What to do in Ottawa on New Year’s Eve (2025)

Ottawa New Year’s Eve parties and live music to ring in 2026

Many venues including pubs, bars and lounges are hosting New Year’s Eve events in Ottawa. Here's some top picks for visitors and residents' alike! 

• New Years Eve live music and DJ at the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Ottawa, doors at 7 pm.
• New Years Eve Party at the Hôtel Casino Lac-Leamy, where the party goes to 5 am.
• New Years Eve Karaoke at the Hintonburg Public House. $8 Beyond the Pale brews, starting at 9 pm.
• Peelers NYE Party at Nan's Parlour, a New Years Eve burlesque show, doors at 9 pm.
• NYE Masquerade Ball at the Fred Barrett Arena, a night of mystery and glamour starting at 8:30 pm.
• New Years Eve Dance Party at Ottawa's newly-opened and first authentic omakase restaurant, Tomo in the ByWard Market. 

New Year’s Eve specials at Ottawa restaurants

Looking for somewhere to dine on New Year’s Eve? Look no further. Countless Ottawa restaurants and venues are offering special culinary delights to mark the occasion. Please note that many of these options require you to book in advance:

• The Fairmont Château Laurier has several dining options for December 31, including a three-course dinner at Zoe’s (starting at $140/person) or stop by the new 1912 on Yuletide Lane, a holiday pop-up with themed cocktails (open until 11 pm).
• The Brookstreet hotel’s Perspectives Restaurant in Kanata will have a special five-course New Year’s Eve dinner. The hotel is also offering a room discount to diners on December 31. $189/person.
• Enjoy a luxurious 5-course tasting menu on New Years Eve at e18hteen, highlights including wagyu steak, oysters, venison and more! Starting at $145/person.
• NeXT in Stittsville is hosting their annual New Years Eve Celebration, a prix fixe menu of delicious food and drinks plus dancing after dinner with live DJ. $165/person.
• Prefer a cozy night in? Check out Pelican Seafood's New Years Eve pickup and takeout specials for some yummy seafood. 

New Year’s Eve comedy shows in Ottawa

Yuk’s Yuk’s Ottawa West is hosting a special New Year’s Eve dinner and comedy show at Biagio’s. There are both early and late reservation options available.

The same goes for Absolute Comedy in Ottawa’s Little Italy neighbourhood. Catch the New Year’s Eve Spectacular at 7:30 pm or 10:00 pm — dinner, drinks and a show all under one roof!

In Ottawa's east end, check out the Shenkman Arts Centre's 14th annual New Year's Eve Comedy Night. 

Holiday activities in Ottawa on New Year’s Eve

With Christmas barely in the rearview, these holiday-related activities can help you keep the festive vibes alive on New Year’s Eve:

• Marvel at the free Winter Lights Across Canada displays throughout downtown Ottawa and Gatineau.
• Head west of Ottawa to Wesley Clover Parks for its Magic of Lights event, a drive-through holiday light display open on the evening of December 31.
• Visit Upper Canada Village, an hour south of downtown Ottawa, for the Alight at Night festival. Stroll through the 1860s heritage village adorned with nearly one million twinkling lights until 8:30 pm on New Year’s Eve.
• Walk through the historic and castle-like Fairmont Château Laurier hotel to see the beautifully decorated Trees of Hope Christmas trees.
• Visit the Ottawa Christmas Market at Lansdowne Park, arguably the most magical spot for holiday cheer in Ottawa. While there, hop aboard the Thursty Pedaler’s Pedaler Express, and 14-passenger party bike that’ll brighten your spirits with spirits. Both group and single seats are available, but book in advance.

Need more ideas on how to spend NYE in Ottawa?

New Year’s Eve in Ottawa is shaping up to be one for the books. Explore the Ottawa Tourism events calendar to see more events happening on both New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day in Canada’s capital region.