What’s happening in Ottawa during the first weekend of 2025
CTVNewsOttawa.ca looks at things to do in Ottawa during the first weekend of 2025.
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World Junior Hockey Championship
The IIHF World Junior Hockey Championship continues this weekend in Ottawa.
Eight teams will compete in the quarterfinals on Thursday at Canadian Tire Centre and the Arena at TD Place. Here is a look at the schedule:
- 12 p.m.: Latvia vs. Sweden at the Arena at TD Place
- 2:30 p.m.: Switzerland vs. United States at Canadian Tire Centre
- 5 p.m.: Slovakia vs. Finland at the Arena at TD Place
- 7:30 p.m.: Canada vs. Czechia at Canadian Tire Centre
The semi-finals will be played on Saturday at Canadian Tire Centre at 3:30 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. On Sunday, the bronze medal game begins at 3:30 p.m., followed by the gold medal game at 7:30 p.m.
For information on games and tickets, visit the Hockey Canada website.
World Junior Fan Fest
The World Junior Fan Fest continues at Lansdowne during the World Junior Hockey Championship.
There will be free, family-friendly activities, live bands, watch parties, a synthetic ice rink and ball hockey rinks.
The Fan Fest will be open Thursday, Saturday and Sunday. There will be a gold medal watch party on Sunday from 7:30 p.m. to 10 p.m.
For more information, visit the Hockey Canada website.
Fans attending the Czechia vs. Kazakhstan game during the World Junior Hockey Championship in Ottawa at TD Place on Dec. 28, 2024. (Dylan Dyson/CTV News Ottawa)
MJ the Musical
Broadway across Canada presents MJ the Musical at the National Arts Centre until Sunday.
The multi–Tony Award-winning musical centres around the making of the 1992 Dangerous World Tour.
The Humbug Hustle: A Holiday Phantom-ime
See the Humbug Hustle at the Great Canadian Theatre Company until Sunday.
It’s produced by OttawaMusicals.
Outdoor skating rinks
You can go for a skate, weather permitting, on City of Ottawa outdoor rinks.
- Rink of Dreams at Ottawa City Hall
- Lansdowne Park skating court
- Jim Tubman Chevrolet Rink at Canterbury
- Ben Franklin Place skating rink
Skaters on the Rink of Dreams at Ottawa City Hall on Monday, Dec. 7, 2020.
Ottawa Christmas Market
It’s the final weekend for the Ottawa Christmas Market at Lansdowne.
The market features over 50 vendors, entertainment, holiday lights and decorations and more.
For more information, click here.
ByWard Market Winter Market
The ByWard Winter Market continues until Sunday in Ottawa’s ByWard Market.
Wander through the rows of outdoor market vendors offering unique local crafts, holiday treats and more. You can also go for a skate on the outdoor synthetic rink on William Street.
For more information on the ByWard Market Winter Market, click here.
Magic of Lights
It’s the final weekend to enjoy a drive through the Magic of Lights at Wesley Clover Parks.
The holiday lights experience features your favourite holiday scenes and characters of the season using the latest LED technology and digital animations.
The Magic of Lights runs until Saturday. For tickets and information, click here.
Winter Lights Across Canada
Downtown Ottawa and Gatineau are lit up for the holidays.
Checkout Winter Lights Across Canada every night until Jan. 7.
Several buildings and parks are illuminated for the holidays, including Confederation Park, the National War Memorial, Jacques-Cartier Park and the Supreme Court of Canada.
Alight at Night Festival
The historic village at Upper Canada Village in Morrisburg is decorated for the holidays during the Alight at Night Festival.
Over one million lights illuminate the village’s buildings, creating a one-of-a-kind magical backdrop.
Alight at Night runs until Saturday.
For tickets and information, click here.
Museums
Click on the links for the schedules at museums in Ottawa
- Canadian Museum of Nature
- Canada Agriculture and Food Museum
- Canada Science and Technology Museum
- Canada Aviation and Space Museum
- Canadian War Museum
- Canadian Museum of History
- National Gallery of Canada
- Ottawa Art Gallery
Winter Wonders
The Canada Aviation and Space Museum hosts Winter Wonders until Sunday.
Discover a unique Nunavik tradition with a reading of The Kuujjuaq Christmas Candy Drop, step into the Drone Zone and more.
For more information, click here.
Canada Science and Technology Museum
The Canada Science and Technology Museum hosts Winter Wonders until Sunday.
Don’t miss the Antique Music Box Experience, DIY Rhythms, sound demonstrations and more.
It’s also your last chance to see the Oh Crap! Rethinking human waste exhibition before it leaves on Jan. 5.
Canada Agriculture and Food Museum
Experience winter fun at the Canada Agriculture and Food Museum over the holiday season.
Visit the demonstration kitchen, the Craft Corner, watch a fun family movie or check out the game room.
Winter Wonders runs until Sunday.
Parliament of Canada Tours
Enjoy a free, guided tour of the Senate at the Senate of Canada Building, the House of Commons in the West Block and the East Block.
For tickets and tour times, visit https://rts.parl.ca/.
There will be no tours on Christmas Day.
Parliament: The Immersive Experience
Explore the main Parliament Building, also called Centre Block, in this innovative experience.
Parliament: The Immersive Experience at 211 Sparks Street includes an exhibition and a 360-degree multimedia show that takes you on a tour through Centre Block, which has been closed since 2019.
The self-guided tour is 45 minutes.
Tickets are available at no cost at visit parl.ca.
Shopping Trends
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