2019 Santa Claus Parades and Holiday Activities

Are you ready to get into the holiday spirit? Many Ottawa communities have already set a date for their Santa Claus parades and we want to make sure you don't miss out on this popular festive event! Please note: We will be updating this post as more information and details become available. If you have a holiday event you would like to add - leave a comment and let us know!

2019 Ottawa Santa Claus Parades

Help Santa Toy Parade
http://toyparade.ca/
Saturday, November 16th at 11 am

This is popular Ottawa Santa Claus parade takes place downtown and is favoured by many in the National Capital Region. Firefighters collect new toys and cash donations along the route. Can’t bring your toy donation? They will also accept new toys at any Ottawa Fire Station until mid-December. Depending on your spot along the route it can get busy, so keep this in mind if your family doesn’t like crowds.

Santa’s Parade of Lights
paradeoflights.org
Saturday, November 30th at 6 pm

Hosted by the Ottawa Professional Firefighters Association, this parade takes place on St-Joseph, Blvd. in Orleans. Toys and cash donations will be collected by firefighters along the route.

Stittsville Parade of Lights
stittsvilleva.com
Saturday, November 30th at 6 pm to 8 pm

This parade is a favourite community event. The Lions Club will be collecting non perishable food and cash for the Stittsville Food Bank, and The Stocking Project will be collecting new stocking stuffers and gifts for local families who may be struggling.

Kanata Santa Claus Parade
http://khlions.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/09/Parade-Flier-2019-v3.pdf
Saturday, November 16th at 11 am

The parade begins at Terry Fox and Castlefrank and proceeds down Castlefrank to Abbeyhill to Hazeldean Mall. Food and money will be collected by Volunteer FireFighters along the route for the Kanata Food Cupboard.

Barrhaven Lions Santa Parade
santaclausbarrhaven.com
Sunday, November 17th at 5:30 p.m.

The annual Barrhaven Lions Club Santa Claus Parade runs down Strandherd Drive, west. Tim Hortons will be providing hot chocolate at various spots along the parade route.

Arnprior Santa Claus Parade
http://www.arnpriorlegion.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/07/SANTA-PARADE-FLYER-2019.pdf
November 30th at 6 pm

The Arnprior Legion Members and volunteers will be collecting change and non-perishable food items along the parade route. All proceeds to the Arnprior Food Bank.

Richmond Village Santa Claus Parade
http://richmondvillage.ca/event/santa-parade/
Saturday, December 7th starting at 5:30 pm

Lighting of the park starts at 4:30 – new banners unveiled and lights turned on. The Parade at 5:30 – starts at South Carleton and finishes at the arena.

Carp Santa Claus Parade
Date TBD
Parade route starts at The Diefenbunker, 3911 Carp Road, and follows Carp Road.

Carleton Place Santa Claus Parade
https://downtowncarletonplace.com/santa-claus-parade-2019-an-old-fashion-christmas/
Saturday, November 23rd at 5 pm

Pakenham Santa Claus Parade
https://lanarkcountytourism.com/events/pakenham-santa-claus-parade-and-celebration/
December 7, 2019 at 1 pm

Aylmer Santa Claus Parade
https://www.facebook.com/paradehohoho/
Saturday, November 30th at 6 pm

The 25th edition of the Gatineau Santa Claus parade is in Old Aylmer on Saturday, November 30th at 6 PM from the marina to the mall.

Other Holiday Activities in Ottawa

Besides parades, there are many Christmas and holiday activities in Ottawa, including:

Magic of Lights Ottawa
https://wesleycloverparks.com/events/magic-of-lights-ottawa/
November 21st, 2019 - January 4th, 2020
5:00PM - 10:00PM

Now in its forth year, this event has quickly become a holiday tradition for many Ottawa residents and visitors, is comprised of LED displays celebrating the joy of the holidays. A “drive through” experience from the comfort of your own car, at every turn and in every direction the route is overflowing with spectacular light displays and animations. Online: $20 +HST & fees; Gate Monday - Thursday: $25; Gate Friday - Sunday: $30

Alight the Night
http://www.uppercanadavillage.com/events/alight-at-night/
November 29th, 2019 to January 4th, 2020
Upper Canada Village

Step back in time while walking around the beautifully lit heritage buildings, trees and fences of Upper Canada Village. There are festive activities and a chance to meet Santa Claus all throughout the month of December leading up to Christmas.

Almonte’s Light Up the Night!
lightupthenightalmonte.com
Friday, December 6th at 7 p.m.

Bundle up, this is an open-air concert and fireworks display on Main Street in Almonte. Now in its 29th year this night is full of music and memorable outdoor festivities.

Glow Ottawa - Christmas
https://www.glowgardens.com/ottawa-christmas/
December 5th, 2019 to January 4th, 2020

Glow Around the World" as you follow Santa on his journey to deliver presents in 6 different countries! Explore lighted trails, stroll through festive city streets and marvel at illuminated historical landmarks as you discover themed rooms in China, India, Holland, Mexico, France, and England. Reserve your spot online. Price starts at $14.99 for children and seniors during the week, $19.99 for adults during the week; children 3 and under are always free.

Manotick - Olde Fashioned Christmas
http://manotickvillage.com/event/olde-fashioned-christmas/
Saturday, November 30th

Horse drawn wagon rides with Father and Mary Christmas to sunset carolling, this wonderful weekend is full of traditional events not to be missed. 

Cumberland Heritage Village Museum Vintage Village of Lights
ottawa.ca/en/liveculture/museums/cumberlandmuseum

30,000 Christmas lights, decorations everywhere, a gigantic reindeer and sleigh and – of course – a visit with Santa Claus in his workshop! Kids will have fun sledding, playing broomball or street hockey, making a snow globe, decorating gingerbread, and sending your Christmas wish list to Santa via telegram. Regular admission applies. 

Goulbourn Museum Olde Fashioned Christmas
Sunday, November 17th from 10 am to 3 pm
https://goulbournmuseum.ca/event/old-fashioned-christmas-outdoor-artisan-market-5/

Get a head start on your shopping at this holiday celebration and Christmas market that features activities for the whole family. Write letters to Santa and pose for a photo with the jolly old soul, enjoy free hot chocolate and apple cider and buy one-of-a-kind handmade gifts from local artisans. Free admission.

The CP Holiday Train
November 25 to December 18, 2019
http://www.cpr.ca/holiday-train/schedule-canada

You may not see Santa here, but this is a great holiday event all the same. The CP Holiday Train started in 1999 and raises money and food for the Food Bank. Over the three weeks of the program, musicians will play more than 150 concerts from a boxcar that’s been turned into a travelling stage.

Riding the O-Train with kids

Many of us have been waiting for years for the new O-Train line to open, and not all of the folks waiting have been commuters. There are a lot of kids in the capital who are excited to take a ride on the new LRT!

If you haven’t had a chance to take the kids for a ride yet, here are some things to know!

Things to know about LRT

Each train can hold 600 people (though it would probably be more fun to take the kids when the trains aren’t full) :) and are fully electric with zero emissions. Every station features different artists’ work, making every station worth exploring.

When do the trains run?

The trains arrive at the stations at the following frequency:

• 5 minutes or less at rush hour

• Very frequently mid-day

• 15 minutes or less after midnight and late evenings on weekends

  Trains start running at 5am on weekdays, 6am on Saturdays and 8am on Sundays and end at 1am Monday-Thursday, 2am on Fridays and Saturdays and 11pm on Sundays and holidays.
  

How much Does A LRT Ride cost?

Pricing may be going up on October 1, so this pricing is based on what is currently being promoted on the OC Transpo website.

• Kids under 5 are always free

• Seniors are free on Wednesdays and Sundays (fun grandparent and kid activity idea??)

• Regular fair prices are $1.80 for kids 6-12, $3.50 for adult and youth (13+), and $2.65 for seniors.

• On weekends and specified holidays, use a 1-day DayPass as a Family Pass for $10.80.

How does it work?

There is a ticket machine at every station and they take cash, debit and credit cards.

There are then fare gates that you go through, scanning the bar code from the pass you just purchased.

The ride will take about 25 minutes from end to end (Blair to Tunney’s Pasture) for a one way ride.

Some of the kids we know who took the train on opening weekend said that on top of the train ride itself, they enjoyed the friendly helpers, receiving a new route map and getting to buy tickets from the machines.

Have you been on the train with your kids? What was their favourite part?

Winter Books for Readers of All Ages from the OPL!

The Ottawa Public Library is back to share some of their new books for children with us. This month’s post is by Andrea Gowing from the Centennial branch of the Ottawa Public Library.

Winter:  A Bright Baby touch and feel book.

This board book has lovely textured pages full of fun pictures of winter’s magic.  We find a plump happy snowman, a sparkling snowflake, a winter forest and more!  A lovely first winter concept book for little hands.

Hello Winter!  By Shelley Rotner.  A lovely introduction to our coldest season using vibrant photography that speaks of the joys of winter. Children dressed in bright, warm winter clothing show us how to have fun in the snow.  Aspects of the natural world in winter are explored including how animals cope in the cold.  Short sentences and simple text make this a perfect read aloud for children ages 4+.

Mice Skating By Annie Silvestro.  Lucy is not like other field mice!  She does not want to stay all burrowed down in winter.  She loves wearing her “fluffy wool hat with the pink pom-pom on top,” and the feel of the snow crunching under her paws.  She cannot convince her friends to come outside with her, so she goes alone and discovers the thrill of skating.  Eventually Lucy outfits her friends with warm hats and skates, and they too, discover the joys of winter outside.  This is such a sweet book with perfect mousie illustrations.  Curl up with your little mouse and enjoy.  Adults will groan at the ‘cheesy’ puns! 

Winterhouse By Ben Guterson.   The first book in a trilogy for Middle-grade readers, this story is set in a hotel full of secrets!  Eleven year old Elizabeth is shipped off to Winterhouse hotel "…in the middle of nowhere during Christmas with no money and hardly any clothes," by her not so loving aunt and uncle.   Lucy’s new friend, 11-year-old Freddy, who loves puzzles and anagrams as much as she does, helps her solve a long-standing mystery.  A great story for mystery lovers.

The Boy Who Went Magic by A.P. Winter.  While not exactly a winter-themed book, this one is written by A.P. Winter!   Magic has been banned, but is it really gone?  Bert and Finn set out on an adventure to find it.  Airships, fights, adventure, gadgets, and of course magic. This is a fast moving magical tale best described as steampunk meets Harry Potter.  A fast paced, ‘can’t put it down’ adventure that will appeal to Harry Potter and Artimus Fowl fans!

Nature Sleepovers - Museum Memories for the win!

Kids in the Capital is pleased to welcome back Antonia Cetin to the blog. Antonia is an educator and the author of You’ve Got This, Mom! A Mother’s Guide to Surviving and Thriving in Today’s Modern. She returns with a special post about the new Nature Sleepovers program offered by the Canadian Museum of Nature.

How do you spend quality time with family? Our family lives can easily become a race from one organized activity to another, a series of ticks on a list of things to do. We won’t remember the activities as much as the effort it took to get there. That’s why it’s so important to have family time to do simple ordinary things: reading together, playing a board game together, cooking, making a snowman, relaxing at home. Those are the times that will leave a lasting impression of what home feels like cozy, warm and comfortable.

We also want to create special memories that we can look back on as adventures or markers of special events. Those will be the instances we talk about as, “remember the time...” conversations.

The Canadian Museum of Nature now offers families a memorable evening that we can reminisce about with our kids: a sleepover with the dinosaurs!  

Gotta say when I suggested this activity to my family, I was surprised at the enthusiasm: WE GET TO SLEEP WITH THE DINOSAURS? And, that was just the co-parent! I was actually afraid that the program wouldn’t live up to our expectations because they were so high. However, there was nothing to worry about: the museum did not disappoint. The whole evening was so well organized everything went off without a hitch.

There were people welcoming us, guiding us, and even staying over in case we needed them during the night. We enjoyed a guided flashlight tour of the dinosaurs in the dark - who knew they were even more fascinating in the dark! We got to examine and hold some pretty cool insects including stick insects who walked across our hands. I drew the line at the huge cockroach, but you know, that’s just me. We also did scavenger hunts in the mammal area that got us moving around before we got a private viewing of a 3D movie about a night at the museum! So cool. By the way, when your name is Kaz, falling asleep in your sleeping bag with a view of the Kazmasaurus can’t be beat! And, when your name isn’t Kaz, it’s fun to look up and see the dinosaur watching over you as you drift off.

The whole experience was amazing and super well orchestrated by the friendly and informative staff. They really had everything covered - even snack time and breakfast. And, thank goodness for coffee in the morning at the museum because when the museum doors opened to the public, we had time to explore on our own.  

When I asked my family members how they enjoyed the visit, they each had a special memory to share. And, then they asked if we could do it again next month! Memorable moment success! Thanks Canadian Museum of Nature.

Check out the Canadian Museum of Nature website for other memorable experiences including their sleepovers, themed birthdays and special events such as Butterflies in Flight and Survival of the Slowest. If you’re looking for an adult getaway activity, they have Nature Nocturne (a night of science and dancing), Nature tastes (cider and whiskey) and an Escape room. Go and create some great memories!

Celebrate a farm-tastic birthday at the Canada Agriculture and Food Museum

If you’re looking for a memorable, hands-on experience for your child’s next birthday party, look no further than the Canada Agriculture and Food Museum. They don’t “horse around” when it comes to birthday parties…they take fun seriously!

The excitement begins with a special tour of the animal barns, led by a knowledgeable museum guide. Children enjoy face-to-face interaction with the farm animals — including calves, rabbits, chickens, and horses — while your guide discusses animal habits and routines. Animal experiences are subject to seasonal changes (spring is lamb season!). Of course, we’re always happy to answer questions about the animals from curious, young minds.

Each two-hour birthday party also includes a game and a craft, as well as making and eating a delicious treat. Choose from two “udderly amazing” party themes:

• A MOOving Experience: An ice cream-making party (for kids ages three-12)

• Pizza Party: A pizza-making party (for kids ages five to 12)

Are “ewe” ready to join us? The 2018-2019 calendar is filling up fast – visit our website for pricing details and to reserve your party. They also offer free party invitations – just download and print!

Disclaimer: This post is sponsored by the Canada Agriculture and Food Museum.