It may not look like the first weekend in December yet, but the holiday markets are bumping, and people are already planning parties and getaways for the next month, so get your plans in order! There is lots to do in town this weekend, whether you are looking for holiday magic, a learning experience, or a way to spice up next year’s Spotify Wrapped. Stay warm and stay safe, friends!
Ho Ho Ho-ing
While some of us have been counting down the moments until the big guy in red brings us toys and turkey dinner, the “holidays” aren’t for everyone, so I’ve rounded up all of the red and green festivities here for those looking to jingle. Skip forward if this is not your jam.
The holiday lights are on and ready to be viewed! Check out the drive-through Magic of Lights experience at Wesley Clover Park, which includes a new walk-through tunnel and photo opportunities for the perfect festive shots. Prices range from $18/vehicle Monday-Wednesday and $25/vehicle on weekends. “Alight at Night” is on at Upper Canada Village if you’re up for a road trip to Morrisburg. Be sure to get your tickets in advance! Closer to home is a personal favourite, the Cumberland Heritage Village’s enchanting Vintage Village of Lights. Stroll the charming lit-up village, decorate (and eat) some gingerbread, meet Santa, and lean into the relaxed vibe of the season. This is the first weekend for the Village of Lights to be open and tickets are available online and at the door. Check the website for details. It’s perfect for all ages, and supports a small local museum!
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It wouldn’t be Christmas without The Nutcracker. From December 1–4 catch it at the NAC, performed by Les Grands Ballets Canadiens. Tickets begin at $29 but they are going fast!
Miracle on 34th Street opened this week and is playing until December 17 at Ottawa Little Theatre. Tickets to this classic story begin at $30 for adults and are selling fast! Students get in for $14.
The Stittsville Parade of Lights is running down Main Street on Saturday at 6pm. Merry-makers are also encouraged to stay for the lighting of Village Square Park and to share in some hot chocolate, cookies, and a visit with Santa immediately following the parade.
613Christmas, the annual holiday marketplace from 613flea returns with 200 vendors including makers and bakers, artisans and designers, antiques dealers and vintage clothing vendors all offering a unique inventory of holiday items. Shop Saturday and Sunday at the Carleton University Fieldhouse.
The Carp Farmers’ Market Christmas Market is happening Friday and Saturday this weekend at the Carp Fairgrounds.
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For a pretty comprehensive rundown of holiday markets, check out this list we’ve already assembled.
All Weekend
The European Union Film Festival wraps up this weekend in the Alma Duncan Salon at the Ottawa Art Gallery and online. The festival has screened a different movie every day for the last three weeks, and the offerings this weekend look just as juicy. Single tickets are $14 each, with discounts for OAG members and CFI supporters. Saturday at 4pm the screening of Ukrainian film Klondike is a fundraiser for the UNITED24 platform, supported by the President of Ukraine. Masks are required for the live screenings.
Running this weekend and until December 10, check out The Breathing Hole / Aglu ᐊᒡᓗ at the NAC. Already getting rave reviews: “In 1535, after experiencing an unsettling vision of the future, an Inuk woman named Hummiktuq adopts a polar bear cub. Dramatic and humorous, The Breathing Hole follows the bear as he takes the audience on an epic five-century journey from a tiny Inuit community, through the tragic Franklin Expedition, and into a 21st century ravaged by climate change.” If that isn’t enough to hook you, there is large-scale puppetry, and dialogue is in both English and Inuktut. Tickets begin at $29, and the show takes place in the Babs Asper Theatre.
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I feel like we could all use an immersive dinosaur experience. Luckily for all of us big kids, the Jurassic Quest is happening this weekend at the EY Centre. From Friday to Sunday you can get tickets to this real-life Jurassic Park. There are life-size and animated dinosaurs (that you can ride) as well as science tables with fossils, and an opportunity to meet baby dinosaurs… think Tiger King, but harmless and prehistoric. Tickets are $27.50 for adults.
Thursday
The National Capital Commission’s (NCC) Urbanism Lab lecture series Season 9 begins this week at NCC headquarters and will be webcast live on YouTube. These free events are always incredibly interesting and offer insight into planning strategies for the capital. “Streets for Everyone” will run from 6:30 to 8:30 pm and the topic is described like this: “Before the rise of the automobile, city streets were for everyone. This Urbanism Lab will look at road design and its management and how to create greater equity and sustainability from a design and public space perspective.” Featured speakers will include international history and engineering experts on transportation. ( No guarantee that they will address questions about a certain train we all know.)
Visit the opening of Ali Eyal: In the Head’s Dusk, a collection of Eyal’s new and existing works, including paintings, videos, and sculptural installations. This exhibition not only speaks to how Iraqis have been processing the aftermath of the devastating 2003 American-led invasion, but also points to barely-explored Canadian entanglements abroad. The opening take place at SAW (Arts Court, 67 Nicholas St) starting at 7 pm. Live music and food.
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Friday
Raine Maida and Chantal Kreviazuk are in town Thursday and Friday night at the NAC on their Forgive Me tour. Consider perhaps an early holiday gift for the Gen X or Millennial in your life? Take a break from the Kris Kringling and take in a classic Canadian rock show? Tickets are still available starting at $52 online.
The Ottawa 67s are leaning into the season with the Nutcracker Ball Friday night for their game against the Flint Firebirds. During the game, Budweiser Beer will be $2.50 (whaaa?) and the first 100 adults to arrive get invited to the mysterious Nutcracker Ball party in a heated tent outside with a DJ, cheap beer, spiked coffee with Vodkow, and mulled wine for just $5. Puck drop is at 7pm, but the partying begins at 6.
Saturday
Head to the Bronson Centre on Saturday for the 20th anniversary of BEING, and check out amazing art made by BEING Artists! Sweatshirts, T-shirts, tote bags, works on paper, cyanotypes and more. This Snow Day Pop-Up Shop is open 10am–3pm. If you don’t know BEING, they are a diverse community of artists with developmental disabilities. At BEING, artists have access to the space, the tools, and the representation to create and commercialize their visual art and creative writing.
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Beyond the Pale is celebrating their 10th birthday with a block party on Saturday, kicking off at 8pm. The ticket price includes one beer and one food item. The event will have music (live bands, DJ), beer and food across multiple venues in the 250 City Centre Complex. Celebrate one of the 613’s best breweries!
The Ottawa Rising Concert & the Recognize Awards, presented by Cranium Art Project, take place Saturday starting at 7pm. The awards honour outstanding musicians and music industry builders from our city in five different categories. This red-carpet event will go down in the Shenkman Centre. Tickets are free on a first-come, first-served basis. Light snacks at 7pm for the reception followed by the awards and show.
Support Stray Cat Rescue Saturday from 11am–3pm at the Pet Valu in Beechwood. Get a photo taken of your pet for $5, or a dog wash for $15. There will be baking and merriment, and hopefully some very cute pets.
Sunday
Montreal alt-pop artist Emi Jeen will be bringing her new EP Why So Serious to LIVE on Elgin (w/Kin Crew) on Sunday. Tickets are available online. While she was working on this album, she has been garnering some serious buzz on TikTok: one of her videos has over 17 million views!
*Bonus Monday*
We’ve all been loving the Capital History Ottawa series by Ashley Newell, so why not check out his vernissage at Irene’s in the Glebe Monday night. There will be Capital History Ottawa colourized prints on display and for sale, and you can chat up the Awesome Ottawa recipient himself!
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