Happy New Year!! Welcome to the first weekend of 2025 friends! I know that lots of us are still just sleepy and full of cheese from the holidays, so this is your official update on the upcoming weekend, which starts today! Lots of local small businesses are taking extended holidays, so if you’re looking to eat, drink and be merry about town, check out the socials of your favourite places to be sure they’re open.
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All Weekend
The IIHF World Juniors are still going strong into this weekend, with free Fan Fest activities open to the public at Lansdowne. They’re offering live music, watch parties, inflatables, photo ops, virtual reality, skating, and from 5-7pm on Thursday you can meet some of the players from the Ottawa Charge PWHL team.
Think about taking in one of the many award-nominated films that are playing in town, or a funky classic that you’d like to rewatch on the big screen? Check out what is playing at our local indie theatres in the first half of January here.
You have until the end of the weekend to catch MJ The Musical by Broadway Across Canada at the NAC. The four-time Tony Award-winning show centers around the making of the Dangerous World Tour, flashing back and forth through Michael Jackson’s life, with over 40 live songs. Read a full rave review here by our resident musical theatre experts!
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The Ottawa Christmas Market at Lansdowne is still on until Sunday and there’s tons of local vendors to check out in case you didn’t get the gifts you wanted, of if you’re just jonesing for some great perogi.
Alight at Night Festival is on until Jan. 4 — bundle up for an evening stroll through the lit-up Upper Canada Village.
Drive through the Magic of Lights until Saturday night at Wesley Clover Park, to catch the last bit of holiday cheer now that there is a bit of snow on the ground again.
This is the last weekend to check out the Domino Effect installation at the Museum of History. The outdoor experience with giant dominos distributed across several stations allows visitors to create an infinite variety of colourful musical effects.
Ottawa Musicals is bringing The Humbug Hustle: A Holiday Phantom-ime to the Great Canadian Theatre Company with matinées and evening shows until Sunday. This musical twist on the Dickens classic Christmas Carol promises dance-offs, singing ghosts and snow monsters. Tickets are still available online.
If you like magic and mystery, check out Outerbridge Magic: Mysteries of the Keyhole House at Ottawa Little Theatre all weekend. Illusionists Ted and Marion Outerbridge were inspired by their historic Smiths Falls residence and the artifacts discovered during its restoration. The magic/illusion/mentalism/comedy show is family friendly and tickets start at $26.
Thursday
Win some fun prizes for using your thinking brain at Rock N Roll Bingo at Kichesippi Beer in Bells Corners. The all ages event starts at 6:30 and is a great excuse to get out of the house, and get into some local beer.
Team Canada is taking on Czechia in the IIHF World Juniors tournament Thursday night, in the final round of regular play. Canada’s performance has been a bit spotty so far, but it’s still worth tuning in for the 7:30 game at the Canadian Tire Centre.
Friday
Were there rollerskates under your tree this year? Ottawa Quad Session is holding their first Social Rollerskating Night of the year, at Carleton. Tickets are available online, and all skill levels are welcome to join! The party starts at 9pm, and tickets for adults are $17. Bring your own skates, or rent some at the event.
The Ottawa Women In Comedy Film Festival is happening Friday at the Mayfair Theatre at 3:30. This special event is pay-what-you-can, for a selection of short comedy films by local female film makers. Start the weekend off strong with some good laughs!
Check out Nick Adema at Night Oat (formerly known as the Montgomery Scotch Lounge) on Gladstone Friday night for an evening of jazz. The trombonist will be hosting a trio of local jazz talent, in the very vibey space.
Feeling a little lost as the new year begins? Lucky for us, the whole Monty Python gang is here to answer the most profound of questions about life and its meaning – in the silliest way possible. The Bytowne Cinema is playing The Meaning of Life ( 1983) Friday night to get us on the right foot for the year, and get all the big questions out of the way.
Saturday
Feel like being a bit non-PC after the holidays? Stray Dog Brewing is hosting The Horrible Show, a XXX rated show that promises offensive comics and jokes guaranteed to upset some people. And of course, there’s going to be great beer there too. Tickets are available online for $20.
Sunday
Ottawa Tourism is bringing Dylan Playfair, star of Letterkenny to the World Juniors Fan Fest for a meet and greet Saturday and Sunday 7-9pm at their booth.
Sunday is your last chance to check out the newsworthy “Oh Crap!” Rethinking Human Waste exhibition at the Canadian Science and Technology Museum. Learn about sustainable uses for waste, play poop themed games, and have a laugh at our own grossness.
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