December is here, so in my books it’s “go” time for everything Christmas! This weekend is jam-packed with events…this list took me quite some time to put together! Here is your family friendly event listings for the Ottawa area for December 1-2, and as you will see – the Christmas events are now out in full force!

Saturday:

• Carp Christmas Market – 3790 Carp Rd, Carp, 8:00 am – 2:00 pm (more than 75 local Carp vendors, food court, visit from Santa)
• Lansdowne Christmas Market – Aberdeen Pavilion, Lansdowne, 9:00 am – 3:00 pm (more than 120 vendors, horse and wagon rides, live music and kids craft corner)
• Fisher Park Christmas Craft Sale – Fisher Park Public School, 9:00 am – 3:00 pm (over 100 vendors, free admission and parking)
• Woodroffe Holiday Craft Show – Woodroffe High School, 9:00 am – 3:00 pm (work and crafts from local artisans as well as Woodroffe High students)
• Cumberland Christmas Market – 1115 Dunning Rd, 9:00 am – 4:00 pm
• The Canadian Museum of History Christmas Market – the Museum of History, 9:30 am – 5:00 pm (more than 80 exhibitors with free admission)
• Santa Shuffle – Lansdowne Park, 10:00 am – 12:00 pm (hosted by the Salvation Army, the walk and run take place along Queen Elizabeth Dr, 1 Km Elf Walk at 10 am, 5 km fun run at 10:30 am, come dressed like Santa! Can register online ahead of time or on site at 8:30 am)
• Olde Fashioned Christmas – Manotick, 10:00 am – 5:00 pm (craft show at Watson’s Mill, Victorian tea, Santa Claus parade at 1:00 pm, pictures with Santa)
• Elves at the Estate – Billings Estate National Historic Site, 10:00 am – 4:00 pm ( drop in event, no registration required, enjoy a seasonal craft inside the museum, listen to holiday stories, and meet Santa, $17.95 per family)
• Opening Weekend at the Log Farm – 670 Cedarview Rd, 10:00 am – 3:00 pm (pre-cut Christmas trees, wreaths, wagon ride in the forest past Santa’s house, express mailbox to Santa, farm animals, bonfire)
• Merrickville Christmas Parade – St. Lawrence St, Merrickville, 11:00 am (starts from the Community Center on Read Street traveling down Main West and St-Lawrence streets, toy donations will be collected)
• Light Up the Village – Westboro Village, 12:00 pm – 7:00 pm (Christmas market in Winston Square from 12:00 pm – 7:00 pm, tree lighting ceremony at 5 pm with bonfire, s’mores and carollers)
• Christmas Choirs and Wagon Rides – Byward Market, 12:00 pm – 4:00 pm (free wagon rides around the market, and choirs singing in the George St Plaza)
• North Pole Express – Railway Museum of Eastern Ontario, Smiths Falls, 12:00 pm – 7:00 pm (buy tickets through EventBrite, ride the train, Santa will visit, send your Christmas wish via telegraph)
• Les Petits Ballet presents Peter Pan – Meridian Theatres at Centrepointe, 1:00 pm and 7:00 pm shows (originally choreographed ballet, tickets available online)
• Stanley’s Christmas Village – Stanley’s Olde Maple Lane Farm, 2:00 pm (horse drawn carriage to Santa’s village, meet the elves, enjoy hot chocolate and a treat, tickets can be bought online ahead of time)
• Vintage Village of Lights – Cumberland Heritage Village Museum, 3:00 pm – 8:00 pm (illuminated from 5 pm to 8 pm, stroll the village, take a wagon ride, decorate a gingerbread man, meet Santa)
• Cirque Musica Holiday presents Wonderland – TD Place, 3:00 pm (cirque de soleil holiday themed show to holiday orchestra music, one show only, tickets online)
• Alight at Night – Upper Canada Village, 5:00 pm – 10:00 pm (opening weekend for this gorgeous holiday display with thousands of lights decorating the heritage village, Santa visits, carollers and a carousel)
• Magic of Lights – Wesley Clover Parks, 5:00 pm – 10:00 pm (2 km drive thru light display, buy your tickets online ahead of time, $20 a car)
• Perth Santa Claus Parade – Sunset Blvd, Perth, 5:00 pm – 7:00 pm (thousands of sparkling lights, Christmas music and favourite characters)
• RCSA Sleigh Rides – Rideauview Community Centre, 5:00 pm – 8:15 pm (enjoy hot chocolate, christmas carols, and cookie decorating before taking a 15 min sleigh ride, tickets $3 per seat)
• Stittsville Parade of Lights – Stittsville Main St, 6:00 pm (light up parade with Santa appearance, hot chocolate and vendor market)
• The Nutcracker – National Arts Centre, 7:00 pm (the Alberta Ballet performs this Christmas classic, tickets available online)

Sunday:

• Breakfast with Santa – Carlingwood Shopping Centre, 8:30 am (tickets available at guest services, $12, take a train ride and enjoy a continental breakfast with Santa and the Sugarplum Fairy)
• Olde Fashioned Christmas – Manotick, 9:00 am – 5:30 pm (breakfast with Santa at the Mill Tavern, craft market at Watson’s Mill, horse drawn wagon rides, carolling)
• Lansdowne Christmas Market – Aberdeen Pavilion, Lansdowne, 9:00 am – 3:00 pm (see above)
• The Canadian Museum of History Christmas Market – the Museum of History, 9:30 am – 5:00 pm (see above)
• A Day with Santa – St. Peter High School, 10:00 am – 2:00 pm (tickets on Eventbrite, fundraiser for CHEO, visits with Santa, story time, mini photo shoots, cookie decorating)
• Awesome Elves – Canadian Children’s Museum, 10:00 am – 4:00 pm (free with museum admission, search for shy and mischievous elves, make your own rubber stamp for a letter to Santa, and Santa will be there for photos)
• Opening Weekend at the Log Farm – 670 Cedarview Rd, 10:00 am – 3:00 pm (see above)
• Ray Friel Holiday Hoopla – Ray Friel Arena, 1:00 pm – 4:00 pm (free event, photos with Santa, face painting, cookie decorating, fitness classes)
• Victorian Christmas Party – The Smiths Falls Heritage House Museum, 1:00 pm – 3:00 pm (everyone welcome, live music, tea in the parlour, goodies, wander the house and meet local artists)
• Music at the Museum – Canadian Aviation and Space Museum, 2:00 pm (Sounds of the Season musical performance, free with museum admission)
• Stanley’s Christmas Village – Stanley’s Olde Maple Lane Farm, 2:00 pm (see above)
• Vintage Village of Lights – Cumberland Heritage Village Museum, 3:00 pm – 8:00 pm (see above)
• Barrhaven Family Skate Day – Minto Recreation Complex, 4:00 pm – 6:00 pm (free admission for a few hours of skating, music, snacks and crafts)
• Alight at Night – Upper Canada Village, 5:00 pm – 10:00 pm (see above)
• Magic of Lights – Wesley Clover Parks, 5:00 pm – 10:00 pm (see above)