Winter is coming! In Ottawa, that usually also means the holiday events are coming, so this weekend the twinkle lights, carolling, and festivities are really getting started, but there is plenty of non-Santa related culture happening, so strap in!
If you’ve ever thought about joining the cultural conversation in Ottawa, Apartment 613 is looking for some cool new board members to join the team in 2025. Read more about it here! Join us! We’re great!
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All Weekend
For some old fashioned holiday charm, go to the Watson’s Mill and Dickinson House Christmas Market in Manotick. Saturday and Sunday from 10-4pm there will be over 35 vendors, and the well stocked used book store between the two heritage buildings. Admision to the market is by donation, with a suggested amount fo $2 for the museum.
This is the final weekend for the European Union Film Festival happening at the OAG’s Alma Duncan Salon. You can catch films from Spain, Ukraine, Luxembourg, Begium, and Latvia before the in-person session ends on Saturday. Individual tickets at $15. The online streaming content begins on Sunday, with different prices for individual films.
Your favourite Bikini Bottom sponge has a musical! TotoToo Theatre takes us underwater with SpongeBob: The Musical, opening at The Gladstone Theatre on Thursday. The show received 12 Tony nominations, and is packed with wacky fun. It will run from Nov. 28 to Dec. 7, with 7:30 pm performances Wednesdays through Saturdays, and 1:30 matinee performances on weekends. Tickets range from $17 to $70.
The Ottawa School of Theatre (OST) is performing a Christmas spectacular you won’t want to miss. The Island of Lost Memories: A Christmas Mystery Heist will be playing at the Shenkman Arts Centre’s Richcraft Theatre from Nov. 28 to Dec. 1, and promises fun for all ages.
Why not get cozy and catch a movie at one of our local independent theatres? Here are some of our recommendations for the end of the month.
613flea is taking over the holiday market scene this weekend with two similar, but different events. Here’s the breakdown: 613 Holiday Night Market is happening Friday evening in the Aberdeen Pavilion from 5-9pm, making it the perfect shopping addition to the outdoor Ottawa Christmas Market outside. This Holiday Night Market with 140 vendors is taking place every Friday night until the end of Dec. 13. 613Christmas is happening Saturday 10-6 and Sunday 10-4 at the Carleton University Fieldhouse, this weekend only, with over 200 vendors. Most of your favourite local 613flea artisans will probably be attending both events, but you can play it safe and easily hit both markets.
Friday
The Ottawa Black Bears are our newest professional sports team in town, and they are bringing lacrosse to the Canadian Tire Centre. Their home opener is this Friday, at 7pm. There are still some tickets left, beginning at $34 for General Admission.
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The Ottawa 67s are home this weekend with games on Friday at 7pm against the Peterborough Petes, and Sunday at 2 against the London Knights. The Petes are the only team below the 67s in the Eastern standings, so let’s hope for a win!
Dec. 1 is World AIDS Day, but you can take part in celebrations on Friday. There is a red ribbon flag-raising and special speakers on Parliament Hill at 10am, followed by a drag & community show, hosted by Kiki Coe and Kween Malika at the National Arts Centre’s Peter A. Herrndorf Place. The event will include drag shows, singing, and other performances. There will be refreshments, and a light lunch included as well! It is free to everyone to attend.
C4 Wrestling is celebrating 17 years with “The Edge of Seventeen” special event this Friday at the Preston Event Centre. There are still tickets left, but they are going fast!
Snotty Nose Rez Kids, the powerhouse hip-hop duo from Haisla Nation in British Columbia, are coming to Ottawa on Friday. Known for their high-energy performances and politically charged lyrics, Yung Trybez and Young D have created a distinct voice in Canadian hip-hop, with a raw, unapologetic edge. Doors open at 7 and tickets are $25.
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On Friday and Saturday, take the trip to Carp for the Carp Farmers’ Market Christmas Market. Admission and parking are free to the producers-only market happening on the Carp Fairgrounds. Get yourself a legendary bacon sandwich, and some local goodies for home and the holidays.
Saturday
The World Multicultural Festival is happening all day Saturday at Carleton Dominion-Chalmers Centre, from 12pm to 9pm. With free admission, the event promises over 70 different community groups, food, dancing, fashion, performances, and art.
Members at the Ottawa Family Cinema on St. Laurent get to enjoy a free screening of Pharrell Williams’ LEGO movie Piece by Piece on Saturday afternoon beginning at 2pm. Luckily non-members are welcome to purchase a membership, or sign up for an account to take part.
Santa’s Parade of Lights in Orleans is taking place on Saturday, starting at 6pm. The route runs along St. Joseph, with the lit up floats ending their journey before Tenth Line Rd.
Enjoy a cool night of chamber music, featuring musicians from the NAC Orchestra at Club Saw with WolfGANG Sessions. Tickets are still available for $31, or $15 for the under 30 crowd.
Local rock band GOOD2GO is playing at the Atomic Rooster on Bank street on Saturday night from 6-9pm. There is no cover charge, so you can enjoy some rock and roll with your dinner.
Sing a Sea Shanty with the boys from Bytown Sea Shanty Collective at Beyond the Pale Brewing Company at City Centre. It’s free to join the fun, but get there early to secure your seat. The merriment starts at 8pm.
The Hintonburg Community Association invites you to the 2024 Hintonburg Artisan Craft Fair from 10am-4pm at the Hintonburg Community Centre.
Sunday
Idle Hands Art, Craft and Vintage sale is celebrating 15 years this Sunday! Find the market at allsaints event space in Sandy Hill from 10-5pm, entrance is $5.
The NAC Orchestra FanFair 2024 event is taking place Sunday at noon, with a preconcert show by the talented young musicians from OrKidStra at 11am. The day will feature festive classics and timeless favourites, with special guest performances, including Capital Chamber Choir, flutist Annie Noël-de-Tilly plus a lively sing-along of familiar holiday carols and a fundraising bake sale. The event is free to attend in the NAC lobby.
Ottawa Little Theatre is hosting a preview performance of On the Farce Day of Christmas in support of Options Housing.
If there is a geek on your Christmas list, you can check out Geeking Out For The Holidays: Ottawa’s Geekiest Gift & Craft Show at the Nepean Sportsplex on Sunday. From 10-4 you can browse over 75 tables of special geek related items. Admission is $2, and kids 12 and under get in for free.
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