Market, Toronto
www.toronto.ca/marketgallery

PHOTO: QUEBEC WINTER CARNIVAL

3. How Big Is The Quebec Winter Carnival? It’s The Biggest!

If you plan one trip this winter, you might as well go big, right? Well, there’s no bigger carnival in the world than the Quebec Winter Carnival. Beyond all the amazing activities, parades and food, there is the added bonus of the carnival being in the old historic part of Quebec City which is surely one of Canada’s most scenic locations.

Quebec Winter Carnival
Jan. 30–Feb. 15
Quebec City, Quebec
www.carnaval.qc.ca

PHOTO: DEPARTMENT OF CANADIAN HERITAGE

4. Love To Skate And Skate And Skate? Come To Winterlude!

Canadian history is replete with tales of winter and hockey and skating, so why not embrace the chilliness and go for a skate on the world’s longest naturally frozen rink? Beyond gliding down the Rideau Canal and circling Dow’s Lake, attendees can get involved in the ice sculpture competition and watch for a themed sculpture sponsored by Veterans Affairs Canada.

Winterlude
Jan. 30–Feb. 16
Ottawa
www.pch.gc.ca/eng/1379706275276

PHOTO: THE FESTIVAL DU VOYAGEUR

5. Canada’s History Comes Alive In Manitoba

Canada’s vibrant fur trading past comes alive in Winnipeg every year at the Festival du Voyageur. It’s a chance to connect with a bit of Canada’s French history, with workshops, traditional food and maybe even some fortified wine.

The Festival du Voyageur
Feb. 13–22
Winnipeg
www.festivalvoyageur.mb.ca