Discover the Best Spots to Experience Holiday Cheer in Ottawa This Season

As the holiday season approaches, Ottawa is alive with festive events and activities. The annual celebrations feature parades, markets, and family-friendly activities, providing ample opportunities to enjoy holiday cheer.

Holiday Parades in Ottawa

The 56th annual Help Santa Toy Parade showcased the spirit of giving, organized by the Ottawa Professional Firefighters Association. This event raises funds and collects toy donations for Toy Mountain, ensuring children receive gifts on Christmas morning.

For those who missed the main event, Santa Claus will make appearances in various communities next weekend. These include:

• Friday, December 1: Manotick
• Saturday, December 2: Riverside South and Orléans

Additionally, the Osgoode Village Community Association will kick off December with several events, including a parade of lights and a tree lighting ceremony on December 5.

Parades and Community Celebrations

The first weekend in December will also feature:

• Breakfast with Santa
• An ugly Christmas sweater party
• The Richmond Christmas Parade
• Stittsville Parade of Lights on Saturday, December 6

For last-minute planners, the following parades will take place:

• December 13: Constance and Buckham’s Bay Santa Parade
• December 14: Metcalfe Santa Parade Food and Toy Drive

Winter Markets and Holiday Events

To complete your holiday shopping, local winter markets offer unique gifts and festive treats:

• Ottawa Christmas Market: Aberdeen Plaza, Lansdowne, every Friday to Sunday until December 31.
• Parkdale Holiday Market: November 29, from noon to 6 p.m.
• Cumberland Farmers’ Market Christmas Market: December 6 and 9, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Other exciting events include:

• Mayor’s 23rd Annual Christmas Celebration at Ottawa City Hall on December 6 from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m.
• Magic of Lights at Wesley Clover Parks, November 21 to January 3.
• Winter Lights across Canada at Parliament Hill, December 8 to January 9.
• Santa Shuffle Fun Run and Elf Walk at Lansdowne Park on December 6 at 10 a.m.
• Fitzroy Harbour Children’s Christmas Party on December 6 at 10 a.m.

Special Hours and Workshops

Several local museums are also participating in the holiday festivities:

• Billings Estate National Historic Site: Open Wednesday to Sunday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. from November 28 to December 19 (Closed December 13-14).
• Cumberland Heritage Village Museum: Vintage Village of Lights from November 28 to December 21, Fridays to Sundays from 4 p.m. to 9 p.m. Advance registration is required.
• Nepean Museum: Retro Christmas children’s holiday party on December 6 and 7 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

This holiday season offers a diverse array of events throughout Ottawa. Whether you’re attending parades, visiting markets, or enjoying community celebrations, there are plenty of opportunities to experience holiday cheer.