Holiday magic awaits in Kanata! Dive into our guide for all the must-see events and fun. Whether you're a Kanata native or a curious traveler, this guide unlocks the city's festive secrets.
As the lights dim, the enchanting Ottawa Christmas Market transforms the heart of the city into a vibrant holiday village, where local artisans showcase their crafts. Spanning several locations, the Magic of Lights offers an immersive drive-thru experience illuminated by stunning displays. And the Christmas Lights Across Canada is something you definitely don't want to miss, as it decorates the capital with a breathtaking array of festive lights. See more details on these and other fun events and activities below!
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Top Holiday Events In and Around Kanata
- Ottawa Christmas Market (Ottawa)
- Magic of Lights (Ottawa)
- Christmas Lights Across Canada (Ottawa)
- Kanata Santa Claus Parade
- Santa’s Parade of Lights
- North Pole Express (Smiths Falls)
- Vintage Village of Lights (Cumberland)
- Merry Mingle Christmas Market (Orleans)
- Greely Community Center Christmas Market (Greely)
- Manotick Christmas Market (Manotick)
See these and even more events listed below!
Kanata Holiday Light Displays
Magic of Lights
What to Expect:
Drive-through holiday lights with life-sized displays.
Description:
Magic of Lights is a dazzling drive-through holiday lights experience featuring favorite holiday scenes and characters. The event includes spectacular light displays, a larger-than-life sparkling Holiday Barbie display, and life-sized dinosaurs from Prehistoric Christmas.
Where: Ottawa | More Info: Magic of Lights
Christmas Lights Across Canada
What to Expect:
Dazzling light displays on historic sites.
Description:
Thousands of dazzling lights illuminate Parliament Hill and various sites across Canada, symbolizing Canadian culture and unity during the winter season.
Where: Ottawa | More Info: Christmas Lights Across Canada
Santa’s Parade of Lights
What to Expect:
Unique lighted floats and community participation.
Description:
Santa’s Parade of Lights is a spectacular Christmas parade featuring over 3,000 participants, including floats decorated with hundreds of lights, marching bands, and Santa himself. The event takes place on St-Joseph Blvd. in Orleans, attracting crowds of over 120,000 people.
Where: Kanata | More Info: Santa’s Parade of Lights
Kanata Holiday Markets and Shopping
Ottawa Christmas Market
What to Expect:
Extensive local vendor offerings and festive atmosphere.
Description:
The Ottawa Christmas Market is a vibrant holiday event featuring over 50 local vendors offering unique gifts, traditional Christmas items, and local flavors. Enjoy festive lights, decorations, and live entertainment, including workshops and activities for all ages.
Where: Ottawa | More Info: Ottawa Christmas Market
Manotick Christmas Market
What to Expect:
Unique blend of local artisans and holiday treats.
Description:
The Manotick Christmas Market offers a variety of handmade crafts, local goods, and holiday decorations. Visitors can explore jewelry, art, glasswork, pottery, knitting, and more. The event also features baked goods, preserves, honey, and other seasonal treats.
Where: Manotick | More Info: Manotick Christmas Market
Greely Community Center Christmas Market
What to Expect:
Community-driven market with local artisans and handmade goods.
Description:
The Greely Community Center Christmas Market offers a variety of handmade and locally produced items, including crafts, baked goods, and seasonal decorations. It is a community-driven event where local businesses and artisans come together to showcase their products.
Where: Greely | More Info: Greely Community Center Christmas Market
Merry Mingle Christmas Market
What to Expect:
Community-driven holiday shopping experience with local vendors.
Description:
The Merry Mingle Christmas Market is a vibrant holiday event featuring local vendors selling unique gifts and seasonal items, along with festive food and drinks. The event offers a great opportunity to support local businesses and find one-of-a-kind treasures for loved ones.
Where: Orleans | More Info: Merry Mingle Christmas Market
Adaawe Indigenous Holiday Market
What to Expect:
Celebrating Indigenous culture through local craftsmanship and community.
Description:
The Adaawe Indigenous Holiday Market is a vibrant gathering where Indigenous entrepreneurs showcase their unique products, fostering community and cultural exchange.
Where: Ottawa | More Info: Adaawe Indigenous Holiday Market
Kanata Holiday Shows and Entertainment
A Tyler Shaw Christmas
What to Expect:
Multi-Platinum artist performs holiday classics and originals.
Description:
Join Tyler Shaw, a multi-Platinum-selling artist, for a night of Christmas classics and original music at the Algonquin Commons Theatre. His extensive career highlights include multiple JUNO nominations and performances with international artists.
Where: Ottawa | More Info: A Tyler Shaw Christmas
Trans-Siberian Orchestra
What to Expect:
All-new version of "The Lost Christmas Eve" tour with fan-favorite compositions.
Description:
The Trans-Siberian Orchestra is renowned for its epic live performances that blend hard rock and Christmas classics. Their elaborate shows feature complex light shows and pyrotechnics, bringing a new dimension to holiday entertainment.
Where: Ottawa | More Info: Trans-Siberian Orchestra
20th Century Boys Christmas Bash
What to Expect:
Sold-out Christmas charity concert by local musicians.
Description:
20th Century Boys performed a sold-out Christmas charity concert at the Rainbow Bistro, featuring a lineup of talented musicians including Dave Fraser, Richard Mahoney, Peter Van Dusen, Jonathan Cook, Donovan Allen, Kelly Craig, Paul Adjelaian, Mike Martin, Chris Gerdei, and more.
Where: Ottawa | More Info: 20th Century Boys Christmas Bash
Charlie Brown Christmas with Candlelight Jazz
What to Expect:
Jazz interpretations of holiday classics in a candlelit ambiance.
Description:
Immerse yourself in the timeless melodies of Charlie Brown Christmas with Candlelight Jazz, featuring soulful jazz renditions of holiday classics in a serene candlelit setting.
Where: Ottawa | More Info: Charlie Brown Christmas with Candlelight Jazz
Kanata Holiday Giving Opportunities
Help Santa Toy Parade
What to Expect:
Toy collection for local families.
Description:
The Help Santa Toy Parade is a 55-year-old tradition where Santa delivers joy to children in Ottawa. The parade collects donations for Toy Mountain, which provides toys to local families in need.
Where: Ottawa | More Info: Help Santa Toy Parade
Kanata Other Holiday Activities
Kanata Santa Claus Parade
What to Expect:
Community-driven holiday celebration with local floats and performers.
Description:
The Kanata Santa Claus Parade is a festive event featuring floats, marching bands, and Santa Claus himself, starting at Holy Redeemer Church and ending at Hazeldean Mall.
Where: Kanata | More Info: Kanata Santa Claus Parade
Vintage Village of Lights
What to Expect:
Immersive historical village experience with authentic era reproductions.
Description:
Step back in time to the 1920s and 1930s at Cumberland Heritage Village Museum, where you can explore a historic village with dozens of heritage buildings. The museum offers unique opportunities to create unforgettable moments for visitors of all ages.
Where: Cumberland | More Info: Vintage Village of Lights
North Pole Express
What to Expect:
Festively decorated vintage trains with Santa Claus and holiday activities.
Description:
Step aboard our festively decorated vintage trains to meet Santa Claus and enjoy professional photos in our 1899 Dining Car. Explore the holiday station featuring crackling fire-pits, carolers, warm refreshments, face-painting, reindeer games, and vendors.
Where: Smiths Falls | More Info: North Pole Express
Christmas Candlelight Service
What to Expect:
Candlelight memorial with carols and tree-lighting ceremony.
Description:
The Christmas Candlelight Service at Beechwood Cemetery is a special event to remember loved ones, featuring a candlelight memorial, carols, and a tree-lighting ceremony. Non-perishable food items for the Food Bank are appreciated.
Where: Ottawa | More Info: Christmas Candlelight Service
Festive Fun in Nearby Cities!
Discover Holiday events in hundreds of cities worldwide. Check out these nearby locations for more festive fun!
- Aylmer (9 miles)
- Nepean (10 miles)
- Ottawa (13 miles)
- Gatineau (16 miles)
- Fallingbrook (24 miles)
- Clarence-Rockland (35 miles)