The Full Guide to Celebrating Christmas in Ottawa 2025
Ottawa is a magical holiday destination with tons to see and do. From magical light displays and Christmas markets, to great holiday shopping and Christmas performances, you’ll have no trouble getting into the holiday spirit in Canada’s capital. Explore our full Christmas guide and enjoy the festive season in Ottawa.
Christmas Markets and Craft Shows
Shop for everyone on your holiday list at one of Ottawa’s festive Christmas markets or craft shows. Ottawa’s most popular Christmas market is the Ottawa Christmas Market; a traditional month-long European-style Christmas market adorned with twinkling lights and beautiful holiday décor. Pick up cute crafts and gifts from local artisans, stroll the beautiful grounds with a cup of hot chocolate or mulled wine in hand, and catch cool holiday musical performances to get you in the festive mood.
Throughout November and December, there are numerous other Christmas markets and local craft sales leading up to Christmas day. Don’t miss the Canadian Museum of History’s Christmas market, the Adàwàning: Indigenous Women’s Art Market, the Originals Christmas Craft Sale, the Christmas Market at Watson’s Mill & Dickinson House and more.
Christmas Lights and Holiday Displays
Winter Lights Across Canada – Downtown Ottawa
Downtown Ottawa neighbourhoods transform into a Christmas wonderland during the holiday season, and there are some must-see light displays you can’t miss. Experience hundreds of thousands of colourful lights during Winter Lights Across Canada December 8, 2025 to January 9, 2026. Follow the walking route through Ottawa and Gatineau with stops at iconic spots like Confederation Park, the National War Memorial, the Supreme Court of Canada and Jacques-Cartier Park. If you’re short on time, the stretch from Ottawa City Hall down Elgin St. to the Fairmont Chateau Laurier is truly stunning. You can also extend your walk to the ByWard Market or Sparks St. which dazzle with Christmas light displays of their own.
Magic of Lights – Wesley Clover Parks
Experience a beautiful holiday lights display from the comfort of your own car at Magic of Lights at Wesley Clover Parks. This 2km drive-through holiday lights show features over 300 spectacular displays including some fun and festive digital animations. Magic of Lights runs November 21, 2025 – January 3, 2026, which makes it a great post-Christmas activity.
Christmas at Mādahòkì Farm
New for 2025, head to Mādahòkì Farm November 27-December 28th and experience Christmas from an Indigenous perspective. Visit the magical Trail of Lights and Traditions and meander along the self-guided walking path on the Legacy Trail, with 10 stunning light installations, Northern Lights sound and music, and Indigenous Christmas carols. There is also a variety of other activities onsite you won’t want to miss including visits from Santa, the popular Indigenous marketplace, and foodie fun including cooking your own Bannock on a fire, cedar tea, and tasty bison chili.
Vintage Village of Lights – Cumberland Heritage Village Museum
Step back in time to the 1920s and 1930s at the Vintage Village of Lights at the Cumberland Heritage Village Museum. See historic heritage buildings and true-to-era reproductions lit up with over 30,000 vibrant lights Friday-Sunday evenings November 28 to December 21, 2025.
Country Christmas Holiday Light Festival – Saunders Farm
A Country Christmas at Saunders Farm is a family-friendly spot that is sure to get you in the holiday spirit. Wander through a twinkling winter wonderland of festive light displays, fun Christmas photo ops, surrounded by sounds of the season from December 6 to 30, 2025. Make a stop at the Farmshop for cool Christmas gifts, grab a hot soup, hot chocolate or wood-fired pizza at the CiderHouse, decorate cookies, and catch the entertaining Christmas puppet show.
Stanley’s Christmas Village and Holiday Stroll – Stanley’s Olde Maple Lane Farm
The Christmas Village at Stanley’s Olde Maple Lane Farm is a beloved holiday tradition of many in the Ottawa region. From December 4 to January 3, 2026 enjoy the beautiful forested trails decorated with colourful displays and sparkling lights, visit the Christmas Village for festive photos, pick your own Christmas tree straight from the field, warm up with festive drinks and seasonal snacks, and pick up some gifts from the Farmshop including maple syrup straight from the farm.
Must-see Christmas Trees
Outdoor Christmas trees
Have you even experienced the holiday season in Ottawa if you don’t have a selfie next to a beautiful Christmas tree? Lucky for you Ottawa has plenty of stunning Christmas tree photo ops. For outdoor Christmas trees – imagine a night landscape with a giant Christmas tree dusted with light snow and twinkling litghts, visit the iconic Christmas trees at the Ottawa Christmas Market at Lansdowne Place, the Canadian Museum of History or the ByWard Market.
Indoor Christmas Trees
If indoor is more your style, head inside the Rideau Centre, Ottawa’s most popular downtown shopping mall, and snap a pic of the dazzling Christmas tree inside. Alternatively take a peek inside the Fairmont Chateau Laurier and check out the Trees of Hope Christmas trees. This cherished event transforms Ottawa’s favourite castle into its own festive fairy tale, with numerous trees decorated by local businesses, organizations and community leaders, all in support of the Children’s Hospital of Eastern Ontario (CHEO). See the trees from November 17th, 2025, to January 6th, 2026, and vote for your favourites.
Pick Your Own Christmas Tree
If you live in the Ottawa region and are looking for the best spots to pick or cut your own Christmas tree, visit one of Ottawa’s beautiful Christmas tree farms, or farmer’s markets.
If you love the smell of fresh pine, than picking your own Christmas tree in Ottawa is a must. Head to one of Ottawa’s Christmas tree farms just outside the city including MacGowan's Christmas Tree Farm, the Log Farm, Briggs Tree Farm, Hillcrest Tree Farm, or Karlson Evergreens Christmas Tree Farm.
If you’re in downtown Ottawa, the ByWard Market Farmer’s market and the Parkdale Market transform from summer fruits in vegetables, to seasonal Christmas and holiday décor during the winter season. Stop by to pick out a tree from local producers, from tall and lush, to Charlie Brown apartment size, and enjoy the fresh scent of Christmas throughout the season. You’ll also find fresh Christmas décor from cedar wreaths and pine branches to beautiful table arrangements.
Go for a Magical Winter Skate
If you’re looking for an iconic winter experience, then ice skating in Ottawa at Christmas is a must. If you’re heading to the Ottawa Christmas Market, be sure to bring along your skates and take a spin on the rink at Lansdowne Park. Lit at night with the historic Aberdeen Pavillion and Christmas Market as your backdrop, this is a holiday experience you won’t want to miss
The Sens rink of dream at city hall is another amazing place for a skate, especially at night. After the sun goes down the rink transforms the night with stunning colours projected onto the ice surface. With a Beavertail hut onsite and the Christmas lights at Ottawa city hall twinkling away, there’s nothing quite like it.
Christmas Events and Other Activities
Santa Claus Parades
With Ottawa’s main downtown Santa Claus Parade, The Help Santa Toy Parade taking place November 22, 2025, there are also many other parades through Ottawa’s different regions. Catch Santa at parades in Barrhaven, Kanata, Manotick, Riverside South, and Orleans.
Flights with Santa
Tour the city from Rudolph’s point of view in a Cessna 172 with Santa! Departing from the Carp airport, Ottawa Aviation Adventures offer flights with Santa (yes, Santa flies the plane!), from December 14th, 2025 to January 4th, 2026. Flights can accommodate up to 3 passengers and is a fun, festive and adventurous way to see the city during the holidays.
The Nutcracker Ballet at the National Arts Centre
A Christmas tradition for many, the Nutcracker Ballet hits the stage every holiday season in Ottawa at the National Arts Centre. With matinee and evening performances, . For the ultimate holiday outing, book a pre or post meal at 1 Elgin located in the NAC alongside the Rideau Canal
Christmas Choral Celebration Concert at Notre-Dame Cathedral Basilica
One of the most stunning churches in downtown Ottawa, Notre-Dame Cathedral Basilica is perfect venue to enjoy traditional Christmas music. The annual Christmas Choral Celebration a Christmas concert takes place on December 7th, 2025 where you can listen to the angelic voice of the Choirs of Notre Dame Cathedral. Admission is free and no advanced reservations are required.
Festive Spots to Eat and Drink
Eating is an essential part of celebrating the holidays, and Ottawa’s restaurants are ready for you. Head to the ByWard Market to holiday themed restaurants like Nan’s Parlour, Santa’s Secret Speakeasy or the 1912 on Yuletide Lane Christmas bar at the Fairmont Chateau Laurier.
While many restaurants across the city have festive holiday menus, there are a few which serve Christmas dinner if you are in Ottawa on December 25th. For a Christmas day meal head to Feast + Revel at the Andaz Hotel, Wilfrid’s Restaurant at the Fairmont Chateau Laurier, Forty-One Restaurant at the Lord Elgin Hotel, Perspectives Restaurant at the Brookstreet Hotel, and the Elgin Street Diner.
Christmas Shopping
Tinseltown Christmas Emporium
One of the most festive Christmas stores in Ottawa is the year-round Christmas paradise of the Tinseltown Christmas Emporium. Located in Ottawa’s Wellington West neighbourhood, this a heaven for anyone who loves Christmas décor. Shop for Christmas ornaments, from delicate and sparkly, to quirky and fun. You can also find advent calendars, snow globes, stockings, garlands as wreathes. If you want update your holiday décor or add some new pieces for the Christmas season, this is your spot.
Maker House
The place to go for unique artisan goods created by Canadian and local Ottawa artisans, is Maker House. Located in Wellington West, this store stocks cool items including ceramic and wooden coasters, art prints, handmade candles, plants and succulents, jewelry, stationary, games and more. They also carry tons of local food products including honey, maple syrup, locally roasted coffee and tasty chocolates. If you’re looking for fun and unique gifts, Maker House is your spot.
Ottawa Shopping Malls
Ottawa has several large shopping malls, perfect for picking up gifts for the holidays. The largest is the Rideau Centre, centrally located in the ByWard Market and easily accessible by transit. St. Laurent Shopping Centre in Ottawa’s east end is also located along Ottawa’s O-train Line 1, with all the stores needed to fill up those Christmas stockings. Bayshore Mall, west of downtown Ottawa, has a large selection of stores and can easily help you complete your holiday shopping list.
