50 events you won’t want to miss this weekend in Ottawa – Nov 23-26

We are entering the holiday season in full force with a great number of awesome events this weekend! Choose the Christmas market of your preference or the Santa parade closer to your home. There are lots of events for everybody! Enjoy!

1. Ottawa Christmas Market

This is the most popular Christmas event in the capital. It runs for 5 weekends. There will be over 45 vendors, live music, workshops for kids, beautifully lit decorations, and the tallest Christmas tree in town. The tree lighting ceremony is on Friday Nov 24 from 5:30pm to 6:45pm.
When: Nov 24 to Dec 23.
Where: Lansdowne Park.
Details: ottawachristmasmarket.com

2. The History Museum’s Christmas Market

This market at the Canadian Museum of History takes place in the majestic Grand Hall where more than 80 exhibitors showcase their products. FREE. Tree lighting ceremony on Thursday Nov 23 at 6pm. Dance performances, complimentary hot chocolate, gingerbread cookies, and maple taffy on snow (while quantities last).
When: Nov 23-26. Thu, Fri, 11am-8pm. Sat, Sun, 9am-5pm.
Where: Canadian Museum of History, 100 Laurier St, Gatineau.
Details: historymuseum.ca

3. Santa’s Parade of Lights

This parade is organized by firefighters with the goal of collecting toys and cash to bring Christmas gifts to children in need.
When: Saturday Nov 25 at 6pm.
Where: The parade will start from Youville with Saint Joseph Boulevard and will go along St Joseph Blvd until Centrum Blvd.
Details: paradeoflights.org

4. Tree lighting at Byward Market

Come to the holiday season launch, watch the tree lightning, enjoy free hot chocolate and Beaver Tails, live music, and horse-drawn carriage rides. FREE.
When: Friday Nov 24 from 3pm. Tree lightning at 4:30pm.
Where: George St Plaza, 55 Byward Market Square.
Details: @bywardmarket

5. Adaawe Indigenous Holiday Market

Shop unique products and gifts from over 30 local Indigenous vendors and warm up with complimentary bannock and tea. There will also be giveaways and prizes. FREE.
When: Saturday Nov 25 from noon to 4pm.
Where: 338 Somerset Street West #1 Ottawa.
Details: At Eventbrite.

6. Toy Mountain Parade

This parade will collect toys in support of the Salvation Army and to help the less fortunate have a merry Christmas. To enter a float and participate in the parade is free! FREE.
When: Saturday Nov 25 at 11am.
Where: The parade will go from St Jerome Elementary up Spratt to Bernard Grandmaitre Elementary in Riverside South.
Details: riversidesouth.org

7. Holiday Craft Market

Come to the National Arts Centre’s Atrium for the merriest craft market around! Expect a fantastic array of maker goods, crafts, uniquely designed goods, and much more. FREE.
When: Sunday Nov 26 from 11am to 5pm.
Where: 1 Elgin St
Details: https://nac-cna.ca/en/event/35102

8. Kanata Santa Claus Parade

This parade is back after a 4-year hiatus! Volunteers will collect donations all along the route of the parade. FREE.
When: Saturday Nov 25 at 10am.
Where: The parade will start at Holy Redeemer Church, go down Rothesay, across Glamorgan to Castlefrank, up Castlefrank to Abbeyhill, up Abbeyhill to end at Hazeldean Mall.
Details: kanatasantaparade.com

9. Christmas in Old Aylmer

Old Aylmer holds a European-style Christmas market for two weekends with over 55 vendors. Find unique handcrafted creations and delicious food and drinks from across the Outaouais region. Nov 24-26 and Dec 1-3. At the Memorial Park, at the corner of Principale St and Park St.

10. Ottawa Senators vs New York Islanders

Cheer on the Ottawa Senators this Friday, against the New York Islanders! PAID. Friday Nov 24, 7:30pm. Canadian Tire Centre, Ottawa.

11. 67`s weekend games

Cheer on Ottawa’s junior hockey league this weekend! Saturday Nov 25 at 3pm against the Oshawa Generals. Sunday Nov 26 at 2pm against the Windsor Spitfires. PAID. At TD Place, 1015 Bank St.

12. Prison Dancer

Award-winning musical created, produced and played entirely by Filipino-Canadians. It was inspired by the very first viral video that showed 1,500 Filipino inmates dancing to Michael Jackson’s Thriller in 2007. Awesome music, singing and dancing! Tickets start at $31 or just $15 for people under 30. Nov 23 to Dec 2. At the National Arts Centre.

Buy your tickets here: https://c.nac.ca/PrisonDancer

13. Glebe Craft and Artisans Fair

Featuring the highest quality, locally made merchandise. FREE. Nov 25, 10am – 5pm, Nov 26, 11am – 4pm. Glebe Community Centre, 175 Third Avenue, Ottawa.

14. World Multicultural Festival

The World Multicultural Festival brings together people of all ages & nationalities to experience the richness of the cultural fabric that makes up our communities. FREE. Nov 25. Carleton Dominion-Chalmers Centre, 355 Cooper St, Ottawa.

15. Barrhaven Holiday Craft Market

Explore a wide array of handcrafted gifts, decorations, and holiday goodies created by local artisans and crafters. Enjoy live holiday music from Move 100 Radio. FREE. Nov 25, 10am-4pm. Walter Baker Sports Centre, 100 Malvern Dr, Halls A & B.

16. Vintage Village of Lights

Travel back in time to a 1920s and 1930s rural village, beautifully decorated with Christmas lights at the outdoor Cumberland Museum. Chat with the villagers and get an up-close look at carpentry, leatherwork, and blacksmith demonstrations. Decorate gingerbread cookies, warm up by the bon fire, or try your skills on the ball hockey rink. Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays from November 24 through December 17, 2023. From 4pm to 9pm (with final entry at 8pm). Cost: $25.50, taxes included, per group (1–6 people per group). Advance registration is required. Address: 2940 Old Montreal Road, Cumberland, K4C 1G3. 

17. Writers in Conversation

Join Octopus Books for a conversation with three women writers discussing their compelling new books: Jessica Westhead: Avalanche; Jennifer Falkner: Above Discovery, and Ann Douglas: Navigating the Messy Middle. FREE. Thursday Nov 23 from 7pm to 8:30pm at Octopus Books, 116 Third Ave, Ottawa.

18. Winter Wisdom Workshop

Winter doesn’t have to be boring! Join this workshop to make connections and know how to cope and enjoy winter. Hands-on workshops on seasonal food, crafts, and outdoor activities. Free catered meal. FREE but registration is required at Eventbrite. Wednesday Nov 29 at 6pm at Black Box Studio Arts Court.

19. Magic of Lights

A unique and dazzling drive-through holiday lights experience with more than a mile of spectacular light displays that bring to life your favorite holiday scenes and characters. One carload, one price for the entire family. PAID. Nov 17-Jan 6. Mon-Thur 5-9pm, Fri-Sun 5-10pm. Wesley Clover Parks 411 Corkstown Drive, Nepean.

Upcoming events

20. Christmas Sisters Naughty Listers

These mischievous sisters are ready to sprinkle some laughter and cheer into your holiday season. Get ready for a night filled with side splitting comedy, outrageous antics and a whole lot of merriment! Dec 15-16 at 8pm. At Red Bird Live, 1165 Bank St.

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