Another busy weekend on the way with more holiday programming. In case you missed them, I recently did blog posts on the Santa Claus parades in and around Ottawa, as well as Ottawa’s best Christmas attractions (of which some are now open). Also, Camp Fortune ski hill is now open for you families who can’t wait to hit the slopes. Here is my guide to what’s going on in Ottawa for the weekend of November 23-24.

Saturday:

• Churchill Alternative Holiday Craft Fair – Churchill Alternative School, 9:00 am – 3:00 pm (local makers and artisans, kids crafters section and refreshments)
• Free Kids Hot Chocolate Day – participating Second Cup locations, 9:00 am – 10:00 pm (thought this was worth mentioning as all kids aged 12 and under get a free hot chocolate at Second Cup locations)
• Ian’s Christmas Adventure Park and Tree Farm – Richmond Rd, Beckwith, 9:00 am – 10:00 pm (cut down your own Christmas tree, visit Santa’s workshop, jump on a wagon ride, visit the petting zoo, and cosy up next to the camp fire with a hot chocolate)
• The Zoo Crew Kanata-Stittsville Drop In – 1817 Richardson Side Rd, 10:00 am – 1:00 pm (Meet and interact with furry, feathered, scaly and shelled friends. Short shows start every hour with new animals coming out between shows. $5 per person)
• Farley Mowat Maker Market – Farley Mowat Public School, 10:00 am – 4:00 pm (A fun community event with vendors, a raffle, pizza and treats, free face painting and a Kid’s Corner )
• Vintage Holiday Pop-Up – Westboro Legion, 11:00 am – 5:00 pm (20 local vintage vendors, admission $2 donation to the Food Bank)
• North Pole Express – Railway Museum of Eastern Ontario, Smiths Falls, 11:00 am – 6:00 pm (Visit Santa’s Elves in their workshop and make a toy, decorate an ornament or help trim the trees. Santa will pay a visit and children may send their Christmas wish to the North Pole via Santa-Gram with our telegraph operator. Buy tickets ahead of time!)
• RSCA Toy Mountain Parade – Spratt Rd, Gloucester, 1:00 pm – 2:00 pm (The RSCA Toy Mountain Parade will make it’s way from St Jerome Elementary up Spratt to Bernard Grandmaitre Elementary. If you wish, bring a new, unwrapped toy to help the less fortunate in Ottawa have a Merry Christmas)
• A Christmas Carol – Ottawa School of Theatre, Shenkman Arts Centre, 1:30 pm – 3:00 pm (This family holiday classic is full of spooky ghosts, favorite holiday carols, and heartwarming Christmas magic. Performed by students of all ages from the Ottawa School of Theatre. Tickets are $5 a child, $10 adult)
• The Addams Family (3D) – Ottawa Family Cinema, 2:00 pm (new animated film about this spooky and kooky family)
• Carleton Place Santa Claus Parade – Bridge Street, Carleton Place, 5:00 pm (this year’s parade theme is ‘Old Fashioned Christmas’)
• Kemptville Kinsman 46th Annual Santa Claus Parade – Kemptville, 5:00 pm (the parade will leave Kemptville College and head down College Rd, Santa will be at the North Grenville library from 2 until 4 for a meet and greet with the children. There will be snacks, activities and drinks provided.)
• Magic of Lights – Wesley Clover Parks Campground, 5:00 pm – 10:00 pm (drive through holiday light display, $20 per vehicle, recommend buying tickets online ahead of time)
• Matilda the Musical – Centrepointe Theatre, 7:30 pm (musical based on the wonderful Roald Dahl story)

Sunday:

• Baby Mama Hustle Christmas Market – Horticulture Building, Lansdowne, 10:00 am – 3:00 pm (more than 40 local vendors and mompreneurs plus live entertainment and parenting workshops)
• OSCA’s Christmas Craft Show and Sale – Old Firehall Community Centre, 10:00 am – 4:00 pm (over 30 local artists and artisans, free admission)
• North Pole Express – Railway Museum of Eastern Ontario, Smiths Falls, 11:00 am – 3:00 pm (Visit Santa’s Elves in their workshop and make a toy, decorate an ornament or help trim the trees. Santa will pay a visit and children may send their Christmas wish to the North Pole via Santa-Gram with our telegraph operator. Buy tickets ahead of time!)
• Russell Christmas Parade – starts at St Thomas Aquinas CHS, 1:00 pm (the parade will continue down Concessions st to the Russell Fairgrounds, Everyone is invited to join Santa and Mrs. Claus upstairs at the Russell Arena where the Lions Club will be serving Hot Chocolate and Goodies.)
• A Christmas Carol – Ottawa School of Theatre, Shenkman Arts Centre, 1:30 pm – 3:00 pm (This family holiday classic is full of spooky ghosts, favorite holiday carols, and heartwarming Christmas magic. Performed by students of all ages from the Ottawa School of Theatre. Tickets are $5 a child, $10 adult)
• Matilda the Musical – Centrepointe Theatre, 2:00 pm (musical based on the wonderful Roald Dahl story)
• Magic of Lights – Wesley Clover Parks Campground, 5:00 pm – 10:00 pm (drive through holiday light display, $20 per vehicle, recommend buying tickets online ahead of time)