Whether you’re looking for something to enjoy from the comfort of home, from the warmth of your car or out in the “real world,” I have a suggestion for you this week. You can see Christmas lights and Santa Claus at a distance, browse for artworks or crafts online or outside, see a play or an innovative version of Handel’s Messiah via livestream, donate toys to a good cause, and even show off your ugliest Christmas sweater. Enjoy!
(P.S.: Note that for all in-person events described below, social distancing protocols will be in place.)
Admire the lights in Mississippi Mills
The Municipality of Mississippi Mills has organized a contest called Light Up Our Town and encouraged everyone to decorate their outsides of their homes. All registered houses are now shown on an interactive map, making it easy to admire them from your car. Mississippi Mills includes Almonte, Pakenham and several smaller communities. The official judging is on Saturday night, but most home owners will probably have the lights on most nights between now and Christmas (at least).
Enjoy a live stream
You don’t have to leave your home to catch a play, concert or movie this week. Here are just a few of the many options (note that some of them also include opportunities to see the show in person):
- The Canadian Film Institute is taking its annual Japan Film Festival online this year, and screenings are free! The festival’s two films—A Long Goodbye (a heartwarming drama about getting old) and Koshien: Japan’s Field of Dreams (a documentary about Japan’s longtime love affair with baseball)—will be available to stream from December 10 to 12.
- The ITR Theatre Company in Osgoode is livestreaming four performances of Norm Foster’s comedy The Christmas Tree on Zoom this week (evening shows at 7:30pm from Thursday through Saturday and a Sunday matinee at 2pm on Sunday). It tells the tale of two people fighting over the last Christmas tree on the lot. Shows are free, but you must register in advance. The company encourages audience members to donate to The Ottawa Mission if they can.
- Actor Pierre Brault will be presenting his one-man version of Charles Dickens’s A Christmas Carol on Facebook Live at 8pm on Friday, December 11. There’s no official charge, but freewill donations to the production team are welcome. You don’t need a Facebook account to watch.
- Livestreamed from the Hare and Hound barbershop on Preston Street, Beats and Cuts 3 features four hours of cutting-edge music from Teddy Rockspin, Return of the Jaded and other DJs. You can see it on Twitch from 7pm to 11pm on Saturday, December 12.
- In Brockville, the annual Community Christmas concert of singalong holiday favourites is being streamed live on Facebook and YouTube twice this weekend: once at 7pm on Saturday, December 12, and again at 2pm on Sunday, December 13.
- Timmins-based singer Céleste Lévis will be performing songs from Noël Tout Autour (her new holiday album) onstage at the National Arts Centre on Saturday, December 12, at 8pm. You can buy tickets to see the show live or to stream it at home.
- Ottawa’s singer-songwriters are coming together again this year to host Christmas Goose, their annual fundraising concert for the Ottawa Food Bank. Lynne Hanson, Shawn Tavenier and Pat Moore are among those lending their voices to the event at 3pm on Sunday, December 13. You can buy tickets to see it online via Sidedoor Access or to see it in-person at Irene’s Pub in the Glebe (tickets for the in-person show are $30 per person; confusing info is posted on the Eventbrite page).
- On Sunday, December 13, the Good Lovelies are bringing their virtual Christmas Time’s a Comin’ tour to the NAC for a livestreamed show at 7pm. A portion of the proceeds from ticket sales goes to Ottawa Riverkeeper.
- I suspect Messiah/Complex is well named, as this new version of Handel’s Messiah features four choirs, six languages (including Dene and Arabic), 12 soloists and the Toronto Symphony Orchestra. Performers from across the country pre-recorded their segments. The online broadcast at 8pm on Sunday, December 13, is free, but you can donate if you wish. (Today’s Globe and Mail has an article about the production.)
Visit a Christmas fair in Vankleek Hill, Rideau Ferry or Brockville
CC’s on the Rideau in Rideau Ferry is holding its first-ever outdoor Christmas Market this weekend (10am to 4pm on December 12 and 13). Shop for soaps, candles, garden art, jewellery, crafts, ornaments, baked goods and lots more, all from local vendors. You can also warm up with food and drinks around the wood fire. Admission is $2 per person at the door (free for kids 12 and under). The entry fee goes to support The Table Community Food Centre, and you’re encouraged to bring non-perishable food items to donate as well.
This is the last weekend to check out the 39th annual Christmas Craft Fair at the Creating Centre de créativité in Vankleek Hill (December 12 and 13). Each weekend, the show features a different roster of local artisans and crafters; check the organizer’s Facebook page for details on this weekend’s participants.
In Brockville, there’s an outdoor Christmas Market featuring more than 30 vendors at the Brockville Shopping Centre from noon to 5pm on Saturday, December 12. To ensure you can get in, get your free timed ticket in advance on SnapD (details are in the link).
This is also the last weekend for the in-person Holiday Art Sale at the Ottawa School of Art (ByWard Market campus) and the virtual Artfest Kingston Christmas Show.
Looking for more art show and craft fair ideas? Check out my list.
See a drag show in Ottawa
It’s time to channel your inner RuPaul! Kiki Coe’s annual fundraiser for the Shepherds of Good Hope is happening on Friday, December 11, at the Lookout Bar in the ByWard Market. The Give Love on Christmas Day Drag Extravaganza will have two seatings: one at 6:30pm and another at 8:30pm. Joining Kiki on stage will be special guests Icesis Couture, Yaya Torres, Kimmy Couture, Ben Dover, Adrianna Exposée, Eve Anne Jellicle, Devona Coe, Saltina Shaker and Savannah Couture.
Drive by Santa in Carp
On Saturday, December 12, Carp is holding its annual Santa Claus Parade in a “stationary” format at the Carp Fairgrounds from 7pm to 9pm. The floats stay still, and you drive past them. Cash or food donations for the West Carleton Food Access Centre are greatly appreciated. More details are available on the Carp Fair’s Facebook page.
Donate a toy at TD Place
Like so many other things, the Toy Mountain toy drive has gone drive-through this year! To participate this weekend, bring your new, unwrapped toys to TD Place at Lansdowne Park between 10am and 2pm on Saturday, December 12, where you can drop them off from your car opposite Gate 2. Ottawa REDBLACKS and Ottawa 67’s players and coaches will be on hand to cheer you on, too. Presented by Otto’s Subaru, this event also supports Equal Chance, a non-profit organization that works to increase opportunities for women and Black Canadians.
Show off your ugly Christmas sweater
The chambers of commerce in Carleton Place and Perth are cooperating to host a Virtual Ugly Sweater Party on Thursday, December 10, from 6pm to 7pm. Show off those dubious knitted reindeer, play some online games and compete for real-world prizes! It’s all free.
Looking for more ideas for things to see and do in Ottawa, Eastern Ontario and the Outaouais? Subscribe to my free weekly newsletter. I’ll never spam you—promise.