Here’s what’s happening in the National Capital Region this winter
What: 2025 IIHF World Junior Championship
Where: Canadian Tire Centre
When: December 26, 2024 to January 5, 2025
Why: Ten teams are divided into five-team groups in the preliminary round. After a single round-robin series in each group, the top four teams from each group advance to the playoff round while the fifth-placed team in each group moves to the relegation round.
Website: iihf.com/en/events/2025/wm20
What: 24th Annual Bell Capital Cup
Where: TD Place Arena and the Canadian Tire Centre
When: December 27 to 31, 2024
Why: This year’s tournament will have 258 teams and over 4,000 boys and girls from House and Rep U10 to U13, Junior Sledge and Adaptive Hockey teams playing 600 games in just five days. This makes it the largest Bell Capital Cup Since 2017. In addition to more than 200 Canadian teams, there will be 50 rosters from across the United States along with five international teams – Slovenia, Austria, Korea and 2 teams from Chinese Taipei.
Website: bellcapitalcup.ca
Rink of Dreams
What: Family skating
Where: The City of Ottawa refrigerated rinks, including the Jim Tubman Chevrolet Rink (Canterbury), Lansdowne Park skating court, Rink of Dreams (City Hall) and Ben Franklin Place skating rink.
When: Hours may change during holidays or extreme weather conditions. Check the rink location before going.
Why: Get the family outside for a fun day on Ottawa’s skating rinks. This is a free activity, weather permitting.
Website: ottawa.ca/en/recreation-and-parks/facilities-and-rentals/parks-and-green-space/outdoor-rinks#
What: Neon Creations: Glow-in-the-Dark Marble Painting
Where: Canadian Children’s Museum Studio
When: Through January 12, 2025
Why: Free with admission, this glow-in-the-dark marble-painting experience allows children of all ages to unleash their creativity as they swirl vibrant colours together, then watch their masterpieces come to life under the glow of neon lights.
Website: historymuseum.ca/events/neon-creations-glow-dark-marble-painting?_date=2025-01-07
Lord of the Rings
What: Lord Of The Rings: The Fellowship Of The Ring
Where: The Arena, TD Place
When: January 18, 2025
Why: Experience Howard Shore’s Academy Award®-winning score performed live to the epic motion picture in HD. The 250 musicians on stage from the FILMharmonique Orchestra and Choir will transport you to the heart of Middle-earth in the quest of the Fellowship of the Ring.
Website: tdplace.ca/event/lord-of-the-rings-the-fellowship-of-the-ring/
Wonka.
What: Wonka
Where: Ottawa Family Cinema
When: January 18, 2025, 2 p.m.
Why: A screening of the film Wonka, which focuses on a young Willy Wonka and how he came to meet the Oompa Loompas on one of his earliest adventures.
Website: familycinema.ca/shows/3548.html
MADSAD Migy Blanco
What: Mad.Sad.Glad: A Symphony of Emotions
Where: National Arts Centre, Southam Hall
When: Sunday, Jan. 26, 3:30 p.m.
Why: Principal Youth Conductor and Creative Partner Daniel Bartholomew-Poyser leads the NAC Orchestra in a program designed to showcase how a range of emotions can be expressed — and experienced — through music. Listen to the works of Beethoven, Puccini, Rossini, Nielsen and more.
Website: nac-cna.ca/en/event/36093
What: Fête Frissons 2025
Where: Shenkman Arts Centre, upper lobby
When: February 9, 2025
Why: The free annual Fête Frissons event is open to all with performances, artmaking, workshops and storytelling.
Website: shenkmanarts.ca/en/fete-frissons-2025
What: Ottawa Multicultural Bazaar
Where: Nepean Sportsplex
When: February 15 and 16, 2025, 11 a.m. to 7 p.m.
Why: Discover diversity by embarking on a global journey without leaving our city. Visit stalls featuring unique crafts, clothing and treasures from different continents.
Website: inmotionevents.ca/event/ottawa-multicultural-bazaar/
What: Ottawa Children’s Choir Sing-a-thon Celebration Concert
Where: NAC Elgin Lobby, 1 Elgin St.
When: March 1, 2025
Why: This free event is the culmination of the Ottawa Children’s Choir’s month-long choir fundraiser. Experience the magic of a choral music.
Website: ottawachildrenschoir.ca/events
What: Ottawa Parent & Child Expo, Spring Edition
Where: Nepean Sportsplex
When: April 5 and 6, 2025
Why: The Ottawa Parent & Child Expo is the capital’s longest running parenting and kids’ expo–and one of the best values for fun, learning, new products, services, and entertainment for families. Play, activity, and learning zones, 75 local parenting exhibitors – free mainstage entertainment and free show bag for the first 1,000 families each day.
Website: parentandchildexpo.ca/
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