Festivals and Events

A family Christmas carol sing-along with vocal warm ups, plus craft activities for ages 5 and up, at the Ruth E. Dickinson branch of the Ottawa Public Library. Christmas themed outfits are encouraged; the program is mainly in English and everyone is welcome. Saturday, December 5, 2026, 10:30 AM, about 60 minutes. Free drop in, no registration.

A holiday afternoon on Marion Dewar Plaza at Ottawa City Hall, open to all, with Santa and Mrs. Claus in their cabin, a campfire for roasting marshmallows, hot chocolate, maple taffy on snow, skating on the Rink of Dreams, horse drawn wagon rides and live outdoor entertainment. The Christmas tree lighting is at 4:45 PM. Saturday, December 5, 2026, 3:00 PM to 6:00 PM; no admission fee is listed, and BeaverTails sold at a reduced price support the Ottawa Food Bank.

An all ages singalong presented by the Historical Society of Ottawa to mark Ottawa's 200th anniversary, led by Ottawa folk singer Maura Volante. You will learn traditional Ottawa Valley songs such as shanty logging songs, ballads brought by Irish canal workers, and songs from England, Scotland and France; no experience is needed. Sunday, November 22, 2026, 1:30 PM to 3:00 PM at Beechwood. Free.

The Cercle de Fermières Sainte-Bernadette opens its doors for its Christmas exhibition and sale in Lévis. Saturday Nov 14, 2026, 10 am to 3:30 pm. Free admission.

A day full of activities to celebrate the holiday season at the Pierre-Georges-Roy library in Lévis, with a family Christmas show at 1:45 pm and 3:30 pm, face painting and crafts all afternoon, a candy kebab workshop while supplies last, and hot chocolate and coffee. Sunday Dec 13, 2026, 1 pm to 5 pm. Free, no reservation needed.

The Whitby Santa Claus Parade on Brock Street North, on Saturday, December 5, 2026, at 10 AM, as listed by Durham Region Tourism. It is a public street parade with no admission listed.

The Ajax Santa Claus Parade and Spectacle of Lights, an evening parade at Bayly Street and Harwood Avenue South, on Saturday, November 28, 2026, at 6 PM, as listed by Durham Region Tourism. It is a public street parade with no admission listed.

The City of Pickering's Santa Claus Parade on Saturday, November 28, 2026, starting at 10 AM. It forms at Dunbarton High School and heads north along Whites Road; the official start is on Whites Road at the south side of the railway bridge. Limited free parking is available at four schools. It is a public street parade with no admission listed.

The City of Brampton's holiday tree lighting and Miracle on Main Street event in Downtown Brampton, Saturday, November 28, 2026, 4 PM to 8 PM. The City lists free amusement rides on Wellington Street, free holiday airbrush tattoos and free photos with Santa inside City Hall, plus a petting zoo, pony rides, roaming performers, Gingerbread Square at Garden Square and the Gage Park skating trail. Parking is free, first come, first served.

The City of Markham's Santa Claus Parade on Main Street Markham, between Highway 7 and 16th Avenue. Saturday, November 28, 2026, 11 AM to 1 PM; the parade begins at 11 AM at Highway 7. It is a public street parade with no admission listed.

The Town of Oakville's Santa Claus Parade runs through Downtown Oakville and Kerr Village on Saturday, November 14, 2026, starting at 9 AM and expected to end around 10:30 AM. The Town suggests arriving between 8 and 8:45 AM, and Oakville Transit runs a free Santa Shuttle from Oakville GO Station. It is a public street parade with no admission listed.

A free lunchtime concert by the University of Toronto Faculty of Music's trombone studio in the main lobby of the Edward Johnson Building. Friday, December 4, 2026, 12 PM to 1 PM. The Faculty of Music lists it as free and open to the public.