Free Family-Friendly New Year’s Eve Events

Ottawa City Hall Party

Sesquicentennial Celebrations at Ottawa City Hall. This early-evening NYE party will offer family-friendly activities and the lighting of a spectacular gas-powered cauldron in Marion Dewar Plaza. From the cauldron, students will form a human chain through Ottawa’s downtown core to symbolize youthful optimism. The cauldron, which is approximately 16 feet high and 13 feet wide, will be located near the memorial fountain next to Laurier Avenue. This event is free. http://www.ottawa2017.ca/full-year-of-sesquicentennial-celebrations-in-ottawa-to-kick-off-with-the-lighting-of-an-eye-catching-cauldron-on-new-years-eve/

Parliament Hill Party

Celebrate – Canada 150 Kick Off will take place on Parliament Hill at 7:00 p.m. There will be special activities on both sides of the Ottawa River, including live music performances and a pyromusical fireworks show at 8:17 p.m., also known as 20:17! This celebration will kick off festivities all across the country! After the fireworks at 8:17 p.m., Canadian artists Radio Radio, Brett Kissel and Carly Rae Jepsen will take the stage. There will then be a second fireworks display at midnight. This event is free. Visit Ottawa Tourism’s Signature 2017 Events page for more details at https://www.ottawatourism.ca/ottawa2017/signature-2017-events/

Hogmanay (Scottish Society of Ottawa) Party

The Scottish Society of Ottawa is throwing its fifth annual Hogmanay at Lansdowne's Aberdeen Pavilion. Hogmanay is what the Scots call New Year's Eve, and Ottawa's version will include music (with headliners, The Barra MacNeils), dancing, skating, food and drink, and activities for children. There will be two countdowns: one at the family-friendly hour of 7 p.m. to countdown with the folks Scotland, and another at midnight to ring in the Canadian New Year. Admission is free. Expect numerous renditions of Auld Lang Syne. For more information, visit the Hogman-eh! Website at http://www.thescottishsocietyofottawa.com/hogmanay-2016/

Rick Chiarelli’s Alcohol-Free New Year’s Eve Party

For the past quarter-century, College ward Coun. Rick Chiarelli has been hosting a family-friendly, alcohol-free New Year's Eve party. This year is no different, and the 26th edition of the Centrepointe get-together starts at 6 p.m. at Ben Franklin Place. There will be sleigh rides, skating and live entertainment, with fireworks at 10 p.m.  For more information, visit the Rick Chiarelli Alcohol-Free New Year's website at http://www.alcoholfreenewyears.com/.