What Happened in Ottawa: December 23 – January 1, 2017

1. Christmas Lights

Christmas Lights Across Canada: Enjoy the magical winter lightscapes, a multimedia show that follows the exciting journey of Grizzli, Fox and Snowman through imaginary landscapes on their quest for light, that will be projected onto Parliament Hill’s Centre Block until December 25. See Prismatica, a participatory installation, with the countless colourful reflections made by its 24 giant prisms at Parliament Hill. Details

 

Gift of Lights

Gift of Lights is a family-friendly 2 kilometre drive-thru holiday light display featuring a 100+ foot light tunnel at the exit, and over 30 static & animated light displays! This new family tradition is presented by MAJIC 100 FM and in support of the Sens Foundation! Details

2. Ian’s Christmas Adventure Park

Bring the entire family and enjoy a real tradition – harvest your own fresh christmas tree and/or enjoy the adventure park. Come to the park and visit Santa’s workshop, make your way through our rope mazes, jump on a wagon ride and tour the park, cozy up to a campfire and warm up with a free hot chocolate! Take a trip down Candy Cane Lane and enjoy the night lights!

1. Christmas Carols & Concerts

For more christmas concerts happenning this week, see Christmas Concerts in Ottawa

Sultans Of String Christmas Concert: Celebrate the season with an adventurous musical trip around the world! 2015 JUNO Award nominees Sultans of String deliver an exuberant performance featuring originals, world-music inspired classics, and seasonal favourites to warm your heart on a cold winter’s night. Details

 

2. Natalie MacMaster & Donnell Leahy Christmas Concert

This holiday season join Natalie MacMaster and Donnell Leahy, the award-winning fiddle virtuosos, in an intimate and unique Christmas concert series you will never forget. With the duo accompanied by an incredible array of talented session musicians – and their entire family – A Celtic Family Christmas will guide you into the wonderful world of a true Cape Breton Christmas celebration.Details

 

3. A Quartette Christmas

Whether it’s traditional favourites like “Silent Night” and “What Child Is This?” or Quartette originals such as “The Perfect Christmas Tree” and “Hope, Peace, Joy and Love”, Canadian singer/songwriters Cindy Church, Caitlin Hanford, Gwen Swick and Sylvia Tyson enchant with their singularly lush harmonies, unique arrangements and rich variety of musical influences.

2. Kristy Hagerman Release Concert

For one night only, enjoy a raw singer/songwriter experience, performed by Ottawa’s own, Kristy Hagerman. The evening will feature two opening acts, both young Canadian artists eager to sing and make it in today’s music industry. Immediately following, Kristy will sing a solo set, switching between her two favourite instruments, acoustic guitar and piano. Details

1. Kinky Boots

Inspired by true events, KINKY BOOTS takes you from a gentlemen’s shoe factory in Northampton to the glamorous catwalks of Milan. Charlie Price is struggling to live up to his father’s expectations and continue the family business of Price & Son. With the factory’s future hanging in the balance, help arrives in the unlikely but spectacular form of Lola, a fabulous performer in need of some sturdy new stilettos. Details

2. A Christmas Carol

In Victorian London, bitter, selfish Ebenezer Scrooge spends Christmas Eve counting his money. But unexpected visits by the ghost of his former partner Marley and the Ghosts of Christmas Past, Present, and Yet to Come change his life forever. This heart-warming classic tale of redemption and the true meaning of the season is a unique, stylish new production designed by the acclaimed Bretta Gerecke and showcasing dazzling guest artists from the NAC’s worlds of theatre, music and dance. Details

3. Burn

Back by popular demand, the thriller features Megan Carty and Tahera Mufti. Written by Ottawa playwright John Muggleton.

4. High School Musical

It’s the first day after winter break at East High. The Jocks, Brainiacs, Thespians and Skater Dudes find their cliques, recount their vacations and look forward to the new year. Basketball team captain and resident jock, Troy, discovers that the brainy Gabriella, a girl he met singing karaoke on his ski trip, has just enrolled at East High. They cause an upheaval when they decide to audition for the high school musical, led by Ms. Darbus. Although many students resent the threat posed to the “status quo,” Troy and Gabriella’s alliance might just open the door for others to shine as well.

5. A Christmas Carol

For 15 years, veteran solo performer John D. Huston has recreated the performances of Charles Dickens’ own one man A Christmas Carol to full houses and standing ovations in the NAC’s 4th Stage. Huston, nominated by the Capital Critics’ Circle as Best Actor 2014-15, performs A Christmas Carol using a remarkable range of accents and body language. The beloved story appears before you woven from the interplay of Dickens’ richly-crafted text, Huston’s bravura performance and your own imagination. He is joined by the acclaimed Ottawa Trio Finest Kind performing exquisitely harmonized versions of carols sung in pubs, on street corners and in homes in Dickens’ time.

Ottawa Senators

Gala De Boxe – GYM – Beterbiev v Prieto

Gatineau-Ottawa boxing fans will get a real Christmas gift with a Boxing Gala part of the «GYM Boxing Series» presented by Mise-O-Jeu in collaboration with Videotron. The most dangerous of all worldwide contenders and adoptive Montrealer Artur Beterbiev (10-0-0, 8K.-O.) will be the star of the featured fight. He will be opposed by the Paraguyan boxer and reigning WBC Latino heavyweight, Isidro Ranoni Prieto (26-1-3, 22K.-O.).

Bell Capital Cup

The world’s premier tournament for young hockey players from Europe, U.S. and Canada.

Ottawa 67’s

Sens Skills

Sens Skills is a charitable, fun-filled, family-oriented event that features Senators players being split into two teams and competing against each other in six different skills’ events in support of the NHLPA Goals and Dreams Fund and the Ottawa Senators Foundation, a portion of the event proceeds will assist in the construction of outdoor Sens R.I.N.K.S. throughout Ottawa and Gatineau.

1. Winter Solstice Stargazing

Help us celebrate the winter solstice with the members of the Royal Astronomical Society of Canada who will be on site with their telescopes, weather permitting, to give visitors the opportunity to get a closer look at the beautiful stars and planets above. After gazing at the stars, warm up around the bonfire and enjoy a cup of hot chocolate.

2. Yalda Night Celebration

Ottawa’s upscale yalda Night Celebration by PACSO – Persian Arts & Cultural Society of Ottawa and Radio Parvaz.

1. Ottawa Historical Tavern Tour

Come hear about Ottawa’s colourful history of scoundrels, assassins and spies over a pint of local beer. We’ll bring you around to 3 great taverns and pubs throughout Ottawa’s historical Byward Market and tell you fascinating stories over a few glasses of local craft beer. Details

2. Club Events / Nightlife

Evan Moore on Friday, December 23 | 8 PM – 12 AM @ Avant-Garde Bar

TOP 5 – (Live) -T.O. on Friday, December 23 · Doors 7:30 PM | Show 8:00 PM at The Bourbon Room

The Split – Soul Christmas on Friday, December 23 | 9:00 PM @ Live on Elgin

B A L K A N I K A on Friday, December 23 | 10 PM – 2 AM @ Mezzanotte Bistro Italiano

Radio Javan Ottawa Christmas Party on Saturday, December 24 | 10 PM – 1 AM @ The Bourbon Room

It’s A Trailer Park Christmas @ Sunday, December 25 | 9 PM – 2 AM @ Zaphod Beeblebrox

Boxing Day with DJ Lowpass on Monday December 26th | 10 PM @ Zaphod Beeblebrox

The OM Sound, On Better Ground in Ottawa on Wednesday, December 28 | 9 PM – 12 AM @ Rainbow Bistro

ALL AGES Holiday Targ Show – Mad Violet, Castlefield + More on Wednesday, December 28, 2016 | 8:00 PM @ House of Tarq

Wolfie, Josh Charbot and The Wild Ones and Rooftop A on Thursday December 29th | 8 PM @ Zaphod Beeblebrox

Street Meat & Old Man Grant on Friday, December 30, 2016 | 10:00 PM @ Live on Elgin
GUNS in the Cage on Friday, December 30 | 9 PM – 12:30 AM @ The Brass Monkey