What’s happening in Ottawa this weekend: Nov. 21-23

Events in Ottawa this weekend include Magic of Lights, Luminaire Holiday Season Kickoff and the Ottawa Christmas Market.

CTVNewsOttawa.ca looks at things to do in Ottawa and eastern Ontario this weekend.

• Here’s when Santa Claus is coming to Ottawa

Ottawa Christmas Market

The Ottawa Christmas Market kicks off its season Friday night at Lansdowne.

Don’t miss the Christmas tree lighting at 6 p.m. Friday, along with performances by the Chantal Hackett Band and The Country Lads. Santa will also be at the market Friday night.

You can watch the tree lighting on CTV News at Six Friday.

The market at Lansdowne will be open from 5 p.m. to 10 p.m. on Friday, 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. Saturday and 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Sunday.

For more information on the Christmas Market at Lansdowne, visit https://www.ottawachristmasmarket.com/.

Luminaire in the ByWard Market

The holiday season kicks off in the ByWard Market Friday night with Luminaire.

The tree lighting ceremony will be at 5:30 p.m., followed by a light show and live DJ until 7:30 p.m.

Check out the outdoor Christmas market until 8 p.m.

The holiday celebration continues all weekend in the ByWard Market, with the Outdoor Holiday Market, a horse-drawn wagon, carollers and a daily light show.

For more information, visit https://www.byward-market.com/luminaire.

Tree Lighting and Night Market in Orléans

The third annual tree lighting and night market is Friday night at the Orléans Town Centre.

Browse a selection of unique vendors offering seasonal goods, gifts and treats from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m.

Help Santa Toy Parade

Santa Claus will visit downtown Ottawa on Saturday for the annual Help Santa Toy Parade.

The parade begins at 11 a.m. with a new route this year. The parade will travel along Queen Elizabeth Driveway from the Cartier Drill Hall near Laurier Avenue to Lansdowne Park.

Toys and donations will be collected along the route through the “Help Santa Campaign,” to assist the CTV and MOVE 100 Toy Mountain campaign.

Kanata Santa Claus Parade

The Santa Claus Parade is Saturday in Kanata.

The parade begins at 10 a.m. and will travel between the Hazeldean Mall and Holy Redeemer.

Donations will be accepted for the Kanata Food Cupboard.

Ottawa Charge

The Ottawa Charge drop the puck on the 2025-26 season Saturday night at TD Place.

The Charge hosts the New York Sirens for a 7 p.m. game.

For tickets, visit https://www.thepwhl.com/en/teams/ottawa-charge.

National Arts Centre

Here’s a look at what’s happening at the National Arts Centre this weekend:

• Friday-Saturday: Blue Rodeo – 40^th anniversary tour with Adam Baldwin at the Southam Hall
• Friday-Saturday: The Brutal Joy – Justine A. Chambers at the Ottawa Arts Court
• Friday-Saturday: - Pas perdus at Babs Asper Theatre
• Friday: Kazdoura at the Fourth Stage
• Friday-Saturday: Tupqan – Creation by Ondinnok with Menuentakuan and Production AUEN.
• Saturday: Cadence Weapon on the NAC Fourth Stage
• Sunday: Choir! Choir! Choir! At the NAC Southam Hall

Other events happening in Ottawa this weekend

• Friday-Sunday: Fausses Rumeurs – Theatre du Village at the Shenkman Arts Centre
• Friday-Sunday: Annie at the Meridian Theatres at Centrepointe
• Friday: St. Andrew’s Night Scottish Showcase at the Meridian Theatres at Centrepointe
• Saturday: Always ABBA at the Shenkman Arts Centre
• Saturday: DAX at the Bronson Centre
• Sunday: Los Amigos Invisibles at the Bronson Centre

Watson’s Mill Christmas Market

This weekend is the opening weekend for the Watson’s Mill Christmas Market.

Thirty-five vendors will be on display in three historic buildings Friday and Saturday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

ADAAWE Indigenous Holiday Market

Check out the Indigenous Holiday Market on Saturday at the ADAAWE Indigenous Business Hub on Somerset Street.

Discover unique products and gifts from over 20 local vendors.

Holiday Kickoff

Ring in the holiday season with Gala Noel: Holiday Kickoff.

It’s an elegant night of festive spirit with a Chamberfest twist.

The concert is Saturday night at the Carleton Dominion-Chalmers Centre on Cooper Street.

St. Pat’s Artisan and Craft Show

Check out over 100 local artisans at the St. Pat’s Artisan and Craft Show.

Shop for jewelry, baby items, candles, paintings and more at St. Patrick’s High School.

Lansdowne Farmers Market

The Lansdowne Farmers Market is back at Lansdowne on Sunday.

Connect with over 85 local vendors in the historic Aberdeen Square from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Magic of Lights

Wesley Clover Parks will be illuminated for the Christmas and 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/.

Museums

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

• 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 Art Gallery
• The Bytown Museum
• The Diefenbunker

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.

Gatineau Olympiques

The Gatineau Olympiques plays twice this weekend at the Centre Slush Puppie.

On Friday, the Olympiques host Val d’Or at 7 p.m.

On Sunday, Rouyn-Noranda visits Gatineau for a 3 p.m. game.

Kingston Frontenacs

The Kingston Frontenacs host the Peterborough Petes Friday night at the Slush Puppie Place.

Game time is 7 p.m.

Kingston Santa Claus Parade

Kick off the holiday season with the Santa Claus Parade in Kingston.

The 21^st annual Nighttime Santa Parade and Tree Lighting begins at 5 p.m. Saturday, with the parade on Princess Street from Bath Road to Ontario Street.

After the parade, visit Springer Market Square to witness the tree lighting.

Events in Kingston this weekend

• Friday-Saturday: I Take Your Hand in Mine at the Kingston Grand Theatre
• Friday: PEARL: A Janis Joplin Experience at The Spire
• Saturday: Christmas Gift Show at the Portsmouth Olympic Harbour
• Saturday: POPS1 – Murdoch Mysteries; Murder in F Major at the Kingston Grand Theatre
• Saturday-Sunday: Holiday Market at MacKinnon Brothers Brewing
• Saturday-Sunday: CFB Craft Sale at the Thompson Drill Hall
• Sunday: The Strumbellas – Into Dust Tour at the Kingston Grand Theatre

Events in Cornwall

• Friday-Saturday: Merry Mini Collections at Cline House
• Saturday: Tribute to Lynyrd Skynyrd at The Port Theatre
• Saturday: Maggie’s Wake at the Aultsville Theatre
• Sunday: Frozen in Time at the Aultsville Theatre

Hawkesbury Santa Claus Parade

The Hawkesbury Santa Claus Parade is Saturday from 6:30 p.m. to 8 p.m.

The Christmas market will run from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Robert Hartley Sports Complex.

Maxville

The Maxville Santa Claus Parade will be held on Sunday at 5 p.m.

The parade will assemble in the parking lot of the Glengarry Curling Club.