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Festive Finds: Your Ultimate Guide to Holiday Markets in Ottawa
- Miranda Caley
- Nov 21, 2024
- 8 min read
The holiday season is here, and we’re making your Christmas shopping in Ottawa a breeze! While the convenience of a mall is tempting, there’s something magical about exploring the city’s holiday markets. At Places To Go, we’re passionate about showcasing local businesses and unique finds, helping you support Ottawa’s vibrant community while checking off your gift list.
Whether you’re searching for the perfect gift or hoping to treat yourself (because you deserve it!), we’ve got you covered.
To keep things nice and simple, we’ve categorized a list of holiday markets in Ottawa by neighbourhood, so you can find exactly which ones are open near you.
Rural Ottawa West
📍 1 Rosamond St E, Mississippi Mills, ON
📅 November 28, 5 p.m. to 8 p.m.
💸 Free to attend
🚗 Free parking available
A 40-minute drive outside of Ottawa, the historic Mill Street is not something to miss, especially this time of year! Almonte is a beautiful small town and its Winter Night Market will be full of live music, sidewalk vendors, shop pop-ups, street food, and more.
📍 3790 Carp Road, Carp, ON
📅 November 29, 3 p.m. to 8 p.m. | November 30, 8 a.m. to 2 p.m.
💸 Free to attend
🚗 Free parking available
If you have yet to visit the Carp Farmers’ Market, this is your last chance for the season! With more than 60 vendors spread across two buildings—and visits from Santa—this market also features a food drive for the West Carleton Food Access Centre. It’s open rain, shine, or snow. It’s recommended you have cash.
Kanata
📍 Holy Trinity Catholic High School (180 Katimavik Rd, Kanata, ON)
📅 December 8, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
💸 Free to attend
🚗 Free parking available
For one day only, discover the beautifully crafted goods of over 50 local artisans at this Kanata market! Donations of non-perishables or cash are being accepted in support of the Kanata Food Cupboard and we highly encourage you to support the important cause.
Ottawa West
📍 366 Parkdale Avenue, Ottawa, ON
📅 November 23 through December 24, 9 a.m. to 7 p.m.
💸 Free to attend
🚗 Free street parking available
Kicking off the holiday season this weekend, the Parkdale Market is a favourite for many in Ottawa! If you’re searching for a tree or some holiday decor, sales will continue daily throughout the next month, so you have plenty of time to visit. Street parking is limited, so we recommend using public transportation for this market.
Centretown
📍 Carleton University Fieldhouse (85 University Road, Ottawa, ON)
📅 November 30, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. | December 1, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
💸 Free to attend
🚗 Paid parking available
Check out one of Ottawa’s largest Christmas-themed markets! With more than 200 vendors selling handmade art, pet toys, stitched goods, and more, you’re bound to find the perfect gift for a loved one at one of the most popular markets in the city.
📍 1000 Exhibition Way, Ottawa, ON
📅 Friday to Sunday from November 22 to January 5
💸 Free to attend
🚗 Limited paid and free parking available, public transportation is highly recommended
Visit Ottawa’s most popular holiday market at the beautiful and historic Aberdeen Plaza! Featuring more than 50 local vendors offering everything from sweet and savoury treats to custom holiday gifts and knitted goods, this market is truly a staple in the Ottawa community.
📍 Adaawe Indigenous Business Hub (338 Somerset Street West #1, Ottawa, ON)
📅 November 23,11 a.m. to 6 p.m.
💸 Free to attend
🚗 Free street parking available
Discover beautifully crafted goods and gifts by Indigenous vendors. Enjoy complimentary bannock and tea, participate in giveaways, and support Indigenous business owners while shopping for the perfect gift this season!
Ottawa Central (Downtown)
📍 ByWard Market
📅 November 22, 4 p.m. to 8 p.m.
💸 Free to attend
🚗 Paid parking available, limited free street parking nearby
Visit the opening of the ByWard Winter Market and participate in a beautiful tree lighting at 5:30 p.m. on Friday, November 22. From local vendors to FREE Beavertails (while supplies last, limited to Opening Day), how could you say no? This market will be open weekly from Thursday to Sunday until January 5.
Ottawa East
📍 Blackburn Hamlet Community Hall (190 Glen Park Dr, Ottawa, ON)
📅 November 23, 10 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.
💸 Free to attend
🚗 Free parking available
Shop special holiday treats at the Blackburn Christmas Market. One thing that sets this market apart from the others around Ottawa is that each year, it raises money for mental health programs at the Ottawa Hospital. All vendor table fees are also donated—check it out and support a great cause!
📍 Vanier Community Services Centre (270 Marier Avenue, Ottawa, ON)
📅 November 24, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
💸 Free to attend
🚗 Free parking available
Enjoy the 5th annual Vanier Christmas Craft Fair this weekend! Explore books and comics, local photography prints, baked goods, and handcrafted works all in one place. Charlotte Media House will also offer FREE Christmas photos (while spots last) to help kick off the holiday season.
Orléans
📍 Ray Friel Recreation Complex (1585 Tenth Line Road, Ottawa, ON)
📅 December 8, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
💸 Free to attend
🚗 Free parking available
Discover artisanal crafts, holiday treats, unique gifts and more at the Merry Mingle Christmas Market! Visit this market for a chance to win one of several door prizes and support small, local businesses.
📍 Shenkman Arts Centre (245 Centrum Blvd, Orléans, ON)
📅 December 7, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
💸 Free to attend
🚗 Free parking available
Bring your family for a day of fun at the Orléans Holiday Arts Market. Enjoy a day of festive fun with unique gifts from local creators and participate in children’s activities.
Rural Ottawa East
📍 3485 Hawthorne Road, Ottawa, ON
📅 November 30, 4 p.m. to 9 p.m.
💸 Free to attend
🚗 Free parking available
Enjoy live music and the beautiful twinkling atmosphere of Kiwan Farm’s greenhouse, all while shopping for the holidays. See Christmas trees, gorgeous centrepieces perfect for holiday dinners, seasonal planters, and local vendors all in one place.
📍 Robert Plante Greenhouse (4228 Navan Road, Ottawa, ON)
📅 December 14, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
💸 Free to attend
🚗 Free parking available
Check out pet-themed vendors selling just about anything you could imagine—toys, treats, custom accessories and gifts for your furry friends. This market is 100% pet-friendly (dogs, cats, you name it!) and you can even take special holiday photos with Santa and Mrs. Claus between 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. or 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. With more than 100 local vendors offering handmade goods, fresh food, holiday decor, and so much more.
Ottawa South
📍 EY Centre (4899 Uplands Drive, Ottawa, ON)
📅 December 4 to 6, 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. | December 7, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. | December 8, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
💸 Various admission prices, starting at $5
🚗 Paid parking available
Featuring the beautifully crafted works of more than 200 artisans, designers, artists, and makers, this massive market is your one-stop shop for everything holiday-related. Shop thousands of high-quality, Canadian-made products, such as wreaths, jewellery, custom artwork, knitwear, candles, and more. This event is exclusive and you must buy a ticket to attend, either online or in person on the day of.
📍 St. Patrick's High School (2525 Alta Vista Drive, Ottawa, ON)
📅 November 23, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
💸 $2 admission, children FREE
🚗 Free parking available in Alta Vista and Heron Road
Shop for unique gifts at more than 125 booths of local artisans and crafters. The funds raised at this market will be used to support St. Patrick’s High School’s student teams, groups, and bursaries.
Nepean
📍 Merivale Mall
📅 Every Saturday (November through December), 12 p.m. to 5 p.m.
💸 Free to attend
🚗 Free parking available
Featuring a variety of more than 50 local vendors, the Nepean Day Market is a wonderful choice for woodwork, beeswax candles, natural beauty products, Indigenous crafts, and more!
📍 Nepean Sportsplex, 1701 Woodroffe Ave, Ottawa, ON
📅 December 1, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
💸 $2 admission (kids under 12 FREE)
🚗 Free parking available
This is a brand-new and unique market in Ottawa! Featuring more than 75 geeky vendors selling both handmade and brand-new products, this is the ultimate place to shop for gifts for the self-proclaimed geeks in your life.
📍 Carlingwood Shopping Centre, between Bentley and Laura Secord (2121 Carling Avenue, Ottawa, ON)
📅 November 21 to 23, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and November 24, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
💸 Free to attend
🚗 Free parking available
If you need quality holiday gifts, support the OHS Auxiliary’s Christmas Craft Sale. Shop handmade crafts and support animals at the Humane Society at the same time. Cash, credit, and debit are all accepted at this small pop-up for a good cause.
Barrhaven
📍 The Log Farm (670 Cedarview Road, Ottawa, ON)
📅 November 23, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
💸 Free to attend
🚗 Free parking available
Find 50 local vendors selling beautifully handcrafted gifts and food at The Log Farm. Take advantage of the wonderful scenery and enjoy a day outside supporting local artists, bakers, and farmers.
Manotick
📍 5525 Dickinson Street, Manotick, Ottawa, ON
📅 Saturdays and Sundays, November 23 to December 8, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
💸 Admission by donation ($2 recommended)
🚗 Parking available
Explore beautiful little Manotick’s history by visiting more than 35 unique vendors spread throughout three heritage buildings. Discover new handmade goods and check out the incredible Used Book Store nearby to shop sustainably for the book lovers in your life!
Gatineau
📍 Canadian Museum of History (100 Laurier Street, Gatineau, QC)
📅 November 21st to 24th, 11 a.m. to 8 p.m.
💸 Free to attend
🚗 Paid parking available
Visit the Grande Galerie and Cafe Panorama in Gatineau’s Museum of History to find beautiful holiday decor, fine spirits, jewellery, and much more. With almost 100 vendors, this market has been a hit for the last 15 years and is not one to miss.
📍 120 rue Principale, Gatineau, QC
📅 December 6, 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. | December 7, 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. | December 8, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
💸 Free to attend
🚗 Street parking available
Located just 20 minutes outside of Ottawa, Old Aylmer is full of Christmas spirit! Check out Week 2 of its market with nearly 70 vendors the first weekend of December to find the perfect gift this holiday season. This market even features festive train rides from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturdays and Sundays.
📍 38, ch. de la Vallée de Wakefield, Wakefield, QC
📅 December 7, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
💸 $5 per person (kids under 12 FREE)
🚗 Free parking available
Check out an outdoor, European-inspired holiday market in the beautiful Wakefield. Explore more than 40 local vendors selling handmade arts, crafts, and food. All proceeds go to local organizations and non-perishable food items will be accepted for the Wakefield Food Pantry.
Did we miss any? Tell us in the comments — and let us know which one(s) you’re most excited to check out!
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