What to do in Ottawa this January 2024
13 Minute Read
Despite the holiday season wrapping up, there are still fun activities to enjoy this winter around Ottawa. You can start the new year by watching sporting events, attending art performances, having a last look at the holiday lights, skating on outdoor trails, and so much more.
Here are various exciting events and things to do in Ottawa this January 2024.
Shows, sports and special events
Sens Skills
Where: Canadian Tire Centre, 1000 Palladium Dr., Ottawa, ON
When: January 28, 2024
Find out which Ottawa Senator is the fastest skater and has the hardest shot at this family-friendly competition. The NHL team will split into two sides to battle it in multiple skill-testing events like accuracy shooting and a 3-on-3 game. CAA North & East Ontario will be giving out swag, hosting giveaways during the event, and scanning the audience for young fans to spend some ice time with their favourite players.
Mod Nite: 60s Rock n' Soul Dance Party
Where: LIVE on Elgin, 220 Elgin St., Ottawa, ON
When: January 6, 2024
Dance the night away to the classic sounds of artists like Aretha Franklin, Marvin Gaye, Diana Ross & The Supremes and The Beatles. Transport yourself back in time and celebrate the music of the 60s, spending the evening enjoying rock, Motown, R&B and more on vinyl. There are prizes, drink specials and a twist competition. It takes place on the first Saturday of each month.
Nature Nocturne: Glow
https://www.instagram.com/p/Cx0NPxxMqpN/
Where: Canadian Museum of Nature, 240 McLeod St., Ottawa, ON
When: January 26, 2024
Get themed and fancy, partying the evening away at the museum. Explore galleries after hours, mingle with friends, twirl around on multiple dance floors, grab drinks at the bar and enjoy other unique activities and performances. The glow objects will illuminate you throughout the night; enjoy a glowing drink, get a shining tattoo and learn how nature glows. The Nature Nocturne events sell out quickly, so grab tickets and stay tuned for future events.
Cirque Espãna
Where: National Arts Centre, 1 Elgin St., Ottawa, ON
When: January 25 – 27, 2024
Accompanied by music from the NAC Orchestra, enjoy the astounding show of circus-dance-theatre performances. You'll be amazed by how Troupe Vertigo turns physical stunts into choreographed art.
Jamie Fine: If Anything's Left Tour
Where: Bronson Centre, 211 Bronson Ave., Ottawa, ON
When: January 27, 2024
Previously half of pop duo Elijah Woods x Jamie Fine that gave us hits like Ain't Easy, this Ottawa-born artist stepped out on her own in 2020. Known for tunes like the tour name's sake song If Anything's Left, she'll be performing it at the Bronson Centre with other singles like There You Go. Special guest Shawnee Kish will join Jamie.
Beyond the Pale Painting Class
Where: 250 City Centre Ave., Ottawa, ON
When: January 15, 2024
Flaunt your artistic side during this guided painting class located in a microbrewery. Supplies will be provided, and no prior experience is needed. Socialize with friends and bring home your piece of art.
Ottawa Senators Games
Where: TD Place, 1015 Bank St., Ottawa, ON
When: January 5, 6, 19, 21 and 27, 2024
Cheer on Ottawa's home team, screaming 'Go Sens Go' as you adorn your best red, white and gold. If you're a CAA Member, you can save big on select home game tickets, plus you'll receive a 10% discount on Senators merch.
Ottawa 67's Games
Where: TD Place, 1015 Bank St., Ottawa, ON
When: January 5, 6, 19, 21 and 27, 2024
Head out to Lansdowne for an afternoon or evening of hockey, cheering on the local OHL team at a home game. If you're a CAA Member, you'll enjoy a discount on both tickets and merchandise for the 67's.
Holiday activities
Alight At Night
Where: Upper Canada Village, 13740 County Rd. 2, Morrisburg, ON
When: Select dates until January 6, 2024
Extend your sparkling holiday season by strolling through the quaint historic buildings in Upper Canada Village, decked out in Christmas lights. You'll feel like you're living in a vintage postcard as you enjoy the life-sized toy train, take photos of the colourful decor and warm up with sweet treats. Dress cozy; the experience lasts about 40 minutes and is primarily outdoors.
Magic Of Lights
Where: Wesley Clover Parks, 411 Corkstown Rd., Ottawa, ON
When: Until January 6, 2024
Experience the last of the Christmas lights before the season officially ends. Stay warm in your car as you drive through a glowing holiday trail full of festive scenes and colourful lights. Make sure to get out at the holiday pit stop near the end of the trail, where you can take photos in front of holiday displays, indulge in some treats and walk through the twinkling tunnel.
Holiday Fun At The Museum
Where: Ingenium Museums, Ottawa, ON
When: Until January 7, 2024
Visit one of the three Ingenium museums during their season of holiday fun to enjoy festive events and additional activities. Watch a magic lantern show and listen to Victorian melodies at the Science and Technology Museum, witness unique solar phenomena, participate in a candy drop at the Aviation and Space Museum or watch some classic family flicks and skate on an outdoor rink at the Agriculture and Food Museum.
If you have a CAA Membership, you'll save 25% on single admission tickets and 10% on memberships at the Ingenium Museums.
Fun In The Snow
Nocturnal Snowshoeing Adventure
Where: Pickup locations in Ottawa and Gatineau
When: Select dates throughout January
Join Aventure Outaouais for a magical and unique winter experience, snowshoeing by starlight in Gatineau Park. A tree-lined path will lead you to Lake Brown Shelter, where your guide will prepare a warm dinner on a wooden stove as you relax in this hidden shelter. The whole snowy journey is five kilometres round trip, with your dinner stop in between.
As with all its tours, you'll get picked up in downtown Ottawa or Gatineau, and your transportation is included for the evening. You can also book the Ultimate Dog Sledding Tour with the company this winter.
Les Glissades Domaine des Pays d'en Haut
Where: 440 Chem. Avila, Piedmont, QC
When: Open for the season
You've never been tobogganing at this level before. This massive snow tubing park has 61 tracks to slide down on five types of snow vehicles, making it worth the two-hour drive from Ottawa. Pretend you're in the Olympics on the bobsleigh, spin down the hill with friends on the Vortex360, hit the powder with friends in a large raft, turn as you descend on a Tornado and soar downhill on a classic tube. Shop maple products and warm up with a comfort meal in the cabin.
Parc des Montagnes Noires de Ripon
Where: 39 Chem. de la Montagne-Noire, Ripon, QC
When: Opening dates are weather dependent
There are many ways to play in the snow at this winter park near Ottawa. You can snowshoe, fat bike or cross-country ski on forested trails and fly down a snow-covered hill on a tube or sled. The traditional snow tubing hill has three tracks so that you can race with your friends on a donut-style tube. Check out the Austrian luge track, where you can soar down a one-kilometre path on a wooden sled with a rope and a double-bladed base.
There will be special illuminated evening events where you can go tubing or hiking at night. Dates have not been announced but there are two planned for January.
Tobogganing In Ottawa
Where: Bruce Pit, Conroy Pit and Green's Creek, Ottawa, ON
When: Weather permitting
Bundle up the kids, or the kids at heart, and grab your best sled or tube to hit snowy hills in the city. There are three main toboggan hills: Bruce Pit in Stony Swamp, Green's Creek and Conroy Pit, which is lit up for nighttime sledding. Always use caution when snow tubing and sledding, making sure you stick to the sides when walking uphill.
Skating Trails
Le Sentier de Petit Pingouin
Where: 312 Chem. Taché, Gatineau, QC
When: Opening dates are weather dependent
Glide along 5.5 kilometres of ice, past snow-covered evergreens in the heart of nature. Excluding the famous Rideau Canal, this is the longest skating trail in the area. This ice path winds and connects to shortcut pathways so you can make your skate as long or short as you desire. There is a rest area with a campfire near the entrance where you can warm up with snacks from a food truck.
Icelynd Skating Trail
Where: 6865 Fernbank Rd., Stittsville, ON
When: Projected to open January 13, 2024
Skate through acres of natural forest on two kilometres of icy trails. Glide by starlight as the ice trail is open in the evenings, illuminated by twinkly lights. Warm up by a crackling bonfire with some snacks and hot chocolate. You can rent personal access to a bonfire and time on an ice rink. There is also a warm shed and changing area on site.
RiverOak Skating Trail
Where: 2900 York's Corners Rd., Ottawa, ON
When: Opening dates are weather dependent
Twist and turn on three kilometres of ice trails through a magical orchard. You can bring sticks and pucks if a hockey game is up your alley; there are larger rink areas for more space. Grab a skate rental with a helmet if you need it, plus there are snowshoes to keep the fun in the snow going. Snacks and drinks are available, too.
Éco-Odysée Skating
Where: 52 Chem. des Sources, Wakefield, QC
When: Opening dates are weather dependent
Once the temperature drops, this nature park becomes a winter wonderland where you can skate along an icy labyrinth. Up to five kilometres of trails will be where you can glide through various ecosystems, including marshes and forests. Trails are lit up between Thursday and Sunday to skate under the stars, with music on Thursdays. Continue to enjoy the powder by snowshoeing on 1.5 kilometres of trails. Snacks are available, plus you can get your skates sharpened.
Patinage en Forêt
Where: 9 Montée Beausoleil, Lac-des-Loups, QC
When: Opening dates are weather dependent
This enchanting skating path winds through a forest and is a three-kilometre-long natural trail. Stay tuned for Patinage en Forêt's announcement of the evening skating sessions, where hundreds of torches light the path. There are snowshoes and skates for rent. Warm up after your winter activities with snacks by a bonfire and bring cash for the canteen.
Rink Of Dreams
Where: Ottawa City Hall, 110 Laurier Ave. W., Ottawa, ON
When: Open for the season
In the heart of downtown, you can skate around a maintained rink for free. It's open daily until 11 p.m. so that you can glide and twirl surrounded by colourful lights.
Patinoire Ruisseau de la Brasserie
Where: 185 Ruisseau-De-La-Brasserie Pathway, Hull, QC
When: Opening dates are weather dependent
Enjoy this outdoor urban skating rink on a frozen creek just on the other side of the river. Access the icy trail from Rue Montcalm, near many restaurants where you can warm up post-skate. You can get skate rentals for free if you have a Gatineau access card.
Rideau Canal Skateway
Where: Rideau Canal, Ottawa, ON
When: Opening dates are weather dependent
The world's largest outdoor skating rink is Ottawa's historic Rideau Canal. The canal transforms each winter into a 7.8-kilometre-long rink with multiple access points. You can grab treats like BeaverTails and hot chocolate, rent skates and sleighs, sharpen your skates, and take advantage of cute photo opportunities. The ice conditions may change even once open due to the weather, so check online for updates.
Ski Hills
Camp Fortune
Where: 300 Chem. Dunlop, Chelsea, QC
When: Open for the season – weather dependent
Nestled in the gorgeous Gatineau Park, this ski hill has 27 unique runs, with multiple green runs returning to the main chalet, making it extra simple for beginners. Make your way to the Skyline lift if you're looking for more of a challenge and want to hit up some double blacks. The terrain park has boxes, jumps and rails for those wishing to practice tricks. Lessons are offered for kids and adults, and there is a boutique where you can buy or lease gear for the season.
Calabogie Peaks Resort
Where: 30 Barrett Chute Rd., Calabogie, ON
When: Open for the season – weather dependent
Not only can you downhill ski or board, go for a snowshoe trek and cross-country ski at this winter resort, but you can also enjoy a restaurant meal and spend the night at the hotel. Stay overnight on the mountainside of the slopes and have first access to the lifts, with ski-in and ski-out perks. The hill has green, blue and black runs so you can ski on your level from top to bottom, as well as a terrain park and mogul field. Warm up with a campfire each evening after fun in the snow.
Mount Pakenham
Where: 577 Ski Hill Rd., Pakenham, ON
When: Open for the season – weather dependent
An ideal place for beginners to learn, this ski hill is just West of the city and offers a variety of classes and snow programs for children and adults. There is a variety of equipment available for rent for the day, which you can book ahead online. If downhill thrills aren't your speed, embark on a snowshoe trek along 12 kilometres of trails. After hitting the slopes or trails, stop in the lodge to enjoy some comfort food.
Mont Cascades
Where: 448 Chem. du Mont-des-Cascades, Cantley, QC
When: Open for the season – weather dependent
Mont Cascades is known for its massive waterpark during the summer months, but you can enjoy the ski hill in the winter. Fly past evergreens on skis or a board whether you need to hone your skills on the bunny hill or rip down blacks on the World Cup Side. Sign up for snow school lessons if you or your kids are beginners. The Mont Cascades has ski and snowboard rentals and a restaurant with hot meals.
Centre Vorlage
Where: 65 Chem. Burnside, Wakefield, QC
When: Open for the season – weather dependent
Spend a day on the slopes near Ottawa skiing or snowboarding and take advantage of the other snowy activities this winter. Go alpine hiking up two unique trails and snowshoe or fat bike on new routes transformed from the summer bike paths. Rent equipment if needed, and grab your day ticket or season pass. There are also snow lessons if you're a beginner.
Grimpe de Collines happens on January 20, 2024, with group hikes, live music, competitions, a thermal experience, special menus and more.
Sommet Edelweiss
Where: 538 Chem. Edelweiss, Wakefield, QC
When: Open for the season – weather dependent
Whether you book snow lessons as a beginner, grab a day lift ticket, or a season pass to keep the snowy fun going, there are multiple ways to hit the slopes. There are 20 runs to ski down, with one side of the mountain having primarily green tracks and the other predominantly black so that you can enjoy your preferred level all day. Grab kids' rentals if needed, and enjoy eating at the cafeteria. This winter park also has a tubing area so non-skiers can soar down the fresh powder on colourful tubes.
Keep your CAA Membership handy
Starting at just $30 a year, CAA Members can enjoy discounts on everything from dining out and filling up on fuel to savings on your car and travel insurance, as well as other benefits. You can view the list of 126,000 partner locations worldwide and compare Membership plans online.
