Discover a Winter Wonderland at Alight at Night
Looking for a magical winter experience through the holidays and beyond? Bundle up for an evening stroll through Upper Canada Village, transformed into a winter wonderland with over one million lights adorning heritage buildings, trees, and fences. The beloved Alight at Night festival returns for its 25th anniversary season, celebrating a quarter-century of cherished memories in Morrisburg, Ontario.
Just over an hour drive from Ottawa, guests of all ages can wander the twinkling streets, join old-fashioned caroling, and marvel at the dazzling sound and light show. Hop aboard the whimsical Toy Train, meet the Victorian Saint Nick inside the new Toy Factory, and capture festive photos to treasure.
This milestone year brings exciting perks with the Canada Strong Pass, making visiting easier and more affordable for families. Enjoy extended dates through January 15, free admission for youth and students (up to age 17), and half-price tickets for young adults (18 to 24) – perfect for creating family moments.
Experience the wonder, nostalgia and joy that have made Alight at Night one of Ontario’s most enchanting winter traditions.
Tickets for all ages must be reserved online, in advance. Visit www.AlightatNight.ca.
This 25th anniversary season brings exciting changes, including an extended schedule beginning November 28 (select nights), and open nightly from December 18 through January 15, 2026 (closed December 24 and 25), plus perks like FREE admission for youth and students ages 5 to 17, and half-price tickets for young adults ages 18 to 24.
Friday, December 12th
Bilingual Babytime and Stay & Play (Series) at 11:15am 📍OPL Ruth E. Dickinson
Miller’s Christmas Market Manotick (Series) at 12-6m 📍Miller's Farm & Market
LEGO Party - Fête en blocs at 3:45pm 📍OPL Vanier
❄️Winter Activities❄️
Winter Lights Across Canada Dec 8 - Jan 9, 2026 Pathway of lights Map
November 23, 2025 to March 29, 2026 (weather depending)
Weekdays: 5:00 to 8:30 p.m.
Weekends: 1:00 to 8:30 p.m.
Open daily, 7 am to 11 pm (weather permitting)
Rink of Dreams (opens Dec 6 at 3pm)
Open everyday from 9am to 11pm, except for Tue & Thur 7am to 11pm
4-7pm📍Sparks Street
5-10pm📍Lansdowne Park
Santa in Carlingwood! until December 24th 10:30am 📍Carlingwood Shopping Centre
Daily Light Show at 5:30pm & 7:30pm📍George Street Plaza
Christmas on Taffy Lane 📍Taffy Lane
Join the club and get cool merch
Become a supporter and receive an exclusive Ottawa Parents T-Shirt, early access to giveaways, and special perks made just for our community.
🎉 New Weekly Section - The Family Fridge
A little corner for jokes, hacks, and fun ideas to stick on your mental fridge.
🎬 The December Movie Menu
Does anyone else spend more time scrolling through streaming services trying to agree on a movie than actually watching one?
We’re putting a stop to the debate! Here is your official viewing menu. Print this out (or screenshot it), stick it on the fridge, and "order" off the menu tonight. No arguments, just popcorn. 🍿
🥗 The Starters (Short & Sweet)
A Charlie Brown Christmas – Good grief, it’s cozy!
Mickey’s Once Upon a Christmas – Perfect for short attention spans.
Frosty the Snowman – A classic 30-minute watch.
Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer – The stop-motion essential.
Shrek the Halls – Short, funny, and usually a hit with dads too.
🍝 The Main Course (The Big Hits)
Elf – "Smiling is my favorite!"
Home Alone – The ultimate kid fantasy
The Santa Clause – Tim Allen at his best
Dr. Seuss' How the Grinch Stole Christmas (Original or 2018!)
The Christmas Chronicles – A high-speed sleigh ride adventure
🧁 The Sweet Treats (Feel-Good Favorites)
The Polar Express – Hot chocolate required
Arthur Christmas – Underrated and hilarious
Klaus – A beautiful modern classic
Miracle on 34th Street – For when you need to believe
The Muppet Christmas Carol – The perfect mix of humor and heart
Chef’s Recommendation: Pair tonight’s movie with hot cocoa and a "no phones allowed" policy!
🎄 Ottawa Parents: We made something special for you!
We know the December hustle is real, so we’ve done the heavy lifting to keep the magic alive (and your stress levels low!). We’ve put together a complete Elf on the Shelf Survival Kit exclusively for our subscribers.
From simple setup ideas that take less than 5 minutes to interactive scavenger hunts and sweet goodbye letters, we have everything you need to navigate this season with ease.
✨ Exclusive Subscriber Perk: Free Coloring Pages!
As a special thank you for being an Ottawa Parents subscriber, we've included a festive Christmas Coloring Page PDF just for you.
Print it out and enjoy some quiet, creative time this holiday season!
“This weekend, try to worry less about making the holiday perfect, and more about making it present. The real magic isn't found in a flawless schedule, but in the messy, unscripted moments of laughter on the couch.”
