There’s a little something for everyone in this week’s roundup, including tips on forest bathing for outdoorsy types, in-person and online concerts for music lovers, art and craft fairs for shoppers, and a broadcast of Christopher Plummer’s Stratford Festival turn as Prospero in The Tempest. Enjoy, and stay safe!
Raise a glass in Ottawa
Deacon Brodie’s pub on Elgin Street is holding a scotch and chocolate tasting on Sunday, December 6, starting at 4pm. Eight single-malt whiskies—including Glenmorangie Quinta Ruban and Talisker Storm—will be paired with local, artisanal chocolates. What’s not to like? Reservations are required, and spaces are available both indoors and on the heated outdoor patio.
Watch Christopher Plummer in The Tempest
OK, this one requires a monthly subscription, but if you love the Stratford Festival, it’s much cheaper than a road trip! On Thursday, December 3, Stratfest@Home is holding a viewing party for its latest release: a streaming video of the festival’s 2010 production of The Tempest, directed by Des McAnuff and starring Christopher Plummer as Prospero. Stratfest@Home is a streaming service offering videos of past productions, new interviews and more. It’s currently available for $10 a month.
See an outdoor light show at the Ottawa Art Gallery
For one night only (Friday, December 4), the Embassy of Mexico will be presenting a free light show on the facade of the Ottawa Art Gallery at 50 Mackenzie King Bridge (immediately east of the Rideau Centre). Inspired by Mexico, Lights Up! is a three-minute animation by AVA Animation and Visual Arts that will run on a continuous loop from 6:30pm to 10pm. You can watch it from your car, from a safe social distance on the sidewalk or on Facebook Live.
Browse for art and crafts
Earlier this year, the sugar shack at the Vanier Museopark was seriously damaged by fire. To raise funds to rebuild it and to support local artists, the museum is holding a virtual art sale. More than 100 works of art are available, and the price for each item is $200. Of that, $150 will go to the artist and $50 will go to the sugar shack project. The first person to bid on each piece will get priority. The sale runs until December 18.
The annual Christmas Art Sale at La Fab Arts Centre in Chelsea runs from December 5 to 27 this year and features works by 35 local artists and artisans. Shoppers get 10% off any one purchase made on opening day.
The Ottawa School of Art’s holiday sale, which raises money for the school’s bursary programs, is happening at its Byward Market campus until December 13.
And this is the last weekend of the Foire marchande de Noël at Les Promenades Gatineau, featuring 16 local artisans.
Learn how to make a wreath with your kids
Speaking of the Vanier Museopark, it has taken its Club CréActivité workshops online. On Saturday, December 5, families can learn how to make a Christmas wreath in a free virtual class at 10am. Check the website first to make sure you have all the supplies on hand. (Note that the photo above is a stock picture of a wreath and not necessarily representative of the one you will make!)
Admire the lights in Smiths Falls, Delta and the Ottawa Valley
The Celebration of Lights is a free outdoor illumination display running each night at Centennial Park in Smiths Falls (right below the water tower) until New Year’s Eve.
The village of Delta’s usual light display in Lower Beverley Park has been cancelled this year, but there IS a storytelling walk through the village taking place on Saturday, December 5, starting at 4pm. The walk will wind past lots of decorated houses, and it will be recorded on video and available to view on social media by December 12.
And in Pembroke, Petawawa and the Township of Whitewater Region, residents are being encouraged to decorate their houses as part of the festive Light Up the Valley event. So you may see even more eye-catching houses than usual this year!
Learn some new dance steps
Like so many other live events, the Latin Sparks dance and cultural festival didn’t happen in real life this year. But you can still learn a few new steps online—for free! On Saturday, December 5, the festival will be presenting online classes via Instagram Live focusing on mambo (noon) and Latin rhythms (1pm). Each class will include a discussion of the genre’s origins in African culture.
See Santa in Orleans, Mississippi Mills, Brockville or Gananoque
Santa Claus parades are cancelled in Mississippi Mills this year, but that doesn’t mean kids can’t still get a glimpse of St. Nick! In 2020, Santa will be climbing aboard a big red fire truck to visit Clayton, Pakenham and Blakeney on Saturday, December 5, and Appleton and Almonte on Sunday, December 6. See the town’s website for the schedule.
Meanwhile, in Brockville, family bubbles can make appointments to get their photo taken with Santa at the Aquatarium on December 4, 5, 11, 12 or 19. No walk-ins will be allowed. If you’d rather bring your dog than your child for a pic with St. Nick, you can get a pooch photo with Santa at the Pet Valu in Orleans on Sunday, December 6, courtesy of Freedom Dog Rescue.
And Gananoque is holding a Festival of Lights Stand Still Santa Claus Parade on Saturday, December 5, from 5:30pm to 8pm. Instead of waiting on the sidewalk for the floats to drive past you, you stay in your car and drive past the floats!
Enjoy a concert in Perth—in person or online
There may still be tickets left for David Francey’s Christmas concert on Saturday, December 5, at St. Paul’s United Church in Perth. Only 50 tickets in total will be sold, and the event is a fundraiser for the Stewart Park Festival. If all the tickets are gone or if you don’t want to be indoors, don’t despair—the show will be livestreamed on Facebook and on the Stewart Park Festival’s website.
Try forest bathing
No, forest bathing doesn’t involve hauling a hot tub into the woods. It’s a Japanese practice (known there as shinrin-yoku) that involves mindfully engaging with trees as a way to relax the mind and appreciate nature. This recent article on Explore magazine’s website describes a forest bathing experience in Alberta, but the principles are applicable anywhere. If you’d like to find a forest therapy guide (which the article recommends), you can search for one near you on the Association of Nature and Forest Therapy Guides and Programs website.
Kick back to the blues in Ottawa
The Rainbow Bistro in the Byward Market holds a weekly Sunday Blues Showcase. This week, the featured act in the socially distanced event is the James Cochrane Band. The doors open at 2pm, with two shows starting at roughly 3 and 7pm.
Looking for more tips on things to see and do—virtually or otherwise—in Ottawa, the Outaouais and beyond? Subscribe to my free weekly newsletter.