If you’ve been missing live performances in Ottawa, Eastern Ontario and the Outaouais, this is your week! You can choose from plays about Victorian London and climate change, a classical concert, a child-friendly take on a classic Christmas song, and a show by alt-rock darlings July Talk.
Alternatively, you could see Santa on parade, write him a letter or visit one of his many local workshops. Or you could shop for books, gemstones or crafts, or check out a new Indigenous festival. And that’s just a smattering of what’s going on! Whether you stay in town or hit the road, have fun and drive safely.
Enjoy live theatre in Ottawa, Chelsea, Morrisburg, Cornwall, Perth or Kingston
Opening November 30 and running until December 17, Daisy at the Great Canadian Theatre Company in Ottawa is the story of the Madison Avenue advertising team who came up with the first—and, possibly, most controversial—modern political attack ad. The “Daisy” ad during the 1964 American presidential election was so inflammatory that it only ran once.
From November 30 until December 19, the Upper Canada Playhouse in Morrisburg will be presenting some two dozen performances of Rockin’ Around the Christmas Tree. Written and starring Leisa Way, it’s billed as a blend of Christmas songs, comedy, storytelling and visits from Christmas characters.
On select dates from December 2 to December 18, Domino Theatre in Kingston will be staging My Three Angels, a classic comedy set in French Guiana and featuring a hapless store owner, his evil cousin, a pair of young lovers and a team of ex-prisoner roofers. It was the basis (more or less) for two movies called We’re No Angels—a 1955 film with Humphrey Bogart and a 1989 Robert DeNiro flick.
The Climate Action Theatre performance at La Fab Arts Centre in Chelsea on Thursday, December 2, sounds like something completely different. Over the course of an hour, six performers will riff on the theme of climate change through mime, commedia dell’arte clowns and short plays.
At the Full Circle Theatre in Perth, Barn Door Productions is presenting Cratchit, a dramatization of a new novel by David Jacklin (December 2 to 11, on Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays). The thriller set in the underworld of Victorian London spins an alternate story featuring A Christmas Carol’s Bob Cratchit.
And for the whole family, The 12 Days of Christmas (three shows daily on December 4, 5, 11 and 12) tells the tale of Shirley the Partridge (and pear tree resident) and her efforts to round up some leaping lords, milking maids and other players for a singing of the beloved Christmas carol. It’s on stage at the Seaway Valley Theatre in Cornwall.
Take the kids to The Nutcracker in Ottawa
Speaking of family-friendly shows, the Royal Winnipeg Ballet brings its production of the holiday favourite The Nutcracker to the National Arts Centre in Ottawa from December 3 to December 5 (see video above). And on the same dates, the Linda Jamieson Dance Company of Ottawa is staging multiple performances of its version of The Nutcracker at the Algonquin Commons Theatre. Bring on the Sugarplum Fairy!
Browse for gemstones in Ottawa or books in Delta
Attention, all rock hounds and jewellery makers! The Ottawa Rock ‘N’ Gem Show is at the EY Centre this weekend (December 2 to 5), and you can browse for crystals and stones of all descriptions.
If books are more your bag, head to Delta for a big book sale at the Old Town Hall on Saturday, December 4. The books have no prices; just leave a donation. Proceeds go to the Old Stone Mill and the Rideau Lakes Library. (Wondering what the selection is like? Check out this photo on Facebook—the sale looks as “ginormous” as advertised.)
Enjoy a old-style Christmas in Munster, Osgoode, Carleton Place, Smiths Falls, Aylmer or Chelsea
A Country Christmas opens on Saturday, December 4, at Saunders Farm in Munster and runs until December 30, with both day and evening activities on selected dates. Shop for Christmas gifts and decor, visit with Santa and his elves, meander through snow mazes, hop aboard a wagon, nibble on BeaverTails and other treats, take a ride on a zipline, or enjoy a drive-through sound-and-light show. Check the Saunders website for all the details on which activities are available when, and buy your timed tickets in advance. Note that you don’t need tickets to visit the farm shop, Town Square or Christmas tree lot. (P.S.: For a chance to win a pass to the evening festivities at Saunders Farm, enter this contest by December 3.)
In Carleton Place, you can visit Santa’s Workshop—decorated with vintage items from the Carleton Place and Beckwith Heritage Museum—at 136 Bridge Street from December 2 to 18 on Thursdays (6pm to 8pm) and Saturdays (1pm to 4pm).
Osgoode’s Christmas in the Village celebrations (December 3 to 5) include a parade on Friday, a breakfast with Santa on Saturday morning (advance registration required) and a Christmas market in the OYA parking lot on Saturday afternoon.
On Saturday, December 4, the Smiths Falls Heritage House Museum will be transformed into the Holiday Heritage House from 1pm to 4pm. Costumed interpreters will bring Victorian holiday traditions to life, and you can sip hot apple cider, take a horse-drawn wagon ride, browse for original pieces at the museum’s art sale and visit with Kris Kringle himself. Advance ticket purchase required.
On December 4 and 5, the celebrations of A Magical Christmas in Chelsea will include a Christmas parade (both days). On December 4, the fun includes breakfast with Santa, skating with Santa and a fundraising concert; on December 5, there’s a tree lighting and a Christmas market.
Hear Rick Mercer in Ottawa
I do love a good Rick Mercer rant. And while, in recent interviews, he claims to have mellowed, I suspect there will be lots of fun, sharp commentary when he comes to Ottawa to promote his new book this weekend. On Sunday, December 5, Linden McIntyre will interview the popular Canadian TV star/author at Christ Church Cathedral. Buy tickets in advance online through the Ottawa International Writers’ Festival.
Cheer on the Sens
The Ottawa Senators are back in action, with home games this week at the Canadian Tire Centre against the Vancouver Canucks (Wednesday, December 1) and the Colorado Avalanche (Saturday, December 4).
See a Santa Claus parade
Whether you’d like to see a traditional parade (where you stand on the sidewalk as the floats glide by) or a newfangled stationary parade (where the floats stand still and you walk or drive past them), there are lots of events to choose from in our region this week, including the following:
- December 3: Osgoode
- December 4: Help Santa Parade of Lights (three separate small parades in Kanata, downtown Ottawa and Orleans), Arnprior (drive-by visit with Santa), Richmond, Renfrew (stationary parade), Pakenham, Perth, Petawawa, Napanee and Chelsea (also December 5)
- December 5: Clarence-Rockland, Almonte and Chelsea (also December 4)
Lace up your shoes for a virtual fundraising run/walk
This year, the Salvation Army’s Santa Shuffle Fun Run and Elf Walk (December 4 and 5) is once again virtual, so participants will be logging their kilometres wherever they want. (Hey, if you hate the cold, this is your year to hit the treadmill instead of fighting wind and snow!) Some cool prizes for participants, including gift cards and a tablet, are up for grabs.
Attend an Indigenous festival in Ottawa
The Pibòn (Winter) Festival at Madahoki Farm in Ottawa’s Greenbelt (December 1 to 5) is a great chance to celebrate and learn about Indigenous culture while connecting with Mother Earth during the change of seasons. Take in a comedy show, learn to make a dream catcher, explore an Indigenous makers’ market, visit the farm’s herd of rare Ojibwe Spirit Horses, hear storytellers and Inuit throat singers, enjoy traditional Indigenous dishes, and more. You must get free timed tickets online in advance.
Be dazzled by festive lights in Cumberland, Smiths Falls, Morrisburg or Brockville
This Friday, December 3, the Cumberland Heritage Village Museum launches its Vintage Village of Lights. On Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays until December 19, the village’s historic buildings will be lit up with more than 30,000 lights. Advance ticket purchase required.
The popular Alight at Night Festival lights up Upper Canada Village in Morrisburg continues, with the historical village’s homes, shops, church, fences and trees adorned with roughly one million lights. It’s open select nights until January 1. Buy tickets in advance.
Brockville’s River of Lights—a 50-minute, synchronized sound-and-light show along Blockhouse Island Parkway—continues nightly (weather permitting) until January 2. No tickets are needed for the free event. The lights are on nightly from 5pm to 11pm, with music playing from 6pm to 10pm.
And Centennial Park in Smiths Falls will glow every night with the Celebration of Lights until January 7. No tickets are required for the free display.
Vote for your favourite tree and support CHEO
This year, you can enjoy the Fairmont Château Laurier’s Trees of Hope for CHEO event in person or online! Companies and organizations have decorated 34 trees throughout the hotel’s public spaces, reflecting two themes: Home for the Holidays and Let it Snow. Beginning November 29, visitors can view the trees and vote for the People’s Choice Award. If you can’t make it to the hotel, you can take a virtual tour of the trees (beginning December 1).
You can also support the event by bidding on the 150 items in the online auction, or by taking a photo of your holiday decorations and entering it in the Trees of Hope @ Home contest (with a minimum donation of $25, you’ll be eligible for a $250 Fairmont gift card or a Bose mini speaker).
Enjoy lots and lots of concerts
Toronto alt-rockers July Talk will be at the Bronson Centre for their second of two Ottawa shows on Wednesday, December 1.
Indie-folk singer-songwriter Ambre McLean (photo below) is giving two Christmas concerts at the Smiths Falls Station Theatre, on December 3 and 4. The playlist will feature lots of holiday classics and original songs, along with some special guests.
Also on December 3 and 4, the Festival of Small Halls is presenting a festive show at a not-so-small hall: the National Arts Centre in Ottawa. Headliners The Skydiggers and Jill Barber will be joined by Matt Mays, Jim Bryson, Amaka Umeh, Ansley Simpson and Charlie Angus. (Word to the wise: The festival’s slate of Christmas concerts in small venues across Eastern Ontario is starting to sell out, so I’d check it out now if you’re keen.)
On Saturday, December 4, Lynn Miles will be on stage at the Little Red Winery near Shawville. That same evening, you can hear the Montréal Guitare Trio performing holiday favourites—including tunes from The Nutcracker and A Charlie Brown Christmas—in person at the Almonte Old Town Hall or via livestream (advance ticket purchase required). And also on Saturday night, guitarist-singer-songwriter Rob Lutes will bring his blend of roots and blues to the Studio Theatre in Perth.
Presented by the Pontiac Enchanté music series, a concert by soprano Meghan Lindsay and pianist Carson Becke at La Fab Arts Centre in Chelsea (Sunday, December 5, 4pm) will feature classical pieces about mountains, the supernatural and humankind’s relationship to the environment. The Songs of Mountains and Magic concert will include works by Edvard Grieg, Rebecca Clarke, Robert Schumann, Richard Strauss, Jean Sibelius, Henri Duparc and Cecilia Livingston.
Shop, shop, shop across the region
Still working on your Christmas shopping—or just starting? My giant roundup of Christmas craft sales includes all sorts of events this weekend, including fairs and markets all over Ottawa and in Kemptville, Cornwall, Kingston, Mirabel, Gananoque, Athens, Perth, Rideau Ferry, Brockville and Lombardy (as well as those in Chelsea, Aylmer and Osgoode mentioned above).
Order a Christmas meal
On Saturdays and Sundays from December 4 to 19, you can pick up a Takeaway Christmas Tea box at Billings Estate National Historic Site in Ottawa’s Alta Vista neighbourhood. Boxes include seasonal sandwiches, beverages, scones and mini desserts, all prepared or baked in house, and you can also get a guided tour of the museum. Orders must be placed by noon on the Wednesday before your pickup date.
Looking for something more substantial? Check out my just-updated list of places where you can order an entire Christmas dinner to go.
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As the owner of Ottawa Road Trips, I acknowledge that I live on, work in and travel through the unceded, unsurrendered territory of the Algonquin Anishinaabeg Nation. I am grateful to have the opportunity to be present on this land. Ottawa Road Trips supports Water First, a non-profit organization that helps address water challenges in Indigenous communities in Canada through education, training and meaningful collaboration.