Photo Credits: @ottawatourism
The holiday season is in full swing here in Ottawa. The weather’s getting colder, the Christmas music is on repeat, and spirits are high!
From incredible light displays to special performances and pop-up bars, it’s clear that the holidays are the most magical date night season of them all.
Here are our top date night picks the make the most out of your holiday season in Ottawa.
Light Displays
Magic of Lights
Magic of Lights returns for its 10th spectacular season, bringing holiday cheer and bright smiles to Ottawa’s west end! This dazzling drive-through experience features over two million twinkling lights along a two-kilometer route at the Wesley Clover Parks — all in support of children, youth, and families at CHEO. Pile the whole squad into the car for one standard price!
Also, back for its 4th year, the Mark Motors Group Holiday “Pit Stop” invites guests to park and explore a festive winter village right inside the Magic of Lights route. Stroll through an illuminated forest trail, snap photos at Instagram-worthy displays, write a note to Santa at the Move 100 Letter Writing Station, and enjoy classic Canadian treats as you soak in the holiday magic.
Location: Wesley Clover Parks
Dates: November 21, 2025 – December 11, 2025 from 5 p.m. – 9 p.m. & December 12, 2025 – January 3, 2026 from 5 p.m. – 10 p.m.
Cost: Standard Vehicle Tickets are are $31.58 for a Weekday Ticket and $36.26 for an Any Day Ticket
Taffy Lane
Located on Ottawa’s east end, Taffy Lane is known for its extensive holiday light displays by residents, a tradition that began in the early 1980s. Located in the suburb of Orleans, visitors can drive or walk through the neighborhood to see the decorations, which often include a collection for local charities like CHEO and the Ottawa Food Bank.
Location: Taffy Lane, Orleans, Ontario
Dates: During the holiday season (No specific dates)
Cost: FREE
Winter Lights Across Canada
Be dazzled by the Pathway of Lights through Confederation Boulevard – a ceremonial route that circles the heart of Canada’s Capital Region. Hop in your car and follow an illuminated route between Gatineau and Ottawa, admiring the sites and monuments along the way.
Click here to view the Pathway of Lights route.
Location: Various locations between Ottawa and Gatineau
Dates: December 8, 2025 – January 9, 2026
Cost: FREE
Vintage Village of Lights
Enjoy the postcard-perfect scenery of a 1920s and 30s village on foot as you explore the festive light displays and true-to-era buildings at Cumberland Heritage Village Museum. Explore festive vignettes and light displays, visit with Santa, decorate gingerbread cookies, complete a craft, take in a seasonal heritage skill demonstration, relax around the bonfire, and more. Fun for family and friends of all ages!
You can also browse a unique selection of handmade items and pick up the perfect gift in their Boutique. Drop by the canteen for cozy snacks and refreshments—including a selection of baked goods made with produce grown right here at the museum (while supplies last).
*The offered seasonal heritage skill demonstration may vary evening-to-evening depending on conditions and the availability of their skilled heritage interpreters.
Location: 2940 Old Montreal Rd, Cumberland, Ontario
Schedule: Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays from November 28 – December 21, 2025, 4 – 9 p.m. (final entry by 8 p.m.)
Cost: $26.14 per group (up to 6 people per group; children under two are not counted toward the maximum group size)
Festivals/Markets
Alight at Night Festival
- Adult (Ages 25-64) – $18
- Youth Adult (Ages 18-24) – $9
- Student (Ages 13-17), Youth (Ages 5-12) and Child (Ages 0-4) – FREE
Country Christmas Days
Location: 7893 Bleeks Road, Munster, Ontario
Dates: December 6-30, 2025
Cost: General Admission starts from $20 (Group Rates are available)
Ottawa Christmas Market
The iconic Ottawa Christmas Market at Aberdeen Square is back for another season of festive joy! Enjoy thousands of Christmas lights and decor, performances, workshops, local sips and bites, and shopping at over 50 local vendors! This is the perfect place to shop holiday gifts and grab cute couple/bestie pics.
Location: Entrances at 1000 Exhibition Way and 1525 Princess Patricia Way
Dates: Select days from November 21 – December 31, 2025
Cost: FREE
Signature Originals Christmas Craft Sale
Signature Originals Christmas Craft Sale is a uniquely Canadians handmade marketplace in Ottawa that features the works of over 200 Canadian artists, artisans, makers, and designers from coast-to-coast. The event will also feature artist demos and live music for the ultimate shopping date.
datenight tip: Plan your visit on Friday, December 12th for their Sip & Shop event where you’ll receive a local craft cocktail with your ticket!
Location: EY Centre l 4899 Uplands Dr,
Ottawa
Dates: December 10-14, 2025
Cost: $5-$10 (50% off admission after 5 p.m. on Wednesday and Thursday)
613Christmas and 613Holiday Night Market
The annual 613Christmas Market heralds the start of the start of the holiday shopping season and features a vast array of unique and thoughtful gift giving items. As always, admission is free and there will be 200 local vendors to explore!
The 613Holiday Night Market will also be open on Friday nights inside the Aberdeen Pavillion. It’s the perfect market to explore (and warm u at!) during a visit to the Ottawa Christmas Market.
Location: 613Christmas Market is located at the Carleton University Fieldhouse and 613Holiday Night Market is located at the Aberdeen Pavillion at Lansdowne
Dates:
- 613Christmas Market
- November 29 from 10 a.m. – 5 p.m.
- November 30 from 10 a.m. – 4 p.m.
- 613Holiday Night Market is on Fridays from November 28 – December 19 from 5 p.m. – 10 p.m.
Cost: FREE
ADAAWE Indigenous Holiday Market
Join ADAAWE for a vibrant celebration of Indigenous creativity and culture at their Indigenous Holiday Market!
Featuring over 20 talented Indigenous vendors, this market is your one-stop destination for unique, handcrafted gifts just in time for the holidays. Explore a beautiful selection of beadwork, jewelry, clothing, home goods, and more – all created with care by Indigenous makers. Enjoy the spirit of community, support local artisans, and find meaningful gifts that carry stories, tradition, and heart.
Location: 338 Somerset St W, Ottawa
Date: November 22, 2025 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Cost: FREE
Performances
Nutcracker at the National Arts Centre
Canada’s Royal Winnipeg Ballet makes a stop at the NAC to present their very Candian-version of the Nutcracker. The many cultural references in this beloved Canadian-themed production are sure to bring a smile to viewers’ faces. A hockey game on a frozen pond, RCMP officers battling the evil Mouse King on Parliament Hill, a few nods to the Hudson’s Bay Company—all the elements are in place for this fabulous holiday tradition.
Stop by one hour before the show and sprinkle some extra sweetness on your Nutcracker experience by making your very own Nutcracker crown! Look for the arts and craft tables in the canal lobby to immerse yourself in the festive atmosphere and be part of the magic.
Location: Southam Hall at NAC l 1 Elgin St, Ottawa
Dates: December 3-7, 2025
Trans-Siberian Orchestra The Ghosts of Christmas Eve: The Best of TSO and More!
This winter, TSO is hitting the road with the fan-favourite show and they’re making a stop in Ottawa!
TSO was created to push the boundaries of what was possible for a band to create – both musically and visually. Paul O’Neill dreamed of a different kind of “band” that is not limited by the confines of traditional rock acts and instead established one with multiple singers who could inhabit the various characters he was writing into his rock operas. Although TSO is best known for their Capra-esque trilogy of holiday records –Christmas Eve & Other Stories, The Christmas Attic, and The Lost Christmas Eve –they have also released several other rock operas! With an incredible stage production and your favourite rock Christmas tunes, this is a show you won’t to miss.
Location: Canadian Tire Centre l 1000 Palladium Drive, Ottawa
Dates: November 26, 2025
The Jinkx and DeLa Holiday Show
The Queens of Christmas return for 2025 with another holiday spectacular for everyone, naughty or nice! Making the yuletide gay since 2018, this glorious collaboration from two of RuPaul’s DragRace’s most glittering alumni is the perfect tonic for the hysteria of the holiday season, with boozy holiday cheer infused with good old razzle-dazzle song and dance numbers, copious amounts of eggnog and classic carols with a cheeky drag twist.
Location: Algonquin Commons Theatre l 1385 Woodroffe Ave, Ottawa
Dates: November 25, 2025
Holiday Pop-Up Bars
Christmas Explosion at Nan’s Parlour
Nan’s Parlour is back with their iconic Christmas Explosion Event! This granny chic cocktail bar is completely decked out in Christmas decor for the season – it truly feels like you’re stepping into a Hallmark Christmas movie!
Enjoy a fresh list of Christmas cocktails and mocktails, along with some fun events coming up like the Christmas-edition of Tropic Thursdays on November 20th and the Peelers Burlesque Show on November 28th.
Location: 73 Clarence St, Ottawa
Dates: November 14, 2025 – January 3, 2026
Five Golden Rings
Nothing is more fun than visiting a cool speakeasy bar for date night, especially when it’s Christmas-themed! Five Golden Rings is tucked inside ‘The Staffroom’ at Union Local 613 and features an extravagant collection of nostalgic Christmas decor (seriously, you need to check out their Santa wall!)
For a sweet date idea, try their Holiday Tea which is offered every Sunday during the holiday season. They will also be hosting a Gingerbread Workshop on November 24th, an Ugly Christmas Sweater Party on November 28th, and an Ornament Workshop on December 1st.
Location: 315 Somerset St W, Ottawa
Santa’s Secret Speakeasy
There’s a new holiday-themed speakeasy to add to your date night bucket list!
Santa’s Secret Speakeasy will be opening their doors in the ByWard Market on November 21st. The entire bar will be decorated with Christmas trees, overhead twinkling lights, ornaments, festive music, nostalgic Christmas movies, and more! They will also be serving a small food menu, dessert options, and of course festive cocktails and mocktails.
Reservations are limited so be sure to send them a DM on Instagram to secure your spot!
Location: Lowertown Brewery (Lower Level) l 73 York St, Ottawa
Dates:
- November: Open Wednesday-Sunday
- December: Open 7 days a week
Hours:
- Monday – Friday: 5 p.m. – 1 a.m.
- Saturday & Sunday: 4 p.m. – 1 a..m.
Jingle Bar
After spreading festive cheer to over 5,000 holiday lovers on the East Coast, the most magical Christmas pop-up bar is finally landing in Ottawa this December! Get ready for a dazzling season filled with twinkling lights, heartwarming holiday moments, and festive fun around every corner.
Jingle Bar has decked out Nuvo Lounge with tinsel, twinkling trees, and presents galore. They’ll also be playing non-stop Christmas classics and serving up festive cocktails & tasty treats. You and your date can also challenge each other to fun holiday games and surprises to make your night unforgettable.
P.S. Be sure to show off your Christmas style – there are prizes for the most festive outfits
Location: Nuvo Lounge l 295 Dalhousie St, Ottawa
Dates: Select dates between December 4-23, 2025
Cost: $15.82/person for admission
Sippin’ Santa at The Standard
The seventh annual Sippin’ Santa Ottawa pop-up event is back at The Standard on Elgin St! Experience fun over-the-top tropical holiday decor while you eat and sip one of their iconic Sippin’ Santa cocktails. Think Santa Claus and Hawaiian surfin’ with Tiki cocktails in hand!
This spot is typically booked up every day so be sure to get your reservations in soon!
datenight tip: Order the Nui Nui New Year for the perfect shareable cocktail for two!
Location: The Standard l 360 Elgin St, Ottawa
Dates:
- November 18 – December 29, 2025 from 3 p.m. to late daily
- Closed December 24-25
- December 26: 7 p.m. – late
Miracle on Elgin
Miracle on Elgin is back with a fun new twist – two bars, one wild sleigh ride!
Elgin Beer Project is diving headfirst into the eggnog — a chaotic but joyful Christmas bar, where the lights are tangled, the ugly sweaters are encouraged, and the holiday spirits come in cans and shots. It’s rowdy, it’s kitschy, and it’s for anyone who believes Santa probably gets a little weird on his night off.
Meanwhile, right next door…Good Neighbour, the season is looking a little more classic and cozy. Think crackling fire energy, timeless holiday cocktails, twinkling lights that aren’t flickering from questionable wiring, and all the warm fuzzies of a traditional Christmas — with just a touch of party-time mischief.
Location: Elgin Beer Project and Good Neighbour l 399 Elgin St, Ottawa
Dates: November 19 – December 30, 2025
Looking for more holiday date ideas? Click here to explore fun and festive date ideas across Canada!
