From cute neighbourhoods to scenic backdrops, did you know Ottawa is a popular spot to film Christmas movies? There’s been many filmed here over the years, including 15 in 2022 alone! With inspiration from the Ottawa Film Office’s Christmas Movie Map, I created fun itineraries that will take you to different filming locations where you can feel like you’re in your own Christmas movie in Ottawa. Go enjoy your own movie moments, and then head home to watch the movies and spot the filming locations you visited earlier in the day. Make it even more fun with the Ottawa Film Office Christmas Movie Bingo!
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Ottawa Christmas Movie Magic in ByWard Market
The Byward Market is a beautiful Christmas destination in Ottawa. Stroll through the streets, and you spot scenes from movies like Royally Wrapped for Christmas (GAC) and Candy Cane Candidate (Lifetime). Feel like you are in A Christmas for the Books (Hallmark), Midnight at the Magnolia (Netflix), One Delicious Christmas (Discovery+, 2022) and All I Don’t Want for Christmas (VH1, 2022) when you stroll through the cobblestone of Clarendon Lane.
Walk further to reach Jeanne d’Arc Court, featured in A Chestnut Family Christmas (Oprah Winfrey Network) and Mistletoe and Menorahs (Lifetime). Keep an eye out for the Tin House installation, a reconstruction of an old house hanging on a brick wall. Visit Tin House Court to feel like you’re in Mistletoe Time Machine (Tubi, 2022) and All I Don’t Want for Christmas (VH1, 2022).
Have some movie moments at these shops and restaurants:
- Get a holiday outfit at Milk Shop – Mistletoe and Menorahs (Lifetime)
- Get a warm drink for exploring at Happy Goat Coffee Co. (Rideau/Cumberland) – Mistletoe and Menorahs ( Lifetime)
- Visit Joy on Sussex, featured in Great Holiday Bake War
While you’re in ByWard Market, make sure to stop into BBxCollection. They have an amazing selection of Christmas sweaters with lots that have ties to Christmas movies. Years ago, I bought a “Merry Christmas Ya Filthy Animal” sweater from them to celebrate my favourite Christmas movie, Home Alone.
Go for a stroll through a park to feel like you’re in these movies:
- Rockcliffe Park Pavilion: Record Breaking Christmas (Lifetime, 2022)
- Strathcona Park: Christmas Unwrapped (Lifetime)
- MacDonald Gardens Park: Midnight at the Magnolia (Netflix)
Dinner and Drinks:
- Luxe Bistro: All I Don’t Want for Christmas (VH1, 2022)
- The Albion Rooms: A Christmas Fumble (OWN, 2022)
- Fairouz Cafe: Record Breaking Christmas (Lifetime, 2022)
- Lowertown Brewery: Great Holiday Bake War (OWN, 2022)
- Mezzanotte Bistro Italiano: A Chestnut Family Christmas (Oprah Winfrey Network)
- Somewhere Dine Bar: A Storybook Christmas (Lifetime)
Where To Stay:
Make it a staycation at Fairmont Chateau Laurier and see if you can spot scenes from Royally Wrapped for Christmas (GAC) and Hotel for the Holidays (Amazon Freevee, 2022). This stunning hotel is always decked out for the holidays and is one of the best spots in Ottawa to see Christmas trees. Book your stay here.
Feel like you’re in A New Diva’s Christmas Carol (VH1, 2022) with a stay at The Westin. Enjoy views of the Rideau Canal, and if the weather is right, maybe even skaters on it. Book your stay here.
Ottawa Christmas Movie Moments on Sparks Street
This pedestrian oasis is always beautifully decorated for Christmas and is even one of the best places for Christmas lights in Ottawa. Stroll through Sparks Street for lots of Christmas movies, including:
- Great Holiday Bake War (OWN, 2022)
- A Christmas Fumble (OWN, 2022)
- Hotel for the Holidays (Amazon Freevee, 2022)
- ‘Twas the Night Before Christmas (Hallmark, 2022)
- All I Don’t Want for Christmas (VH1, 2022)
- Royally Wrapped for Christmas (GAC)
- Boyfriends of Christmas Past (Hallmark)
- The Christmas Setup (Lifetime)
Grab a coffee a hot chocolate at Le Moulin de Provence K•D, which has been featured in A Chestnut Family Christmas (Oprah Winfrey Network), Great Holiday Bake War (OWN, 2022) and One Delicious Christmas (Discovery+, 2022).
Howard’s Fine Jewellers always has one of the best-decorated storefronts, and they were featured in Christmas Unwrapped ( Lifetime). A great spot to pop into for jewellery or maybe a ring to pop a special question this season 😉
Check out my Sparks Street Shopping Guide for some shops to visit while you’re on the street.
Make it a staycation with a stay at ReStays where you’ll get a stunning view of Parliament. You’ll feel like you’re in A New Diva’s Christmas Carol (VH1, 2022). Book your stay here.
Ottawa Christmas Movie Moments in Manotick
Feel like you’re in Candy Cane Christmas (Lifetime) with this trip to Manotick.
There are lots of fantastic local shops to visit in Manotick. Start your visit with some coffee at 692 Coffee Bar and then explore the town. In the movie, you’ll be able to spot Terra Plant and Flowers. Check out their beautiful storefront and then step inside for your holiday arrangements. Make a reservation at Black Dog Bistro.
Make sure to visit Watson Mill and One World Bazaar while you’re in the area. You can also add a Christmas tree farm near Ottawa to this activity. Visit a spot like Stanley’s Olde Maple Farm, where Christmas on Wheels (Lifetime) was filmed.
If the weather allows, head from Manotick to RiverOak Skating Trail. Glide on a trail through an apple orchard featured in Noel Next Door (Hallmark, 2022).
Ottawa Christmas Movie Magic on Elgin Street
Head to Happy Goat Coffee on Elgin Street, featured in Midnight at the Magnolia (Netflix), for a warm drink. Wander the street and make your way to Confederation Park featured in Great Holiday Bake War (OWN, 2022). From the park, begin your scenic stroll on the Rideau Canal featured in (Christmas Jars, BYUtv, 2019) and A Cheerful Christmas (Hallmark, 2019).
Go for a skate in Ottawa and enjoy the Rink of Dreams (make sure its open here). You’ll find it at City Hall, featured in A New Diva’s Christmas Carol (VH1, 2022).
Enjoy a night out with a candlelight concert. Be mesmerized by a string quartet in a candle-lit setting. Enjoy one of their special Christmas-themed concerts. It occurs at Knox Presbyterian Church, featured in Hotel for the Holidays (Amazon Freevee, 2022) and A New Diva’s Christmas Carol (VH1, 2022). I recommend the tickets at the front for the best view. Book this experience in advance here.
Make it a Staycation at Ottawa Embassy Hotel and Suites featured in All I Don’t Want for Christmas (VH1, 2022).
Ottawa Christmas Movie Magic in Little Italy
Go on a foodie crawl through Little Italy and feel like you’re in a Christmas movie. The street always has beautiful Christmas lights around this time of year. Here’s where you need to visit:
- Dinner at Mati featured in The Most Colorful Time of the Year (Hallmark, 2022)
- Drinks at Ward 14 featured in Noel Next Door (Hallmark, 2022)
Ottawa Christmas Movie Magic in the Glebe
Make your way to Bank Street for some Ottawa Christmas movie fun!
Start the day at Bramasole for breakfast in this old-style diner featured in Christmas Unwrapped (Lifetime, 2020) and Christmas Jars (BYUtv, 2019).
Make your way to Patterson Creek, featured in Christmas Unwrapped (Lifetime, 2020) and Christmas Jars (BYUtv, 2019). Patterson Creek is a beautiful park off the canal, and in the winter, you can catch the willow trees covered in a blanket of snow,
You can add Lansdowne for the Christmas tree in front of the Aberdeen Pavilion and visit the Ottawa Christmas Market.
Next, head to Erling’s Variety for dinner to feel like you’re in Christmas Crush (ION 2019). End your night with a drink and live music at Irene’s Pub, featured in A New Diva’s Christmas Carol (VH1, 2022) and The Truth About Christmas (Freeform, 2018).
Magical Christmas Day Trip/Staycation to Almonte, Carleton Place and Carp
Almonte feels like the quintessential Christmas movie town. It’s no wonder why it’s so popular for filming. It’s only 40 minutes from downtown Ottawa. Check out my full guide to Almonte before your Christmas trip, including cant-miss spots, the best views, and restaurants!
Fuel up for the day with a coffee at North Market and feel like you’re in Christmas Around the Corner (Lifetime).
Get a photo in front of the picturesque Almonte Old Town Hall with scenes in Christmas Scavenger Hunt (Hallmark) and Christmas Around the Corner (2018).
Grab a bite at Café Postino, featured in Christmas Scavenger Hunt (Hallmark, 2019) and The Rooftop Christmas Tree (UPtv, 2016) or Superior Restaurant, featured in Unlocking Christmas (Lifetime, 2020).
Carve out some time to explore the shops. Head to Dairy Distillery for seasonal cocktails and gifts. They have a unique vodka and lots of delicious cream liqueurs. There are lots of cool cocktails you can make with their products. Its the perfect place to stock up for holiday celebrations and gifts. Head to their location on Saturdays from 10 am to 7 pm, and you can enjoy a cocktail at their bar. More details about Dairy Distillery are in my gift guide.
Make sure to stop at Hummingbird Chocolate. They have a beautiful location, and I’m still dreaming of their hot chocolate. They have lots of fun items to gift people on your Christmas list or yourself 😉 My favourite items are their salted caramels, Mayan chocolate bar and hot chocolate sticks. More details about Hummingbird Chocolate are in my gift guide.
Pop into Cheerfully made for the cutest products for your wish list. Stop by L.G. Lee & Sons, featured in Christmas CEO (Hallmark, 2021) and Unlocking Christmas (Lifetime, 2020) as you shop.
Pop into Baker Bob’s for fresh baked goods to feel like you’re in Christmas Festival of Ice (Hallmark, 2017) and Christmas Around the Corner (Lifetime, 2018).
There are many wonderful Christmas Tree Farms around Ottawa, including Cedar Hill Christmas Tree Farm. It’s been a popular shooting location for many movies, including Christmas Scavenger Hunt (Hallmark, 2019), A Cheerful Christmas (Hallmark, 2019), Christmas Festival of Ice (Hallmark, 2017), The Rooftop Christmas Tree (UPtv, 2016). On your way to/from the farm, make sure to stop by the Pakenham Historic Five-Span Bridge that was featured in Fatman.
Make it a staycation and stay at the Almonte Riverside Inn, where A Chance for Christmas (Tubi) was filmed.
Next, head to Carleton Place. Walk the main street and by the town hall and feel like you’re in A Cheerful Christmas (Hallmark) and Christmas Around the Corner (Lifetime). Make sure to check out my guide to Carleton Place before going.
Make it a staycation and stay at The Grand in Carleton Place. This old hotel is a popular spot for weddings and was also part of A Cheerful Christmas (Hallmark).
The next day, head to Carp. Check out my full guide to Carp here. Spend some time exploring the Deifenbunker featured in Fatman.
Click here for more Christmas ideas this season.
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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