Welcome to the first weekend of 2020! I hope everyone has enjoyed a great holiday season, but is anyone else feeling REALLY ready for their kids to go back to school? Let’s try and make the most of the weekend before we get to send those kids back to their wonderful teachers. Here’s my list for what’s going on for the weekend of January 4 and 5.

Saturday:

• Holiday Magic at the Museum – Canada Agriculture of Food Museum, 9:30 am – 4:00 pm (Presentation by the Ottawa Valley Wild Bird Centre at 10 am, 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)
• Final Weekend for Daniel Tiger’s Neighbourhood Exhibit – Canadian Museum of History, 9:30 am – 5:00 pm (Based on the award-winning PBS KIDS television series, it follows the adventures of 4-year-old Daniel Tiger and his friends, on until January 5)
• The Zoo Crew January Drop In Orleans – 1325 Gaultois Ave, 10:00 am – 1:00 pm (come and hang out with the animals. There will be 40 mins shows each hour with loose time in between. Animals will also be out between shows. Drop In cost is $5 per person, cash only)
• Glow Ottawa – EY Centre, 12:00 pm – 10:00 pm (the final day for this indoor light up holiday display with kids activities, vendors, licensed, buy tickets online ahead of time, limited tickets)
• Calling All Cat Lovers – Indigo Pinecrest, 1:30 pm – 3:30 pm (fun workshop put on by Little Medical School. For ages 4-7 and must be accompanied by an adult. The little veterinary students will learn how to provide the best home life for cats and even get their own stuffed kitty to take home to practise, ticket price is $50)
• 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 (final evening. 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)

Sunday:

• Holiday Magic at the Museum – Canada Agriculture of Food Museum, 9:30 am – 4:00 pm (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)
• The Zoo Crew Holiday Drop In – 5721 Osgoode Main St, Osgoode, 9:00 am – 1:00 pm (open drop in, come anytime to hang out with the animals, 40 min shows with free time with the animals in between, drop in is $5 per person, cash only)
• Final Weekend for Daniel Tiger’s Neighbourhood Exhibit – Canadian Museum of History, 9:30 am – 5:00 pm (Based on the award-winning PBS KIDS television series, it follows the adventures of 4-year-old Daniel Tiger and his friends, on until January 5)
• Sky High Magic Series – Canada Aviation and Space Museum, 11:00 am and a 1:00 pm show (Magic, Laughs and Puppets with Jacques Petard. Reserve your ticket ahead of time online. $8 a ticket, $6 for museum members)
• Sens Skills – Canadian Tire Centre, 12:00 pm (Sens Skills is a charitable, fun-filled, family-oriented event that features Senators players being split into two teams and competing against each other in six different skills events in support of the Ottawa Senators Foundation. Tickets are $20 or less)
• Robin Hood – The Gladstone Theatre, 2:00 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.)
• Ottawa 67s Game and Teddy Bear Toss – TD Place Arena, 2:00 pm (family Sunday Funday game where you can get a pop, hotdog and ticket for $30, plus take part in the annual Teddy Bear toss where you bring your new or gently used bear and when the first goal is scored, launch that bear towards the ice.)
• Magic of Lights – Wesley Clover Parks Campground, 5:00 pm – 10:00 pm (the final night to enjoy this 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)