Christmas is just around the corner, and with some warmer weather in the forecast this weekend, it might be a great opportunity to take in some of these awesome holiday activities! Here is your list of family friendly events for the Ottawa area for the weekend of December 15-16.

Saturday:

• Marché de Noel des enfants – Les Galeries de Hull, 9:00 am – 2:00 pm (come discover and shop from creations made by children entrepreneurs ages 5-12)
• Ottawa Farmer’s Market Christmas Market – Aberdeen Pavilion, 9:00 am – 3:00 pm (farmer’s market, horse drawn sleigh rides, live entertainment and food)
• Metcalfe Farmer’s Market – Greely Community Centre, 9:00 am – 2:00 pm (stock up on all kinds of goodies from local artisans)
• Meet Santa Claus at Adventureland – 2477 Kaladar Ave, 10:00 am – 1:00 pm (Santa is coming to Adventureland to meet every child, Admission cost will be to bring in a non-perishable food donation)
• Christmas Celebration – Nepean Museum, 10:00 am – 4:00 pm (drop-in, no registration required, holiday themed activities, visit from Santa, treats, face painting, gingerbread house decorating, $17.25 family)
• How the Grinch Spied Christmas – Diefenbunker Museum, 10:00 am – 4:00 pm (learn about how the Grinch spied, do who-crafts, who hot chocolate and who movies, included with museum admission)
• THCA Holiday Party – Tanglewood Hillsdale Community Association, 10:30 am – 12:30 pm (photos with Santa, decorate some cookies and sing along. Free event. Donations will also be taken for the Food Bank. Coffee and hot chocolate will be provided)
• Kintail Country Christmas – Mill of Kintail Conservation Area, 11:00 am – 3:00 pm (crafts, tractor and wagon rides, music, stories by the fire, festive food and more, $10 per vehicle)
• Christmas Choirs and Wagon Rides in the Market – The Byward Market, 12:00 pm – 4:00 pm (free wagon rides and festive singing entertainment on the George street plaza)
• Rideau Hall Skating Pavilion and Rink – Rideau Hall, 12:00 pm – 5:00 pm (free outdoor refrigerated rink, skating only, no hockey)
• Christmas Concert – National Gallery of Canada, 1:30 pm – 3:00 pm (National Capital Concert Band paints a musical canvas of Christmas and holiday tunes, included with admission)
• The Polar Express 3D Experience – Ottawa Family Cinema, 2:00 pm – 4:30 pm (enjoy this movie in 3D and everyone gets a free Christmas gift, could get busy so recommended to book ahead)
• The Lion, The Witch and the Wardrobe – Centrepointe Theatre, 2:00 pm and 7:00 pm shows (C.S Lewis’ classic story, tickets available online)
• Teddy Bear Toss at Ottawa 67’s Game – TD Place, 2:00 pm (junior hockey tradition, Santa will attend game and their will be carollers)
• Stanley’s Christmas Village – Stanley’s Maple Lane Farm, 2:00 pm – 6:30 pm (buy tickets online for this elf village experience)
• Vintage Village of Lights – Cumberland Village Heritage Museum, 3:00 pm – 8:00 pm (illuminated from 5 pm to 8 pm, stroll the village, take a wagon ride, decorate a gingerbread man, visit with Santa)
• Alight at Night – Upper Canada Village, 5:00 pm – 10:00 pm (gorgeous holiday display with thousands of lights decorating the heritage village, Santa visits, carollers and a carousel)
• Magic of Lights – Wesley Clover Parks, 5:00 pm – 10:00 pm (2 km drive thru light display, buy your tickets online, $20 a car)
• Winter Lightscapes Show – Parliament Hill, 5:30 pm – 11:00 pm (12 minute long light show on repeat illuminating Parliament Hill)

Sunday:

• Ottawa Farmer’s Market Christmas Market – Aberdeen Pavilion, 9:00 am – 3:00 pm  (see above)
• How the Grinch Spied Christmas – Diefenbunker Museum, 10:00 am – 4:00 pm (see above)
• NAC FanFair 2018 – Canal Lobby Stage, 11:00 pm (free event, Santa makes an appearance at 11 am, program starts at noon)
• Christmas Choirs and Wagon Rides in the Market – The Byward Market, 12:00 pm – 4:00 pm (see above)
• Rideau Hall Skating Pavilion and Rink – Rideau Hall, 12:00 pm – 5:00 pm (see above)
• Stanley’s Christmas Village – Stanley’s Maple Lane Farm, 2:00 pm – 6:30 pm (see above)
• The Lion, The Witch and the Wardrobe – Centrepointe Theatre, 2:00 pm
• Vintage Village of Lights – Cumberland Village Heritage Museum, 3:00 pm – 8:00 pm (see above)
• Alight at Night – Upper Canada Village, 5:00 pm – 10:00 pm (see above)
• Winter Lightscapes Show – Parliament Hill, 5:30 pm – 11:00 pm (see above)