Starting a brand new year in Ottawa

Francie Healy
Dec 17, 2025
2 min read

There's a whole new year ahead of us! Ottawa has several ways of celebrating, enjoying, welcoming… and just having fun. Here are some things the Lagois team suggests for the first month of 2026, starting with a very large New Year’s Eve party.

Ottawa New Years Eve Charity Ball

Dec. 31, 2025

Cocktails: 5:30 to 6:30; Dinner: 6:30

Ottawa Conference and Event Centre

200 Coventry Road, Ottawa

This is a gala evening to support Journey House, supporting adults with developmental challenges. Journey House helps people to gain the skills and experience they need to achieve and sustain greater independence and a healthy and productive life.

More information here.

National Arts Centre

Clue – the play

January 6-11, 2026

Southam Hall

1 Elgin Street

A mansion. A murder. A mystery.

Was it Mrs. Peacock in the study with the knife? Or was it Colonel Mustard in the library with the wrench? Inspired by the famous board game, Clue is the ultimate whodunit. Age recommendation: 12 and up.

More information here

Build A Bear workshop

Jock Turcot University Centre (UCU) Agora

85 University Private

Jan 21, 11 am to 2pm

Cost: $35

Join a University of Ottawa project during their Winter Welcome events. Create your own stuffed animal companion dressed in a uOttawa T-shirt! You’ll get to participate in a cozy Build-A-Bear Workshop and leave with a cuddly souvenir. Spaces are limited, so we suggest reserving ASAP.

Registration and ticket purchase here

TACA'S Annual Winter Carnival

Trend Arlington Community Association

Sunday, January 25, 1 to 4 pm

50 Bellman Drive

The carnival features a horse and sleigh ride, a rainbow gem scavenger hunt, bingo, a magic show, roasting marshmallows, delicious hot food and more.

An event-within-the-event is the

TACA Winter Carnival Cookie Bake-Off

Saturday, January 25. Judging at 1:30 p.m., Trend Arlington Pavilion

All ages are invited to enter their very best winter cookie creation. Bring a baker’s dozen (13 cookies) for judging and drop them off at the pavilion by 1 pm. Free hot chocolate will be available at the pavilion. No registration required. Just bring your cookies.

More information here.

Skating at Rideau Hall: Rideau Hall Rink

Until March 29 (weather permitting)

Weekdays: 5 to 8:30 pm. Weekends: 1 to 8:30 pm

1 Sussex Drive

Dating back to 1872, the skating rink has hosted generations of skaters and shaped the culture of winter sports in Canada. Rideau Hall welcomes the public to continue the tradition of skating at the residence of the Governor General. The newly refrigerated skating rink officially opened at the end of November. There is a Winter Pavilion, a restored heritage building where you can warm up and lace up your skates.

Ottawa Home and Remodelling Show

January 29-February 1, 2026

EY Centre, 4899 Uplands Drive

This is Ottawa’s annual marketplace and inspiration hub for homeowners to find products, services, and expert advice for renovations, decor, and gardening. It features hundreds of exhibitors and stage presentations by home professionals.

More information here.