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The upcoming two weeks are a bit slower regarding public activities, as many folks are off traveling, spending time with loved ones, or just taking a break after the holiday rush of shopping, baking, and celebrating. But there’s still plenty to do! You can get close to butterflies or horses, share your favorite vinyl records, take the kids to a playground festival or family show, support young hockey players, ring in New Year’s Eve in various ways, set your goals for 2026, have your tea leaves read, or even plunge into an icy river (if you’re up for it). Read on for all the details about these events and more!
P. S.: This is my final post for 2025 since I’m taking a break between Christmas and New Year’s. Wishing you all the best for the holidays! I’ll be back in early January with more road trip ideas.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Watch Young Hockey Talent Compete in Ottawa
The Bell Capital Cup is among the largest youth hockey tournaments worldwide, attracting countless teams from around the globe to Ottawa. This year’s action runs from December 28 to 31 at various arenas throughout the city, including Richcraft Sensplex, Nepean Sportsplex, Frank Robinson Arena and Canadian Tire Centre. You might catch a glimpse of a future NHL star!
Discover Horses in Nepean
Tickets are selling fast for Discover Horses-90-minute sessions at Ian Millar School of Horsemanship located at Wesley Clover Parks in Nepean on Tuesday, December 30. Starting at noon, participants will interact with horses while learning basic grooming and care techniques.
Kwanzaa Celebration in Ottawa
On Sunday, December 28th Jaku Konbit-a non-profit organization-will host a Kwanzaa celebration at Preston Event Centre. Kwanzaa honors African heritage by reflecting on its Seven Principles: unity, self-determination, collective responsibility, cooperative economics, creativity, purpose and faith. Attendees can enjoy musical performances and dances along with storytelling sessions; there will also be activities for families along with vendors showcasing Black entrepreneurs’ goods-all topped off by a candle-lighting ceremony.
Have Fun Jumping Around in Gatineau
Once the gifts are opened and new toys have been played with (you’ve probably watched How the Grinch Stole Christmas nearly fifty times), if you’re looking for something active to do indoors-the Gatineau Playground Festival (December 27 to 30) at Complexe Branchaud-Brière features an expansive area filled with bouncy castles and trampolines that can help cure any cabin fever!
Vinyl Sharing Night in Arnprior
Every Monday evening at Cold Bear Brewing Company in Arnprior is Vinyl Night where record enthusiasts come together. Bring your favorite LPs to spin while enjoying drinks with fellow music lovers. The next gathering takes place on Monday night December 29.
Butterfly Exhibit at Canadian Museum of Nature
Image copyright the Canadian Museum of Nature. Used with permission.
The Butterflies in Flight exhibition continues running at Canadian Museum of Nature! Get your timed tickets ahead of time so you can stroll through their solarium filled with twenty species of gorgeous butterflies-perfect way to escape winter’s chill!
Participate In A Free Celebration At Britannia Park
This coming Sunday-December 28th-the Winter Lakeside Festival will take place at Ron Kolbus Centre within Britannia Park featuring live entertainment suitable for families plus local food vendors offering tasty bites-all completely free!
Catch A Unique Christmas Film At Mayfair Theatre
If you think you’ve seen every Christmas movie out there already-you might want some room left because Mayfair Theatre located in Old Ottawa South has scheduled an afternoon fundraising screening this week between Christmas & New Year’s Eve showing The Train To Christmas-a Ukrainian comedy film subtitled into English telling stories about strangers stuck together onboard during Christmas Eve festivities! Proceeds from ticket sales go towards supporting children impacted by war happening over there too.
Join A Family Gathering In Trend-Arlington
The Family HUB Foundation is hosting Boxing Day Family Party happening Friday-December 26th-in Trend-Arlington Community Centre located within Ottawa’s west end area! Expect music playing throughout plus storytelling sessions coupled alongside delightful international cuisine offerings along gift exchanges available here as well; admission fee costs $15 per person but only $20 if bringing along three family members total.
Explore Holiday Market At Lansdowne Park
If holiday shopping isn’t done yet? No worries-Ottawa Christmas Market runs until Decembers’ end period covering both dates ranging from Decembers’ twenty-sixth until thirty-first opening times vary though; particularly staying open late till one am come New Years’ Eve countdown event!
Watch A Family-Friendly Play In Kanata
In ‘Twas The Night Before Christmas storylines involving mouse characters collaborating creatively alongside elves ensuring Santa doesn’t miss delivering presents happen live stage performance taking place running across days spanning December twenty-seventh through thirtieth held inside Ron Maslin Playhouse premises featured nearby town hub location itself too soon catching everyone’s attention again shortly thereafter.’>
Take An Icy Plunge In Perth
It’s not too late sign up participating here Polar Bear Plunge event coming quickly this upcoming year’s start day starting January first! If feeling brave enough why not join others diving into freezing waters Tay River helping raise funds benefiting Perth Legion community organization involved locally ! Breakfast kicks things off early morning hour before plungers meet water immersion challenge around ten o’clock sharp-brrrrr indeed!,
Are wondering what lies ahead during next twelve months? Then consider visiting annual Psychic Crystal Fair hosted earlier mentioned venue location sports complex facility occurring right away afterward January second through fourth duration timeline across dates each day featuring diverse range vendors available offering psychic readings tarot cards crystal jewelry etc.! Time definitely worth checking out firsthand experience opportunity presenting itself here soon if interested genuinely enough..
How exciting does this sound?! MEESS Education sets open house session timing allowing teachers parents students discover inflatable portable planetarium situated Carleton Place site holding demonstrations highlighting fossils light circuits much more intriguing science topics discussed freely offered throughout educational purposes majority expenses covered–however viewing special videos presented inside planetarium costs slightly extra beyond usual admission fees charged normally attending visitors wishing participate fully explore everything offered meanwhile gaining knowledge enhancing personal experiences gained here together!’ What Do You Think? Wouldn’t Want Miss Out Important Upcoming Workshops Featured Here Too… Music professor Keith Mc Cuaig teaches six-week course focused history genre rock n roll spanning years back touching era covering fifty-one sixty-six planned commencing again Monday afternoons beginning fifth January following standard weekend festivities wrapping up nicely beforehand! Also worth noting weekly ongoing life drawing classes available run week by week basis offered Art House Centretown locations nearby building workspace-next lesson scheduled promptly arriving Tuesday sixth! If seeking further recommendations exploring nearby areas surrounding ottawa routes destinations worth discovering please subscribe newsletter online easily accessible keep updated timely sharing tips helping plan adventures successfully near home!
