Looking for fun activities in the Ottawa area? Check out these options over the next seven days, starting on Thursday, November 27. Be sure to verify details with the organizers as plans can change at any time.
For getting into the Holiday spirit...
- 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 | Enter to win big this holiday with the Glebe Spree.
- Ongoing | Experience the magic of the season as Sparks Street transforms into a sparkling Winter Wander-land with holiday-themed light displays. FREE!
- Thursday, November 27 | Marvel at the dazzling red and green lights illuminating the Museum of History’s Plaza.
- Thursday, November 27 to Sunday, November 30 | Watch Magic on Set in a theatre at the Canadian Museum of History's CINÉ+! Included with museum admission.
- Friday, November 28 to Sunday, November 30| 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.
- Starting Friday, November 28 | 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.
- Starting Saturday, November 29 | Embrace the festive spirit with A Country Christmas at Saunders Farm! Enjoy the Elf Academy Stage Show, meet Santa, and explore snow-covered hedge mazes.
- Saturday, November 29 | Catch Santa's Parade of Lights in Orleans.
- Starting Wednesday, December 3 | Catch the Nutcracker - Canada’s Royal Winnipeg Ballet with the NAC Orchestra.
For crossing off presents for everyone on your list…
- Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays |Get into the holiday spirit at Ottawa’s European-style Christmas market—the perfect place for great food, warm drinks, traditional kiosks and a festive atmosphere! FREE!
- Ongoing | Mādahòkì Farm celebrates the holiday season with Indigenous-inspired programming and over 60 Marketplace vendors add to the festive atmosphere.
- Thursday, November 27 to Sunday, November 30 | Check out the Museum's Christmas Market with over 100 exhibitors offering delicious treats and unique handmade creations. Held at the Canadian Museum of History.
- Saturday, November 29 | Kick off the festive season at the annual Holiday Market at the Parkdale Market!
- Sunday, November 30 | Explore over 85 local vendors year-round at Lansdowne Farmers’ Market every Sunday. FREE!
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!
- Friday, November 28 | Join Freedom Soirée with Capital Rainbow Refuge for live performances celebrating and supporting the resilience, freedom and fabulousness of the 2SLGBTQ+ refugee community!
- Friday, November 28 | Join Jill Barber and her jingly jangly jazz quartet at the NAC as they take you on a nostalgic musical sleigh ride through decades of beloved Christmas standards.
- Friday, November 28 | Enjoy affordable, family-friendly junior men’s hockey games with the Ottawa 67’s at TD Place Arena at Lansdowne, in the lively downtown Glebe neighbourhood.
- Saturday, November 29 | Make sure to catch an incredible music show from the Chamberfest Concert Series this fall and winter.
- Saturday, November 29 | Catch the Ottawa Black Bears, a professional box lacrosse team at the Canadian Tire Centre.
- Ongoing | The European Union Film Festival presents 27 films from all 27 European Union member states.
- Saturday, November 29 | Gamer Con is a convention dedicated to everything game related.
- Tuesday, December 2 | Experience the Ottawa Charge – Ottawa’s professional women’s hockey team at TD Place.
