Whether you’re a parent, a shopper, a movie buff or a music fan, I have something for you to enjoy in and around Ottawa this week. Online, there’s the Ottawa Children’s Storytelling Festival, three movie festivals and concerts galore. Offline, there are holiday markets, the Magic of Lights and an Outaouais poutine trail. Wherever you go, online or off, have fun and stay safe!
Please note that COVID-19 protocols will be in place for all of the in-person events mentioned below, so wear your mask, keep your distance and wash your hands. Also, PLEASE stick within your community for in-person events and, if you’re feeling even slightly sick, stay home and take care of yourself.
Catch Miss Emily in concert in Kingston—or online
OK, here’s my story about Kingston-based soul-blues singer Miss Emily: I was out on a road trip one afternoon when I heard her interviewed on CBC Radio One’s All in a Day. They played one of her songs, and I was so captivated that I literally pulled over and Shazam-ed it so I could buy it before I forgot what it was. That’s how good she is. (The song in question was “Hold Back the River,” which you can hear in the video above.) She will be on stage at the Isabel Bader Centre for the Performing Arts in Kingston on Friday, November 13, and you can buy a ticket to enjoy the show in person or online.
Kick back on a heated restaurant patio in Ottawa
Ottawa Tourism has published a handy list of local restaurants with heated outdoor patios, including Kichesippi Beer Company in Bells Corners, Pub Italia in Little Italy, and Copper Spirits and Sights atop the Andaz Hotel in the ByWard Market. Bring your appetite (and a jacket).
Enjoy an online film festival
Normally, fall is a busy season for film festivals. And just because you’re sticking close to home this year, that doesn’t mean you can’t still watch groundbreaking movies from around the world. In fact, in 2020 it’s even easier, because the film festivals are coming to you—in the form of streaming movies. This week alone, you can enjoy the European Union Film Festival (November 13 to 29; see video above), the Ottawa Adventure Film Festival (November 15 to 22), and the Ottawa Canadian Film Festival (November 13 to 15, and November 20 to 22). Pop the popcorn and make sure there are batteries in the remote!
Visit markets and sales in Navan, Kemptville, Merrickville and Kingston
There’s an outdoor night market happening this week at the Kemptville Campus, on Thursday, November 12, from 4:30pm to 7:30pm. Enjoy listening to live music while browsing for local products. If you want to save time on arrival, you can provide your contact information in advance by pre-registering using the link above.
From November 12 to 15, the Kingston Handloom Weavers and Spinners Annual Sale will be taking place at the Tett Centre for Creativity and Learning in Kingston. It coincides with the start of the centre’s Fall and Winter Market, which runs from November 12 to December 23.
On Saturday, Merrickville’s Handmade Christmas Makers Market will be held across the pretty village on the Rideau Canal. Makers and artists will have wares for sale in various shops and other sites. Visitors are asked to wear masks while walking from site to site, if possible. (You can also shop online with many of the participating vendors, if you prefer.)
Finally, the Original Navan Market’s holiday market is taking place outdoors at the Navan Fairgrounds on Sunday, November 15 (10am to 3pm). More than 160 vendors will be set up under tents and domes, selling everything from jewellery and knitted items to coffee and meat.
Drive past fantastical holiday lights in Nepean
The popular Magic of Lights drive-through Christmas event is back for its fifth year at Wesley Clover Parks in Nepean. Visitors drive slowly past elaborate animated displays created with LED lights. Admission fees are per vehicle, so bring the whole family (even the dog). Prices are cheaper if you buy in advance online, but you can purchase tickets at the gate as well. The spectacle runs nightly from 5pm to 10pm, from Friday, November 13, until Saturday, January 9.
Partake of poutine in the Pontiac
Now, longtime readers of this site will know that I am not a fan of poutine. I know, I know, that makes me a bad Canadian and, possibly, a candidate for some sort of Canuck re-education program. However, in the spirit of public service, for the legions of poutine fans out there, I point you to the Great Pontiac Poutine Trail, a self-driving route through the western region of the Outaouais that will convey you to all the gooey, gravy-laden potatoes you can eat. Nosh on, my friends, nosh on.
Support local crafters online
Lots of local artisans and crafters will have unique items available for sale online starting this weekend. Virtual bazaars and fairs opening this week include the following:
- Kingston Virtual Holiday Market (November 12 to December 13)
- Happy Holidays Virtual Market (Ottawa Artisans) (November 13 to 15)
- We 3 Girls & Co. Online Trunk Sale, Cornwall (November 14 and 15)
- Glebe Craft & Artisan Fair (November 15 to December 25)
Looking for other online events like these later in the year? I’ve compiled a big list of virtual bazaars, fairs and craft sales.
Listen to children’s stories online
It’s been a long pandemic. So if you feel as though you will go out of your mind if you have to read Goodnight, Moon aloud one more time, I hear you. Fortunately, the Ottawa Children’s Storytelling Festival comes to your rescue next week (November 16 to 21), with 27 storytellers from across Canada spinning original tales in English and French to delight young and old alike. The range is diverse, with storytellers drawing on everything from puppetry and music to Indigenous traditions to enchant their listeners. It’s presented by the Ottawa Public Library and Ottawa StoryTellers, and it’s all free.
Also, until the end of the month, La Nouvelle Scène is offering Les contes de l’épouvante, two family-friendly stories of ghosts and vampires, presented online in French.
See art outdoors in McDonalds Corners
The MERA Schoolhouse, an arts centre in McDonalds Corners in Lanark County, is running the well-named Unusual Art for Unusual Times art exhibition this weekend (November 14 and 15, 10am to 4pm). Works by local artists will be on display outside. In case of rain, the show will take place the following weekend. Check the centre’s website or the MERA Facebook page for the latest info.
Enjoy Ottawa Jazz Festival concerts at Arts Court or via livestream
This weekend, the Ottawa Jazz Festival is presenting four concerts from November 13 to 15: Ottawa’s Miguel De Armas Quartet (Cuban-style jazz) and the Lemon Bucket Orkestra (klezmer-punk-you-name-it; see video above) on Friday; a first-ever combined show featuring Roddy Elias, John Geggie, Michel Delage, Kevin Turcotte and Tara Davidson on Saturday; and a show by JUNO-winning Whitehorse (also on Saturday). For most shows, you can buy tickets for the online livestream or the socially distanced show at Arts Court.
Be kind
It turns out that Friday, November 13, is World Kindness Day. Now I know that all you good Ottawa Road Trips readers are kind people in general! But if you feel inspired to spread an extra little bit of kindness on Friday, it would be good karma. And, heaven knows, 2020 can use all the good karma (and kindness) it can get.
Looking for more ideas for real-life and virtual things to see and do in the Ottawa area? Subscribe to my free weekly newsletter.