Things to do in Ottawa this weekend – December 9-11, 2022

Signatures Original Craft Fair

When: Wednesday, December 7th to Sunday, December 11, 2022
What time: Wednesday 10 am – 9 pm, Thursday 10 am – 9 pm, Friday 10 am -9 pm, Saturday 10 am – 6 pm, Sunday 10 am – 5 pm
Where: EY Centre, 4899 Uplands Dr, Hall 3
Admission: Adults: $10 • Children 12 and under: Free  •  Click here to purchase tickets

Signatures Originals Christmas Craft Sale is a uniquely Canadian handmade marketplace in Ottawa that features the works of over 150 artists, artisans, makers, and designers from coast-to-coast. Since 1974, the show has been the premier holiday shopping event of the Nation’s Capital – an annual tradition where visitors can meet passionate creatives in person, hear their stories, and feel their works first-hand.

Photo: Signatures Original Craft Fair

The Loft Art Studio Holiday Art Market

When: Thursday, December 8th to Sunday, December 11, 2022
What time: Thursday 5 pm – 9 pm, Friday 11 am – 5 pm, Saturday 11 am – 5 pm, Sunday 11 am – 5 pm
Where: Standard Bread Company building, 951 Gladstone Ave, 3^rd Floor
Admission: Free

The artists of The Loft are once again opening their studio space for their famous Holiday Art Market. Find cards, original artworks, and prints right from the artists.

Photo: The Loft Art Studio

PIQUE 2022

When: December 10, 2022
What time: Various times  •  Click here for the full schedule
Where: Arts Court, 2 Daly Avenue
Admission: Entry is PAY-WHAT-YOU-CAN with a suggested donation of $20-$40.

Pique, Ottawa’s newest art and music festival produced by Debaser, once again brings visionary, artist-driven programming to the Arts Court and the Ottawa Art Gallery. Pique’s 2022 winter edition will feature live music & audio-visual performances, DJ sets, visual art installations, a vendor market, artist workshops, and panels, across four stages and three floors!

Photo: Pique 2022

John Hastings at Yuk Yuks West

When: Friday December 9th and Saturday December 10th
What time: Friday 7:30 pm, Saturday 7:30 pm, and 10 pm
Where: Yuk Yuk’s West (downstairs at Biagio's Italian Kitchen at 1394 Richmond Rd)
Admission: $25  •  Click here to purchase tickets

Over the last 16 years, John Hastings has appeared at every major comedy festival, including Edinburgh, Melbourne, and Just for Laughs Montreal. He has told jokes on BBC Radio 4, BBC 1, BBC 3, Comedy Central, CTV Australian Comedy Channel, and CBC The Comedy Network and picked up numerous awards along the way.

Photo: Yuk Yuks

Magic of Lights Ottawa at Wesley Clover Parks

When: Until Saturday, January 7, 2023
Where: Wesley Clover Parks, 411 Corkstown Road
What time: 5 pm -10 pm
Admission: Starting at $18 • Click here to purchase tickets

Experience the Magic of Lights from the comfort and safety of your own car as you wind through the sparkling path of Ottawa’s favourite holiday tradition. Magic of Lights is a great family entertainment value, and every ticket to Magic of Lights benefits the Children’s Hospital of Eastern Ontario. New this year, Magic of Lights Ottawa will feature the Mark Motors Group “Holiday Pit Stop,” where guests will be invited to park, explore the winter wonderland, and take pictures before moving on to the Magic of Lights route. 

Photo: Magic of Lights

Lansdowne Christmas Market

When: Until December 23, 2022 
What time: Friday 5 pm – 10 pm, Saturday 10 am – 10 pm, and Sunday 10 am – 8 pm
Where: Aberdeen Square, Lansdowne
Admission: Free • Click here to see the full schedule

Located in Aberdeen Square, surrounded by snow-capped heritage buildings and wooden chalets, is the Ottawa Christmas Market (presented by TD). Thousands of Christmas lights and decorations twinkle and sparkle to create that festive atmosphere accompanied by holiday entertainment, crafts for the kids, local flavours, and some holiday shopping!

Photo: Ottawa Markets

Vivaldi by Société Philharmonique du Nouveau Monde

When: December 9, 2022
What time: 8 pm
Where: Carleton Dominion-Chalmers Centre, 355 Cooper Street
Admission: From $38.15 • Click here for tickets

Delight in a heart-warming concert, perfect for the holiday season — a magical evening with the music of Vivaldi’s Four Seasons and Gloria, featuring the 100 voices of CPNM-Ottawa, formerly Ottawa Classical Choir, and its partner choirs, at Carleton Dominion-Chalmers Centre. The artists will perform under the baton of accomplished pianist and conductor Michel Brousseau, artistic director of the Société philharmonique du Nouveau Monde. World-renowned Stehgeiger Alexandre Da Costa will perform as soloist to Vivaldi’s classic Four Seasons. Hailed as a rockstar of classical music by CBC Radio Canada, Da Costa is known for his lively and entertaining performances.

Photo: Societe Philharmonique du Nouveau Monde

Little Bones 

When: Saturday, December 10, 2022
Where: The Joint @ Rideau Carleton Casino (2nd Floor) – 4837 Albion Rd S, Gloucester
What time: Doors open at 8 pm with Live DJ • Concert Starts at 9 pm
Admission: From $20+ taxes and admin fees • Click here to purchase tickets.

Experience the magic of The Tragically Hip with Little Bones. Ottawa local band Little Bones is a must-see show! One of Canada’s longest-running Hip tribute bands, Little Bones, will have you on your feet and singing to your favourite hip staples and chart toppers. It is a party like no other, and we want to see you there!

• $10 Free Play coupon for all attendees
• Food and Beverages available for purchase
• Free Parking
• Must be 19+

To view the entire entertainment lineup, visit https://www.rideaucarletoncasino.com/events.htm
For more information, including the ticket purchase policy, visit https://www.rideaucarletoncasino.com/events.htm

Photo: RCR

The Big Game Ticket Giveaway Promotion

When: December 1-December 31, 2022
Where: Rideau Carleton Casino, 4837 Albion Rd S, Gloucester
What time: Open and Rockin’ 24/7
Admission: N/A • Click HERE to view full promotional details

Head to the Rideau Carleton Casino (RCR) now through December 31st for your chance to win a trip for two to ‘The Big Game’ – yes, the super-sized big football game in Arizona this February! The prize package is valued at over $25,000 and includes $2,500 cash for both airfare and accommodations.

Start earning ballots now through December 31st for every $20 wagered while using your *Rock Star Rewards card. The Grand prize draw will take place after the ball drops on NYE at 1:15 am on January 1, 2023.

In addition, experience the thrill of Money Mania, with over $150,000 in total prizes to be won. Use your Rock Star Rewards card for a chance to be 1 of 20 DAILY winners selected to enter our “Money Machine” and keep what you catch in free-play prizes. Plus, every Saturday night, you could win $12,500 in cash now through December 31st.

• Free Parking
• Play Smart. Must be 19+.

*Signing up for a Rock Star Rewards card is easy and free; visit the RCR Rock Star Rewards Desk for details.

Photo: RCR

40th Japanese Film Festival

When: December 11-13, 2022
What time: Sunday 3 pm, Tuesday 7 pm
Where: Ottawa Art Gallery, 50 Mackenzie King Bridge
Admission: Free

The Embassy of Japan is pleased to invite you to the 40th Japanese Film Festival Japanese Film Festival at the Ottawa Art Gallery. Two feature films will be presented at the festival, “Pop in Q” (dir. by Naoki Miyahara, 2016, 95 min.) and “We Make Antiques!” (Directed by Masaharu Take, 2018, 105 min.). In addition, two short animation films by Tsuneo Goda, “Mogu and Perol” and “Komaneko, Home Alone”, will be presented.

Stories, Songs & Santa Causes

When: Sunday, December 11, 2022
Where: First Unitarian Congregation of Ottawa, 30 Cleary Avenue
What time: 5 pm -10 pm
Admission: $47.70 • Click here to purchase tickets

Singer-songwriter, actor, and activist Tom Jackson hits the road for charity once again. The 74-year-old Canadian icon, whose philanthropic efforts have raised an estimated $250 million and supported food banks and disaster relief since the 80s, is brings his Stories, Songs + Santa Causes tour to the capital. The pre-holiday cross-country concerts feature an evening of original music, sing-along tunes, and signature Christmas music from master storyteller Tom Jackson, BC Country Music Association hall-of-fame producer Tom McKillip, and award-winning producer/multi-instrumentalist John MacArthur Ellis.

Free Wagon Rides in the ByWard Market

When: December 10-11, 2022
What time: Saturday 11 am – 1:30 pm and Sunday 12 pm – 4 pm
Where: William Street Performance Area (Across from Starling Restaurant)
Admission: Free

Head to the downtown to do some Xmas shopping and get into the holiday spirit by taking a horse-drawn wagon ride around the historic ByWard Market. 

Winter Lights Across Canada

When: Until January 8, 2023
Where: Parliament Hill, 111 Wellington Street
What time: Thursday to Monday from 5:30 pm to 11 pm (light show loops every 15 minutes)
Admission: Free

Live the nocturnal odyssey of luminous sparks that awaken during the Canadian winter solstice. Their mission: add light to winter evenings. With some help, they will travel across Canada’s many landscapes. Will they overcome the challenges along the way and achieve their important task? Catch the multimedia projection and, for a few moments, let the magic carry you away. An adventure that is sure to please young and old!

Photo: Government of Canada