OTTAWA
Ottawa

    • What's happening in Ottawa over the holidays

    Share

    CTVNewsOttawa.ca looks at things to do in Ottawa over the holiday season.

    World Junior Hockey Championship

    The IIHF World Junior Hockey Championship returns to Ottawa for the first time since 2009.

    Canada and nine other world junior clubs will compete at Canadian Tire Centre and the Arena at TD Place from Dec. 26 to Jan. 5.

    Here is Canada’s schedule:

    • Dec. 26: Canada vs. Finland at Canadian Tire Centre – 7:30 p.m.
    • Dec. 27: Canada vs. Latvia at Canadian Tire Centre – 7:30 p.m.
    • Dec. 29: Canada vs. Germany at Canadian Tire Centre – 7:30 p.m.
    • Dec. 31: Canada vs. United States at Canadian Tire Centre – 8 p.m.

    For information on the full-tournament schedule, visit www.hockeycanada.ca

    World Junior Fan Fest

    Checkout the World Junior Fan Fest 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 Dec. 26-31 and Jan. 2, 4, and 5.

    For more information, visit https://www.hockeycanada.ca/en-ca/team-canada/men/junior/2024-25/fans/fan-fest

     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     

    A post shared by TD Place (@tdplace)

    Bell Capital Cup

    The Bell Capital Cup will fill hockey arenas across Ottawa over the holidays.

    More than 250 teams with 4,000 players will compete in the five-day hockey tournament from Dec. 27 to 31.

    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

    Ottawa Christmas Market

    The Ottawa Christmas Market will continue through the holiday season at Lansdowne.

    The market features over 50 vendors, entertainment, holiday lights and decorations and more.

    The Ottawa Christmas Market will be open Dec. 26 to 31 and Jan. 1-5.

    For more information, visit https://www.ottawachristmasmarket.com/

    The Christmas tree at the Ottawa Christmas Market on Dec. 7, 2024. (Josh Marano/CTV News Ottawa)

    ByWard Market Winter Market

    The ByWard Winter Market continues until Jan. 5 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, visit https://www.byward-market.com/

    Magic of Lights

    Celebrate the holidays with 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 Jan. 4.  For tickets and information, visit https://magicoflights.com/locations/ottawa-on/

    Winter Lights Across Canada

    Downtown Ottawa and Gatineau are lit up for the holidays.

    Check out the 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 Jan. 4.

    For tickets and information, visit https://www.uppercanadavillage.com/

    Stanley’s Holiday Stroll

    Take a walk through a mesmerizing wonderland at Stanley’s Olde Maple Lane Farm this holiday season.

    The Stanley’s Holiday Stroll is a trail through the illuminated woods, with sparkling trees and an enchanting atmosphere.

    The Holiday Stroll is open on Dec. 27 and Dec. 28.

    A Country Christmas

    Saunders Farm invites you to celebrate a Country Christmas.

    Visit Santa, find your inner elf at the Elf Academy Show, wander through the Holiday Light Stroll and enjoy festive food and beverages.

    A Country Christmas runs Thursday-Sunday until Dec. 30.

    MJ the Musical

    Broadway Across Canada presents MJ the Musical.

    The multi–Tony Award-winning musical centres around the making of the 1992 Dangerous World Tour.

    See MJ from Dec. 31 to Jan 5 at the National Arts Centre.

    Museums

    Click on the links for the schedules at museums in Ottawa

    Winter Wonders

    The Canada Aviation and Space Museum hosts Winter Wonders from Dec. 26 to Jan. 5.

    Discover a unique Nunavik tradition with a reading of The Kuujjuaq Christmas Candy Drop, step into the Drone Zone and more.

    For more information, visit https://ingeniumcanada.org/aviation/events/winter-wonders

    Canada Science and Technology Museum

    The Canada Science and Technology Museum hosts Winter Wonders from Dec. 21 to Jan. 5.

    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 from Dec. 27 to Jan. 5.

    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/.

    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.

    Hogman-Eh!

    Ring in the New Year with Hogmanay, the Scottish New Year’s Eve celebration in Ottawa known as Hogman-Eh!

    This year, the event is being held at the Infinity Convention Centre on Gibford Drive.  Just before 7 p.m., the RCAF pipe band will help ring in the New Year in Scotland, and then the party will continue until midnight to welcome 2025.

    For tickets and information, visit https://ottscot.ca/hogmaneh-2024

    New Year’s Eve events in Ottawa

    • New Year’s Eve Comedy Night at the Shenkman Arts Centre
    • Dance Through the Decades New Year’s Eve Party at the Rideau Carleton Casino
    • New Year’s Party at the Casino du Lac Leamy
    • SBK NYE 2025 – The Latin Ball 2 at the Double Tree by Hilton Ottawa
    • New Year’s Eve Ottawa Ball at the Preston Event Centre

    Shopping Trends

    The Shopping Trends team is independent of the journalists at CTV News. We may earn a commission when you use our links to shop. Read about us.

    CTVNews.ca Top Stories

    From a mini fridge to a toy doll, here's what has been lost on public transit in Ontario this year

    Most people understand the pain that comes with leaving a phone, wallet or umbrella behind on-board public transit and the despair of whether or not it'll ever be found again. Well, outside of those commonly forgotten valuables, items like a porcelain doll, Mac DeMarco vinyl record, mini-fridge, or a toaster oven with food still inside have also been left behind on public transit this year.

    Atlantic

    Toronto

    Montreal

    Northern Ontario

    Windsor

    London

    Kitchener

    Barrie

    Winnipeg

    Calgary

    Edmonton

    Regina

    Saskatoon

    Vancouver

    Vancouver Island

    Kelowna

    Stay Connected
    Follow CTV News