Weekend What’s Up December 10-12, 2021

From holiday shopping to taking part in seasonal activities, check out our weekly roundup of things to do in Ottawa this weekend. We have a mix of fun activities including some free options, all are guaranteed to help you get in the festive spirit!

1. Daisy at the GCTC

When: Until December 17, 2021
Where: Great Canadian Theatre Company (GCTC)
What time: Tuesday – Friday 8 pm, Saturdays 4 pm, Sundays 2 pm
Admission: $15-$55, available at www.gctc.ca or call the box office (613) 236-5196

Daisy opened for its Canadian premiere at the GCTC just before the lockdown brought life to a halt. The play, based on historical facts, tells the story of the Madison Avenue advertising team that set out to create the first modern political attack ad for the 1964 presidential campaign of Lyndon Johnson. Infamously known as the “Daisy ad,” it ran once and was immediately banned, but its impact is still felt. War was the objective. Peace was the bait. Everyone got duped.

Proof of vaccination and masks required.

2. Signatures Originals Christmas Craft Sale

When: December 8 -12 
Where: EY Centre, 4899 Uplands Drive
What time: Dec. 8-10^th, 10 am-9 pm • Dec. 11, 10 am-6 pm • Dec 12, 10 am- 5 pm
Admission: 12 and under are free, $8 for everyone else. For tickets: Signatures Originals Christmas Craft Sale – Ottawa – Ticketme

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. Join us at the EY Centre for an unforgettable experience and shop for handmade that lasts a lifetime. The show has staggered time admissions but visitors are welcome to stay as long as they would like.

Everyone, including artisans and staff, is required to provide proof of full vaccination (double dose) administered at least 2 weeks before attending the show. Children under 12 are not required to provide proof of immunization.

3. Movie Night at Alliance Française Ottawa

When: December 10, 2021
Where: St-Laurent Shopping Centre
What time: 7 pm
Admission: Free with pre-registration (Alliance Française de la Région de la Capitale Nationale du Canada : Events (extranet-aec.com)

Join Alliance Française Ottawa for a screening of the French movie “Un conte de noel” followed by a discussion about the film. The films by Arnaud Desplechin, featuring Catherine Deneuve and Mathie Almaric was nominated for 7 Palmes d’Or at Cannes. 

Proof of vaccination and masks required.

4. Christmas on the Farm

When: Saturdays and Sundays until Dec 23, 2021 (timed entrance)
Where: The Log Farm 670 Cedarview Road, Ottawa, ON K2R 1E5
What time: weekends 9 am-12 pm and 1 pm-4 pm
Admission:  $11.97. Tickets available at eventbrite.ca

Visit the Log Farm and kick off your holiday season by feeding the animals, going for a wagon ride through the forest, checking out Santa’s workshop, and having the little ones drop off their letters to Santa. If that doesn’t tire the kids out, then have them burn off some energy on their hay mountains! You can even pick up your Christmas tree here. Get your ticket early as they are limited.

5. Trees of Hope at Chateau Laurier 

When: Until January 3, 2022
Where: In-person or virtually. Fairmont Chateau Laurier, 1 Rideau Street, Ottawa
What time: On-going
Admission: Free

Fairmont Château Laurier Trees of Hope for CHEO is a magical event that helps kick-start the holiday season while raising much-needed funds. Thirty-four Ottawa companies and organizations participated by decorating Christmas trees which are displayed in the main spaces of the Fairmont Château Laurier hotel throughout the holidays. Visit in person or take a virtual tour.

Make a donation of $25 or more and send Trees of Hope for CHEO a photo of your tree or holiday lights to be entered for a chance to win a $250 Fairmont Gift Card OR a Bose SoundLink Mini II Special Edition Speaker. The winner’s photo will be posted on the Trees of Hope website for all to see. Deadline to enter: December 19, 2021.

Masks required.

6. BREATH #WomenofWater

When: December 11
Where: Shenkman Centre, Lower Lobby
What time: 6-9 pm
Admission: Free but pre-registration required

BREATH #WomenofWater is a multi-media immersive art installation that uses portraiture, video, and projection mapping through storytelling to honour and celebrate the contributions of Black and Indigenous women in our community. Learn more about the experiences of racialized women shaping our communities from the 13 Black and Indigenous women who will be joined by local artists and performers to celebrate growth and wellbeing in our community. Hosted by the Shenkman Arts Centre, the three-hour indoor immersive art installation takes place on December 11, 2021, but portraits will be on display at the Shenkman Centre from December 11, 2021, until January 17, 2022. The event is family-friendly. 

Proof of vaccination and masks required.

7. University of Ottawa Choir — Noël ROYAL Christmas

When: December 11
Where: St. Joseph’s Church, 174 Wilbrod, Ottawa
What time: 8 pm -10 pm
Admission: Starting from $15-25, available at Christmas ROYAL Christmas Tickets, Sat, 11 Dec 2021 at 8:00 PM | Eventbrite

Join the University of Ottawa Choir and travel in time… and in person! We will first celebrate Christmas in the Sun-King’s court in Versailles, performing Marc-Antoine Charpentier’s Messe de minuit pour Noël. Crossing the Channel, we will join Queen Victoria at Windsor Castle by singing Yuletide carols and pieces including Christmas Day (Holst) and There Shall a Star Come out of Jacob (Mendelssohn). We look forward to travelling with you!

Musical direction: Robert Filion. Musicians: Plaisirs du clavecin, under the direction of Johanne Couture and Vincent Lauzer. Piano: Carson Becke.

Proof of vaccination and masks required.

8. National Arts Centre Orchestra – Holiday Cirque

When: December 10 – 11
Where: National Arts Centre
What time: 8 pm
Admission: Starting at $15, available at Ticketmaster or by calling 613-947-7000

Experience the thrill of the circus and the beauty of the symphony as the NAC Orchestra welcomes back to Southam Hall Troupe Vertigo, the L.A.-based ensemble whose “dizzying acts defy gravity and leave its lucky audiences in awe” (Los Angeles Times). This must-see evening spectacular melds all your holiday favourites with a spellbinding mix of music, circus, dance, and theatre. If you’ve never experienced holiday classics like “March of the Toys,” “A Caribbean Sleigh Ride,” and “What Child is This?” set in electrifying motion, you’re in for a singular treat!

Masks and Vaccination are required for entry.

9. Christmas Lights Across Canada — Multimedia projection on Parliament Hill

When: December 8 to January 7, 2022
Where: Parliament Hill
What time: The show restarts every 15-minutes from 5:30 pm —11 pm
Admission: Free

An entirely new multimedia projection show is taking place nightly on Parliament Hill. The presentation, brought to you by Canadian Heritage, combines colourful digital imagery with a captivating soundtrack. Head to the Hill to live the nocturnal odyssey of luminous sparks that awaken during the Canadian winter solstice. Their mission is to add light to winter evenings. The luminous sparks travel across Canada’s multiple landscapes. Young and old will be filled with wonder as they set out on this extraordinary adventure.

10. 2021 Enchanted Holiday Drive

When: December 3-5, 2021
Where: 6336 Fallowfield Rd, Stittsville
What time: Timed entrance
Admission: $45 per car, available at enchantedottawa.ca

A holiday drive-through experience like no other, guests will experience eight festive scenes for the whole family to enjoy from the comfort of their vehicle. Enchanted Holiday Drive has no shortage of spectacular special effects, innovative lighting, and fantastical production. It also includes live actors (including Santa), fully built scenes, a mailbox for letters to Santa, and a sense of wonder for all.