Things to do in Ottawa over the Christmas and holiday season

The Byward Market's Christmas tree stands at 48-feet tall. Nov. 27, 2025. (Dylan Dyson/CTV News Ottawa)

CTVNewsOttawa.ca looks at things to do in Ottawa over the Christmas holidays.

• What’s open and closed in Ottawa over Christmas and New Year’s

Canada Strong Pass

The Canada Strong Pass provides free or discounted admission to national museums across Ottawa and Gatineau over the holidays.

Until Jan. 15, 2026, the Canada Strong Pass offers free admission for children aged 17 and under and 50 per cent off admission for youth aged 18 to 24 at the following museums:

• 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 Senators

The Ottawa Senators will play five games at the Canadian Tire Centre during the holiday season.

• Saturday, Dec. 20: Chicago Blackhawks visit for a 3 p.m. game
• Tuesday, Dec. 23: Buffalo Sabres visit Ottawa for a 7 p.m. game
• Monday, Dec. 29: Columbus Blue Jackets are in Ottawa for a 7 p.m. game
• Thursday, Jan. 1: Washington Capitals are in Ottawa for a 1 p.m. game
• Saturday, Jan. 3: Winnipeg Jets visit for a 7 p.m. game.

For tickets, visit www.ticketmaster.ca.

Ottawa Charge

The Ottawa Charge play two games at the Arena at TD Place during the holiday season.

• Saturday, Dec. 27: Boston Fleet vs. Ottawa at 1 p.m.
• Saturday, Jan. 3: Minnesota Frost vs. Ottawa at 1 p.m.

For tickets, visit www.ticketmaster.ca.

Ottawa 67’s

The Ottawa 67’s play four times at TD Place over the holiday season.

• Friday, Dec. 19: Peterborough Petes vs. Ottawa at 7 p.m.
• Saturday, Dec. 20: Brantford visits Ottawa for a 3 p.m. game
• Sunday, Dec. 28: Kingston Frontenacs vs. Ottawa at 3 p.m.
• Tuesday, Dec. 30: Guelph Storm vs. Ottawa at 3 p.m.

For tickets, visit www.ticketmaster.ca.

Ottawa Black Bears

The Ottawa Black Bears host the Philadelphia Wings on Dec. 27.

Game time is 7 p.m. at Canadian Tire Centre.

For tickets, visit www.ticketmaster.ca.

The Ottawa Christmas Market

The Ottawa Christmas Market continues over the Christmas holidays at Lansdowne Park.

Events include Santa’s workshop, food and beverages, shopping from local vendors and music.

The market is open Dec. 19 to 21, Dec. 26 to 28 and Dec. 30-31.

For more information, visit https://www.ottawachristmasmarket.com/events-and-activities.

National Arts Centre

Here is a look at what’s happening at the National Arts Centre over the holidays.

• Dec. 19: Lauryn Hill at Southam Hall
• Dec. 19: Jana Salameh in a Christmas soiree at the Azrieli Studio
• Dec. 20: Good Lovelies at Babs Asper Theatre
• Dec. 20: Celeste Levis – Chante Noel on the Fourth Stage
• Dec. 23: In the Christmas Mood with the Glenn Miller Orchestra

Events in Ottawa over the holidays

• Dec. 19 to 21: A Christmas Carol: Solo, performed by Pierre Brault at the Meridian Theatres at Centrepointe.
• Dec. 20-21: Christmas Gems with Seventeen Voyces (Dec 20 at St. Matthew’s Church, Dec. 21 at St. Bartholomew’s Church)
• Dec. 20: The Jersey Nights before Christmas Show at the Shenkman Arts Centre
• Dec. 21: Christmas with Music and Beyond at Carleton Dominion-Chalmers Centre
• Dec. 27-30: Ken Ludwig’s ‘Twas the Night Before Christmas at the Kanata Theatre
• Dec. 31: New Year’s Eve Comedy Night at the Shenkman Arts Centre

Luminaire in the ByWard Market

Celebrate the holiday season in the ByWard Market with a flurry of light, wonder and magic.

Luminaire includes a daily light show and the Aurora Light Show on York Street.

You can also see Ottawa’s tallest Christmas tree.

For a list of events, visit https://www.byward-market.com/luminaire.

Winter Lights Across Canada

Thousands of lights brighten the national capital region this holiday season.

See the Winter Lights Across Canada nightly until Jan. 9.

Follow the route through Ottawa and Gatineau and admire the illuminated sites, including Confederation Park, the National War Memorial, the Mackenzie Triangle, the Peacekeeping Monument and the Garden of Provinces and Territories, Jacques-Cartier Park and the Supreme Court of Canada.

For more information, visit https://www.canada.ca/en/canadian-heritage/campaigns/winter-lights.html.

Magic of Lights

Wesley Clover Parks in Ottawa’s west end is illuminated for the holiday season with the Magic of Lights.

The dazzling drive-through experience features two million twinkling lights along a two-kilometre route.

The Magic of Lights runs until Jan. 3, all in support of children, youth and families at CHEO.

For tickets and information, visit https://magicoflights.com/locations/ottawa-on/.

Saunders Farm

Celebrate the holiday season at Saunders Farm with a Country Christmas.

Activities include the Holiday Light Stroll, play structures, cozy campfires, the Farm Shop, the Bear Factory, the Elf Academy Stage and activities.

A Country Christmas runs until Dec. 30.

For information, visit https://saundersfarm.com/.

Stanley’s Farm

Enjoy a winter wonderland at Stanley’s Farm this holiday season.

The Holiday Stroll is a two-kilometre walk lit by dazzling lights, festive scenes and plenty of holiday photo ops. The Holiday Stroll is open Dec. 19-20, Dec. 27 and Jan. 2-3.

The Christmas Village is also open on Saturdays and Sundays until Christmas.

For tickets, visit https://stanleysfarm.com/holiday-stroll-2-2/.

Christmas at Mādahòkì Farm

Mādahòkì Farm on West Hunt Club Road in Ottawa celebrates the holiday season with Indigenous-inspired programming.

Activities include magical light installations on the legacy trails, Indigenous teachings and traditions, and shop the marketplace featuring over 60 local vendors.

Christmas at Mādahòkì Farm runs Thursdays to Sundays until Dec. 28, excluding Christmas Day.

Alight at Night Festival

Over one million lights illuminate Upper Canada Village in Morrisburg this holiday season.

Check out Alight at Night on select nights until Jan. 15.

For tickets and information, visit www.uppercanadavillage.com.

Skating/sledding

Ottawa’s four refrigerated rinks will be open, weather permitting. The four rinks are:

• Rink of Dreams at Ottawa City Hall
• Lansdowne Park skating court
• Jim Tubman Chevrolet Rink at Canterbury
• Ben Franklin Place skating rink.

The community outdoor rinks will open if the weather is favourable.

The City of Ottawa says sledding hills will be open, weather permitting. Visit www.ottawa.ca for information on sledding hills.

Bell Capital Cup

The 25^th Bell Capital Cup runs from Dec. 27 to 31 at arenas across Ottawa.

Over 280 teams from Ottawa, across Canada, the United States, Hong Kong, Austria, Japan, Korea and Kazakhstan, compete in the tournament.

For more information, visit https://www.bellcapitalcup.ca/.

Museums

Click on the links for the schedule at museums in Ottawa and eastern Ontario:

• Canadian Museum of Nature will be closed on Christmas Eve, Christmas Day and New Year’s Day. The museum will be open Dec. 19-23, Dec. 26-31 and Jan. 2-4.
• Canada Agriculture and Food Museum will be open until 2 p.m. on Christmas Eve and closed Dec. 25-26.
• Canada Science and Technology Museum will be closed on Christmas Day.
• Canada Aviation and Space Museum will be closed on Dec. 25
• Canadian War Museum will be closed on Christmas Day.
• Canadian Museum of History will be closed on Christmas Day
• National Gallery of Canada will be closed on Christmas Day
• Ottawa Art Gallery will be closed Dec. 25 to Jan. 1
• The Diefenbunker will be closed Dec. 24-26 and Jan. 1.

Canada Aviation and Space Museum

Celebrate the season under the northern sky with Winter Wonders at the Canada Aviation and Space Museum.

Events include the Kuujjuaq Christmas Candy Drop, the Planetarium and create your own dazzling northern lights artwork.

Canada Agriculture and Food Museum

Visit the Canada Agriculture and Food Museum for festive farm fun over the holidays.

Check out the holiday trees on display, decorate a felt tree ornament to take home, enjoy a fun family movie and visit the games room.

There will also be daily demonstrations, including meet the donkeys and groom a calf.

Canada Science and Technology Museum

Enjoy winter wonders at the Canada Science and Technology Museum over the holidays.

Events include the Luminorama experience, where light, colour, and texture intermingle through playful stations. Create your own tunes using the Tubulum and check out the miniature railroad.

Canadian Museum of Nature

Enter a world of brilliant, live butterflies over the holidays at the Canadian Museum of Nature.

Butterflies in Flight is on until Jan. 18.

New Year’s Eve celebrations

Here is a look at events happening in Ottawa on New Year’s Eve

• New Year’s Eve at the Hard Rock Hotel and Casino Ottawa – All the Glitters
• Hogmanay Ceilidh 2025 at Blessed Sacrament Hall on Fourth Avenue in Ottawa
• Demin and Diamonds at the RA Centre
• Yuk Yuk’s Ottawa West is hosting a dinner and comedy show
• Absolute Comedy hosts the New Year’s Eve Spectacular
• New Year’s Eve Ottawa Ball at Preston Event Centre
• New Year’s Eve 2026 at Overflow Brewing Company
• New Year’s Eve Party at the Casino du Lac Leamy
• New Year’s Eve Masquerade Ball at the Fred Barrett Arena