The year is quickly coming to a close and 2019 is almost upon us! Have you started making plans for New Year’s Eve yet? Do you usually get a babysitter and head out with friends or do you do something as a family? So far we have always celebrated as a family. Some years it’s lovely to stay at home with a few friends and ring in the new year quietly, and other years it’s very fun to get out and enjoy one of the many family-friendly events Ottawa has to offer.

Do you remember how cold last year’s New Year’s Eve was? It was so cold they even cancelled many of the events on Parliament Hill. There are no planned festivities for Parliament Hill this year, but there are plenty of other options which I’ve listed below. Here’s hoping we can ring in 2019 with much milder temperatures!

Hogman-eh! Party

The Scottish Society of Ottawa invites all families to celebrate the New Year Scottish style! Hogman-eh! is on December 31st at the Aberdeen Pavilion from 5 pm to 1 am. It is a free event and there is lots for the kids to do: face painting, balloons, Disney princesses, story telling, and an early New Year’s balloon drop at 7 pm (to celebrate New Year’s in Scotland) amongst other fun activities. There will be food vendors for families to pick up a bite to eat and lots of great music. The music line up this year is the Ottawa Caledonia Pipes & Drums, The County Lads, Searson, Coig, and The Mudmen. And at midnight there will be fireworks! This is THE place to ring in 2019 as a family.

Rick Chiarelli’s Alcohol-Free NYE

Rick Chiarelli has been holding his family-friendly New Year’s Eve Party for years. The party starts at 6:00 pm at Ben Franklin Place. This year’s theme is Under the Big Top. You can expect live music, Magic shows, Sleigh rides and more – all for FREE! Plus, there will be a fireworks show starting at 10pm!

Bowling for New Year’s Eve

Walkley Bowling Centre is hosting a Family New Year’s Eve event from 3:00 pm – 5:00 pm. You can call to book your lane (and you will want to do this if you plan on attending). The lanes will cost $95 and include bowling and shoes for up to 6 people, party favours, door prizes, snacks, a ginger ale toast for the kids and champagne for the adults.

Beckwith New Year’s Eve Family Fireworks

The Beckwith Township Council is hosting this New Year’s Eve Celebration at Beckwith Park in Carleton Place. It runs from 4:00 pm to 7:30 pm with fireworks taking place at 6:00 pm. There will be horse drawn sleigh rides, a bonfire and free skating.

Take in the Holiday Lights

Although there isn’t an entertainment line-up on Parliament Hill this New Year’s Eve, like there was in 2017, you can still head there to check out the beautiful lights capes show that runs every evening until January 5th from 5 pm – 11pm. It’s a lovely show, and you can stroll through the holiday lights at Confederation Park as well.

Just west of Ottawa you can enjoy the Magic of Light at Wesley Clover Parks. It is a 2 km drive-through holiday light display featuring nearly one million LED lights. Open daily from 5:00 pm – 10:00 pm, it runs until Jan 6 and will be open New Year’s Eve. Buy your tickets online ahead of time, $20 a car.

If you are up for a bit of a drive then you can always head to the beautiful Alight at Night display at Upper Canada Village. The 1860’s heritage village is adorned with nearly one million lights, horse-drawn wagon rides, a life size Toy Train and even a carousel. The village will be open from 5:00 pm – 9:00 pm on New Year’s Eve, and there are a few different dining options available for dinner, dessert and drinks.

Go Skating or Sledding

Going skating as a family can be a wonderful NYE activity. There are a number of refrigerated ice rinks open around the city.

The Sens Rink next to City Hall is open from 6:00 am to 11:00 pm, skate rentals and sharpening services are available on site. The Lansdowne refrigerated skating rink is open from 6:00 am – 11:00 pm, but skate rentals are not available here. There is also a great rink at Centrepointe, which is free to use and very well maintained. Rideau Hall Ice Rink is open from 12:00 pm to 5:00 pm on December 31st. It’s free and there is a heritage building where you can change into your skating attire.

If we get a little more snow before the new year, then going sledding is another great activity to do as a family. There are a number of wonderful toboggan hills across Ottawa. Some of my favourites include Carlington Park, Westboro Beach, Dovercourt Recreation Centre, Walter Baker Park in Kanata, Mooney’s Bay, and Conroy Pit. 

I hope everyone has a fun and safe New Year’s Eve and wishing your families the best in 2019!