Festive Ottawa
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November 28, 2019
How Ottawa Will Change in this Decade
January 9, 2020
10 Festive Things to do in Ottawa
Can you believe that there are only 2 weekends left until Christmas! Time sure does fly! We may not have lots of snow, but the Capital Region does have lots of fun activities to get you into the Christmas spirit. With some new and some old favourites, there is something for everyone in our wonderful city! Check out our list of the top 10 festive things to do in Ottawa this holiday season.
Glow Ottawa
December 5 – January 4th
EY Centre, 4899 Uplands Drive
This year, Ottawa has a fantastic new event where you can enjoy one million twinkle lights while staying warm indoors! Explore through light gardens and dozens of illuminated structures. Your kids will love the playgrounds while you can enjoy a seasonal drink at the licensed bar. With an abundance of tasty food and live music. Browse through the local vendor market, showcasing some of the best local artisans.
Christmas Lights Across Canada
December 4 – January 7
Various locations downtown Ottawa
Get ready for some free fun downtown Ottawa! Every year, our city is transformed into a dazzling kingdom of thousands of twinkle lights. Some of the best viewing locations include Confederation Park, the National War Memorial, and the Garden of Provinces. This annual event has been going for the last 34 years and has become a national tradition in many cities across Canada. Be sure to bring your camera and catch the winter lightscape multimedia show on Centre Block running nightly between 5:30pm – 11:00pm.
canada.ca/en/canadian-heritage
Alight at Night
November 29 – January 4
Morrisburg, ON
This holiday favourite is definitely worth the drive to Morrisburg! Dress up nice and warm and take an evening stroll through this beautiful village of almost a thousand lights. Take a ride on a horse-drawn carriage, sing along to Christmas carols at the church, eat some delicious baked goods and don’t forget to get your picture taken with Santa. Tickets cost $16 and are totally worth it for this one of a kind event!
Miracle at Savoy
November 25 – December 31
Savoy Brasserie, 334 Richmond Road
Trees of Hope for CHEO
November 25 – January 3
Fairmont Château Laurier, 1 Rideau Street
Featuring 34 beautifully decorated Christmas Trees all located with the majestic backdrop of the Fairmont Château Laurier. You are invited inside this magical hotel to vote on your favourite tree, check out the silent auction and make a donation to CHEO. This magical event helps raise much needed funds for the Children’s Hospital of Eastern Ontario.
Holly Jolly Hunt
November 23 – December 29
100 Elgin Street
This unique challenge takes modern scavenger hunting to the next level! Download the app on your smartphone and start searching for traditional and non-traditional holiday items around Ottawa. Each item you find rewards you with points on your phone. The goal is to capture as many items as you can with your camera to score the most points. Your team will also be given fun holiday themed trivia questions as well. Try out this fun hunt with your friends and family, you are sure to share some laughs and smiles with everyone involved!
Magic of Lights
November 21 – January 4
Wesley Clover Parks, 411 Corkstown Road
Come and experience an event like no other in the Ottawa area at Magic of Lights in Wesley Clover Parks! Stay nice and warm in your vehicle as you drive through an assortment of Christmas lights and exhibits that are sure to dazzle you! You might even recognize some of the traditional characters along the way. Every ticket sold from Magic of Lights helps support the Children’s Hospital of Eastern Ontario.
magicoflights.com
Christmas Village Season
November 30 – December 22
Stanley’s Olde Maple Lane Farm, 2452 York’s Corners Road, Edwards
Meet Santa’s elves and take a horse drawn carriage to an enchanted village at the Stanley Olde Maple Lane Farm. Explore the village, sing carols, play games, visit Santa and so much more! This event is a fun time for all ages, so come on out, grab a cup of hot coco and enjoy the day at this festive location!
Ottawa Christmas Market
November 21 – January 4
Wesley Clover Parks, 411 Corkstown Road
Enjoy delicious artisan food and beverages at Ottawa’s first European inspired Christmas Market. The market takes place in the picturesque Casino Lac-Leamy Plaza at Lansdowne complete with lots of twinkle lights and a huge Christmas tree. The market runs every weekend starting Friday’s at 5pm all the way up until Christmas. With live entertainment, a bar, and fire pit to warm up at, you are sure to have a great time at the Ottawa Christmas Market.
Nightmare Before/After X-mas tour
December 5 – 30
Haunted Walk Ticket Office, 46 1/2 Sparks Street
The Haunted Walk presents the darker side of Christmas with The Nightmare Before and After X-mas walk. Learn about strange and creepy holiday traditions from around the world. The tour takes place inside the spooky Bytown Museum where you will hear stories of all of the frightening events that have happened in Ottawa’s oldest stone building. Stop by the ticket office for a photo with Krampus (Santa’s evil twin)!
We hope you have enjoyed these 10 festive things to do in Ottawa this Holiday Season. If you are looking for more fun things to do, check out some of our Fun With Real Estate videos that explore lots of great Ottawa venues!
