What's happening in Ottawa over the holidays

iHeartRadio Weekenders: Dec. 20, 2024 Events in Ottawa this weekend: Outdoor skating rinks, Magic of Lights and holiday light displays.

CTVNewsOttawa.ca looks at things to do in Ottawa over the holiday season.

World Junior Hockey Championship

The IIHF World Junior Hockey Championship returns to Ottawa for the first time since 2009.

Canada and nine other world junior clubs will compete at Canadian Tire Centre and the Arena at TD Place from Dec. 26 to Jan. 5.

Here is Canada’s schedule:

For information on the full-tournament schedule, visit www.hockeycanada.ca

World Junior Fan Fest

Checkout the World Junior Fan Fest at Lansdowne during the World Junior Hockey Championship.

There will be free, family-friendly activities, live bands, watch parties, a synthetic ice rink and ball hockey rinks.

The Fan Fest will be open Dec. 26-31 and Jan. 2, 4, and 5.

For more information, visit https://www.hockeycanada.ca/en-ca/team-canada/men/junior/2024-25/fans/fan-fest

Bell Capital Cup

The Bell Capital Cup will fill hockey arenas across Ottawa over the holidays.

More than 250 teams with 4,000 players will compete in the five-day hockey tournament from Dec. 27 to 31.

Outdoor skating rinks

You can go for a skate, weather permitting, on City of Ottawa outdoor rinks.

Ottawa Christmas Market

The Ottawa Christmas Market will continue through the holiday season at Lansdowne.

The market features over 50 vendors, entertainment, holiday lights and decorations and more.

The Ottawa Christmas Market will be open Dec. 26 to 31 and Jan. 1-5.

For more information, visit https://www.ottawachristmasmarket.com/

ByWard Market Winter Market

The ByWard Winter Market continues until Jan. 5 in Ottawa’s ByWard Market.

Wander through the rows of outdoor market vendors offering unique local crafts, holiday treats and more. You can also go for a skate on the outdoor synthetic rink on William Street.

For more information on the ByWard Market Winter Market, visit https://www.byward-market.com/

Magic of Lights

Celebrate the holidays with a drive through the Magic of Lights at Wesley Clover Parks.

The holiday lights experience features your favourite holiday scenes and characters of the season using the latest LED technology and digital animations.

The Magic of Lights runs until Jan. 4.  For tickets and information, visit https://magicoflights.com/locations/ottawa-on/

Winter Lights Across Canada

Downtown Ottawa and Gatineau are lit up for the holidays.

Check out the Winter Lights Across Canada every night until Jan. 7.

Several buildings and parks are illuminated for the holidays, including Confederation Park, the National War Memorial, Jacques-Cartier Park and the Supreme Court of Canada.

Alight at Night Festival

The historic village at Upper Canada Village in Morrisburg is decorated for the holidays during the Alight at Night Festival.

Over one million lights illuminate the village’s buildings, creating a one-of-a-kind magical backdrop.

Alight at Night runs until Jan. 4.

For tickets and information, visit https://www.uppercanadavillage.com/

Stanley’s Holiday Stroll

Take a walk through a mesmerizing wonderland at Stanley’s Olde Maple Lane Farm this holiday season.

The Stanley’s Holiday Stroll is a trail through the illuminated woods, with sparkling trees and an enchanting atmosphere.

The Holiday Stroll is open on Dec. 27 and Dec. 28.

A Country Christmas

Saunders Farm invites you to celebrate a Country Christmas.

Visit Santa, find your inner elf at the Elf Academy Show, wander through the Holiday Light Stroll and enjoy festive food and beverages.

A Country Christmas runs Thursday-Sunday until Dec. 30.

MJ the Musical

Broadway Across Canada presents MJ the Musical.

The multi–Tony Award-winning musical centres around the making of the 1992 Dangerous World Tour.

See MJ from Dec. 31 to Jan 5 at the National Arts Centre.

Museums

Click on the links for the schedules at museums in Ottawa

Winter Wonders

The Canada Aviation and Space Museum hosts Winter Wonders from Dec. 26 to Jan. 5.

Discover a unique Nunavik tradition with a reading of The Kuujjuaq Christmas Candy Drop, step into the Drone Zone and more.

For more information, visit https://ingeniumcanada.org/aviation/events/winter-wonders

Canada Science and Technology Museum

The Canada Science and Technology Museum hosts Winter Wonders from Dec. 21 to Jan. 5.

Don’t miss the Antique Music Box Experience, DIY Rhythms, sound demonstrations and more.

It’s also your last chance to see the Oh Crap! Rethinking human waste exhibition before it leaves on Jan. 5.

Canada Agriculture and Food Museum

Experience winter fun at the Canada Agriculture and Food Museum over the holiday season.

Visit the demonstration kitchen, the Craft Corner, watch a fun family movie or check out the game room.

Winter Wonders runs from Dec. 27 to Jan. 5.

Parliament of Canada Tours

Enjoy a free, guided tour of the Senate at the Senate of Canada Building, the House of Commons in the West Block and the East Block.

For tickets and tour times, visit https://rts.parl.ca/.

Parliament: The Immersive Experience

Explore the main Parliament Building, also called Centre Block, in this innovative experience.

Parliament: The Immersive Experience at 211 Sparks Street includes an exhibition and a 360-degree multimedia show that takes you on a tour through Centre Block, which has been closed since 2019.

The self-guided tour is 45 minutes.

Tickets are available at no cost at visit parl.ca.

Hogman-Eh!

Ring in the New Year with Hogmanay, the Scottish New Year’s Eve celebration in Ottawa known as Hogman-Eh!

This year, the event is being held at the Infinity Convention Centre on Gibford Drive.  Just before 7 p.m., the RCAF pipe band will help ring in the New Year in Scotland, and then the party will continue until midnight to welcome 2025.

For tickets and information, visit https://ottscot.ca/hogmaneh-2024

New Year’s Eve events in Ottawa