As the song tells us…it’s the most wonderful time of the year!! And we’re here to make sure that you have an awesome Holiday season. We’re known for sharing our seasonal bucket lists and now we’re here to bring you a run down of things you should definitely check out to get into the Christmas spirit!
SHOP THE SEASON
Landsdowne Park – Christmas Farmer’s Market, Skating rink and more!
Lansdowne Park has been a hot destination for the nuts this year. Redblacks games and tailgating parties meant TD Place was the place to be during the summer and fall. Now, with winter in it’s full expression, there are a few more reasons to visit the revitalized park.
This holiday season, find some time to skate on Ottawa’s third refrigerated skating rink at Lansdowne. While you’re there, you can wander over to the Ottawa Christmas Farmer’s market. The market (relocated to Brewer Park while Lansdowne was under construction) has returned to Aberdeen Pavilion and is hugely popular so we suggest getting there early to snag your loaf of Christmas cake! Other items at the market include woodwork crafts, cupcakes, fresh produce, homemade jams and more. The Christmas market takes place over the next two weekends on Saturday and Sunday from 9am- 3pm. Last but not least, Lansdowne will host a Scottish celebration of the New Year called Hogmanay. On December 31, visit Aberdeen pavilion for a beer and whiskey garden, ice sculptures and a pyrotechnic show to ring in the New Year!
BELIEVE IN THE SEASON
Have you ever wondered how Santa gets around the whole world in just one night? Take a visit to Stanley’s Christmas Village and they’ll explain it all to you. Obviously, it’s thanks to the Elves! This “Elf Outpost” located in Metcalfe is modeled after the elves you see in the classic Claymation “Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer”. Your elf tour guide will whisk you through the village on horse drawn sleigh and then you can visit all of the elves’ favourite places, including the stables where you can meet the Reindeer in training!. A perfect outing for the family. You can make reservations online for every weekend leading up until Christmas, but hurry! They’re almost sold out.
Where: Stanley’s Olde Maple Lane Farm
2452 Yorks Corners Rd, Metcalfe (30 minutes from downtown Ottawa)
When: December 6-7, 13-14, 20-21
Cost: $12
SIP THE SEASON
After a day at Stanley’s Christmas Village, it’s only fair that the adults celebrate the season with a fun night out! A number of places in Hintonburg are coming together to sponsor a bar hop with proceeds going to the Parkdale Food Centre. Make your way from Daniel O’Connell’s to the Elmdale Oyster House, Black Pepper, 10Fourteen and end the evening at the Hintonburg Public House’s Annual Christmas Party where you can take part in a gift exchange and holiday attire contest. This promises to be a fun night that also benefits a great cause.
Where: Hintonburg
When: December 10
Cost: $5 donation to Parkdale Food Centre + any beverages/food you consume
To take part in the gift exchange, you must contribute a $10 gift
BRIGHTEN THE SEASON
Bundle up for an evening stroll through a picturesque village that is decorated with over one million lights! Alight at Night is located in Upper Canada Village and is worth a bit of a drive! Take the toy train through village or book a horsedrawn carriage for groups of up to 15 people. There’s also a private carriage ride for two if you’re feeling romantic! And, if seeing the lights from the ground isn’t enough, you can also check them out from 50 feet in the air from the Ferris Wheel! There’s also lots to do while you’re in the village – head to the bakery, grab a bite at one of the restaurants or dip into the Cook’s Tavern for a wee nip to warm you up! There’s also a store that is filled with handmade items that would be perfect for Christmas gifts. Reservations are required, so don’t miss out!
Where: Upper Canada Village
3740 Stormont, Dundas and Glengarry 2 (about an hour and 10 minutes from downtown Ottawa)
When: December 5-7, 11-14, 18-23, 26-January 3
Cost: $10 for kids and seniors, $13 for adults
TASTE THE SEASON
The Urban Element Cooking Class
Spice up the holiday season with a cooking class taught by Chef Tara Rajan. On December 8, from 6:00 pm-9:00 pm, find out how to take your traditional Christmas dinner to the next level. This cooking class will make you rethink a Christmas dinner and will add a little finesse, even to the hostess with the mostess. Rajan suggests adding some cashews to your stuffing or perhaps swapping the cranberries for a spicy chutney. Cost is $120 per person.
EXPLORE THE SEASON
Christmas Yurt
For those of you who enjoy the outdoors, wintertime is not the time to shy away from the wilderness. This holiday season, take some time to enjoy nature by renting a yurt in Algonquin Park with friends or family. Yurts are eight-sided, tent-like structures that are mounted on a wooden deck floor and offer electric heat. They can sleep up to six people and can hold up against the winter weather. The park also offers snowshoeing for those who care to trek through the snows and get deeper into the park. It’s the ideal way to enjoy the outdoors over the holiday vacation with friends and family.
BONUS:
Christmas Bazaar & Craft Studio Sale
On Saturday, December 6th, find time to get crafty and visit the Christmas Bazaar and Craft Studio Sale. The sale takes place at 670 Albert Street from 9:30 am- 2:00 pm. The sale will feature stained glass and woodworking crafts as well as teddy bears, jewelery, knitting and more! To learn more about the Christmas Bazaar visit The Good Companion Senior Centre’s Facebook page.
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