Looking for fun activities in the Ottawa area? This special holiday edition of “What’s happening in the Ottawa Area” will provide you with options over the next three weeks rather than one, starting on Thursday, December 18. Be sure to verify details with the organizers as plans can change at any time.
For ringing in the new year…
- Wednesday, December 31 | Celebrate the arrival of 2026 with a New Year’s Eve bash featuring live fireworks at midnight at the Ottawa Christmas Market! Enjoy skating, dancing and last-minute shopping!
- Wednesday, December 31 | Join Casino du Lac-Leamy for an exclusive, immersive and spectacular NYE Party.
- Wednesday, December 31 | Ring in the new year with A White Rabbit New Year’s Eve at City At Night.
- Wednesday, December 31 | Celebrate at the Sheraton Ottawa Hotel with a night of salsa, bachata, and kizomba to the beats of top DJs.
- Wednesday, December 31 | Ring in the new year with great Canadian comedians at the Shenkman Arts Centre.
- Wednesday, December 31 | Celebrate the arrival of 2026 at the vibrant New Year’s Eve party at Preston Event Centre! Enjoy three DJs spinning, photo booth and more!
- Wednesday, December 31 | Ring in 2026 with country flair at Denim & Diamonds: New Year’s Eve at the RA!
- Wednesday, December 31 | Celebrate the New Year in style with a Roaring 20s-themed bash at Manor Lounge.
- Wednesday, December 31 | Ring in 2026 at a totally tubular ’80s-themed New Year’s Eve party at Overflow Brewing Company.
- Wednesday, December 31 | Kick off your New Year in style at The Show—Ottawa's premier nightclub!
- Wednesday, December 31 | Celebrate the New Year in style at a chic and festive evening hosted by Chelsea Pub and Distillerie du Square.
- Wednesday, December 31 | Celebrate New Year’s Eve 2026 at Ottawa’s biggest club crawl! Party through four of the city’s top nightlife venues with high-energy music, drinks, and unforgettable vibes.
For arts, culture and a good time…
- Thursday, December 18; Saturday, December 20; Tuesday, December 23; Monday, December 29, Thursday, January 1, Saturday, January 3 | Cheer on the Ottawa Senators at the Canadian Tire Centre.
- Friday, December 19 | Catch Ms. Lauryn Hill performing at the National Arts Centre.
- Friday, December 19 to Saturday, December 20; Friday, December 26 to Saturday, December 27 | Enjoy live music at the Hard Rock Café. FREE!
- Friday, December 19 to Saturday, December 20; Sunday, December 28; Tuesday, December 30 | Enjoy affordable, family-friendly junior men’s hockey games with the Ottawa 67’s at TD Place Arena at Lansdowne.
- From Saturday, December 20 until Sunday, January 4, 2026 | Start your holidays right with brunch and board games! Gather friends and family for good food, great company, and vintage games at the Hintonburg Public House.
- Wednesday, December 24 | Escape the holiday rush and unwind with the whole family at Koena Spa.
- Wednesday, December 24 | Join Christmas Connections, a fun in-person event to share holiday cheer and make new friends at 330 Kent Street.
- Until Friday, December 26 | Oh Canada Eh? celebrates all things Canadian! The two-hour show features famous characters singing Canadian hits, plus an optional Canadian meal.
- Saturday, December 27 | Get ready for Stankfest! A celebration of funk and jazz featuring the best musicians from Ottawa-Gatineau. Don’t miss out on the groove!
- Saturday, December 27 to Wednesday, December 31 | Don’t miss the Bell Capital Cup, a festival celebrating the game of hockey in Canada’s capital.
- Saturday, December 27; Saturday, January 3| Be there for the Ottawa Charge, Ottawa’s professional women’s hockey team at TD Place.
- Saturday, December 27 | Catch the Ottawa Black Bears, Ottawa’s lacrosse team at the Canadian Tire Centre.
- Sunday, December 28 |The Ottawa Kwanzaa celebration will include a dynamic showcase of cultural dancers, drumming, singing, music and authentic African and Caribbean cuisine.
- Ongoing until January 4, 2026 |Get ready for out-of-this-world holiday fun at the Canada Aviation and Space Museum.
- Ongoing from Wednesdays to Sundays | Le Petit Chef brings its imaginative dining experience to Ottawa, blending 3D projection with creative gastronomy at Tulip Restaurant and Bar.
- Fridays to Tuesdays until January 4, 2026 | Experience a magical forest walk at Parc Oméga as the story of wolf cub Oniro unfolds through light, sound, and immersive storytelling.
For getting into the Holiday spirit...
- Friday, December 19 to Sunday, December 21 | Create treasured memories at the Vintage Village of Lights!
- Friday, December 19 to Sunday, December 21; Friday, December 26 to Sunday, December 28 | Cruise around the Ottawa Christmas Market and sing your fav holiday hits on the Thursty Pedaler’s festive party bike. At the Ottawa Christmas Market.
- Until Sunday, December 21 | 1D Studios invites visitors behind the scenes of season 2 of Magic of Christmas, an immersive indoor walkthrough filled with festive sights.
- Until December 28 | Mādahòkì Farm celebrates the holiday season with Indigenous-inspired programming and over 60 Marketplace vendors add to the festive atmosphere.
- Until December 30 | 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.
- Until January 1 | Visit the heart of the ByWard Market for daily light projection shows (5:30pm and 7:30pm) and upbeat ambient music on George Street Plaza and aurora lights on York Street. FREE!
- Thursdays through Sundays until January 3, 2026 | Unwind in a 19th-century village lit by over a million lights at Alight at Night happening at Upper Canada Village.
- Ongoing until January 3, 2026 |Experience the dazzling Magic of Lights drive-through display this winter. Lined with two kilometers of LED displays to safely enjoy from the comfort of your car.
- Ongoing until January 4, 2026 | Immerse yourself in the festive season with specially curated cocktails 1912 on Yuletide Lane at the Fairmont Château Laurier.
- Ongoing until January 5, 2026 | Experience the magic of the season as Sparks Street transforms into a sparkling Winter Wander-land with holiday-themed light displays. FREE!
- Ongoing until January 6, 2026 | Kick-start the holiday season with Trees of Hope for CHEO, and experience in-person the beautifully decorated Christmas trees in the Fairmont Château Laurier halls then vote for your favourite. FREE!
- Ongoing | Nearly 300,000 Winter Lights Across Canada are installed in Canada's Capital Region, creating a festive Pathway of Lights. FREE!
For crossing off presents for everyone on your list…
- Friday, December 19 | Explore over 140 vendors featuring unique gifts, delicious food, and seasonal treats at the 613Holiday Night Market.
- Saturday, December 20 | Explore a vibrant selection of local artisans at the All of My Favourite Things Artisan Market Series held in the ByWard Market.
- Sunday, December 21 | Explore over 85 local vendors year-round at Lansdowne Farmers’ Market every Sunday. FREE!
- Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays until December 31 |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 | Check out the Art + Parcel sale at the Ottawa Art Gallery with unique gift-giving opportunities with Canadian-made ceramics, jewellery, homewares, and much more.
