Let there be light! For the Christmas season is upon us, and in full swing. With decorated parks, bridges, roadsides and even lit-up tunnels and drive-throughs, Ottawa has a lot to offer for anyone looking to boost their Christmas spirit.

With so many options, it’s easy to get overwhelmed and distracted by all the shine and glitter. However, our team at ELMNT FM has made it super easy with a map highlighting all the note-worthy attractions you can enjoy. All you have to do is pull out your warmest sweater, grab a friend and get ready to tour all the Christmas light displays across the city.

Christmas Lights Across Canada (Downtown)

• Experience a magical light show projected right on Parliament Hill. It’s a 13-minute feature that runs every night in a loop from 5:30 PM to 11:00 PM. And then, why not head over to the Confederation Park if you’re in downtown anyway? There’s also Wellington Street, Mackenzie Street and Elgin Street, all decorated in full Christmas spirit.
• December 5th – January 7th, 2020
• Free

Magic of Lights Drive-Through (Nepean)

• For days when the weather outside is simply…frightful, there’s Magic of Lights. It’s a dazzling 2-kilometer drive-through featuring more than 300 Christmas LED displays. Running seven days a week from 5:00 PM to 10 PM, it’s extremely popular to say the least.
• Until January 4th, 2020
• Tickets $20-$50

Alight At Night (Morrisburg)

• With a name like that, you know you’ll be walking into a picture-perfect Christmas wonderland. Visit the Upper Canada Village to see about one-million lights on full display across the heritage buildings, trees and fences.
• Until January 4th, 2020
• Tickets: $12-$16

Vintage Village of Lights (Cumberland)

• Take a trip to the Cumberland Heritage Village Museum to see a normal-looking village transform into a magical sea of sparkle. There’s so much to do – you can take a tour in a horse-drawn wagon, enjoy gingerbread cookies, learn about the history of letters to Santa and even get a glimpse of the big man himself!
• Until December 22nd
• Free

GLOW Gardens (EY Centre)

• This is one of the largest Christmas festivals in Ottawa. It also takes places indoors at the EY Centre. Stroll under 50,000 lights, shop for unique gifts and even check out some interactive sculptures. There is so much going on there, we can’t simply sum it up. Go check it out!
• Until January 4th, 2020
• Tickets: $14.99 & up

Ottawa Christmas Market Presented by TD Bank (Lansdowne)

• Ottawa’s first European-style Christmas Market has just launched at the Casino Lac-Leamy Plaza in Lansdown. Enjoy the magic of the season with friends and family as you enjoy delicious baked goods, live music, and browse through the local vendors and craftsman for that perfect holiday gift.
• Until December 22nd
• Free

Christmas Lights at Taffy Lane (Orleans)

• If you’ve spent a few Christmases in Ottawa, you’ve heard of Taffy Lane. Each year, this becomes one of the most elaborate and brightest Christmas light displays in the city. It’s one to check out, if you haven’t already.
• Until January 1st, 2020
• Free

NAC Holiday Décor

• If you really want that perfect Instagram-worthy pic, then head over to the NAC and have a seat on their big comfy chair with a giant lit-up star illuminating in the background. Then, relax and enjoy a hot beverage with your loved ones right there at the NAC.
• Until January 2nd, 2020
• Free

Carp Christmas Parade

• What’s Christmas without a parade? There won’t be lights, but you are sure to catch a glimpse of some amazingly decorated floats and even get a wave from the big guy himself! Website: http://hca-carp.ca/christmas-parade-2019/
• December 14th at 12 PM
• Free

This compendium of Christmas information should be enough to gear you up to enjoy this season in full swing! We would love to know what you’re favorite Christmas light display is in the city. Share a picture and tell us your story.