First of all, let me confess…I don’t really like New Year’s Eve. It’s generally a huge let down. It wasn’t great when I was single, it wasn’t much better when I was married and now that I have little kids I have a hard time even making it to midnight!

I think the best NYE celebrations I have had, have involved a small group of good friends, really good food and wine. So there is a good chance this year will include those three things, plus a bunch of little kids running around. However, having looked at Ottawa’s list of family friendly activities on New Year’s Eve, there may be enough excitement to drag me out of my comfort zone and make me brave the crowds to take part in the fun.

Kick Off to the 150th Anniversary of Confederation

To mark the start of the year 2017 some great free festivities will take place on Parliament Hill, at the Canadian Museum of History and Ottawa City Hall.

Parliament Hill

It sounds like Parliament Hill is the place to be to ring in 2017. There will be special activities on both sides of the Ottawa River. Starting at 7:00 pm there will be a carillon concert, followed up by a pyromusical fireworks show at 8:17 p.m., also known as 20:17. I love this, because my kids could potentially stay up to see fireworks at that hour! After those fireworks, Canadian artists Radio Radio, Brett Kissel and Carly Rae Jepsen (of Call Me Maybe fame) will take the stage. There will then be a second fireworks display at midnight. And even better…the event is free! For more information visit https://www.ottawatourism.ca/ottawa2017/signature-2017-events/

City Hall

Ottawa City Hall is hosting its own Sesquicentennial Celebrations (that’s a mouthful!). This early-evening New Year’s Eve party kicks off at 6:00 pm and is another great option for parents and kids. There will be plenty of family-friendly activities and the lighting of a gas-powered cauldron in Marion Dewar Plaza. The cauldron, is approximately 16 feet high and 13 feet wide and will be located near the memorial fountain next to Laurier Avenue. This is another free event.

The Canadian Museum of History

This Gatineau area museum is part of Canada’s 150th kick off festivities. The museum’s outdoor plaza will be animated from 7:00 pm until midnight. There will be a fireworks show at 8:17 p.m., and the Parliament Hill national ceremony and shows will be displayed live on two giant screens. There are also some ticketed party events going on inside the museum, but not sure how family friendly those are. Aaaaand looks like they are sold out anyways.

Rick Chiarelli’s Family New Year’s Eve

It has been voted the “Best Place to be on New Year’s Eve” and it certainly sounds that way for families! City Councillor Rick Chiarelli has been holding this alcohol-free family event for years, and it draws thousands of people. It’s held at Ben Franklin Place (Centre Pointe Drive) on New Year’s Eve from 6:00 pm-10:00 pm. There are indoor and outdoor activities such as a skating party, sleigh rides, train rides, a bouncy castle, a colouring studio, face painting and a ginger bread house building competition. (I’m getting tired just thinking about all this fun) There is also entertainment with music and magic, and a count-down to the New Year at 10:00 pm with fireworks. For more info on this jam packed event visit http://www.alcoholfreenewyears.com

The Hogmanay Celebration at Lansdowne

For a unique New Year’s Event that the family can enjoy check out the Aberdeen Pavilion at Lansdowne Park. The Scottish Society of Ottawa is hosting its 5th annual Hogmanay Celebration. Admission is free and it runs from 5:00 pm until midnight. There will be a KidZone from 5 until 8 pm with face painting, balloon twisting, light spinners, Scottish dancers and crafts. There will also be live music and dancing throughout the evening, and plenty of things to eat. At 7:00 there is a countdown to New Years in Scotland, complete with balloons and singing of Auld Lang Syne, and then at actual midnight – fireworks! Dress code is anything you want to wear, from casual wear or fancy dress… or a kilt of course! I think I still have my kilt from Catholic high school, so maybe that’s a sign this is the celebration for me. For more information on this Scottish celebration check out http://www.thescottishsocietyofottawa.com/hogmanay-2016/

A Christmas Carol

Now, if a party just isn’t your family’s style, then you may want to enjoy an afternoon theatrical performance. Charles Dickens’ classic tale ‘A Christmas Carol’ is playing at the NAC and there is a 2:00 pm show on New Year’s Eve. It’s the final day of this show’s run, so if you’re interested get your tickets fast! Tickets start at $32 and you can buy them at https://nac-cna.ca/en/event/13617

Happy New Years!

However you celebrate, whether it is out at one of these family friendly events, or home with your loved ones, or maybe you even wrangled a babysitter for the night and you’re going out (good on you!), I wish you all a very merry start to 2017!