What's happening in Ottawa this weekend: Dec. 13-15
The Christmas tree at the Ottawa Christmas Market on Dec. 7, 2024. (Josh Marano/CTV News Ottawa)
Christmas market season continues, holiday lights light up several attractions and the Senators, 67's and Black Bears are home. CTVNewsOttawa.ca looks at things to do in Ottawa and eastern Ontario this weekend.
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Ottawa Black Bears
The Ottawa Black Bears host the Buffalo Bandits in lacrosse action Friday night at the Canadian Tire Centre.
Game time is 7 p.m.
It’s the Teddy Bear Toss game, so bring a new teddy bear to support CTV Ottawa and MOVE 100’s Toy Mountain.
Ottawa Senators
The Ottawa Senators play their final home game of 2024 at Canadian Tire Centre Saturday night.
The Senators host the Pittsburgh Penguins at 7 p.m.
For tickets, visit www.ticketmaster.ca.
Ottawa 67’s
The Ottawa 67’s host the Peterborough Petes Friday night at the Arena at TD Place.
For tickets, visit https://chl.ca/ohl-67s/.
Ottawa Christmas Market
It’s the third weekend for the Ottawa Christmas Market at Lansdowne Park.
Checkout over 50 local vendors, music, workshops, food and drinks and more this holiday season. You can also visit Santa.
The Ottawa Christmas Market is open Friday from 5 p.m. to 10 p.m., Saturday 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. and Sunday from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.
For more information, visit www.ottawachristmasmarket.com.
613Holiday Night Market
The 613Holiday Night Market is Friday night at Lansdowne.
Checkout 140 vendors from 5 p.m. to 10 p.m.
For more information, visit www.613flea.ca.
Christmas Farmers Market
The Ottawa Farmers Market Christmas Market is every Saturday and Sunday at Lansdowne.
The market is open weekends until Dec. 22.
Craft Shows and Farmers Markets this weekend
- Saturday: Metcalfe Farmers’ Christmas Market at the Metcalfe Farmers Market
- Saturday: All of My Favourite Things Artisan Market Series – ByWard Market Square
- Saturday: Pet Day and Market at Robert Plante Greenhouses
ByWard Market Winter Market
The ByWard Winter Market continues all weekend 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 www.byward-market.com.
National Arts Centre
Here’s a look at what’s happening at the National Arts Centre this weekend:
- Friday: NAC Orchestra presents Elf, Movie in Concert
- Friday-Saturday: The NAC Indigenous Theatre presents Bear Grease
- Saturday-Sunday: Les musiciens de l’orage
- Saturday: Ottawa Jazz Orchestra – Hot Like Harry
- Saturday: Barbara Hannigan and Bertrand Chamayou
For tickets and information, visit www.nac-cna.ca.
The Nutcracker
Celebrate the holidays with Ballet Jorgen and the Nutcracker.
See The Nutcracker: A Canadian Tradition Friday and Saturday at the Meridian Theatres at Centrepointe.
On the Farce Day of Christmas
The Ottawa Little Theatre presents On the Farce Day of Christmas, a Christmas comedy by Kevin Levine.
On the Farce Day of Christmas runs until Dec. 21.
For tickets and information, visit www.ottawalittletheatre.com.
Magic of Lights
Enjoy a festive drive through the Magic of Lights at Wesley Clover Parks.
The drive-thru 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 is lit up for the holidays.
Checkout the Winter Lights Across Canada every night until Jan. 7.
Several buildings 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 historic village, creating a one-of-a-kind magical backdrop.
Alight at Night runs until Jan. 4.
For tickets and information, visit www.uppercanadavillage.com.
Vintage Village of Lights
The Cumberland Heritage Village Museum hosts Vintage Village of Lights on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays until Dec. 22.
Enjoy a postcard-perfect 1920s and 30s heritage village charmingly decorated for the holidays.
A Very Retro Christmas
The Nepean Museum hosts a Very Retro Christmas on Saturday.
It runs from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
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 Thursday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday until Dec. 22 and again on Dec. 27 and Dec. 28.
Stanley’s Christmas Village
Stanley’s Olde Maple Lane Farm invites you to visit the Christmas Village.
Activities include a tractor-drawn ride to the Christmas Village, a visit with Santa, Frosty’s Craft Station, the Christmas Tree Farm and more.
The Christmas Village is open on weekends to Dec. 23.
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.
Museums
Click on the links for the schedule at museums in Ottawa and eastern Ontario:
- 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
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 new 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.
Kingston Grand Theatre
The following events will be at the Kingston Grand Theatre this weekend:
- Friday: The Jersey Nights Before Christmas Show
- Sunday: 9th annual Holiday Show
Kingston Holiday Market
The Kingston Holiday Market runs Saturday and Sunday.
Visit with local artists and makers from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Brockville Farmer’s Market Christmas Market
The Brockville Farmer’s Market Christmas Market is Saturday night at the Aquatarium.
Also, hop on the Aquatarium Holiday Express train to enjoy the River of Lights and do some holiday shopping.
Admission is free.
Brockville River of Lights
Blockhouse Island is lit up for the holidays in Brockville.
Enjoy a free light and sound show nightly until Jan. 6. The full light and sound show runs from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m.
The show is approximately 40 minutes before repeating the set.
You can also ride the Aquatarium Holiday Train around Blockhouse Island.
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