Photo: @2016 St. Lawrence Parks Commission
The Haunted Walk’s ‘Nightmare before Xmas’
When: Dec. 3-30, 2016
Where: Bytown Museum, 1 Canal Lane
What: Explore the darker side of the festive season with tales about strange and frightening holiday traditions and creepy Christmas-themed ghost stories. Most of the tour will take place inside the spooky Bytown Museum, Ottawa’s oldest stone building.
Website: hauntedwalk.com/ottawa-tours
bigstockphoto.com
New Year’s Eve Celebration
When: Dec. 31, 2016
Where: Ottawa City Hall, 110 Laurier Ave. W.
What: Count down to the New Year and kick off the year-long Ottawa 2017 festivities during this early evening, family-friendly celebration, including the lighting of a spectacular cauldron at Ottawa City Hall, which will cue hundreds of Ottawa-area students to form a human chain, connecting young people from all backgrounds to weave a line of excitement and youthful optimism through the downtown streets.
Website: ottawa2017.ca
Alight at Night
When: Dec. 2-31, 2016
Where: Upper Canada Village, 13740 County Road 2, Morrisburg, Ont.
What: Close to one million lights adorn the heritage buildings, trees and fences of historic Upper Canada Village, creating a magical backdrop for this annual festival, a special holiday family event with new seasonal activities and breathtaking lighting. Enjoy horse-drawn wagon rides, shop at the Village Store, and dine at the Harvest Barn.
Website: uppercanadavillage.com/events/alight-at-night
Gift of Lights: A New Family Tradition
When: Until Jan. 1, 2017
Where: Wesley Clover Parks, 411 Corkstown Rd.
What: Gather everyone in the car and bring them out to see the Christmas lights, a classic holiday event guaranteed to get even the worst grinch in the family into a good mood. Enjoy a two-kilometre drive-through holiday light display featuring a 100-foot light tunnel at the exit, and over 30 full light static and animated displays. Proceeds support the Sens Foundation.
Website: giftoflights.com/locations/ottawa-on
Napoleon and Paris
When: Until Jan. 8, 2017
Where: Canadian Museum of History, 100 Laurier St., Gatineau, Que.
What: Bring the family to discover some fascinating history and learn about the complex relationship between a legendary man and one of the most beautiful cities in the world. Over 250 works reveal Napoleon’s ambitious dream of turning Paris into the capital of Europe.
Website: historymuseum.ca
Gold Rush! El Dorado in British Columbia
When: Until Jan. 15, 2017
Where: Canadian Museum of History, 100 Laurier St., Gatineau, Que.
What: This exhibit allows you to travel back to 1858 and discover how the gold rush attracted thousands of miners and entrepreneurs of various social and ethnic origins and transformed British Columbia’s Fraser Canyon. Plus, take part in fun and memorable activities your family will treasure.
Website: historymuseum.ca
bigstockphoto.com @ barsik
Canadian Tire National Skating Championships
When: Jan. 16-22, 2017
Where: TD Place Arena, 1015 Bank St.
What: In the first sporting event in Ottawa’s year-long celebration of Canada’s 150th birthday, skaters will compete in the men’s, women’s, pairs, and ice dance disciplines in three levels: senior, junior, and novice. Interesting note: the very first Canadian Skating Championships were held in 1914 in Ottawa.
Website: skatecanada.ca
Winterlude
When: Feb. 3-20, 2017
Where: Various locations in Ottawa and Gatineau
What: Winterlude, the National Capital Region’s ultimate winter celebration, honours our country’s distinct northern climate and culture. Skate on the Rideau Canal, the world’s largest skating rink, check out the ice sculpture competitions, or play in Jacques Cartier Park, North America’s largest snow playground. All sites are open on Family Day. Check the website for an updated schedule of events.
Website: www.canada.pch.gc.ca
Photo: ASNY
Mary Poppins
When: Jan. 27-Feb. 4, 2017
Where: Centrepointe Theatres, 101 Centrepointe Dr.
What: One of the most popular Disney movies of all time is capturing hearts as a musical, and it’s coming to Ottawa! Based on the books by P.L. Travers and the classic Walt Disney film, Disney and Cameron Mackintosh’s Mary Poppins delighted Broadway audiences for over 2,500 performances and received nominations for nine Olivier and seven Tony Awards, including Best Musical. Mary Poppins promises to be an enchanting mix of wonderful story, memorable songs, engaging dance numbers and astonishing stagecraft.
Website: centrepointetheatre.ca
Photo: NCC-CNN/Winterlude
Sens Rink of Dreams
When: Until March 5, 2017 (weather permitting)
Where: City Hall, 1101 Laurier Ave. W.
What: Enjoy free skating on the state-of-the-art refrigerated Sens Rink of Dreams, open seven days a week, 6 a.m. to 11 p.m. (weather permitting). Be sure to bring your own skates, and take advantage of the heated changing facility, open daily from 8 a.m. to 11 p.m. Afterward, grab a delicious Beavertail, and take a tour inside City Hall to visit the Barbara Ann Scott Gallery, Ottawa Sports Hall of Fame and the Karsh-Masson Gallery — all galleries are free!
Website: ottawa.ca
bigstockphoto.com
Disney On Ice: Passport to Adventure
When: Feb. 23-26 (see website for show times), 2017
Where: Canadian Tire Centre, 1000 Palladium Dr.
What: Join Mickey and Minnie Mouse as they travel to the timeless worlds of Disney’s The Lion King, The Little Mermaid, Peter Pan and of course, the No.1-animated feature film of all time, Frozen! Upbeat music, plenty of laughs and these lovable, engaging characters make this a fantastic family outing!
Website: www.canadiantirecentre.com
Ottawa Parent & Child Expo
When: March 25-26, 2017
Where: Nepean Sportsplex, 1701 Woodroffe Ave. (Entrance 1 & Entrance 4)
What: Gather the kids and head to the Nepean Sportsplex for a weekend of family fun and information at Ottawa’s largest parenting show. Parents will find 125 of their favourite Ottawa exhibitors offering important parenting information, and kids will find the beloved Dora and Boots and super hero characters, Little Ray’s Reptiles, live music by Triple Trouble, and more. Discover friendly mascots to hug, magic, robotics, and many other activities that focus on fun, learning and being healthy and active, including fitness demonstrations, face painting, arts and crafts, a reading corner and much more. An exciting family event where you and your children can play, learn, and explore – with free parking. Check the website regularly for more entertainment announcements in the new year! Tickets go on sale at www.ParentandChildExpo.ca in February 2017.
Website: parentandchildexpo.ca