It is a wintery weekend ahead of us, and that has me feeling the Christmas spirit. My family will be hitting up a Santa Claus parade this weekend (there are four going on in and around Ottawa). What do you have planned? Here are some great ideas for your family for the weekend of November 16-17.

Saturday:

• Carp Christmas Craft Sale – Carp Agricultural Hall, 9:00 am – 3:00 pm (5th Annual Christmas Craft Sale supporting the West Carleton Food Access Centre. Gifts and holiday decor for the whole family. Lunch special $5, Secret Santa Shop for children under 12 years of age.)
• Christmas Bazaar – Julian of Norwich Anglican Church, 9:00 am – 2:00 pm (Annual Christmas Bazaar, where you can buy a selection of baked goods, knitted crafts, Christmas decor and so much more)
• Russian Christmas Bazaar – Cathedral of Blessed St. Xenia of Petersburg, 9:00 am – 2:00 pm (he Russian Christmas Bazaar offers unique Russian-European gifts, including matroshki (nesting dolls), hand-painted Christmas ornaments, beautiful Russian shawls, and many other items. Take Russian food home for dinner or enjoy a Russian lunch in the bistro)
• Holly Days Bazaar – Christ Church Bells Corners, 9:00 am – 1:30 pm ( check out the baked goods, candy & deli items, Christmas crafts, sewing and knitting, jewellery, children’s toys, one of the best used book rooms in the city)
• Kanata Santa Claus Parade – Hazeldean Mall and surrounding streets, 10:00 am – 12:00 pm (Bring non-perishable food and cash donations to the parade; all donations go to the Kanata Food Cupboard.)
• Santa’s Coming to Town – St.Laurent, 10:00 am – 11:00 am (welcome Santa to St. Laurent with a party in centre court. There will be activities for the kids with host Zip-E the Elf and live performances by Sing House Studios)
• Holiday Craft Fair – Hellenic Centre, 10:00 am – 7:30 pm (over 75 vendors)
• Ottawa’s Mega Toy and Book Sale – EY Centre, 10:00 am – 6:00 pm (1000’s of kids books and brand name toys at Canada’s lowest price. This is a 4 day event. Parking is free this year.)
• Glebe Craft and Artisan Fair – The Glebe Neighbourhood Activities Group, 175 Third Ave, 10:00 am – 5:00 pm (over 50 local vendors who make everything by hand. free admission)
• Mammoth Used Book Sale – 100 Tallwood Dr, 10:00 am – 2:00 pm (The Friends of the Ottawa Public Library Association present their monthly Mammoth Sale! Come explore hundreds of used books at great prices as low as $1.)
• W.E Gowling Christmas and Holiday Craft Show – 250 Anna Ave, 10:00 am – 3:30 pm (annual Christmas & Holiday Craft Show showcasing local Ottawa-based vendors, includes a great bake sale)
• Help Santa Toy Parade – downtown Ottawa, finishing at Lansdowne, 11:00 am (toys will be collected along the route by firefighters)
• Signatures Handmade Market – Shaw Centre, 11:00 am – 6:00 pm (ticketed market, Canada’s premier fine craft showcase)
• Silver Screen Skate: The Mighty Ducks – TD Place, 1:00 pm – 4:00 pm (Join us for a family-friendly skate on the 67’s home ice, and then cozy up for a viewing of The Mighty Ducks on the big screen at TD Place. Tickets are only $5)
• Abominable (3D) – Ottawa Family Cinema, 2:00 pm (After discovering a Yeti on the roof of her apartment building, teenage Yi and her two friends embark on an epic quest to reunite the magical creature with his family.)
• Cornwall Santa Claus Parade – Starts at St.Lawrence School, 5:00 pm (awards for best floors given immediately after the parade, refreshments will bet served after)

Sunday:

• Breakfast with Santa – Carlingwood Mall, 8:30 am – 10:30 am (Tickets can be purchased at Guest Services for $15, and include a hot breakfast, crafts, a meet and greet with Santa and friends, specialty treats, a train ride, face painting and more)
• Holiday Craft Fair – Hellenic Centre, 9:00 am – 3:00 pm (over 75 vendors)
• Awesome Sunday: Awesome Swords – War Museum, 10:00 am – 4:00 pm (See sword-handling from a variety of cultures, take a sword class, and meet a traditional bladesmith. Create a safe and delicious candy sword.)
• Annual Holiday Craft Fair – Canterbury Community Centre, 10:00 am – 3:00 pm (80+ vendors will be selling a variety of homemade and handcrafted items that will make perfect gifts for the holiday season!)
• Old Fashioned Christmas and Outdoor Artisan Market – Goulbourn Museum, 10:00 am – 3:00 pm (this Christmas market features activities for the whole family. Write letters to Santa and pose for a photo with the jolly old soul, enjoy holiday music, hot chocolate and apple cider, roast marshmallows over a fire, and buy one-of-a-kind handmade gifts from local artisans.)
• Ottawa’s Mega Toy and Book Sale – EY Centre, 10:00 am – 4:00 pm (1000’s of kids books and brand name toys at Canada’s lowest price. This is a 4 day event. Parking is free this year.)
• All Things Holiday Market – The Original Navan Market, 10:00 am – 3:00 pm (lots of vendors and lunch is served)
• Story and Paint with the Little Mermaid – Art Haven, Barrhaven, 10:30 am – 12:00 pm (Join Ariel in painting a ceramic mermaid. You will hear stories about her adventures, and get to take pictures with her. Tickets are $30 plus tax)
• Winter Princess Party – Boston Pizza Barrhaven, 11:00 am – 2:00 pm (this very popular kids party has something for everyone, crafts, games and even a concert!! Your favourite winter princesses will be performing your favourite songs. There are two seatings and a fee of $1.50 per child)
• Signatures Handmade Market – Shaw Centre, 11:00 am – 5:00 pm (ticketed market, Canada’s premier fine craft showcase)
• Glebe Craft and Artisan Fair – The Glebe Neighbourhood Activities Group, 175 Third Ave, 11:00 am – 4:00 pm (over 50 local vendors who make everything by hand. free admission)
• Barrhaven Santa Claus Parade – Strandherd Dr, 5:30 pm – 7:30 pm (bring loonies for donation to enjoy this light up the night parade)