Embrace the season with magical Ottawa Christmas Dates from free to splurge that you can enjoy with a partner, friend or solo date! From magical Christmas lights to unique attractions, here are some romantic ideas for the holiday season:
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Go On A Christmas Lights Tour of Downtown
Downtown will be illuminated with hundreds of holiday lights to celebrate the season. Use this blog to guide your wandering for this Ottawa Christmas date.
Free: wander the street admiring the lights
Affordable: Grab a warm drink at Little Victories
Splurge: head to a festive Christmas bar, more details in my Christmas guide.
Holiday Show at Parliament
Meet at the eternal flame and watch the holiday show at Parliament together for a cute Ottawa Christmas date. Fun fact, this was my second date with my boyfriend, and I can say it was a success and a super cute winter date 🙂 We went to see the lights after. Full guide to this experience including show times/dates here.
Free: enjoy the light show
Affordable: head to a coffee shop after. Happy Goat on Elgin Street would be a great place to go.
Splurge: grab dinner at Citizen on Elgin
Candlelight Christmas Concert
Cozy together and enjoy Christmas songs by a string quartet with a magical candlelight setting. You could add on a walk to see the lights.
Affordable: tickets to Candlelight Concert. Get tickets at the front for the best view.
Splurge: Grab dinner at Gitanes afterwards
Feel Like You’re In A Christmas Movie
Did you know there are lots of Christmas movies filmed in Ottawa? There were 15 filmed in 2022 alone! Use my Ottawa Christmas movie itineraries that will bring you to different filming locations so you can have your own special movie moments from cute cafes, scenic views and more.
Free: explore different locations that were used to film
Affordable: head to one of the cafes are shops listed in the blog
Splurge: head for dinner or do a staycation listed in the blog
Explore Winter Wander
Sparks Street will be transformed into a winter wonderland with life-sized illuminated ornaments. It’s free to wander through the street and admire the decorations with the historic Sparks Street backdrop. I’d also add on Winter Lights Across Canada.
Free: wander the street
Affordable: Grab a warm drink at La Moulin Provence KD and a festive cookie
Splurge: add on dinner/drinks at Stolen Goods Cocktail Bar, Rabbit Hole or Riviera
A Cozy Winter Drive
Grab a hot drink, put on some holiday music and then do an Ottawa Christmas Drive for this Ottawa Christmas date.
Free: use this guide to find the best free Christmas lights drives
Affordable: Magic of Lights at Wesley Clover Parks
Splurge: add on dinner at Savoy Brasserie beforehand. They go all out with Christmas decorations and festiva cocktails.
Explore an Illuminated Christmas Village
Grab dinner in Cornwall (use this guide to find a restaurant) and then head to Alight at Night, a romantic evening strolling through Upper Canada illuminated with thousands of Christmas lights. Make the night extra magical with a carriage ride. I heard this is a popular activity for winter proposals 😉
Free: opt for a different lights activity
Affordable: $17/person for Alight at Night; grab warm apple cider as you wander through
Splurge: grab dinner in Cornwall first. Use my Cornwall guide for the best restaurant to visit.
Wander Taffy Lane
This is Ottawa’s most festival neighbourhood. Every year the residents go all out with their Christmas decorations. Admire the houses for this Ottawa Christmas date.
Free: explore the houses by foot or car
Affordable: Order a warm drink at Cafe Latte Cino first
Splurge: Grab dinner at Occo Kitchen
See The Christmas Movie Home
Each year the Turcotte family recreates famous Christmas movies at their home. Last year they did Home Alone, and this year they’re doing Elf. They’ll have all their favourite scenes on their lawn. All of this is done in support of a charity. This is a cute Ottawa Christmas date that also gives back.
Price: a donation to support CHEO
Affordable: drinks at Ritual on Main
Splurge: dinner at nExt
Visit A European Style Market
Option 1: Ottawa Christmas Market
Head to Lansdowne for the Ottawa Christmas Market. Enjoy European-style Christmas booths, performances, lights, special activities and more. Feel like you’ve been transported to Europe on this Ottawa Christmas date.
Free: wander the market
Affordable: grab mulled wine or spiked apple cider
Splurge: grab dinner at Erling’s Variety, featured in one of my Christmas movies filmed in Ottawa itinerary.
Option 2: Aylmer Christmas Market
Head to rue Principale, where you’ll catch vendors in European-style booths in the central park for two weekends. You’ll find some great artisan makers.
Price: Free to wander
Affordable: grab an item from one of the vendors. Enjoy a drink from The British or Cafe Mulligan while you wander.
Splurge: Grab dinner at Antonyme. They have a special menu based on seasonal items that are constantly changing.
Skating
Lace-up your skates and head to a local rink for a skating date. Use my skating guide to find the best location, whether you want a refrigerated rink, a maze or to skate through a forest for this Ottawa Christmas date.
Free: at sure rinks
Affordable: paid rinks available
Splurge: use my travel the world through Ottawa guide to add a restaurant to this adventure
Visit a Beautiful Christmas Tree and Market
Head to the Canadian History Museum and admire their stunning Christmas tree. You can then explore the museum free from 5-8 pm on Thursdays. They also have a unique holiday market in the grand hall from November 23-26th that is free to attend.
Price: free Thursdays from 5-8 pm
Affordable: brunch at Bistro Coqlicorne
Dinner: Soif Bar à vin
Visit A Christmas Tree Farm
Head to a magical Christmas tree farm for some magical Christmas moments. Some of the farms have been featured in Christmas movies, making them the perfect setting for your Hallmark moments on a cute date.
Price: some are free to attend. I recommend buying something from the gift shop to support them.
Affordable: attend one of the paid activities at the Christmas tree farms
Splurge: add on my Christmas movies itinerary to this date for more ideas and fun things to do nearby
Head here for more Christmas ideas.
Julia started Little Miss Ottawa as a way to explore her hometown as a traveller would. She’s always planning her next adventure, whether it’s local or abroad. You’ll find her exploring with her camera in hand. She hopes Little Miss Ottawa helps bring you on new and fun adventures. Happy exploring :)
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