Welcome to the first weekend of 2024, folks! If one of your New Year’s resolutions is to get out and enjoy our city to its fullest, we’re here to help! We’ve compiled a list of this weekend’s best; check out all the great goings-on to follow.
All Weekend
This weekend wraps up many of the holiday season events around town. If you missed out during the hustle and bustle of December, now is your chance: Magic of Lights at Wesley Clover Parks runs through until Saturday and you can save yourself 24 per cent on tickets purchased online with their discount code (hint: it’s “2024”). Alight at Night at Upper Canada Village is also on through Saturday, for those who prefer to get out of their car and stroll around. If you haven’t yet seen the beautiful tree at the Museum of History, it will still be lit through the weekend and you can also check out Iceberg, an immersive piece of sound and light architecture.
View this post on Instagram
House of Targ is throwing an all-weekend dance party. Friday night features an incredible evening of ska and reggae, with performances by the Oscillators, Danny Rebel & the KGB, the Taco Bandits, as well as an amazing all-vinyl set by DJ Bjorn Late. On Saturday night, Ottawa’s Smelloship will bring the funk and soul, alongside some surprise special guests. Tickets are $15 a night at the door, but you can save yourself $5 if you purchase an all-weekend pass in advance.
If psychics, astrology, and crystals are your thing, then you will want to check out the Psychic and Crystal Fair happening at the Nepean Sportsplex this Thursday through Sunday.
For our hockey fans, there are back-to-back 67’s games this Friday night and Saturday afternoon at TD Place. Come see our team take on the North Bay Battalion and the Kingston Frontenacs. They’ve been down on their luck as of late, but hopefully they can turn that around for their hometown crowd.
Those who love a good piece of musical theatre should check out the Gladstone Theatre’s annual panto, Sleeping Beauty. This family-friendly musical is in its final weekend. Showtimes are 2pm and 7pm and the performance has a run time of two hours, including intermission.
View this post on Instagram
This Saturday evening and Sunday afternoon, Hotel California, an Eagles tribute band, will land at the Shenkman Arts Centre for two great performances. If you are questioning whether a tribute band could be anywhere near as good as the real deal, we feel it worth a mention that this Eagles tribute band is known across the globe; they have been touring internationally since 1986!
Thursday
If you are like me and have yet to see the live owls at the Museum of Nature, you still have time—and Thursday night is ideal! There is free entry to the museum from 5pm to 8pm, and tickets to the Owls Rendez-vous exhibit are included with general admission, so you can see these beautiful creatures for free!
View this post on Instagram
If, somehow, owls are not your thing (or you happen to have seen them already), the National Gallery also has free entry from 5pm to 8pm on Thursdays, and this Thursday they are throwing an all-ages Glow Party in their Great Hall. While there is no dress code for the affair, come dressed in your best whites or neon to get the full effect.
Thursday is Bingo Night at Broadhead Brewery. Enjoy a beverage and an evening of free bingo while trying your luck at winning one of several great prizes.
Friday
For those who have “learn a new hobby” on their list of goals for 2024, Rahim Salsa Friday may be for you. No experience, no partner, and no pre-registration required—just show up with your indoor shoes and be ready to dance at 8pm. The workshop is followed by a salsa dance party with music by DJ Rahim.
Saturday
Enjoy some live music with Metro Jazz featuring Marc Decho at Art House this Saturday. An evening of contemporary jazz with a live quartet of electric guitar, drums, saxophone, and electric bass. Be sure to arrive early to guarantee yourself one of the best spots in the house.
For something a little different, DJ Emmett will be celebrating David Bowie’s birthday by spinning some great rock and soul, all on vinyl, at Mod Nite at Live on Elgin. Boogie down to tunes by the birthday Bowie himself, Aretha Franklin, Stevie Wonder, Otis Redding, The Who, Jackson 5, James Brown, and more.
View this post on Instagram
If house music is more your speed, check out White Rabbit at City at Night with DJs Trevor Walker, Rise Ashen, and Rick Laplante. Arrive early (between 9pm and 10pm) and enjoy half price admission, beer, and bar rails.
View this post on Instagram
Sunday
Sunday is the day to sleep in late, put your feet up, and stay in your PJs all day—or, you can check out one (or more) of the many all-weekend events.
.gif)
