01/11/2025
It’s going to be a magical holiday season in Ottawa Downtown! Come to visit us at 601 Mercantile & Gifts (right across the street from Chris Kringle Market on the corner of LaSalle and Main Streets!) ❤️💚
Who's already got their Christmas Tree up?! Get ready for a season jam-packed full of Christmas events and activities with our November schedule at a glance.
Next Friday, Nov 7, come out for the Ottawa Downtown Association's Open House. Downtown businesses are ready to welcome you to the holiday shopping season. There will be carriage rides, carolers, peach cobbler, and more as you stroll through Ottawa's historic downtown. Plus, the Exploreum Children's Museum will be showcasing their "Sparkle Spectacular"- beautifully decorated trees available for auction to support their museum!
Saturday, Nov. 15, Washington Park will be transformed into a Community Christmas Tree forest as businesses, organizations, and families gather to decorate their trees. Many of our downtown businesses are participating in the first annual "Send Day." When you buy something at a participating location, you get to draw a chip from a bucket that will send you to a different store to see what discount or goodie you've won! Keep the shopping fun going all day long!
The City of Ottawa Arts Committee is helping to create a little Christmas magic this holiday season with a Nutcracker Hunt! Seven sets of nutcrackers were commissioned by local artists- each one is hand-painted and a unique treasure for you to find and keep! The Nutcracker Hunt will be happening all season long, so keep coming back for your chance to win!
Saturday, Nov. 22, the Ottawa Downtown Association is hosting Mistletoe and Mulled Wine Late Night Shopping! Grab your best shopping buddies and head over to Floret (610 Court Street) to check in- the first 50 participants will get a swag bag filled with valuable goodies from participating businesses! Late night shopping hours are 9-Midnight.
Then, Friday, Nov. 28: THE MARKET OPENS! This is what you've all been waiting for! Starting at Noon on Friday, vendors will be waiting to welcome you to a winter wonderland at the Chris Kringle Market. As if that weren't enough, the Festival of Lights parade is happening at 6 pm, followed by the ceremonial tree lighting in Jordan Block (complete with fireworks!).
Saturday, Nov. 29, is Small Business Saturday. Come out to support local, independent, and small businesses as the holiday shopping season gets into full swing.
Sign up for the Santa Shuffle 5k on Sunday, Nov. 30. Group discounts are available. We encourage you to wear your silliest, most festive gear as you run (literally) over the river and through the woods in the first annual Santa Shuffle! Then, shuffle over to the Market and explore all of the treasures in the huts!
Whew! That's a lot, and that's only NOVEMBER!! Stay tuned for our December schedule at a glance!
