Ottawa’s first European-style Christmas Market is returning for its second season at Lansdowne. In this guide, we’ll be looking at some of the fun and exciting things taking place during the festive period that visitors can get involved with.
We’ve been putting off Christmas-related news for the past couple of weeks, but the tide is becoming overwhelming so, we’ve finally decided to join the festive spirit! In what is likely our first festive news feature in 2021, we’re heading over to Lansdowne in Canada to take a look at some of the beautiful festive things that will be happening in the lead up to and during the Christmas season.
Surrounded by snow-capped heritage buildings and wooden chalets, the Ottawa Christmas Market is set to twinkle with fairytale festiveness. Thousands of Christmas lights and decorations will sparkle to create a festive atmosphere with plenty of holiday entertainment, local flavours and, let’s not forget, holiday shopping!
Taking over the outdoor plaza at Lansdowne in the vibrant Glebe neighbourhood, the family-friendly and free event features seasonal food and drink and live performances. It will be open Friday nights through Sundays between November the 26th and December the 19th, 2021, as well as Monday to Wednesday, December 20-22, 2021.
Other attractions to get into the holiday spirit in and around Ottawa include:
A Country Christmas at Saunders Farm
The Country Christmas takes place from November the 27th and continues through to January the 2nd, 2022: By day, enjoy pre-cut Christmas trees, hedge mazes, wagon rides, Christmas displays, a Farm Shop with local vendors and more! By night, drive through the Country Christmas drive-through experience and enjoy the holiday lights and displays from the comfort of your own car!
Christmas Lights Across Canada
Between December the 1st and January the 9th, 2022, there will be hundreds of thousands of amazing lights on display in downtown Ottowa between 5:30 pm and 1:00 am every evening. It’s called the pathway of lights and includes Confederation Boulevard, Canada’s ceremonial route, which encompasses Wellington Street, Mackenzie Avenue, Elgin Street and Sussex Drive in downtown Ottawa, as well as Laurier Street in Gatineau and the Alexandra Bridge. A virtual version of the tour will also be available.
Christmas movie filming locations to visit in the Ottawa area
Ottawa is a perfect place for Hollywood to come to for making Christmas movies, and this is due in no small part to its snowy winters and its gorgeous heritage style buildings. One of the things visitors enjoy doing is heading to the locations where the films were shot. Not only will you get to see some amazing sights, but you can also follow in the footsteps of well-known actors such as Mel Gibson, Megan Follows, Tim Reid and Justin Hartley.
Rather than simply binge watch the movies on the W Network, Hallmark Channel, Lifetime and Netflix, head on over to the Ottawa region and experience the places in person!
For more information on Ottawa, please visit www.ottawatourism.ca.
Read more travel guides, news and features here.