Looking for fun activities in the Ottawa area? Check out these options over the next seven days, starting on Thursday, November 14. Be sure to verify details with the organizers as plans can change at any time.
For getting into the Holiday spirit...
- Friday, November 29 | Don’t miss the ever-changing 613flea marketplace that features eclectic goods, handmade, antiques, vintage clothing, great foods and one-of-a-kinds! FREE!
- Friday, November 29 to Sunday, December 1 | Create treasured memories at the Vintage Village of Lights! Enjoy a postcard-perfect heritage village from the 1920s and '30s, beautifully decorated for the holidays.
- Friday, November 29 to Sunday, December 1 | Unwind in a 19th-century village lit by over a million lights at Alight at Night happening at Upper Canada Village. Enjoy activity stations and visit St. Nicolas, stop by the sound and light show as the lights dance to your favorite holiday music.
- Sunday, December 1 | Bundle up and head over to Stanley’s Christmas Village for a winter wonderland experience. Snap a photo with Santa, grab some hot cocoa and jump on a sleigh ride through the winter forest.
- Sunday, December 1 | Enjoy the NAC Orchestra FanFair! This festive concert includes favourite classics — it's fun for everyone! FREE!
- Ongoing |Experience the dazzling Magic of Lights drive-through display this winter. Lined with two kilometers of sparkling LED light displays, this event is great for the whole family to safely enjoy from the comfort of your car.
- Ongoing | Kick-start the holiday season with Trees of Hope for CHEO, a magical fundraiser event! Experience in-person or take a virtual tour of the beautifully decorated Christmas trees in the Fairmont Château Laurier halls then vote for your favourite. FREE!
- Ongoing | Celebrate the winter season with Illuminating Curiosity: Explore the Wonders of Light and Glow!, engaging, light-inspired activities at the Canadian Children’s Museum in Ottawa.
- Ongoing | Come aboard the Thursty Pedaler! This 14-passenger party bike will take you on a merry ride from the Ottawa Christmas Market through the Glebe, where you'll sing along to holiday hits during a one-of-a-kind Carol-oke crawl.
- Ongoing | Experience the magic of the season as Sparks Street transforms into a sparkling Winter Wander-land with holiday-themed light displays. FREE!
For crossing off presents for everyone on your list…
- Ongoing | With twinkling lights, holiday décor and cozy vibes, the ByWard Winter Market is the perfect place to shop, eat, and celebrate winter ahead of Ottawa’s iconic Winterlude festival. FREE!
- Ongoing on weekends | Get into the holiday spirit at Ottawa’s Christmas Market at Aberdeen Square—the perfect place for great food, warm drinks, traditional kiosks and a festive atmosphere, with over 50 vendors. FREE!
- Ongoing on weekends | Meet 100+ vendors inside the Aberdeen Pavilion in Lansdowne Park at the Ottawa Farmers' Market! FREE!
- Ongoing | Enter to win big this holiday with the Glebe Spree! For every $15 spent at a participating Glebe business, you will receive a sticker for your passport.
- Ongoing | Find great, local gifts for everyone on your list (and maybe something for yourself as well), while supporting Canadian artists and the Ottawa Art Gallery at the Art + Parcel : A Holiday Sale. FREE!
- Ongoing | Enhance your décor with hand-made wreaths, garlands, kissing balls, and festive centerpieces at the Parkdale Public Market. FREE!
- Saturday, November 30 to Sunday, December 1 | Complete your Christmas shopping with a unique local touch at the annual Watson Mill’s Christmas Market. FREE!
- Starting Wednesday, December 4 | Visit over 150 of Canada’s best artists, artisans and designers with innovative displays and contemporary designs at Signatures Originals held at the EY Centre.
For arts, culture and a good time...
- Fridays and Saturdays | Dance the night away at Club Aléa in the Casino du Lac-Leamy with its lineup of talented DJs!
- Thursday, November 28 | Under the guidance of Indigenous artist and educator, Ashley Clark, craft your own dreamcatcher in a 2–3-hour session. The materials will be provided; you bring the inspiration.
- Thursday, November 28 | Celebrating their 20th anniversary with a new album and an extensive tour, Las Migas has put the NAC down as one of their stops!
- Thursdsay, November 28 | Global comedy superstar Michael McIntyre will take to the Ottawa stage for the first time with his brand-new show MICHAEL MCINTYRE: MACNIFICENT! Happening at TD Place.
- Friday, November 29; Sunday, December 1 | Cheer on the Ottawa 67's as they face the Peterborough Petes and the London Knights at TD Place.
- Friday, November 29 | Don’t miss the Ottawa Black Bears’ inaugural game at the Canadian Tire Centre.
- Saturday, November 30 | Come see Santa and beautifully decorated floats with lights in this east-end Ottawa suburb at the Santa's Parade of Lights by the Ottawa Professional Firefighters Association!
- Saturday, November 30 | Enjoy live multicultural performances, musical performances, multicultural fashion shows, and much more at the World Multicultural Festival happening at Carleton Dominion-Chalmers Centre.
- Saturday, November 30 | Gamer Con is a convention dedicated to everything game related. You'll shop from over 80 tables of video games, board games, RPG, trading cards, action figures, toys and miniatures – held at the Nepean Sportsplex.
- Sunday, December 1 | Catch Tyler Hilton at Club SAW.
- Until Sunday, December 1 | Discover a wide range of award-winning performers in English and French at VERSeFest.
