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!
It’s the coziest date night season of the year – we all love a good lights display, carol singing, hot chocolate-sipping, and cuddling up by a fire.
Here are our top date night picks the make the most out of your holiday season.
Light Displays
Magic of Lights
Location: Wesley Clover Parks
Schedule: November 18, 2022 – January 7, 2023 from 5 – 10 p.m.
Cost: Standard Vehicle Tickets are are $23 for a Weekday Ticket (valid any Monday – Wednesday) and $29 for an Any Day Ticket
Magic of Lights is a unique and dazzling drive-through holiday lights experience with more than a mile of spectacular light displays to enjoy! Don’t miss the larger-than-life sparkling Holiday Barbie display, the supersized Bigfoot Monster Truck, and the life-sized dinosaurs of Prehistoric Christmas! Pile the whole squad into the car for one standard price!
Multimedia Projection on Parliament Hill
Location: Parliament Hill
Schedule: December 8, 2002 – January 8, 2023
Cost: FREE
Experience a breathtaking multimedia projection of colourful digital imagery with a captivating soundtrack. This free activity is perfect for all ages!
Pathway of Lights
Location: Various locations between Ottawa and Gatineau
Schedule: December 8, 2022 to January 8, 2022
Cost: FREE
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.
Vintage Village of Lights
Location: 2940 Old Montreal Rd, Cumberland, Ontario
Schedule: Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays from December 2 – 18, 2022
Cost:
- Adult – $8.50
- Seniors/Youth/Students – $6
- Child (5 and Under) – FREE
- Family (2 Adults + Accompanying Children Under 18) – $21.50
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. Take in colourful vignettes highlighting the traditions of yesteryear, visit Santa, warm up by the campfire, and more!
Festivals/Markets
Alight at Night Festival
- General Admission (+5 Years of Age) – $15
- Military (With ID) – $14
- Child (Ages 0-4) – FREE
- Accessibility Night – $15
- Pommier Carriage Ride $150
*Prices do not include HST
Holiday Light Festival
Country Christmas Days
Location: Saunders Farm in Munster, Ontario
Schedule: Saturdays & Sundays from November 26 – December 18, 2022
Cost: $30 ($20 if purchasing tickets online), Children 2 and Under are FREE
Saunders Farm has another festive event that’s perfect for the whole family! This daytime holiday festival offers 4 mazes, wagon rides, holiday crafts for kids, a Discovery Barn with a Miniature Village and play area, bonfires, photo ops, shopping, and tasty treats.
Ottawa Christmas Market
Location: Lansdowne TD Place
Schedule: Friday – Sunday from November 25 – December 23, 2022
Cost: FREE
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 35 local vendors! This is the perfect place to shop holiday gifts and grab cute couple/bestie pics.
Signature Originals Christmas Craft Sale
Location: EY Centre
Schedule: December 7-11, 2022
Cost: $10 (50% off admission after 5 p.m. on Wednesday – Friday)
Signature Originals Christmas Craft Sale is a uniquely Canadians handmade marketplace in Ottawa that features the works of over 150 artists, artisans, makers, and designers from coast-to-coast. Since 1974, the show has been the premier holiday shopping event of the Nation’s Capital.
Performances
Nutcracker – A Canadian Tradition
Location: Centerpointe Theatre, Nepean, Ontario
Date: December 10, 2022
Canada Ballet Jorgen returns to present their very Candian-version of the Nutcracker. This gorgeous production features over 100 costumes in vibrant-coloured fabrics and backdrops comprised of well-known 20th century artworks. Among the usual cavalcade of mice and tin soldiers, expect to see a few Mounties and lumberjacks too!
Holiday Pop-Up Bars/Restaurant Events
Christmas Explosion at Nan’s Parlour
Location: 73 Clarence St, Ottawa
Nan’s Parlour is hosting their second annual 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! They also have a fresh list of Christmas cocktails (and a mocktail) with $1 from each one sold going to BGC Ottawa.
Elf’s Pub
Location: Fairmont Château Laurier
Schedule: Open Wednesday, Thursdays, and Fridays from 5 – 10 p.m. and Fridays & Saturdays from 6 – 11 p.m. until January 1, 2023
Nothing is more fun than visiting a secret bar for date night, especially when it’s Christmas-themed! Elf’s Pub is located inside Fairmont Château Laurier and offers yummy holiday drinks and stunning decor!
Looking for more holiday date ideas? Click here to explore fun and festive date ideas across Canada!
