Christmas in the Capital

As the snow starts to fall and the Holiday spirit begins to settle in, we can’t help but to look for ways to share the season’s greetings. With the change in the weather, and everyone’s time slowly but surely starting to fill up, it’s important to remember what matters during the holidays. For us, it’s quality time with family and friends, while making sure to take full advantage of wonderful experiences; we’re not going to let the weather slow us down!

So to help you follow in our snowy footsteps this December, we thought we’d share some of our favorite things to do to get ready for a Christmas in the Capital.

1. Get lit on Parliament Hill! Thousands of lights were lit last Thursday to officially begin the winter show projection. It was the Christmas Lights Across Canada show, with fireworks and all. You can see the show every night on the Hill between 7pm and 9pm.

2. Shine Bright like… a fluorescent colourful bulb! There are several lighting ceremonies throughout the city to check out, but there’s actually a mapped out path you can follow to see some of the twinkling lights strung out across the city and in some of the most wonderful neighborhoods.

3. O’ Christmas tree, O’ Christmas tree. With all the lights going up in the city, there are tree lighting events at many of the museums and galleries in Ottawa. I visited the one at the National Gallery of Canada, where they had plenty of activities for the kids, as well as a free admission to the latest showcase. With their partner Via Rail, kids got to ride the Christmas express around the iconic Giant spider while waiting for the tree to be lit.

4. Take me through a Winter Wonderland! With the snow now covering the ground, it’s a perfect time for checking out some of the outdoor activities. The rink of Parliament Hill is now open and accessible for the next three weeks as long as you get your tickets 2 days before you plan on going. Many more rinks are opening out around the city; at City Hall, at Lansdowne Park, to name a few. There are also winter trails at a lot of the typical spots (like Gatineau Park and Mer Bleue) that are great for some fresh air, a challenging workout and some gorgeous scenery. Autumn leaves and bright summers are comparable to the dazzling trees lightly dusted with a coat of diamond snowflakes.

5. All I want for Christmas is Something to do. And if you manage to complete all of these before the holidays are over, check out : 40 Free Things To Do in Ottawa this Christmas and cross off some of the items on your list, that you’ve checked once, twice, and have found it pretty nice.

Whether you’re in Ottawa throughout the Holidays, or just visiting some family, make sure you try out some of the great sights and winter activities offered by the city. It’s the last remnants of the Canada 150 celebrations so make sure you make the most out of our dear country’s party favours. Season’s greetings, Happy Holidays, and Merry Christmas!

Kyla