Best Christmas Activities in Ottawa
A guide to Ottawa's best Christmas events and holiday activities, from light festivals and holiday markets to parades, performances, and festive day trips. Most events run late November through early January.
Ottawa's holiday season runs from mid-November through early January. Here's what to see and do.
Holiday Markets
Ottawa Christmas Market — Lansdowne
The main Christmas market at Lansdowne Park, running from late November through early January. Vendor cabins sell local goods, crafts, seasonal food and drinks. DJ Skate Nights on Saturdays (6–9 PM) at the skating rink. Free admission.
613Holiday Night Market — Aberdeen Pavilion
Three Friday evenings in late November and December (5–10 PM) at the Aberdeen Pavilion, Lansdowne. Over 140 vendors with gifts, food, and seasonal treats. Dogs welcome. Free admission.
613Christmas Market — Carleton University
Typically held the last weekend of November at the Fieldhouse. 200 handpicked vendors selling handcrafted items, vintage clothing, artisan foods, and more. Free admission.
ByWard Market Holiday Shopping
The ByWard Market runs holiday programming from late November through December:
- 48-foot holiday tree and tree lighting ceremony at George Street Plaza
- Free nightly laser light show at George Street Plaza throughout the season
- Indoor holiday market at Heritage Hall (first three Saturdays of December)
- Weekend carolers 12–4 PM
- Holiday shopping at local artisan shops
Light Festivals
Winter Lights Across Canada
The NCC's annual display (since 1985) illuminates Parliament Hill and Confederation Boulevard with nearly 300,000 lights. A free sound and light show is projected onto Parliament Hill buildings on a 15-minute loop, 5:30–11 PM, Thursday through Monday. Typically early December through early January.
Magic of Lights — Wesley Clover Parks
A drive-through light show along a 2 km route with over 2 million lights, themed displays, and Ontario's longest light tunnel. Open nightly mid-November to early January, 5–10 PM.
Per-car pricing: weekday advance ~30, at the gate ~$35–40. Located at Wesley Clover Parks, 411 Corkstown Road (Kanata area).
Alight at Night — Upper Canada Village
Over one million lights transform the heritage village in Morrisburg (~80 km south of Ottawa) into a winter wonderland. Select nights late November to early January, 5–9 PM. Adults ~14. Tickets online only — most nights sell out, so purchase well in advance.
Optional add-ons: horse-drawn carriage rides ($150) and Willard's Hotel dining.
A Country Christmas — Saunders Farm
Holiday event at Saunders Farm (~45 min southwest), open Thursday to Sunday from late November to December 30. Activities include Santa's cabin, cookie decorating, hedge mazes, a 40-foot slide, holiday light stroll, and Christmas tree cutting. Tickets $30 + tax per person, book ahead. Food options include wood-fired pizza and BeaverTails.
Parades
Help Santa Toy Parade
Ottawa's main Santa Claus parade, organized by the Ottawa Professional Fire Fighters' Association since 1969. Typically mid-November, Saturday at 11 AM. Route runs from Elgin Street south on Bank Street to Lansdowne Park. Toys collected along the route for donation. Free.
Suburban parades typically follow in the weeks after: Barrhaven, Kanata, Stittsville Parade of Lights, and Carp.
Performances
The Nutcracker at the NAC
An annual tradition at the National Arts Centre's Southam Hall, typically the first week of December. The performing company rotates between Canada's Royal Winnipeg Ballet and Les Grands Ballets Canadiens. Tickets from $31. Sugar Plum Parties run 1 hour before each performance; free ballet workshops on the weekend.
Ballet Jörgen's uniquely Canadian version of The Nutcracker (featuring lumberjacks and Mounties) also performs at Meridian Theatres @ Centrepointe in December.
Holiday Concerts at the NAC
The NAC Orchestra typically programs holiday favourites in December, including Handel's Messiah and film-with-live-orchestra events.
Museum Events
Christmas Market at the Canadian Museum of History
The Canadian Museum of History hosts its annual Christmas Market in late November — over 100 exhibitors in the Grand Hall with decorations, woodcraft, glass items, artisan spirits, and treats. Free admission. The tree lighting ceremony features choir performances, hot chocolate, and maple taffy on snow.
Seasonal Experiences
Nordik Spa-Nature
North America's largest spa in Chelsea, QC (~20 min from downtown). Hot outdoor baths surrounded by snow-covered scenery, cold plunges, saunas, and a panoramic pool with Gatineau Hills views. Open daily year-round including holidays. Spa Village Access: $99/person. Reservations mandatory.
Timeline
| When | What |
|---|---|
| Mid-November | Help Santa Toy Parade, Magic of Lights opens, 613Christmas Market |
| Late November | Ottawa Christmas Market opens, Alight at Night opens, Saunders Farm opens, ByWard Market tree lighting, 613Holiday Night Markets begin |
| Early December | Winter Lights Across Canada illumination, The Nutcracker at NAC, Museum Christmas Market |
| Mid-December | Continued holiday markets and light festivals |
| Late December | Most events continue through Dec 30–Jan 5 |
| Early January | Ottawa Christmas Market, Magic of Lights, and Alight at Night close |
Tips
- Book early for Alight at Night (sells out), The Nutcracker (popular dates sell fast), and Nordik Spa (reservations required).
- Free events: Winter Lights Across Canada, Ottawa Christmas Market, ByWard Market holiday programming, 613Holiday Night Market, and all parades are free.
- Combine events: The ByWard Market, Winter Lights, and Parliament Hill illumination are all within walking distance of each other — make an evening of it.
- The Rideau Canal Skateway typically does not open until mid-January and should not be counted as a Christmas activity.
Featured Places
Parliament Hill
Canada's seat of federal government and a National Historic Site, featuring the iconic Peace Tower, the Centennial Flame, and free guided tours of the West Block and Senate. Centre Block is closed for renovation until the early 2030s.
Lansdowne
A mixed-use urban park in The Glebe featuring the historic Aberdeen Pavilion, TD Place stadium and arena, the Ottawa Farmers' Market, shops, restaurants, and public green spaces along the Rideau Canal.
ByWard Market
One of Canada's oldest and largest public markets, established in 1826. Home to over 600 businesses including restaurants, boutiques, and a year-round indoor market with seasonal outdoor vendors.
National Arts Centre
Canada's bilingual, multi-disciplinary home for the performing arts, featuring four performance venues, the NAC Orchestra, and the 1 Elgin restaurant with Rideau Canal views. A National Historic Site with Brutalist architecture and a striking 2017 glass addition by Diamond Schmitt Architects.
Canadian Museum of History
Canada's national museum of human history, located across the river in Gatineau with sweeping views of Parliament Hill. Features the Canadian History Hall, an immersive Canadian Children's Museum, and the Grand Hall with the world's largest indoor collection of totem poles. Free Thursday evenings 5-7 PM.