#winter festivities

No matter what you celebrate today, happy holidays everyone!

I hope you'll enjoy the winter festivities. I know they can be both merry & daunting, sometimes a mix of both. Family, reflections, expenses...that can be a lot.

Gruß vom Krampus

Greetings from Krampus

Winterlude in Ottawa is pure winter magic, and in this video I’m taking you along with me on a full walking tour of Winterlude 2026 at Confederation Park ❄️

I wander through the heart of the celebration, checking out the jaw-dropping ice sculptures and the live ice carving competition, where you can watch artists transform giant blocks of ice into frozen works of art.

One of my favourite stops is the Lantern Grove, especially as the light starts to fade—it’s such a beautiful spot for photos and a cozy winter stroll.

Along the way, I also catch live performances, peek in on snow yoga and winter fitness sessions, and explore all the food and drink vendors serving up warm treats and classic Winterlude flavours.

There are tons of interactive games, fun photo ops, and festive details throughout Confederation Park, making it a great stop for couples, families, or solo winter explorers like me.

“But I look like such a dorkasaurus rex!” Ruby said as she adjusted her hanfu, decorated with bats and horses, signs of good fortune and perseverance. “Oh gods, you had to see-”

“That you are a dorkasaurus rex?” Weiss said. “Spoiler I knew that already. I’ve accepted that my girlfriend is a massive dork, even if it makes her look like a bit more of a dolt than she already is.”

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Ruby takes her girlfriend home with her to the Dōngzhì Festival, much fluff ensues. She already feels like she's a part of that family...

Does anyone like to have a big celebration for the holidays?

//Thank you Anon! I hope you have a great new year! and especially have a great year to come!!

The Commonwealth has lots of Winter holiday celebrations!

Hyrule Celebrates three days in late December for Couples, Elders and Children where each receive a gift from their loved ones and especially in smaller towns and Villages it's common for the full Village to exchange gifts to each other a week after the Solstice. Most gifts are in the form of home made gifts, tools, and textiles. In Castle town it is common to exchange gifts within your family and also give gifts of food to neighbors, it is very common for soups and breads to be swapped around town so the community can enjoy the flavors of their company. Fireworks are set off in the fields and families often go to watch and enjoy each other's company.

The Sheikah have a small community already, but they spend the time between the Winter Solstice and the new year in a state of quiet observance. They share community Meals in the House of Impa, their leader, three days from the new year they begin to play music, and decorate with lucky tags and chimes to ring in the new year. On the Eve of the new year they set off fireworks, Sing, Drink, And eat good warm foods and have a real banger party for the next week

In The Gerudo Desert They celebrate with Sand seal races, drinking and good food, as well as a massive community get together, the day before new years Eve Gerudo women who have been living abroad with their husbands come back to visit their families with their Daughters, and on the eve of the new year the party moves to Kara Kara bazaar where they celebrate with the whole family with Food, Drink and Fireworks set off in the desert.

In Thunderis the Nightlife is already very lively, with most of the Murals throughout being made with Luminous paint and UV Reactive paints, Thunderans celebrate by dressing in bright festive clothes, and dancing in the streets, many new community murals are painted on New Years Eve as a form of blessing the buildings and businesses with good fortune for the New Year. There are Fireworks set off from a boat off the Glass shore.

In the Rito Village They Celebrate all Winter with Singing and hot food, and especially since the passing of their Champion Rivali, they celebrate with Archery tournaments and when the winner is found on the eve of the New Year they are chosen to fire off the Arrows into the Dawn, as a tribute to The goddess Din.

The Zora typically spend the winter Keeping the domain as warm as possible. they share stories, and legends, and sing together. The King Zora tells stories for the youngest members. They offer their Prayers and Offerings to the Goddess Nayru and one Zora female is sent to the Goddess Spring at the top of Mount Lanayru to pray in the Spring. it is a dangerous Journey but her and her family is celebrated that season and usually receive lots of lovely gifts.