Festivals and Events

Every evening from December 7, 2026 to January 7, 2027, thousands of lights decorate Confederation Boulevard, the ceremonial route around Parliament Hill, the national museums and other landmarks in Ottawa and Gatineau. It makes a lovely free evening walk through the downtown core during the holidays. The lights are on public streets and parks, so anyone can enjoy them at no cost.

Winterlude, Canada's capital winter festival, returns for its 49th edition from January 29 to February 15, 2027, mostly on weekends. Expect ice sculptures, giant snow slides at Snowflake Kingdom in Jacques-Cartier Park, skating and family winter games in Ottawa and Gatineau. Admission to the festival sites is free; a few activities and food stands cost money and are marked as paid in the official calendar. Detailed site hours for 2027 are posted on the official Winterlude page closer to the date.

Ottawa's big Santa Claus parade rolls down Queen Elizabeth Driveway on Saturday, November 21, 2026 at 11 am. It starts at Somerset Street West, heads south along the canal and ends at Lansdowne Park, with floats, bands and Santa himself. Watching from the route is free for everyone; the organisers invite people to give to the Help Santa campaign for Toy Mountain, but it is not required.

A live ice dance performance on the lakeside rink at Harbourfront Centre for the Family Day weekend. Short 30 minute shows on Saturday, February 13 and Sunday, February 14, 2027, at 1:00 PM and 3:00 PM each day. Admission is free and no tickets are required.

Steelpan artist Joy Lapps and drummer Larnell Lewis blend jazz, gospel and contemporary sounds to reimagine holiday classics, as part of the HarbourFrost winter festival. Two short sets on Saturday, December 12, 2026, at 8:00 PM and 9:00 PM (30 minutes each) in Community Square at Harbourfront Centre. Admission is free and no tickets are required.

The City of Toronto's holiday festival lights up Nathan Phillips Square, in front of City Hall, with the official Christmas tree, light installations and free public skating to music on the square's rink. Opening night with the tree lighting is Saturday, November 28, 2026, and the festival runs until January 7, 2027, from 5:00 PM to 10:00 PM. Visiting the square and skating are free (bring your own skates or rent on site).

Toronto's famous Santa Claus Parade, running since 1905, fills downtown streets with floats, marching bands and costumed characters, ending with Santa himself. The 2026 parade is on Sunday, November 22, starting around 12:30 PM near Christie Pits Park; check the official site for the final route map. Watching from the sidewalk along the route is free.

Toronto's big Christmas market fills the cobblestone lanes of the Distillery District with lights, stalls and a giant tree from November 12, 2026 to January 3, 2027. Entry is free every day before 4:00 PM, all day Monday to Wednesday until December 13, and all day on Thursdays in November except opening night (Nov 12); children 9 and under are always free. Paid tickets are needed from 4:00 PM on Fridays, Saturdays, Sundays, Thursdays in December and every day from December 14 to 31, so be inside the gates before 4:00 PM on those days.

A free holiday market with seasonal finds and local vendors in the Harbourfront Centre main building, part of the HarbourFrost winter festival by the lake. It runs Fridays to Sundays from November 20 to December 20, 2026: Fridays 5:00 PM to 9:00 PM, Saturdays noon to 9:00 PM and Sundays noon to 6:00 PM. Admission is free and no tickets are required.

Harbourfront Centre kicks off its HarbourFrost winter festival with Light Up the Night, a tree lighting ceremony in Community Square by the lake. It takes place on Friday, November 20, 2026, from 6:45 PM to 9:00 PM. Admission is free and no tickets are required.

Opening night of D'amours et d'amitiés, a group exhibition about love and friendship with artists including Raymonde April, Evergon, Kama La Mackerel and JJ Levine. Thursday November 26, 2026, 5 to 8 p.m. Free admission, open to all.

A closing celebration for FOFA Gallery's fall exhibitions. From 5 to 6 p.m., Nakota multimedia artist Taylor McArthur talks about her 3D animation, video game and video work with curator Hanss Lujan Torres; from 6 to 8 p.m. there is a community finissage with food and refreshments. Friday November 20, 2026, in English. Free and open to the public.