As the holiday season approaches, Ottawa, Canada’s capital city, transforms into a vibrant winter wonderland full of celebrations, lights, and festive events that capture the season’s spirit. From sparkling outdoor festivals to performances at the National Arts Centre, there’s no shortage of holiday activities for all ages. Here’s a guide to some of the most significant holiday events in Ottawa this season.
Christmas Lights Across Canada
- When: November 29, 2024 – January 7, 2025
- Where: Parliament Hill and various locations around Ottawa
- Details: This iconic festival lights up the downtown core with a dazzling display of lights and projections. Parliament Hill becomes a canvas for stunning holiday-themed projections while twinkling lights illuminate Confederation Boulevard, linking key sites in Ottawa and Gatineau. Families and visitors can enjoy this free event, perfect for an evening stroll or a picturesque backdrop for holiday photos.
Christmas Market at Lansdowne
- When: December 1 – December 22, 2024
- Where: Lansdowne Park, Ottawa
- Details: This European-style Christmas market brings seasonal cheer with decorated stalls offering holiday crafts, gourmet foods, and unique gifts. Visitors can browse local artisans’ booths, enjoy holiday treats like hot chocolate and roasted chestnuts, and listen to carolers filling the air with festive melodies. The Christmas Market at Lansdowne has become a holiday tradition for locals and tourists, providing a festive spot for holiday shopping and dining.
Holiday Programming at the National Arts Centre
Sue Foley
Dates: November 30 – December 1, 2024
Time: 8:00 PM EST
Venue: Azrieli Studio
Details: Renowned blues guitarist and singer Sue Foley performs live.
More Info: [Sue Foley at NAC](https://nac-cna.ca/en/event/12345)
Toddler Tuesdays
Dates: December 3, 10, and 17, 2024
Time: 10:00 AM EST
Venue: Peter A. Herrndorf Place
Details: Free interactive sessions for toddlers and their caregivers.
More Info: [Toddler Tuesdays at NAC](https://nac-cna.ca/en/event/12346)
The Nutcracker by Les Grands Ballets Canadiens
Dates: December 5–8, 2024
Time: Various showtimes
Venue: Southam Hall
Details: A classic holiday ballet performance suitable for ages 4 and up.
More Info: [The Nutcracker at NAC](https://nac-cna.ca/en/event/12347)
The Irish Descendants Christmas Concert
Date: December 5, 2024
Time: 7:00 PM EST
Venue: Babs Asper Theatre
Details: A festive concert featuring traditional Irish music.
More Info: [The Irish Descendants at NAC](https://nac-cna.ca/en/event/12348)
Cispersonnages en quête d’auteurice
Dates: December 5–7, 2024
Time: 8:00 PM EST
Venue: Azrieli Studio
Details: A French theatre production exploring contemporary themes.
More Info: [Cispersonnages en quête d’auteurice at NAC](https://nac-cna.ca/en/event/12349)
Bibi Club
Date: December 5, 2024
Time: 8:00 PM EST
Venue: Fourth Stage
Details: Live performance by the indie music duo Bibi Club.
More Info: [Bibi Club at NAC](https://nac-cna.ca/en/event/12350)
Cuff The Duke with Matt Paxton & the Pintos
Date: December 6, 2024
Time: 8:00 PM EST
Venue: Fourth Stage
Details: A night of alternative country music.
More Info: [Cuff The Duke at NAC](https://nac-cna.ca/en/event/12351)
Kellylee Evans Winter Song
Date: December 7, 2024
Time: 7:00 PM EST
Venue: Babs Asper Theatre
Details: Jazz vocalist Kellylee Evans presents a winter-themed concert.
More Info: [Kellylee Evans at NAC](https://nac-cna.ca/en/event/12352)
Bear Grease: Shack Up for the Winter – Holiday Special
Dates: December 10–14, 2024
Time: 8:00 PM EST
Venue: Babs Asper Theatre
Details: An Indigenous musical theatre production with a holiday twist.
More Info: [Bear Grease at NAC](https://nac-cna.ca/en/event/12353)
Elf, Movie in Concert, Pops Series
Dates: December 11–13, 2024
Time: 8:00 PM EST
Venue: Southam Hall
Details: Screening of the holiday film “Elf” with live orchestral accompaniment.
– More Info: [Elf in Concert at NAC](https://nac-cna.ca/en/event/12354)
Les musiciens de l’orage
Dates: December 14–15, 2024
Time: 3:00 PM EST
Venue: Azrieli Studio
Details: A French theatre production for children aged 5–10.
More Info: [Les musiciens de l’orage at NAC](https://nac-cna.ca/en/event/12355)
Ottawa Jazz Orchestra: Hot Like Harry
Date: December 14, 2024
Time: 8:00 PM EST
Venue: Fourth Stage
Details: A jazz concert celebrating the music of Harry James.
More Info: [Ottawa Jazz Orchestra at NAC](https://nac-cna.ca/en/event/12356)
Barbara Hannigan & Bertrand Chamayou in Recital
Date: December 14, 2024
Time: 8:00 PM EST
Venue: Southam Hall
Details: A recital featuring soprano Barbara Hannigan and pianist Bertrand Chamayou.
More Info: [Barbara Hannigan at NAC](https://nac-cna.ca/en/event/12357)
Capital Sessions: Free Community House Dance Practice
Date: December 15, 2024
Time: 1:00 PM EST
Venue: Glass Thorsteinson Staircase
Details: A free dance practice session is open to the community.
More Info: [Capital Sessions at NAC](https://nac-cna.ca/en/event/12358)
Handel’s Messiah with the NAC Orchestra
– Dates: December 18–19, 2024
– Time: 7:00 PM EST
– Venue: Southam Hall
– Details: The NAC Orchestra performs Handel’s classic oratorio.
– More Info: [Handel’s Messiah at NAC](https://nac-cna.ca/en/event/12359)
Natalie MacMaster & Donnell Leahy: A Celtic Family Christmas
Date: December 22, 2024
Times: 2:00 PM and 7:00 PM EST
Venue: Southam Hall
Details: Buckle up and join Natalie MacMaster & Donnell Leahy, their growing family, and their world-class band as they guide you through an exhilarating exploration of the Christmas season. Featuring exciting new versions of all your classic Christmas favourites, Natalie & Donnell are determined to raise the roof, rejuvenate the heart, and set your spirit ablaze with a most lively Celtic Family Christmas PARTY!
Just the Highlights
- When: December 2024
- Where: National Arts Centre, 1 Elgin Street, Ottawa
- Details: The National Arts Centre (NAC) in Ottawa is a focal point for holiday music and theatre productions. This season, the NAC is hosting a range of performances that capture the holiday spirit, including:
- “The Nutcracker” by the Royal Winnipeg Ballet: A Canadian holiday classic featuring enchanting choreography and Tchaikovsky’s timeless score.
- Handel’s Messiah: This grand oratorio will fill Southam Hall with trumpets and glorious choral music—a beautiful holiday tradition for those who love classical music.
- Holiday Pops Concert: A lively, family-friendly concert featuring seasonal favourites performed by the NAC Orchestra. The NAC is a must-visit for anyone looking to experience the magic of the holidays through live performances, blending tradition with high-calibre artistry in one of Canada’s premier venues.
- Natalie MacMaster & Donnell Leahy: A Celtic Family Christmas buckle up and join Natalie MacMaster & Donnell Leahy, their growing family, and their world-class band as they guide you through an exhilarating exploration of the Christmas season. Featuring exciting new versions of all your classic Christmas favourites, Natalie & Donnell are determined to raise the roof, rejuvenate the heart, and set your spirit ablaze with a most lively Celtic Family Christmas PARTY!
Victorian Christmas at the Billings Estate Museum
- When: December 8, 2024
- Where: Billings Estate National Historic Site, Ottawa
- Details: Step back in time with a visit to the Billings Estate, where you’ll find a Victorian-inspired holiday celebration complete with traditional crafts, carolling, and decorations. The historic house museum, beautifully decorated for the season, offers a warm, nostalgic experience that captures the charm of a 19th-century Christmas. Kids can enjoy storytelling and hands-on activities, while adults may appreciate the historic ambiance and seasonal cheer.
Fairmont Château Laurier Holiday Events
ECA Ottawa 2024 Christmas Gala & 60th Anniversary
- Date: December 6, 2024
- Time: Reception at 6:00 PM, Dinner at 7:00 PM, Entertainment from 9:00 PM to 1:00 AM
- Venue: Main Ballroom, Fairmont Château Laurier
- Details: The Electrical Contractors Association of Ottawa celebrates its 60th anniversary combined with the annual Christmas Gala. The event includes a reception, dinner, and entertainment.
- More Info: ECA Ottawa 2024 Christmas Gala & 60th Anniversary
Trees of Hope for CHEO
- Dates: November 26, 2024 – January 6, 2025
- Venue: Fairmont Château Laurier
- Details: An annual fundraiser featuring beautifully decorated Christmas trees throughout the hotel. Visitors can view the trees in person or take a virtual tour and vote for their favourite. Proceeds support the Children’s Hospital of Eastern Ontario.
- More Info: Trees of Hope for CHEO
Holiday Dining at Fairmont Château Laurier
- Dates: December 2024 – January 2025
- Venue: Wilfrid’s Restaurant and Zoe’s Lounge, Fairmont Château Laurier
- Details: The hotel offers a variety of festive dining experiences, including:
- Dickens Lunch Buffet: Available Monday to Friday, December 16 to January 3 (excluding December 25 and 26).
- Holiday Tea at Zoe’s: From November 25 to January 5, celebrate the holidays with a festive afternoon tea.
- Wilfrid’s Festive Buffet: On December 24, 25, and 26, indulge in a celebratory dinner or brunch buffet.
- Wilfrid’s New Year’s Brunch: Celebrate the New Year with a scrumptious buffet brunch on December 31 and January 1.
- More Info: Holiday Dining at Fairmont Château Laurier
- When: December 1 – December 31, 2024
- Where: Fairmont Château Laurier, Ottawa
- Details: Each year, Ottawa’s iconic Fairmont Château Laurier creates a spectacular gingerbread house display that attracts visitors of all ages. This free exhibit, located in the hotel’s grand lobby, showcases intricate gingerbread creations crafted by the hotel’s culinary team. The gingerbread display is a feast for the eyes and an excellent way to experience holiday magic in one of the city’s most elegant settings.
Christmas Eve Mass at Notre-Dame Cathedral Basilica
- When: December 24, 2024
- Where: 385 Sussex Drive, Ottawa
- Details: For those seeking a traditional holiday experience, the Christmas Eve Mass at Notre-Dame Cathedral Basilica offers a reverent celebration in one of Ottawa’s most beautiful historic churches. The cathedral’s grand architecture and choir performances provide a serene and spiritual setting for Christmas Eve, and it is open to both locals and visitors.
Winterlude (Winter 2025)
Details: Although Winterlude technically kicks off after the New Year, it’s a signature event that extends the festive atmosphere well into February. Winterlude celebrates all things winter with ice sculpture competitions, snow playgrounds, and the Rideau Canal Skateway – the world’s largest skating rink. Check out the opening ceremonies, ice carving demonstrations, and family-friendly activities at Jacques-Cartier Park and the ByWard Market.
Ottawa’s holiday season offers something for everyone, from classical music lovers and ice-sculpting enthusiasts to those seeking family-friendly outdoor fun. Whether it’s the breathtaking light displays, the timeless charm of Victorian Christmas, or a cultural night out at the National Arts Centre, the capital’s festive activities bring people together in the spirit of the season. So grab your mittens and a warm drink, and get ready to explore Ottawa’s winter magic!
When: February 2 – February 19, 2025
Where: Various locations in Ottawa and Gatineau
by Ryan Howse-Hackl
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