25 Events around Ottawa to put you in the Christmas spirit
11 Minute Read
Deck the halls, trim the tree and make merry—Christmas is coming! From November to December, Ottawa becomes a winter wonderland for you to explore. There are events of all flavours for every kind of holiday reveller, whether you want to visit a European-style Christmas market, wander through a forest of twinkling lights or cheer for Santa at an annual parade.
Embrace the magic of the season with these 25 Christmas events in the Ottawa area, perfect for kids, families or a date night.
3rd Annual Holiday Market at Robert Plante Greenhouses
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Where: Robert Plante Greenhouses, 4228 Navan Rd., Navan, ON
When: November 15 and 16, 2025
Get a head start on your shopping among more than 275 vendors and artisans at this cheerful, pet-friendly holiday market. Although the market is inside, you’ll be surrounded by the greenhouse’s lush plants and twinkling lights as you browse gifts, sip warm drinks and sample tasty seasonal snacks—all while supporting talented local makers.
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Trees of Hope
Where: Fairmont Château Laurier, 1 Rideau St., Ottawa, ON
When: November 17, 2025, to January 6, 2026
For 28 years running, Trees of Hope has been the Fairmont Château Laurier’s annual fundraiser benefitting CHEO, where local businesses, organizations and community builders gather to decorate Christmas trees together. This year’s theme is “’ Twas the Night—A Yuletide Tale,” inspired by the homey feel of a classic candlelit Christmas. Guests can visit the Château's lobby throughout the season to enjoy the atmosphere and vote for their favourites.
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Winter Wander
Where: Sparks St., Ottawa, ON
When: November 18, 2025, to January 5, 2026
From November to January, Sparks Street transforms into a magical holiday greeting card where you can take photos and enjoy the ambiance. Trees, installations and twinkling lights will line Ottawa’s iconic pedestrian pathway, with the kickoff officially lighting up the street happening on November 18.
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Ottawa Christmas Market
Where: Lansdowne Park, 1525 Princess Patricia Way, Ottawa, ON
When: November 21 to 23 and November 27 to 30, 2025
Lansdowne’s Christmas Market is Ottawa’s holiday hub, filled with one-of-a-kind artisan finds, festive eats and a soundtrack of live music from local performers. Visit the iconic giant Christmas tree and snap photos under glowing lights as you wander the stalls. You can even snag a hot drink to keep you cozy all night long.
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Magic of Lights
Where: Wesley Clover Parks, 411 Corkstown Rd., Ottawa, ON
When: November 21 to January 3, 2025
Hop in the car and set off on Ottawa’s iconic drive-through light adventure. Magic of Lights dazzles with themed displays, sparkling villages and colourful holiday scenes, making it the perfect way to experience the season’s wonder. You can even park your vehicle and explore on foot to see the forest trail and the letter-writing station up close.
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Christmas Season at Thomas Tree Farm
Where: Thomas Tree Farm, 6421 3rd Line Rd. S., North Gower, ON
When: Thursdays to Sundays from November 21 to December 21, 2025
At Thomas Tree Farm, choose between a fir, spruce or scotch pine and have the hands-on experience of cutting it yourself. Afterwards, enjoy hot chocolate and homemade cookies around the fire, let the kids loose in the play area and take the whole family for a tractor ride through the fields.
Christmas Season at Cedar Hill Christmas Tree Farm
Where: Cedar Hill Christmas Tree Farm, 951 9th Line, Beckwith, Carleton Place, ON
When: November 21 to December 24, 2025
In your heart, there’s a Christmas tree farm—Cedar Hill! Take a trip to Carleton Place to pick your perfect pine. You can also stroll through the rows of growing trees, hitch a ride on a tractor, gather around the campfire and do some shopping at the Christmas gift shop. If you’re lucky (or you visit on select days, listed on the website), you can even visit Santa himself.
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Help Santa Toy Parade
Where: Downtown, Ottawa, ON (exact route to be announced soon)
When: November 22, 2025
Santa's dream is to bring presents to children everywhere—but he needs your help. This year, more than ever, families in Ottawa need a hand to make Christmas magical. By donating to Toy Mountain at this annual Santa Claus parade to benefit children in need, you can make a difference. Help ensure that every child has their dream toy under the tree—Santa will thank you.
Watson's Mill & Dickinson House Christmas Market
Where: Watson’s Mill, 5525 Dickinson St., Manotick, ON
When: November 22, 23, 29 and 30, 2025
Step back in time at historic Watson’s Mill, where you can shop from dozens of vendors offering handcrafted goods, browse the used bookstore and soak up the charm of a 19th-century Christmas. Friendly guides share the site’s story while you discover exceptional gifts in a truly unique setting—the mill’s three historic buildings.
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Choir! Choir! Choir! Un-Silent Night: An EPIC Holiday Sing-Along!
Where: National Arts Centre, 1 Elgin St., Ottawa, ON
When: November 23, 2025
Christmas carolling gets an upgrade with Choir! Choir! Choir! where every audience member joins the chorus. You'll learn your parts alongside the rest of the auditorium, spreading cheer to those far and near. The night promises harmonies, holiday classics and pop hits for merriment that everyone can enjoy—absolutely no singing experience needed.
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Trans-Siberian Orchestra: The Ghosts of Christmas Eve
Where: Canadian Tire Centre, 1000 Palladium Dr., Ottawa, ON
When: November 26, 2025
Pop Christmas songs aren't quite your taste? Best known for their holiday rock operas, iconic metal band Trans-Siberian Orchestra is making a stop in Ottawa on their stadium tour. The group is known for showmanship and spectacle, so expect lights, lasers, special effects and rock ‘n’ roll.
Christmas Market at the Canadian Museum of History
Where: Canadian Museum of History, 100 rue Laurier, Gatineau, QC
When: November 27 to 30, 2025
For four days, the Canadian Museum of History transforms into a shopper’s dream with curated stalls highlighting top-quality local creations. Wander between impressive rooms as you discover expertly made gifts—from jewelry to art to gourmet foods—and soak in plenty of cheerful ambiance along the way.
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Alight at Night
Where: Upper Canada Village, 13740 County Rd. 2, Morrisburg, ON
When: Various dates from November 28, 2025, to January 3, 2026
Travel to a storybook world as Upper Canada Village glows with over a million lights, vintage decorations and festive music. The site’s historic buildings become the backdrop for holiday magic, including carriage rides, carolling and a toy train that chugs through the village on sparkling winter nights.
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Santa's Parade of Lights
Where: St-Joseph Blvd., Ottawa, ON
When: November 29, 2025
Celebrate Christmas spirit and help make the holidays magical for children in need as brightly decorated floats, costumed mascots and marching bands make their way through Orléans. This beloved parade includes a competition for best float, toy donations and a special visit from Santa.
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613Christmas
Where: Carleton University Fieldhouse, 1233 Colonel By Dr., Ottawa, ON
When: November 29 and 30, 2025
This massive Christmas market for all things antique, handmade and vintage is the perfect place to find that perfect gift—or something special for yourself. With more than 200 vendors selling everything from retro holiday decor to handmade sweets, 613Christmas is a must for those looking for gifts with heart.
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Parade HoHoHo (Défilé du Père-Noël & Marché de Noël Aylmer)
Where: Sector Aylmer, rue Principale, Gatineau, QC
When: November 29, 2025 (parade); November 29 to December 7, 2025 (holiday market)
A longstanding Gatineau favourite, Parade HoHoHo fills the streets of Aylmer with joyful floats and fan-favourite mascots before shifting into a European-style market with dozens of vendors. Bask in the twinkling lights as you enjoy community spirit, family fun and plenty of local shopping opportunities.
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The Nutcracker
Where: National Arts Centre, 1 Elgin St., Ottawa, ON
When: December 3 to 7, 2025
The Royal Winnipeg Ballet returns to Ottawa to perform this holiday classic—with a Canadian twist. Hockey games on a frozen pond, nods to the Hudson’s Bay Company, and more feature in this production alongside an enchanting fairytale feel that is sure to warm your heart. Join Clara and her dashing Nutcracker prince on this storybook journey, the perfect outing for any child at heart.
Stanley’s Holiday Stroll
Where: Stanley’s Olde Maple Lane Farm, 2452 Yorks Corners Rd., Edwards, ON
When: Select dates December 4 to January 3, 2025
Located at Stanley’s Olde Maple Lane Farm, this breathtaking two-kilometre trail through the woods twinkles with the beauty of a starry night. Stop to snap a family photo before warming up around the cozy fire, or head to the Candy Cane Bar for hot chocolate and seasonal sweets.
Stittsville Parade of Lights
Where: Stittsville Main St., Ottawa, ON
When: December 6, 2025
Each year, thousands of community members gather to watch the Parade of Lights in anticipation of Santa and his elves. Dozens of floats decked out in holiday charm line the parade route, heralding the arrival of the big guy himself, so make sure to stay to the end to wave at Santa stationed atop the ladder of a firetruck.
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Santa Shuffle
Where: Lansdowne Park, 1525 Princess Patricia Way, Ottawa, ON
When: December 6, 2025
Christmas is the season of giving, and what better way to give back than a benefit run for the Salvation Army? The Santa Shuffle is your chance to do good and feel good by collecting pledges for your one- or five-kilometre race. Afterwards, stop by the hot chocolate canteen for a hot drink while you cool down!
Christmas Village at Stanley’s Farm
Where: Stanley’s Olde Maple Lane Farm, 2452 Yorks Corners Rd., Edwards, ON
When: Select dates December 6 to 23, 2025
Santa's elves need a vacation, too, and the Christmas Village at Stanley’s Farm is where they come to relax. You can meet the elves, make Christmas crafts, hop aboard the Village Express, pick your own tree from the field and visit with Santa himself. Need some homemade gifts for everyone on your list? Visit the farm shop for sauces, dressings, maple syrup and more produced right on the farm.
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Saunders Farm Country Christmas
Where: Saunders Farm, 7893 Bleeks Rd., Ottawa, ON
When: December 6 to December 30, 2025
Set amidst snowy fields and trimmed trees, this holiday destination is the perfect way to spend a December evening. This year’s winter wonderland features a brand-new attraction: try out the Forest Light Walk alongside the ever-popular Holiday Light Stroll to experience the delights of a farm illuminated under a chilly sky. You can also visit Santa, design your own ornaments and even see a festive puppet show!
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Winter Lights Across Canada
Where: Various locations across Ottawa
When: December 8, 2025, to January 9, 2026
Ottawa’s many landmarks dazzle during the holidays, and by following the pathway of lights map, you can travel the illuminated route between Ottawa and Gatineau. Enjoy the sparkling night at sites like the National War Memorial, Jacques-Cartier Park and the Supreme Court of Canada to experience just how merry and bright Ottawa can be.
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Disney’s The Muppet Christmas Carol, Live in Concert
Where: National Arts Centre, 1 Elgin St., Ottawa, ON
When: December 11 to 13, 2025
Head to the National Arts Centre for a screening of this classic, heartwarming holiday tale, accompanied by live music from the NAC Orchestra. Starring Kermit the Frog as Bob Cratchit and your favourite Muppets in supporting roles, this film and stunning performance will open your heart to the true meaning of Christmas.
Candlelight: Christmas Classics
Where: Knox Presbyterian Church, 120 Lisgar St., Ottawa, ON
When: December 19 and 20, 2025
Inside the sanctuary of Knox Presbyterian Church, the strings of this enchanting quartet and the light of hundreds of candles will fill the air on a festive night out. Enjoy the sounds of violins, viola and cello as they play yuletide tunes like Jingle Bells, O Holy Night, Rockin’ Around the Christmas Tree and even Let It Go from Frozen.
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Have more holiday fun with CAA
Need some new winter clothes to bundle up, or looking for a great place to grab a bite after your winter adventures? CAA Members get great savings on shopping and dining partners to take your fun further.
Plus, you can save on the way with Shell—CAA Members save three cents per litre on fuel and ten per cent on snacks and drinks at participating Shell locations.
