I hope everyone enjoyed a wonderful holiday celebration! I’m writing this late in the day on Boxing Day and I am still in my pyjamas, eating treats from my stocking. So, I apologize if this list is a little rushed because I’m still in that holiday haze. Here is what is going on around Ottawa for the weekend of December 28 and 29 – the last weekend of the decade! And if you are still trying to make plans for New Year’s Eve be sure to check out my post for all of the best family friendly events for December 31st.

Saturday:

• Holiday Magic at the Museum – Canada Agriculture of Food Museum, 9:30 am – 4:00 pm (4th annual Cookie Day where you can help bake cookies to donate to the Ottawa Mission. Plus check out the gingerbread house village which will be on display for viewing and judging. Or head to the demonstration kitchen to learn how to make a holiday breakfast casserole and warm up with a homemade cranberry spice beverage. Don’t forget to stop by the light garden and get creative making a beautiful themed winter lantern.)
• Holiday Magic at the Museum – Canada Aviation and Space Museum, 10:00 am – 4:30 pm (Listen to the colourful story of a famous Nunavik bush pilot and his last Christmas candy drop. Don’t miss the chance to explore the ultimate interactive flight exhibition, Above and Beyond. In the Planetarium, the whole family can experience the universe from the comfort of the museum. and test your driving skills in the rover yard)
• Holiday Magic and the Museum – Canada Science and Technology Museum, 9:00 am – 5:00 pm (roll up your sleeves for some hands on activities in the maker studio and enjoy the Cryo Genius show on the main stage)
• Sens Gameday Experience – Canadian Tire Centre, 10:00 am (the Ottawa Senators coaching staff puts the players through their paces in an assortment of high-energy drills while providing players the chance to work on their own individual skills. Free admission with a donation to the Food Bank, parking is free)
• The Zoo Crew December Drop In – 1817 Richardson Rd, Kanata, 10:00 am – 1:00 pm (come and hang out with the animals. There are 40 mins shows each hour with loose time in between. There will be animals out between shows, $5 per person, children under 1 are free)
• Public Skating at Rideau Hall – Rideau Hall skating rink, 12:00 pm – 5:00 pm (grab your skates and enjoy a free skate at this historic rink)
• Glow Ottawa – EY Centre, 12:00 pm – 10:00 pm (indoor light up holiday display with kids activities, vendors, licensed, buy tickets online ahead of time, limited tickets)
• You’re a Good Man Charlie Brown – Kanata Theatre, 1:00 pm and 7:00 pm ( join Charlie Brown, Sally, Snoopy, Lucy, Linus and Schroeder as they deal with the highs and lows of first-love, school, baseball and the search for happiness. Tickets are $15)
• Robin Hood – The Gladstone Theatre, 2:00 pm and 7:00 pm (A show for the whole family where you can cheer for the good guys and boo the bad guys. Robin Hood and his band of Merry Friends take on the Evil Prince John and his Sheriff in a zany, madcap Panto filled with laughter and music that you will know and love.)
• Alight at Night – Upper Canada Village, 5:00 pm – 9:00 pm (the entire village is alight with more than one million lights, enjoy a horse drawn carriage ride, eat dinner at a restaurant, sing carols and more)
• 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)
• Christmas Lights Across Canada – Parliament Hill and Confederation Park, 5:30 pm – 11:00 pm (see the holiday show projected on Centre Block, loops every 15 minutes, and check out the lights at Confederation Park)
• Holiday Glow Skate – 2451 Riverside Dr, 6:00 pm – 7:00 pm (skate in a glowing arena, along with family friendly music, glowing jerseys and glow face paint, just bring your skates and a helmet)

Sunday:

• Holiday Magic at the Museum – Canada Agriculture of Food Museum, 9:30 am – 4:00 pm (Watch a spell-binding Poi performance by Louve, a professional circus performer. Plus check out the gingerbread house village which will be on display for viewing and judging. Or head to the demonstration kitchen to learn how to make a holiday breakfast casserole and warm up with a homemade cranberry spice beverage. Don’t forget to stop by the light garden and get creative making a beautiful themed winter lantern.)
• Holiday Magic at the Museum – Canada Aviation and Space Museum, 10:00 am – 4:30 pm (Listen to the colourful story of a famous Nunavik bush pilot and his last Christmas candy drop. Don’t miss the chance to explore the ultimate interactive flight exhibition, Above and Beyond. In the Planetarium, the whole family can experience the universe from the comfort of the museum. and test your driving skills in the rover yard)
• Holiday Magic and the Museum – Canada Science and Technology Museum, 9:00 am – 5:00 pm (roll up your sleeves for some hands on activities in the maker studio and enjoy the Cryo Genius show on the main stage)
• Wizard of Oz Screening and Sing Along – MayFair Theatre, 11:30 am – 3:00 pm (Bring your family for an afternoon of nostalgia and whimsy, and sing along to your favourite songs. You are encouraged to dress up! There will be a costume contest for kids and adults after the movie.)
• Public Skating at Rideau Hall – Rideau Hall skating rink, 12:00 pm – 5:00 pm (grab your skates and enjoy a free skate at this historic rink)
• Glow Ottawa – EY Centre, 12:00 pm – 10:00 pm (indoor light up holiday display with kids activities, vendors, licensed, buy tickets online ahead of time, limited tickets)
• You’re a Good Man Charlie Brown – Kanata Theatre, 1:00 pm and 7:00 pm ( join Charlie Brown, Sally, Snoopy, Lucy, Linus and Schroeder as they deal with the highs and lows of first-love, school, baseball and the search for happiness. Tickets are $15)
• Robin Hood – The Gladstone Theatre, 2:00 pm and 7:00 pm (A show for the whole family where you can cheer for the good guys and boo the bad guys. Robin Hood and his band of Merry Friends take on the Evil Prince John and his Sheriff in a zany, madcap Panto filled with laughter and music that you will know and love.)
• Alight at Night – Upper Canada Village, 5:00 pm – 9:00 pm (the entire village is alight with more than one million lights, enjoy a horse drawn carriage ride, eat dinner at a restaurant, sing carols and more)
• 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)
• Christmas Lights Across Canada – Parliament Hill and Confederation Park, 5:30 pm – 11:00 pm (see the holiday show projected on Centre Block, loops every 15 minutes, and check out the lights at Confederation Park)