Experience the holiday cheer in Gatineau! Our guide has everything you need for a festive season. From Gatineau natives to seasonal visitors, our guide ensures you don't miss a moment of yuletide joy.
One highlight of the season is the "Magic of Lights," featuring stunning light displays that transform the landscape into a winter wonderland. Additionally, "Winter Lights Across Canada" offers a captivating experience with sparkling installations that celebrate the spirit of the holidays. And the charm of "Christmas in Old Aylmer" is something you definitely don't want to miss, showcasing quaint streets adorned with festive decorations. See more details on these and other fun events and activities below!
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Top Holiday Events In and Around Gatineau
- Magic of Lights (Ottawa)
- Winter lights across Canada (Ottawa)
- Christmas in Old Aylmer
- A Country Christmas (Ottawa)
- Marché de Noël de Montebello (Montebello)
- Home for the Holidays at Billings Estate (Ottawa)
- Christmas with Music and Beyond (Ottawa)
- Celebrating the Day of the Dead
- Stanley’s Christmas Village (Ottawa)
- Alight a Night (Ottawa)
See these and even more events listed below!
Gatineau Holiday Light Displays
Eiffel Bridge Illumination : Échos de la Tour
What to Expect:
Synchronized light show on a historic bridge.
Description:
The Eiffel Bridge Illumination: Échos de la Tour is a 10-minute light show on the Montcalm Street Bridge in Gatineau, featuring a choreography of more than 40 spotlights in homage to Gustave Eiffel. The show is part of the celebrations commemorating the 100th anniversary of Gustave Eiffel's death and offers a unique experience for the whole family.
Where: Gatineau | More Info: Eiffel Bridge Illumination : Échos de la Tour
Winter lights across Canada
What to Expect:
Dazzling light show highlighting Canada's capital region landmarks.
Description:
Winter Lights Across Canada is a spectacular display of hundreds of thousands of multi-colored lights illuminating significant sites in Ottawa and Gatineau, including Parliament Hill, national museums, and embassies.
Where: Ottawa | More Info: Winter lights across Canada
Magic of Lights
What to Expect:
Spectacular drive-through holiday lights with life-sized dinosaurs and iconic figures.
Description:
Magic of Lights is a dazzling drive-through holiday lights experience featuring favorite holiday scenes and characters. Enjoy over a mile of spectacular light displays, including life-sized dinosaurs and iconic holiday figures.
Where: Ottawa | More Info: Magic of Lights
Alight a Night
What to Expect:
Over one million lights illuminate historic village settings.
Description:
Stroll through a historic village adorned with over one million lights, featuring heritage buildings, trees, and fences. Enjoy Christmas music, BeaverTails, and more in a picturesque setting perfect for families, couples, and friends.
Where: Ottawa | More Info: Alight a Night
Gatineau Holiday Markets and Shopping
Christmas in Old Aylmer
What to Expect:
Lighted floats and local crafts along a historic street.
Description:
Christmas in Old Aylmer features lighted floats along Principale Street, local products, and crafts that make great Christmas gifts.
Where: Gatineau | More Info: Christmas in Old Aylmer
Marché de Noël de Montebello
What to Expect:
Local artisans and gourmet food in a picturesque village setting.
Description:
The Marché de Noël de Montebello is a holiday market in the picturesque village of Montebello, featuring local artisans, gourmet food, and unique gifts. The event is inspired by European Christmas markets, offering a warm and festive atmosphere with stunning decorations and live music.
Where: Montebello | More Info: Marché de Noël de Montebello
L'Outaouais au menu
What to Expect:
Local cuisine showcased through a fixed-price, multi-course menu.
Description:
L'Outaouais au menu is a culinary event featuring multiple restaurants offering a three-course menu with a fixed price, highlighting local products and offering a unique dining experience.
Where: Gatineau | More Info: L'Outaouais au menu
Gatineau Holiday Shows and Entertainment
Spectacle sur le parvis - STEVE HILL
What to Expect:
Exclusive blues performance with VIP amenities.
Description:
Immerse yourself in an exceptional blues atmosphere with Steve Hill and Born Again Sinnerz at the Spectacle sur le Parvis. Enjoy a free village party for families with children's activities, food, and a contest to win a motorcycle course. The event features a VIP zone with exclusive perks.
Where: Gatineau | More Info: Spectacle sur le parvis - STEVE HILL
Christmas with Music and Beyond
What to Expect:
World-class chamber music performance celebrating 40 years of Les Violons du Roy.
Description:
Music and Beyond presents a 40th Anniversary Celebration with Les Violons du Roy, featuring Karina Gauvin and Marie-Nicole Lemieux performing Handel's "Streams of Pleasure" at the Carleton Dominion-Chalmers Centre on October 30, 2024.
Where: Ottawa | More Info: Christmas with Music and Beyond
Gatineau Other Holiday Activities
Celebrating the Day of the Dead
What to Expect:
Immersive celebration of Mexican culture with art, music, and family-friendly activities.
Description:
Celebrate the Day of the Dead with vibrant art, music, and dance, honoring loved ones through rich Mexican culture and traditions.
Where: Gatineau | More Info: Celebrating the Day of the Dead
Indigenous Experiences – Mini pow wow
What to Expect:
Traditional Indigenous pow wow with a Grand Entry and intertribals.
Description:
Join Indigenous Experiences for a mini pow wow at the Canadian Museum of History, featuring a Grand Entry, intertribals, and invited drums, showcasing dancers of many styles and ages.
Where: Gatineau | More Info: Indigenous Experiences – Mini pow wow
A Country Christmas
What to Expect:
Immersive holiday light installations and festive activities.
Description:
At A Country Christmas, Saunders Farm transforms into a vibrant holiday destination with pre-cut Christmas trees, hedge mazes, wagon rides, and festive displays. Enjoy Christmas Activity Stations where you can build custom bears, decorate cookies, and send letters to Santa. The event also features a Farmshop with unique gifts and treats, festive food options, and immersive holiday light installations.
Where: Ottawa | More Info: A Country Christmas
Home for the Holidays at Billings Estate
What to Expect:
Holiday celebration in a historic estate setting.
Description:
Celebrate the holiday season at Billings Estate, where historic traditions and community spirit come together in a unique and memorable experience.
Where: Ottawa | More Info: Home for the Holidays at Billings Estate
Stanley’s Christmas Village
What to Expect:
Interactive Christmas village with elf activities and farm products.
Description:
At Stanley's Christmas Village, explore a charming, centuries-old village where jolly elves live, work, and play. Meet the elves, enjoy a tractor-drawn ride, and visit the Frosty's Craft Station to make your own crafts. Discover beautifully decorated photo spots and browse the Farm Shop for delicious farm-to-table products.
Where: Ottawa | More Info: Stanley’s Christmas Village
Festive Fun in Nearby Cities!
Discover Holiday events in hundreds of cities worldwide. Check out these nearby locations for more festive fun!
- Ottawa (5 miles)
- Aylmer (7 miles)
- Nepean (10 miles)
- Fallingbrook (11 miles)
- Kanata (16 miles)
- Clarence-Rockland (21 miles)