For the next few weeks, all things Christmas—from open houses to concerts—are going to feature pretty heavily in these road trip roundups. But if you’re looking for a switch from the fa-la-la-la-la, I have some suggestions for you, too, including a concert in Shawville, a snowshoeing hike in Gatineau Park and an exhibition about Highland warriors right here in Ottawa. Happy road tripping—make sure you have those snow tires on!
Toast the season in Richmond
Jabulani Vineyard and Winery in Richmond is holding a Christmas celebration on December 14, 15, 21 and 22 from 11am to 4pm. To enjoy live music, roasted chestnuts, mulled wine and wine tastings, just bring a donation of food or money for the food bank.
See Scrooge repent in Kingston
Nothing says Christmas like hearing a cranky old Victorian boss berate his employee and then get his just desserts—am I right? If you agree, then you may want to catch the live version of A Christmas Carol at the Domino Theatre in Kingston (December 12 to 14).
Spy with the Grinch at the Diefenbunker in Carp
This time, the Grinch isn’t stealing; it’s How the Grinch Spied on Christmas! Enjoy spy-themed crafting and other activities, along with hot chocolate, as well as a showing of How the Grinch Stole Christmas at the Diefenbunker in Carp (December 14, 15, 21 and 22).
Enjoy concerts in Renfrew and Shawville
It’s a busy weekend at Batstone’s Northern Ramble in Renfrew. First up, on Friday, December 13, are singer-storyteller Steve Stacey and local country music icon Lucky Ron. The next night, you can ease into a folk frame of mind, as Ian Tamblyn (see video above) and special guest Chris Maclean take to the stage.
Also this weekend, Little Red Wagon Winery near Shawville is presenting local singer-songwriter Ray Harris in concert on Saturday, December 14.
Check out a museum open house in Carleton Place
You can warm up with hot chocolate, nibble on cookies, see displays of vintage toys and check out an exhibit called Men in Kilts at the Carleton Place and Beckwith Heritage Museum open house on Saturday, December 14, from 2pm to 4pm.
Hum along to holiday hits in Ottawa or Cornwall
If you have a favourite Christmas tune, chances are that you’ll hear it during the Holiday Hits with the NAC Orchestra concerts this week in Ottawa (December 12 to 14). Vocalist Meredith Lustig and Ottawa’s Cantata Singers will be performing pop hits and carols, and conductor Rei Hotoda will be making her NAC debut.
There’s also all sorts of holiday musical fun at the Aultsville Theatre in Cornwall this week. It kicks off with the Barra MacNeils’ seasonal show, An East Coast Christmas, on Wednesday, December 11. Next, the Centennial Choir of Cornwall is giving a concert of favourite holiday tunes on Friday, December 13. And the weekend wraps up with Wayne Rostad’s Christmas in the Valley on Saturday, December 14.
And if you miss the Barra MacNeils in Cornwall, you can catch them the next day (Thursday, December 12) at the NAC in Ottawa.
Light up the night in Montreal
Luminothérapie, a one-of-a-kind outdoor interactive light show, has returned to Montreal’s Quartier des Spectacles this year (November 28, 2019, to January 26, 2020) with a new installation called Pop! Visitors to the free show will be encouraged to laugh, sing and talk to giant monoliths in an effort to encourage the inflatable creatures inside to appear. Really, it’s easier to experience than to explain—the video above provides more detail.
See The Nutcracker in Orleans or Nepean
If Christmas wouldn’t be Christmas without the Sugarplum Fairy dancing on toe shoes, you’re in luck: Ballet Jörgen’s production of The Nutcracker is coming to the Shenkman Arts Centre in Orleans (December 11 and 12) and the Meridian Centrepointe Theatres in Nepean (December 14).
Check out a museum exhibition in Ottawa-Gatineau
Need a break from all things Christmas? This might be a great time to check out the Neanderthal exhibition at the Canadian Museum of History in Gatineau or the Iron Willed: Women in STEM show at the Canada Museum of Science and Technology before they close (although you do still have until January 26 to see them). You can also learn about Scotland’s fierce soldiers at Highland Warriors at the Canadian War Museum (until January 12) or immerse yourself in Indigenous contemporary art at Àbadakone at the National Gallery of Canada (until April 5).
Celebrate Christmas in the Adirondacks
The Holiday Village Stroll (December 13 to 15) is the big event of the month in Lake Placid, New York. Highlights include a skating party, an ugly Christmas sweater party, live music, wreath decorating, breakfasts with Santa, and a soup, chili and chowder tasting.
Hear classic songbook tunes in Brockville
If you love classic tunes like “Count Your Blessings” and “White Christmas,” take note: A huge slate of singers and musicians (including a big band) will be performing Happy Holidays: A Tribute to Irving Berlin at the Brockville Arts Centre on Saturday, December 14. The next day, December 15, singer Andrew Martin’s Crooner’s Christmas brings back the era of Bing Crosby and Frank Sinatra, along with new tunes by Harry Connick, Jr. and Michael Bublé.
Go snowshoeing in Gatineau Park
The Ottawa Rambling Club has organized an 11km snowshoeing hike from parking lot P15 to Healey Cabin in Gatineau Park on Saturday, December 14. Participants can carpool from downtown Ottawa. Guests are welcome; see this page for details.
Celebrate Christmas Caribbean-style in Ottawa
Want to shake up your holiday traditions this year? You could give them a tropical twist at Christmas in the Caribbean, an all-day event at the Cultural Arts Studio in Ottawa on Saturday, December 14. Enjoy Caribbean music and food, try your luck in a raffle, browse vendors’ goodies and just generally channel a sunny vibe.
Shop for crafts all over
Left your Christmas shopping to the last minute? No worries! My giant craft sale list features a few sales this week and weekend, including Originals at the EY Centre in Ottawa, the huge market at Place Bonaventure in Montreal, as well as the holiday sale run by the Metcalfe Farmers’ Market, and craft fairs in Navan, Merrickville and Campbell’s Bay. Happy browsing!
Take the kids to Santa’s Workshop in the Adirondacks
As a proud Canuck, I’ve always believed that Santa and his elves made their home right here in the true north strong and free—we have his mailing address, after all. However, some folks in North Pole, New York, beg to differ. In that tiny community near Whiteface Mountain, you can visit Santa’s Workshop on weekends until Sunday, December 22 (you can also see a Village of Lights on certain dates between now and December 30). I suppose Santa could have multiple bases of operations. Hey, if it works for Amazon…
Enjoy festive trees and entertainment in Sharbot Lake
There’s more than trees to the Villages Beautiful Festival of Trees in Sharbot Lake (December 12 to 14). As well as illuminated trees, there’s live entertainment in the Soldiers Memorial (Oso) Hall all weekend. Funds raised go toward beautification projects in Central Frontenac.
Have some holiday fun in Almonte
The Mill of Kintail Conservation Area in Almonte is hosting its annual Kintail Country Christmas event on Saturday, December 14. Activities include photos with Santa, wagon rides and more, all at a heritage stone mill. And there will be seasonal refreshments, too!
Hear the Ennis Sisters in Kingston
For over two decades, the Ennis Sisters have been entertaining audiences across Canada and beyond with East Coast songs and step-dancing. They’re bringing their holiday show, A Newfoundland Christmas, to the Grand Theatre in Kingston on Saturday, December 14. (This will be good news for those of you who tried to get tickets to their sold-out December 13 show in Perth; when I checked a few hours ago, there were still quite a few tickets available to the Kingston performance.)
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