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December in Ottawa means lights, holiday themed bars, and events that will make you forget how cold it is—at least for a little while. If you're struggling to get into the holiday mood, here's a list that will do the job... without a visit from 3 Christmas spirits.
List Updated - Dec 1st, 2024
Whether you’re chasing twinkling lights, taking selfies with Santa, or just looking for something to make winter feel less like a snowstorm and more like a snow globe, December events in Ottawa have got you covered. From the magical drive-through displays at Magic of Lights to the festive vibes of the Ottawa Christmas Market, there’s no shortage of ways to embrace the season. And if holiday cheer isn’t your thing, no worries—there’s also hip-hop art shows, a Japanese Mochi event, and even scenic flights with Santa. Because who says December is just for reindeer?
Alight at Night at Upper Canada Village
It’s like walking through a holiday card, but you’re actually in it.
From November 29, 2024, to January 5, 2025, Upper Canada Village turns into a million-light holiday extravaganza. Seriously, this place glows so much you might leave with a tan. Stroll through magical pathways, hop on the holiday train, or drop by Saint Nick’s Workshop to convince Santa you’ve been nice this year. And don’t miss the old-timey carolling and the Sound and Light Show at Crysler Hall—it’s like Christmas turned up to 11.
Date: Select nights from November 29, 2024, to January 5, 2025
5pm to 9pm
Location: Upper Canada Village, 13740 County Rd 2, Morrisburg, ON
Ticket Price:
General admission (13+): $17
Senior (65+): $16
Student (13-18): $15
Youth (5-12): $14
Children (0-4): Free
Elf’s Pub at Fairmont Château Laurier
Where holiday cheer isn’t just in the air—it’s in your glass.
The Elf’s Pub Pop Up Bar is back at the Fairmont Chateau Laurier - the holiday hangout that screams, “Christmas!” This year, it looks like Santa’s little helpers have been busy ‘cause they’ve completely renovated Elf’s Pub. New look, layout and even a new drink menu. It’s a festive and new sensory overload in the best way possible: colourful, bright, boozy, and perfectly lit for your Instagram.
Date: Nov 26 to Jan 6th, 2025
Location: Fairmont Château Laurier, Ottawa
Ticket Price: Free entry but no reservations. Walk-ins ONLY
613flea Holiday Market at Aberdeen Pavilion
Because holiday shopping should be fun—and not involve a parking lot battle.
Mark your calendars for December 6 and December 13, when the 613flea Holiday Market takes over the iconic Aberdeen Pavilion at Lansdowne Park. With a lineup of 140 local vendors offering handmade gifts, vintage treasures, and holiday treats, this is the perfect spot to find something unique for everyone on your list—or yourself (because you deserve it). The festive vibes are free, and so is the admission.
Date:
December 6: 5 PM – 10 PM
December 13: 5 PM – 10 PM
Location: Aberdeen Pavilion, Lansdowne Park, Ottawa
Ticket Price: Free Admission
Mayor’s 22nd Annual Christmas Celebration
Because even the Mayor knows you can’t say no to hot chocolate and Santa.
On Saturday, December 7, 2024, from 3:00 PM to 6:00 PM, City Hall gets decked out for the Mayor’s 22nd Annual Christmas Celebration—a festive bash with enough holiday cheer to make even the Mayor forget about zoning bylaws for a day.
Bring a donation for the Ottawa Food Bank and enjoy classics like roasting marshmallows, sipping hot chocolate, and skating on the Rink of Dreams, which officially opens that day (no pressure, rink maintenance crew).
Plus, Santa and Mrs. Claus will be there, because apparently, the Mayor wasn’t festive enough on his own.
The Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony kicks off at 5:00 PM, and enjoy a horse-drawn wagon rides and live indoor entertainment making this a full-on holiday extravaganza.
Also, $2 Beavertails with all the proceeds going directly to those in need!
Date: December 7, 2024, 3:00 PM - 6:00 PM
Location: Ottawa City Hall, 110 Laurier Avenue West
Ticket Price: Free with a donation to the Ottawa Food Bank
Santa Shuffle Fun Run & Elf Walk 2024
Come for the holiday vibes, stay for the exercise—and remember, Santa sees everything, so don’t cut corners on the course!
The Santa Shuffle Fun Run & Elf Walk hits Lansdowne Park on Saturday, December 7, 2024, and it’s here to combine holiday cheer with some light cardio. Whether you’re tackling the 1K walk or going all out on the 5K run, you’ll be supporting The Salvation Army and helping people in your community. Plus, you’ll look great doing it because Santa hats and elf outfits are basically the dress code.
Date: December 7, 2024
1K Walk: Starts at 10:00 AM
5K Run: Starts at 10:30 AM
Location: Lansdowne Park, Ottawa
Ticket Price:
Individual registration: $45 (through Dec 1)
Free to watch!
Mochitsuki 2024 by Ottawa Japanese Community Association
Because mochi tastes better when you’ve watched it get smacked into shape.
The OJCA/OJCC Mochitsuki 2024 is back on December 8 at the Preston Event Centre, and it’s bringing all the mochi-smashing action you didn’t know you needed. This annual Japanese celebration features live mochi pounding, where you can watch sticky rice get transformed into delicious perfection—because nothing says “tradition” like a mallet and some serious elbow grease.
But that’s not all! You’ll find Japanese food for sale, cultural performances, and a market with vendors from Ottawa and Montreal, making this the perfect place to stock up on unique gifts or snacks you won’t want to share.
Date: December 8, 2024, 12 PM - 5 PM
Location: Preston Event Centre, 523 Anthony St, Ottawa
Ticket Price: $5 for members, $10 for non-members
Pre-order tickets and food now!
Hip-Hop Fusion: Immersive Comic Art Exhibition
Where hip-hop meets comics, and the art moves doesn't just hang... it moves!
Andy Akangah brings his second solo art show, Hip-Hop Fusion, to life—and this isn’t your typical gallery stroll. Featuring 3D motion prints, paper installations, and projection mapping, this show makes art so dynamic you’ll start questioning why everything else just hangs on a wall.
As seen in Complex Canada, CTV, and NBA Canada, Akangah takes hip-hop icons and comic culture to another level, creating pieces that feel alive!
Rediscover hip-hop icons past and present through prints that move, and immersive pieces with their own soundtrack. Plus, there’s interactive vinyl art and merch, because what’s a great show without souvenirs?
Date: Saturday, December 14, 2024
Location: Urban Art Collective, 1088 Somerset Street West Ottawa
Ticket Price: FREE
2nd Annual Pet Day & Holiday Market
Where your pet meets Santa, and you meet your new phone wallpaper.
On Saturday, December 14, Robert Plante Greenhouses is throwing the ultimate holiday bash for pets and their humans. And let’s get to the real highlight—pet photos with Santa! Your furry friend can sit on Santa’s lap and tell him what they really want for Christmas (spoiler: it’s probably treats).
Whether your dog’s been naughty, nice, or just confused all year, this is the photo op you don’t want to miss.
Also at this event:
🐾 Pet-Palooza: With 40+ pet-themed vendors offering toys, treats, and custom accessories, your four-legged companion might leave with a better haul than you.
🌟 Festive Finds: Shop from over 150 local vendors selling handmade crafts, holiday décor, and food trucks on site. It’s a holiday market for everyone—but mostly your dog.
🎅 Santa Photos: Let’s be real—you came for the Santa photos. Bring your camera, your patience, and your pet’s best “good boy” behavior for the ultimate Christmas card moment. (reserve your spot in advance)
Date: December 14, 2024, 9:00 AM – 4:00 PM
Location: Robert Plante Greenhouses, 4228 Navan Rd, Orléans
Ticket Price: Free
SwiftMAS Ottawa x Strathmere
Taylor Swift, holiday shopping, and a country retreat—because even Swifties need a spa day.
The Eras Market x Strathmere brings together Taylor Swift vibes, holiday shopping, and the perfect excuse to escape the chaos of both. Set at the scenic Strathmere Country Retreat, it’s where you can shop for unique gifts, mingle with fellow Swifties, and—if the fan frenzy gets too real—sneak off for a massage or a cocktail without even leaving the property. Strathmere isn’t just a venue; it’s your escape plan.
🎄 What to Expect:
Unique Shopping & Gift Ideas: shop festive treats, handmade crafts, clothes, and unique items. It’s like Etsy came to life, but instead of scrolling, you’re strolling—and there’s no shipping costs.
Taylor-themed everything: From gifts to the playlist, this is peak Swiftie energy.
Relaxation on tap: After a day of shopping, treat yourself to a drink or a spa session—you deserve it for surviving this much holiday cheer.
Date: Sunday, December 15, 2024
Location: Strathmere Country Retreat, 1980 Phelan Rd, North Gower, ON
Ticket Price: FREE with VIP Early Access option - $20
Christmas Cocktail Pop-Up at Jackalope Speakeasy
Jackalope is transforming into the holiday bar Ottawa didn’t know it needed but definitely deserves.
Santa and Krampus walk into a bar... it's probably Jackalope on Sparks! Twinkling lights, holiday vibes and cocktails inspired by classics like “Home Alone,” “The Grinch.”
Take a walk down festive Sparks Street and go deeper down the Rabbit Hole for a Christmas event like no other. We’re talking cocktails inspired by your favorite Christmas movies. It’s like sipping on nostalgia—but with a kick.
This place is like a fairy tale all year round but during the holidays, it's like walking into a magical real life snow globe. Book it ASAP 'cause even though it's a 2 day event, it fills up quick!
Date: December 17 & 18, 2024
Location: Jackalope Speakeasy at Rabbit Hole, 208 Sparks Street
Ticket Price: No tickets required but must reserve online in advance.
Flights with Santa
Santa’s giving the reindeer a well-deserved break—come fly with him in a vintage Cessna instead!
This holiday season, Ottawa Aviation Adventures is making your festive dreams fly—literally. From December 14 to December 31, Santa himself will trade in his sleigh for a vintage Cessna 172, giving you and your family a bird’s-eye view of Ottawa. It’s like the Polar Express, but with wings and a way cooler view.
Date: December 14–31, 2024
Location: Rockcliffe Airport, Ottawa Aviation Museum
Ticket Price: Starting at $48/person. Special Elves Discounted Rate with a new, unwrapped toy for Toy Mountain 2024.
Magic of Lights Ottawa
Because holiday lights look better when you don’t have to untangle them.
From now through January 4, 2025, Magic of Lights transforms Wesley Clover Parks into a dazzling drive-through holiday light experience. Stay warm in your car as you wind through a glowing wonderland featuring LED displays, animated holiday scenes, and enough sparkle to make your headlights jealous. For the ultimate pit stop, check out the Mark Motors Group Holiday Village along the route—complete with an illuminated forest trail, Instagram-ready photo ops, a Santa letter-writing station, and classic Canadian snacks like BeaverTails and Old-Fashioned Fudge.
Dates:
Now – Dec 5: 5 PM – 9 PM nightly
Dec 6 – Jan 4: 5 PM – 10 PM nightly
Location: Wesley Clover Parks, 411 Corkstown Rd, Nepean, ON
Ticket Prices: Starting at: $26.13 per car
Ottawa Christmas Market
Holiday cheer, shopping, and twinkling lights—because Christmas should feel magical, not like a to-do list.
The Ottawa Christmas Market is back at Lansdowne with over 50 vendors, thousands of lights, and enough festive vibes to make even a Grinch smile. From November 22, 2024, to January 5, 2025, this winter wonderland offers holiday gifts, cozy food and drink, and free activities like crafting workshops and Santa sightings. Whether you're here to shop, snack, or just soak in the holiday spirit, this is the place to be.
🎄 Highlights:
Shopping Galore: Find holiday gifts, handcrafted treasures, and unique items you didn’t know you needed.
Festive Eats & Drinks: Warm up with mulled wine, holiday cocktails, and seasonal snacks—because shopping burns calories, right?
Santa’s Workshop: Free craft sessions for kids and Christmas Cocktails & Crafts for adults—artistic and buzzed, the perfect combo
Dates: November 22, 2024 – January 5, 2025
Location: Aberdeen Plaza, Lansdowne Park, Ottawa
Ticket Price: Free
Winter Wander on Sparks Street
Because holiday lights and selfies were made for each other.
This month, Sparks Street transforms into Winter Wander, a festive light-filled celebration on Canada’s Historic Pedestrian Street. Stroll through dazzling holiday-themed displays perfect for your next Instagram post, while sipping on hot chocolate or cider to keep the winter chill at bay.
Date: November 14, 2024 – January 6, 2025
Location: Sparks Street, Ottawa
Ticket Price: Free
The holidays might be about giving, but December in Ottawa is all about doing.
Whether you’re wandering through the Winter Wander on Sparks Street, flying with Santa, or catching some glow at Alight at Night, the city is full of events that’ll keep you busy. Christmas events are the stars of the season, but don’t sleep on the unique ones—where else can you shop Taylor Swift-themed gifts at SwiftMAS or watch hip-hop meet comic art? So grab a cup of hot chocolate, layer up, and make the most of December events in Ottawa—because winter isn’t going anywhere, but you should.
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