Looking for fun activities in the Ottawa area? Check out these options over the next seven days, starting on Thursday, December 5. Be sure to verify details with the organizers as plans can change at any time.
For crossing off presents for everyone on your list…
- Friday, December 13 | Check out the 613flea Holiday Night Market at the Aberdeen Pavilion at Lansdowne. FREE!
- Saturday, December 14 and Sunday, December 15| Meet 100+ vendors inside the Aberdeen Pavilion in Lansdowne Park at the Ottawa Farmers' Market! FREE!
- Saturday, December 14 | Experience Adàwàning: Indigenous Women’s Art Market and support the work of talented Indigenous women artists and artisans at the National Arts Centre’s Gail & David O’Brien Atrium. FREE!
- Ongoing | With twinkling lights, holiday décor and cozy vibes, the ByWard Winter Market is the perfect place to shop, eat, and celebrate winter. 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 | 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 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!
For getting into the Holiday spirit...
- Thursday, December 12 | Discover everything you need for the holidays at Hintonburg Holiday Shopping Nights!
- Thursday, December 12 to Sunday, December 15 | Unwind in a 19th-century village lit by over a million lights at Alight at Night happening at Upper Canada Village.
- Friday, December 13 to Sunday, December 15 | Enjoy a postcard-perfect heritage village from the 1920s and '30s, beautifully decorated for the holiday at the Vintage Village of Lights.
- Saturday, December 14 | Join in for the 2nd Annual Pet Day & Market at Robert Plante Greenhouses. FREE!
- Saturday, December 14 to Sunday, December 15 | All aboard Santa’s Holiday Train! Celebrate the season with the Bytown Railway Society aboard a vintage train car, where visitors can meet Santa and take a cherished photo. Held at the Canada Science and Technology Museum. FREE!
- Saturday, December 14 | Explore A Very Retro Christmas at the Nepean Museum and step into a time machine and celebrate the holidays with your family in retro style!
- Saturday, December 14 | Step into the festive spirit with a delightful walking tour of Ottawa’s most spectacular holiday lights with Ottawa Walking Tours.
- Saturday, December 14 to Sunday, December 15 | Bundle up and head over to Stanley’s Christmas Village for a winter wonderland experience.
- Starting Saturday, December 14 | Fly with Santa over this Christmas with up to 3 passengers! Happening at the Canada Aviation and Space Museum.
- Ongoing on weekends | 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 | Be in awe of Winter Lights Across Canada where nearly 300,000 lights are installed in Canada's Capital Region, highlighting various sites and monuments and creating the Pathway of lights for families and friends to explore. FREE!
- Ongoing | Visit Santa’s Village at Tanger Ottawa! Bring your holiday cheer and share your wishes with the jolly old man himself. FREE!
- Ongoing | Immerse yourself in the festive season with specially curated cocktails at the Elf’s Pub Holiday Pop-Up.
- 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 | Experience the magic of the season as Sparks Street transforms into a sparkling Winter Wander-land with holiday-themed light displays. FREE!
- Ongoing | Don’t miss Oh Canada Eh? a family friendly musical production celebrates all things Canadian! The two-hour show features famous characters singing Canadian hits, plus an optional Canadian meal.
For arts, culture and a good time...
- Fridays and Saturdays | Dance away at Club Aléa at the Hotel-Casino du Lac-Leamy with its lineup of talented DJs!
- Ongoing |Step into a tropical paradise where over 100 live butterflies glide through lush greenery at the Canadian Museum of Nature.
- Thursday, December 12 to Friday, December 13 | Support World Juniors Team Canada hopefuls in their two games against U SPORTS All-Stars at the selection camp in preparation for the 2025 IIHF World Junior Championship at TD Place.
- Friday, December 13 | Make sure to catch an incredible music show from the Chamberfest Concert Series this winter.
- Saturday, December 14 | Show your support for the Ottawa Senators as they face the Pittsburgh Penguins at the Canadian Tire Centre.
- Friday, December 13 | Cheer on the Ottawa Black Bears at the Canadian Tire Centre.
- Friday, December 13 | Cheer on the Ottawa 67's as they face the Peterborough Pets at TD Place.
- Until Saturday, December 14 | Check out Bear Grease, an unique Indigenous take on the beloved musical Grease returns to the stage, and this time it’s bigger, brighter, and infused with the joy of the holiday season. Held at the National Arts Centre.
- Until December 22 | Check out FLOP! An Improvised Musical Fiasco, where world-class performers scramble to create a miraculous new musical in this highwire act of skill, comedy and desperation – happening at the Great Canadian Theatre Company.
