Festivals and Events

DJs spin house, disco, R&B, soca, Afrobeats and more on Harbourfront Centre's waterfront rink, Saturdays from 8 PM to 10 PM, December 19, 2026 to February 13, 2027 (plus a New Year's Eve edition). Harbourfront Centre lists the series as free, and skate rentals are free every Saturday for all ages and sizes.

A New Year's Eve countdown on the waterfront: skate on the rink while DJ JJ Rock plays R&B, hip hop, dancehall, Afrobeats, soca and old school tracks, then watch a 10 minute fireworks show set to music over the lake at midnight. Thursday, December 31, 2026, from 8 PM, fireworks from midnight to 12:10 AM. Free, no tickets required.

A festive train ride through Harbourfront Centre's winter campus, with twinkling lights and holiday festivities along the way, presented with Redpath. It runs Fridays 5 PM to 9 PM, Saturdays noon to 9 PM and Sundays noon to 6 PM from November 20 to December 20, 2026. Free admission, no tickets required.

Illuminair lights up HarbourFrost with winter themed fire performances: several artists spin and dance with a variety of fire apparatus in choreographed group routines, suitable for all ages. Short 30 minute shows on Friday and Saturday evenings from November 20 to December 19, 2026, mostly between 6 and 9:30 p.m., at Community Square. Free, no tickets required.

During HarbourFrost, a troupe of winter circus characters, from Snow Queens and Ice Princesses to Nutcrackers and Toy Soldiers, roams Harbourfront Centre with hoop acts, dance and stilt walking for all ages. Weekends from November 20 to December 19, 2026, mostly Saturdays 5 to 8 p.m. and Sundays 3 to 6 p.m., around Community Square. Free, no tickets required.

Free film screenings for adults and teens in the auditorium of the Ottawa Public Library Main branch on Metcalfe Street. Coming up: Agora (Nov 9), Little Women 2019 (Nov 16), Atomic Blonde (Nov 23) and Wuthering Heights 2026 (Nov 30). Mondays at 6:00 PM, running about two hours. Free drop in screenings, no registration needed.

A cozy afternoon of card and board games for adults aged 55 and over at the Greely branch of the Ottawa Public Library. Use the games provided or bring your own, with tea, coffee and cookies served. Fridays from November 6 to December 18, 2026, 1:30 to 4:00 PM, in the Carol Parker Room. Free drop in program, no registration needed.

Come play cards, roll the dice or try a board game with other adults at the Greenboro branch of the Ottawa Public Library, inside the Greenboro Community Centre. Newcomers and adults 50 plus are especially welcome. Fridays from November 6 to December 18, 2026, 1:30 to 3:30 PM, in Meeting Room A. Free drop in program, no registration needed.

Teens aged 13 to 18 can drop in after school to play video games on PS4 and Wii U at the Beaverbrook branch of the Ottawa Public Library in Kanata. It is an easy way to unwind and meet other gamers. Tuesdays from November 10 to December 15, 2026, 3:00 to 4:00 PM, in Joan Dodsworth Ware Room 2. Free drop in program, no registration needed.

A weekly hangout for teens and tweens aged 12 to 18 at the Rosemount branch of the Ottawa Public Library in Hintonburg, with board games and Nintendo Switch games such as Super Smash Bros. and Mario Kart 8. Saturdays from November 7 to December 12, 2026, 2:30 to 4:00 PM, on the ground floor. Free, no registration required.

The Maryvale branch of Toronto Public Library shows Minions and Monsters (rated PG, recommended for ages 8 and up with a parent or caregiver) on the November PA Day. Friday, November 20, 2026, from 1 to 2:30 p.m. in the program room. Free drop in; space is limited.

The Albert Campbell branch of Toronto Public Library screens the 2025 film How to Train Your Dragon, the story of Hiccup and the Night Fury Toothless, on the November PA Day. Open to children of all ages with their parents or caregivers. Friday, November 20, 2026, from 1 to 2:30 p.m. in the auditorium; free, no fee or registration listed.