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Weekend Roundup: Quoi faire?

By Kiersten Vuorimaki on December 21, 2023
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Well friends, this is it—the last weekend before we lose all track of time and days of the week. Whether you are celebrating Christmas this weekend or just taking advantage of the festive spirit for some good shopping and vibes, the weekend is looking very holly jolly. Since time is just a concept, I’m throwing a few bonus days of neat events in this edition, to round out the end of the year.

This will be the last Roundup for 2023, so on behalf of the Weekend Roundup team, we wish you all a fun, safe, festive, and relaxing holiday. We will be back with more local love in 2024! 

All Weekend

There is still lots and lots of holiday shopping happening this weekend, so have no fear! Check this list of holiday markets for inspiration.

For a different element of magic, you can find The Lion, The Witch, and The Wardrobe at Meridien Theatres at Centrepointe brought to us by 9th Hour Theatre. This classic show closes on Saturday, so get your tickets online right away. Prices begin at $29.

Looking to just let loose, and escape the jingle bells? The Boogie Wonder Band is bringing a night of disco to the Lac Léamy Casino theatre all weekend. The band is celebrating its 25th anniversary with a blowout tour, so this promises to be a fun night of dancing in the aisles.

Thursday

Thursday evening you can catch Christmas at Shenkman, featuring local jazz trio John Dapaah Trio, Michael Curtis Hanna, Roxanne Goodman, and their recent album Have Yourself a Jazzy Little Christmas. Tickets begin at $20 and there are still some available online if you move quickly!

For something classic and classy there’s Christmas with Music and Beyond at 7:30pm at the Carleton Dominion-Chalmers Centre, featuring soprano Karina Gauvin and the Caelis Academy Ensemble conducted by Matthew Larkin, among other top-notch musicians. Celebrate the spirit of the holiday season and the winter solstice with a wide variety of festive concert music and seasonal favourites. Proceeds from the concert support Music and Beyond’s young people’s programming.

The Orchestre symphonique des jeunes de l’Ontario français (OSJOF) presents Brillance symphonique at 7pm on Thursday. This concert will feature music by Mozart, Brahms, and Smetana. Tickets are available online ($12 for adults, $7 for students). The show will be at Notre-Dame Cathedral on Sussex Drive.

Friday

One night only, House of TARG is featuring a “Totally Insane Christmas Holiday Show” by XXXMAS (a 613 seasonal supergroup) eight-piece rock & roll band, featuring members of Scorpion King & Mr. Power. Go Long, an Ottawa based dance rock group, and DJ Synthwave Santa will also be spinning some tunes. Doors open at 9pm and cover is $15. The perfect antidote to all the carolling and wholesome holiday fun?
Spread some cheer, drink some beer, and support a good cause with Bytown Sea Shanty Collective at Brigid’s Well Pub Friday night for their Sea Shanties, Carols, and Empty Beer Barrels event. Tickets are pay what you can, with a suggested price of $20. Proceeds of the event are going towards the Dalhousie Food Cupboard. Sing along with the sea shanties, enjoy some hearty eats from The BBQ Joint, and get yourself into the prize raffle! Doors open at 7pm, and the singing begins at 8pm. Get your tickets ahead of time, as they expect to sell out!

613Holiday Market wraps up Friday evening with the last event of the season at Aberdeen Pavilion. From 5–10pm you can browse the 125+ vendors inside, and bring home baked goods, vintage finds, and artisan gifts. This is your chance to take in the indoor market and the outdoor Christmas Market at the same time. Can we suggest a hot chocolate or apple cider from Beandigen to get you started?

Saturday

Saturday is your last chance to hit the Ottawa Farmers’ Market at Lansdowne before turkey dinner! The market will not be open on Sunday the 24th, so get your veggies and nibbles from 10am–4pm on Saturday.

The Ottawa Family Cinema is back after a pandemic-induced hiatus! Their Great Christmas Movie Party takes place this Saturday at 2pm at Rideau Community Hub on St-Laurent Blvd. (the former Rideau High School). Santa and Mrs. Claus will be there; all the kids get a free gift; there’s a Christmas singalong and Christmas cartoon before the main showing of the classic Arthur Christmas in 3-D. The not-for-profit theatre is run entirely by volunteers, and all proceeds go toward giving free tickets to underprivileged families to see their shows. (Hot tip: On Friday, Jan. 5 they’re showing Taylor Swift: The Eras Tour at 7pm and tickets are going to go fast, so get yours now!)

Sunday

*Eat, drink and be merry!*

Monday

*Eat, drink and be merry x2!*

Once you have enjoyed the heck right out of your Christmas tree, don’t throw it out! Until Jan. 26, the NCC is collecting trees to be part of the Rideau Canal Skateway!

Tuesday (December 26)

How about a little bit of magic to round out the weekend? Illusionists Ted & Marion Outerbridge bring their Holiday Magic Show for the entire family to the Ottawa Little Theatre, from Dec. 26-31. Their production Mysteries of the Keyhole House looks spooky and fun!

Wednesday (December 27)

OttawaMusicals is back, after three years offstage. Opening on Dec. 27 and running until Jan. 7, you can catch their seventh annual family musical Sleeping Beauty—An Annual Panto at the Gladstone Theatre. With original choreography and music, this family-friendly show promises to be fun, funny, and magical. Tickets begin at $35 for the preview. Get them online for a last-minute stocking stuffer perhaps?!

Friday (December 29)

Get a jump on the New Year’s parties with All That Glitters and Rolls roller party, hosted by the Ottawa Quad Rollerskating Club. The event is happening at the Horticulture Building at Lansdowne, and tickets begin at $15. There is an all-ages session, and an adults-only session for the boogying.

Saturday (December 30)

Celebrate Kwanzaa with Jaku Konbit on Saturday, Dec. 30 at the Mosaic Convention Centre (3750 N. Bowesville Rd). Tickets are available online, starting at $25 for students and seniors. The event begins at 4pm and you can expect cultural dancers, drumming, singing, music, poetry, and authentic African and Caribbean cuisine for the entire family.