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What's happening in Ottawa this weekend: Dec. 31-Jan. 2

People ice skate on the Rink of Dreams at City Hall in Ottawa, on Tuesday, Dec. 28, 2021. (Justin Tang/THE CANADIAN PRESS) People ice skate on the Rink of Dreams at City Hall in Ottawa, on Tuesday, Dec. 28, 2021. (Justin Tang/THE CANADIAN PRESS)
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CTVNewsOttawa.ca looks at activities and events happening in Ottawa, eastern Ontario and western Quebec over the New Year's weekend.

For a list of events happening on New Year's Eve, click here.

SKATING

The city of Ottawa's outdoor skating rinks are open for the season.

Rink of Dreams at Ottawa City Hall

  • Daily: 7 a.m. to 11 p.m.
  • Dec. 31: 7 a.m. to 6 p.m.
  • Jan. 1: 1 p.m. to 11 p.m.

Lansdowne Park Skating Court

  • Daily: 7 a.m. to 11 p.m.

Ben Franklin Place Skating Rink

  • Daily: 9 a.m. to 11 p.m.

Jim Tubman Chevrolet Rink

A sign is seen advising a capacity limit for skaters on the ice due to the COVID-19 Omicron variant at the Rink of Dreams at City Hall in Ottawa, on Tuesday, Dec. 28, 2021. (Justin Tang/THE CANADIAN PRESS)

SKIING

Ski resorts are open across eastern Ontario and western Quebec. Visit each resort's website for details.

CHRISTMAS LIGHTS ACROSS CANADA

Parliament Hill and downtown Ottawa are dressed up for the holiday season with the Christmas Lights Across Canada.

Checkout the multimedia projection on Parliament Hill and the Pathway of Lights in Canada's Capital Region.

Christmas Lights Across Canada continues until Jan. 7.

MAGIC OF LIGHTS

The Magic of Lights light up Wesley Clover Parks this holiday season.

Don't miss this dazzling, drive-through holiday lights experience featuring favourite holiday scenes and characters of the season.

Every ticket to Magic of Lights benefits CHEO.

The Magic of Lights runs until Jan 8.

For tickets, visit https://magicoflights.com/events/ottawa/.

ALIGHT AT NIGHT AT UPPER CANADA VILLAGE

It's the final two nights of Alight at Night, billed as eastern Ontario's biggest outdoor light festival.

Lights adorn the heritage buildings, trees, and fences of Upper Canada Village in Morrisburg, Ont. creating a one-of-a-kind magical backdrop for its annual Alight at Night Festival.

Alight at Night runs until Jan. 1

Visit uppercanadavillage.com for details and tickets.

St. Nick's workshop at Alight at Night at Upper Canada Village in Morrisburg, Ont.

MUSEUMS

A look at museum hours in the national capital region over the holidays.

Museum of Nature

  • Open:  Jan 2, Jan 3.
  • Closed: Dec. 31, Jan. 1.

Canada Agriculture and Food Museum

  • Open: Dec. 31, Jan 1, Jan. 2
  • Closed: Jan. 3

Canada Science and Technology Museum

  • Open: Dec. 31, Jan 1, Jan. 2
  • Closed: Jan 3.

Canada Aviation and Space Museum

  • Open: Dec. 31, Jan 1, Jan. 2, Jan. 3.

 Canadian War Museum

  • The Canadian War Museum is closed over the holidays.

 Canadian Museum of History 

  • The Canadian Museum of History is closed over the holidays.

 National Gallery of Canada

  • Open: Dec. 31 (10 a.m. to 5 p.m.), Jan. 1 (12 p.m. to 5 p.m.), Jan. 2.
  • Closed: Jan. 3.

 The Diefenbunker

  • Open: Dec. 31 (10 a.m. to 2 p.m.), Jan 2.
  • Closed: Jan. 1.

All guests 12 and older must show proof of full vaccination to visit the 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 and the National Gallery of Canada.

OWLS RENDEZ-VOUS

Come face-to-face with live owls at the Canadian Museum of Nature.

Don't miss this outdoor exhibition, created in partnership with Little Ray's Nature Centre. See owls and an eagle in their specially-designed habitat enclosures.

BYWARD MARKET AND PARKDALE MARKET

The ByWard Market and Parkdale Public Market are open.

For more information, visit www.ottawamarkets.ca.

PARC OMEGA

Parc Omega is open in Montebello, Que.

For more information, visit https://www.parcomega.ca/en/.

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