The holiday season in Ottawa is always merry and bright! There is so much to experience around the city with your family and friends.
If your schedule isn’t already jam packed with activities over the months of December & January, consider checking out some of these amazing holiday family activities in Ottawa.
Wesley Clover Parks Magic of Lights
Where? Wesley Clover Parks – 401 Corkstown Road, Nepean
When? November 21st 2019 – January 4th 2020 – evenings (including holidays) between 5-10 PM
Experience the magic of Christmas with this monumental display of LED Christmas lights! This “drive-through” experience allows you and your family to enjoy the stunning light creations and animations without leaving your toasty warm car. This is one of the most popular and well-known holiday family activities in Ottawa.
We recommend grabbing your tickets online ahead of time for $20 – the price of admission at the gate will be $25. Hey – that extra $5 could get you a couple of hot chocolates for the experience! The site is located just off the 417 West between Moodie Drive and March Road and is easy to access by car.
Check out more information on the event here.
Christmas Lights Across Canada
Where? The lit areas include Parliament Hill, Confederation Boulevard, Canada’s ceremonial route, which encompasses Wellington Street, Mackenzie Street, Elgin Street and Sussex Drive in downtown Ottawa, as well as Laurier Street in Gatineau and the Alexandra Bridge. Historic sites and parks along the way are lit up as well. Some of the best places to experience the lights include the National War Memorial, the Garden of Provinces and the view from Alexandra Bridge. (According to Ottawa Tourism website*)
When? December 4th 2019 – January 7th 2020
If you haven’t experienced downtown Ottawa over the holidays, then you must go and see it this year! Select areas of the downtown core will be decorated beautifully over the holiday season for you and your family to enjoy! Whether you want to drive through downtown or take a walk (we recommend seeing it on foot) you’ll be sure to feel the magic and have plenty of opportunities for photo ops, too!
You can learn more about the event here.
Ottawa Christmas Market
Where? Lansdowne Park – The Glebe
When? Every weekend until the weekend before Christmas. For detailed hours, click here.
The magic of Christmas comes to life at the Ottawa Christmas Market! This is Ottawa’s first European-style Christmas market featuring vendors, entertainment, and more! Grab a hot chocolate, your favourite person, and go explore everything there is to see! Ready for a break? Stop in at any one of the awesome restaurants in Lansdowne Park or catch a 67’s game. There is so much to do at Lansdowne during this holiday season.
You can learn more about the event, including entertainment schedule and parking info here.
Christmas Glow
Where? EY Centre – 4899 Uplands Drive, Ottawa
When? November 20th 2019 – January 5th 2020
Christmas Glow started near Vancouver B.C. in 2017 and has since grown tot become an event celebrated across 10 cities in Canada! This entirely indoor festival of lights allows it’s guests to marvel at magical Christmas lights all while avoiding cold weather. This event will feature vendors, light gardens with displays inspired from around the world, food & drink, and even Santa himself will make an appearance! Don’t miss this one-of-a-kind holiday celebration.
Find more information, including admission + parking prices, here.
Trees of Hope for CHEO
Where? Fairmont Chateau Laurier – 1 Rideau Street, Ottawa
When? November 25th 2019 – January 3rd 2019
Trees of Hope for CHEO has been an ongoing tradition in Ottawa for many years. In fact, the Christine Hauschild team took part as recently as 2016 with our own tree! All proceeds from this beautiful display go straight to CHEO so that they can continue to help children in our city. This event is held at Ottawa’s historic Fairmont Chateau Laurier and is totally free to see. You might find that this event becomes a tradition for you and your family!
Alight at Night
Where? Upper Canada Village – Morrisburg
When? Select dates – please click here for more information
If you’re willing to take a short drive out to Upper Canada Village in Morrisburg (just 1 hour south of Ottawa), then you’re in for a real treat. This interactive experience offers great fun for the whole family. Bundle up and take a stroll through historic Upper Canada Village along the St. Lawrence river. Enjoy historic homes, light gardens, vendors, food, drinks, and even some farm animals along the way! This family-friendly display is sure to provide hours of fun.
With so many options across the city, you and your family are sure to find holiday family activities in Ottawa! Which holiday event are you going to enjoy in our community?
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