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12+ Things To Do in Charlottetown During The 2023 Canada Games
February 17, 2023
Our Island can’t wait to host this year’s Canada Games, and while the sports schedule surely won’t disappoint, we want to ensure you take time to soak up the city life, Island style.
From us to you, here’s a curated round-up of to-dos that you won’t want to miss out on while in Charlottetown for the 2023 Canada Games…
1) The Ice City Festival (Jan 27 – Mar 5)
The distant cousin of Jack Frost Festival, Ice City Festival! Here are just a handful of events that this 6-week long event features to get the ball rolling:
• Sugar Shack Weekends with the Charlottetown Beer Garden and Pilot House | Every Fri, Sat & Sun
• Horse & Wagon Rides with Emerald Isle Carriage Tours | Every Fri & Sat
• Disco Skating | Every Sat evening
• Snowshoes After Dark | Every Fri evening
• DJs on the Plaza | Every Sat
• UFIT on the Plaza | Every Sat
More info on the Ice City Festival HERE!
2) Flow in The Snow
Presented by Discover Charlottetown and Charlottetown Yoga Space, Flow in the Snow is a refreshing, unique + FREE outdoor movement series located right at the waterside. Time is spent exploring active movement to keep the body warm from the inside out.
During the Ice City Festival (Jan 27 – Mar 5) | Every Saturday & Sunday at 11:30am
During the Canada Games IllumiNATION Festival (Feb 19 – Mar 4) | Every Monday, Thursday, and Friday at 4:30pm
Meet at the Confederation Landing open-air stage near Peake’s Wharf (1 Great George St)
3) Open-Air Skating & Snowshoeing
Wintertime doesn’t have to be spent indoors; Pull your winter gear out of storage and explore the city in it’s wintery best. Find a full list of outdoor skating rinks and snowshoe trails and their conditions HERE.
You can find snowshoes for loan across Charlottetown – see a full list of places HERE. The Charlottetown Library Learning Centre on Queen Street will often have ice skates for loan as well (first come, first served).
4) IllumiNATION Festival
Presented by the 2023 Canada Games. From February 19 – March 4, 2023, the province will be aglow with music, culinary, visual art, and interactive exhibits, shining a light on the diverse and thriving arts scene and cultures in Prince Edward Island and Canada. Celebrations will take place across the Island with every event open to the public and FREE to attend! Find more info & the full schedule of events HERE.
5) Live Performances
Squeeze in a trip to the Confederation Centre of The Arts, Trailside Music Hall, or The Guild for some live entertainment.
Want some fun for the whole family? Ice City Presents: Tunes & Tales at the Charlottetown Library Learning Centre on March 5 at 3pm (Free entry).
6) Unique Dining
Snow pods around the city make outdoor dining in the winter cozy–and possible! Find them at John Brown Richmond Street Grille, The Pilot House and Charlottetown Beer Garden. Or, enjoy a hot drink in one of the many red Adirondack chairs throughout Charlottetown (many can be found on restaurant patios, fireside).
7) Classics at City Cinema
Cozy up for a classic film at City Cinema, offering a very reasonably priced (and licensed) canteen, and the best popcorn around.
8) Party Away with Upstreet
Fill your evenings with disco moves and singable tunes – the fun is FREE to join!
Mon, Feb 20th | Karaoke on the Corner at 8pm
Mon, Feb 27th | Karaoke on the Corner at 8pm
Fri, Mar 3 | Double Down Disco – A Silent Dance Party at 9pm
9) Take In The Arts
It’s time to treat your creative spirit in Charlottetown. Don’t miss out on Herd Community and Winter Luminary Ice City art installations on the Confederation Centre Outdoor Plaza, or take a step inside to the Confederation Centre Art Gallery. Until March 2nd, the Salvador Dali Cafe has an art series on display to sip your coffee to. And during the evening hours, take in the Canada Games Projection Show on the Plaza. Ready to be amazed?
11) Explore Our Walkable Streets
There’s something to be said about exploring Charlottetown on foot at a leisurely pace. With a historic downtown layout, homes painted every colour of the rainbow, and plenty of soothing water views, such adventuring is inspiring and full of awe – even during the winter months. During your travels, you’re sure to stumble upon something you didn’t even know you needed.
12) Fuel Your Day
If there’s anything you need to try while in Charlottetown, it’s our remarkable culinary scene. Whether you’re craving a home-style meal or a quick snack, our city offers plenty of tasty restaurants and locally-owned cafes within the historic district.
One-stop food shop? Check out Founders’ Food Hall & Market for an enticing variety of culinary offerings.
Brunch cravings? Check out our Best of Brunch Blog for all the fixings. And, on March 5, pop by the Salvador Dali Cafe at 10:30am for a Mini Haus Brunch: Drag Karaoke (Free entry).
And the inspiration doesn’t end here! Check out our 44 Things To Do This Winter in Charlottetown article and watch your itinerary fill up FAST. For some action, check out the Canada Games Sports’ Schedule.
Need a place to stay? Check out our full list of accommodations. Curious about what else to do around Charlottetown? Check out our full calendar of events.
We can’t wait to share our wee city with you!
