Festive Christmas light trails you can drive to around Ottawa
5 Minute Read
Add an extra twinkle to your holiday season in Ottawa by visiting Christmas light trails across the city. Stay cozy in your car while passing dazzling animations, follow a sparkling route, browse a European-style market adorned with decor, admire a giant waterfall lit up with seasonal colours, and other festive experiences.
Have a holly, jolly Christmas and check out these magical holiday light strolls and festivals around the Ottawa region.
A Country Christmas
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Where: Saunders Farm, 7893 Bleeks Rd., Munster, ON
When: November 30 to December 22, 2024
Saunders Farm transforms into a winter wonderland each holiday season. It has elves, festive treats and themed activities that will make you think you're at the North Pole. With daytime and evening admission available, enjoy many activities like decorating cookies or ornaments, saying hi to Santa and shopping for a Christmas tree. Visit after dark to take a sparkling walk on the Holiday Light Stroll. Admire this glowing, festive trail covered in different lights.
Taffy Lane
Where: Taffy Ln., Ottawa, ON
When: Typically starts December 1
Every December, the residents of Taffy Lane in Orleans transform their front lawns into festive Christmas scenes. These displays, lights and inflatables draw in crowds from across the city to admire the festive sets for free. The street turns into one-way traffic during the holiday season, so visitors can drive this festive trail and enjoy it from the warmth of their cars. There are often traffic delays in the evenings, so you may want to park a few blocks away and walk over (wearing reflectors to be safe).
Winter Lights Across Canada
Where: Various locations in downtown Ottawa, ON
When: December 5, 2024, to January 7, 2025
Canada's Capital Region alights each December with thousands of sparkling lights to admire by vehicle or foot. Many parks and parliament buildings are adorned with string lights in various colours, including monuments such as the National War Memorial, Confederation Park and Jacques-Cartier Park. Follow the pathway of lights via the online map to catch as much sparkle as possible.
Alight at Night Festival
Where: Upper Canada Village, 13740 County Rd. 2, Morrisburg, ON
When: Select dates November 29, 2024, to January 4, 2025
Step into a twinkling postcard-worthy scene during Upper Canada Village's Alight at Night Festival. Embark on a stunning stroll past historic buildings adorned with colourful lights. Bundle up for the chilly evening and enjoy over one million lights as they illuminate the night sky. Visit Santa at his workshop until December 23 and grab a photo. You can add an exclusive carriage ride to your experience or stay for a festive meal.
Holiday Train
Where: Various locations, including Merrickville, Perth, Smith Falls, and Finch, ON
When: November 28, 2024
Travelling east to west and north to south of Canada and the USA, from November 21 to December 20, 2024, the glowing Holiday Train will make it through cities near Ottawa. Musicians play free concerts from brightly lit stages on the train as the festive colours pass you by. The railway tour raises money to support local food banks, donating at each stop and encouraging attendees to do the same. You can look forward to performances by musicians like Tyler Shaw, KT Tunstall, James Barker Band and others.
Ottawa Christmas Market
Where: Casino Lac-Leamy Plaza at Lansdowne, Marché Way, Ottawa, ON
When: Select dates from November 22, 2024, to January 5, 2025
You'll feel whisked away to the sights and sounds of a quaint European city at the annual Ottawa Christmas Market. Sip hot cocoa or mulled wine, listen to the live entertainment and browse local vendors in cabin-style huts. Work on your holiday shopping list and enjoy seasonal festivities such as kids' craft workshops, a DJ skate night, a silent disco, a children's dance party, advent calendar prizes, visiting Santa Claus and more. The market starts with the tree lighting ceremony on November 22, with carolers at the event.
Sparks Street's Winter Wander
Where: Sparks St., Ottawa, ON
When: November 14, 2024, to January 6, 2025
Ottawa's pedestrian street bursts with lights and cheers for Christmas. The Winter Wander event covers the street with holiday decorations. It is a prime opportunity for festive photos and cozy evening walks with friends. Twinkly lights hang along the street, with lit-up installations and seasonal greenery. Visit on November 14 for the tree lighting ceremony, where you can sip hot chocolate.
Chutes De Coulonge Festival Of Lights
Where: Chutes de Coulonge, 100 Prom. Du-Parc-des-Chutes, Mansfield-et-Pontefract, QC
When: December 6, 7, 13, 14, 21, 22, 27 and 28, 2024
A majestic waterfall cascades into a gorge near Ottawa, and in December, you can admire it lit up with holiday colours. Take an evening nature stroll along an illuminated trail as you enjoy the rushing water aglow with vibrant red, green and white and decorated trees. Warm up post-walk with a cup of hot chocolate by a crackling campfire. Depending on the day you visit, you'll also get to see Santa.
Vintage Village Of Lights
Where: Cumberland Heritage Village Museum, 2940 Old Montreal Rd., Cumberland, ON
When: Select dates November 29 – December 22, 2024
Step back into the enchanting 1920s and 30s at the Vintage Village of Lights for a delightful Christmas village experience. The Cumberland Heritage Village Museum will be adorned with festive installations and dazzling light displays. Embrace the historic holiday ambiance as you visit Santa, decorate gingerbread cookies, and interact with villagers during engaging demonstrations.
Magic of Lights
Where: Wesley Clover Parks, 401 Corkstown Rd., Ottawa, ON
When: November 22, 2024, to January 4, 2025
Keep cozy and drive on as you experience a magical holiday drive of colourful lights and displays. This dazzling drive-through Christmas attraction features various characters, animations and holiday sets as you cruise along admiring the many lights. Explore the holiday pit stop near the end of the drive to take fun photos, grab a treat, walk through a twinkling tunnel and mail your Santa letter.
Brockville River of Lights
Where: Blockhouse Island, Brockville, ON
When: November 30, 2024, to January 6, 2025
Trees dance in the night as you hear the sounds of holiday tunes. Venture outside the city, especially if you live south of Ottawa, for a free holiday light spectacle on the St. Lawrence River. Thousands of twinkling lights and flood lights are set to music for a multisensory show.
The lights switch on daily at 5 p.m. and off at 11 p.m., and the show runs regularly from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m. Tune your radio to the show's frequency to Enjoy the 40-minute set from the comfort of your vehicle. On weekends, see the show in a new way by hopping on the Aquatarium Holiday Express train.
Celebrate the holiday season with your CAA Membership
Starting at only $30 a year, CAA Members can enjoy discounts on everything from dining out to fueling up and other benefits. You can view the list of 126,000 partner locations worldwide and compare Membership plans online.
