Have a Holly Jolly Christmas in Ottawa

We’re in the home stretch of the holiday season and things may feel a little frantic right now. But before we know it, all the parties will be over, the presents unwrapped and the festive dinners eaten. And the kids will still be home from school.

Luckily, the Christmas season in Ottawa brings plenty of opportunity for good family fun, and we’re rounding up our faves.

Our top pick is Alight at Night, the annual Christmas celebration at Upper Canada Village. The heritage buildings are gorgeous lit up with thousands of lights, and our kids just love the light show coordinated to music at the town hall. Grab a hot chocolate, take a horse and buggy ride, or best of all, join in the carol sing-a-long in the old church. It’s a quiet, beautiful evening that’s well worth the travel—throw a blanket or two in the car for sleepyheads on the ride home.

It wouldn’t feel like Christmas in Ottawa without an outdoor skate! If the canal isn’t open yet, there are still plenty of great options. The Rink of Dreams at City Hall is already open for skaters—a pretty little spot right in the downtown core open from 8 am to 11 pm daily. There’s even a warm changing hut, perfect for keeping little toes happy. And if you can’t quite make it downtown, remember there are refrigerated rinks and changing huts at Ben Franklin Place and the new Landsdowne Park complex, too.

There’s so much more to do in town—celebrate the season with these other enchanting Ottawa activities.