City of Ottawa - DiscoveryRec - Winter is coming: Browse the new lineup of activities now!

 

Winter programs now online  Don’t let 2025 sneak up on you! Starting today, you can prepare for fun-filled winter months ahead by browsing and favouriting next season's activities at register.ottawa.ca.   Registration begins at 9 pm on Tuesday, November 12 for aquatics programs and at 9 pm on Thursday, November 14 for recreation, arts, culture and virtual activities.

Registration search – map view  Did you know that you can find programs on register.ottawa.ca using a map? To begin a search, enter the course name or keyword in the search bar, then use the drop-down filters to refine further. Before or after beginning your search, you can switch from list view to map view by selecting the icon on the righthand side of the page to find programs near you.

Nepean Sportsplex Christmas Craft Show The 51st annual Nepean Sportsplex Christmas Craft Show starts this week! From Thursday, October 31 to Sunday, November 3, you can shop a variety of items from over 100 local and Canadian vendors.     Dates and times:  Thursday, October 31, 10 am to 6 pm  2 for 1 admission all day  Friday, November 1, 10 am to 8 pm  2 for 1 admission from 5 to 8 pm  Saturday, November 2, 10 am to 6 pm  Sunday, November 3, 10 am to 4 pm

Budget consultations Whether you’re passionate about recreational programming, public transit or parks and green space, the City of Ottawa wants to hear what matters to you as we prepare the 2025 Draft Budget.    Over the next month, Councillors will be hosting public consultation sessions where residents can provide suggestions and feedback on the City’s priorities and where to find potential savings.

Monahan  Laura Taler’s groundbreaking digital public art piece, MONAHAN, was the 2024 Legacy Award Winner for Public Art at the recent Creative City Network of Canada Summit.  This interactive audio experience features an ever-evolving series of sounds, songs and stories, allowing listeners to observe Kanata’s wetlands in a new and exciting way each time they visit Monahan Drain.

What’s happening Enjoy an evening of standup comedy with Shaun Majumder on Tuesday, November 5 at 7:30 pm at Meridian Theatres @ Centrepointe.  Celebrate the legacy of Tony Bennett with the Canadian icon, Matt Dusk on Wednesday, November 6 at 7:30 pm at Meridian Theatres @ Centrepointe.  Experience the combined talents of Canada’s dynamic duo, Danny Michel and Steve Poltz, on Thursday, November 7 at 8 pm at Shenkman Arts Centre.  Fans of true crime won’t want to miss The Psychology of Serial Killers and Why They Captivate Us Thursday, November 7 at 8 pm at Meridian Theatres @ Centrepointe.  Join us for an afternoon of live music, followed by coffee and treats with Matinée Café: Grey Jazz Big Band Thursday, November 14 at 2 pm at Meridian Theatres @ Centrepointe.  Witness the award-winning Afrobluehop artist Joyce N’Sana Thursday, November 14 at 7:30 pm at Shenkman Arts Centre.

City of Ottawa - Discovery Recreation - Winter Registration

 

Winter registration is coming up fast!  Mark your calendars with these important registration dates for next season:  Tuesday, October 29: Browse fall activities online.  Tuesday, November 12 at 9 pm: Register for aquatics programs.  Thursday, November 14 at 9 pm: Register for recreation, arts, culture and virtual activities.

Commemorative Naming Program

The City has launched its updated Commemorative Naming Program and policy for parks, streets and facilities. Fall nominations are now open and applications can be submitted online until November 12.

Virtual activities for older adults

Are you 50+? If so, you’re in luck! Join us for a variety of free virtual programs to help you stay active, develop new skills and form lasting friendships—all from the comfort of your home! Fees will be waived at the time of registration.

What's happening

Attend a Halloween Bash Saturday, October 26 from 3 to 6 pm at Pat Clark Community Centre.  Join us on Saturday, October 26 at the Diane Deans Greenboro Community Centre for a Spooktacular Halloween Party!  The party runs from 11 am to 1 pm for kids aged 3 to 7 and 2 to 4 pm for kids aged 8 to 12. Tickets cost $20 at the door, but it’s $15 if you register in advance!  Enjoy Halloween fun for all ages on Sunday, October 27 from 9:30 am to 4 pm in the Lansdowne Park Horticulture building. You can register to race or just come to watch and enjoy the fun free activities!  Shop a variety of products from over 100 local and Canadian vendors at the 51st annual Nepean Sportsplex Christmas Craft Show on Thursday, October 31 to Sunday, November 3.

City of Ottawa - At your museum - Halloween events and holiday season preview

 

Crack the code of the Halloween Heist at Billings Estate Troublesome ghouls keep trying to sneak away with all the candy at Billings Estate National Historic Site. This weekend (October 26-27), kids and their families are invited to explore the museum grounds in a fun, self-guided adventure while completing Halloween-inspired games and activities. Gather clues along the way to gain access to the vault and collect a treat for cracking the code. Bonus – don’t forget to say hi to the critters from Little Ray’s Nature Centre! Activities are best suited to children under 10. Advance registration is required. Get ready for Halloween Hijinks at Cumberland Heritage Village Museum

Family-friendly Halloween fun awaits this weekend (October 26-27) at Cumberland Heritage Village Museum. Explore gizmos and gadgets, wind your way through the maze, make a skeleton craft, visit the mad scientist, and pick up a few sweets along the way. We also have an exciting line-up of special guests including a stilt walker, a magician, a face painter, Ottawa Fire Services, and the Ottawa Police Tactical Unit. Activities are best suited to children under 10. Advance registration is required.

Weekend Crafters

We’ve been inspired by all the imagination on display at Nepean Museum and Fairfields Heritage House! The fun continues in November and December with more opportunities to drop-in and discover your local museum as part of Weekend Crafters. Admission is by donation. Activities are best suited to children ages 6 to 12, but younger children are welcome to participate with the help of an adult or older sibling. Nepean Museum November 10 from 1 pm to 4 pm – Stamping metal keychains December 22 from 1 pm to 4 pm – Mason jar snow globe Fairfields Heritage House November 17 from 1 pm to 4 pm – Stamping metal keychains

You Can’t Do That at the Museum

It’s time to get creative, silly, and a little bit messy at Nepean Museum! You Can’t Do That at the Museum is back each Saturday afternoon in November. We’ve been inspired by the keep-you-on-your-toes sketch show format, and rule bending attitude, of the CJOH-TV classic “You Can’t Do That On Television”. See your community through the lens of a different theme each week with a variety of fun, hands-on activities exploring the museum’s exhibition and artefact collection. Ages 6 to 9. Advance registration is required.

Learn a new skill and print your own greeting cards

Just in time for the holiday season – discover the basics of linocut printmaking and create your own greeting cards at Fairfields Heritage House. Join us on November 23 to design, carve, ink, and print six cards you can share with friends and family. All skill levels are welcome; a selection of design templates will be provided to help spark inspiration. Ages 16 and up. Advance registration is required.

Christmas Tea reservations open on November 6

Share in the holiday spirit and enjoy the festive décor and seasonal three-tier tea menu at Billings Estate National Historic Site. New! This year, we are moving to an online system to request reservations for the Christmas Tea. The online form will be available on ottawa.ca/BillingsEstate beginning Wednesday, November 6 at 10 am. Seatings for the Christmas Tea will be offered at 11 am and 2 pm on December 7, 8, 14, and 15. Reservations and advance payment are required. We anticipate interest will exceed capacity for this program. Once reservations are full, a waitlist will be maintained. Follow Billings Estate on Facebook for updates.

Save the dates

Vintage Village of Lights Cumberland Heritage Village Museum Friday, Saturday, and Sunday evenings from November 29 through December 22 Explore a postcard-perfect 1920s and 30s historic village charmingly decorated for the holidays. Visit with Santa, decorate gingerbread cookies, enjoy seasonal heritage trade demonstrations, see a classic model train display, and more! Fun for family and friends of all ages. Advance registration opens soon. A Very Retro Christmas Nepean Museum December 7 and 14 from 10 am to 4 pm Kids and their families are invited to hop in a time machine and celebrate the holidays with retro 1970s, 80s, and 90s flair! Indulge in nostalgia and connect across generations with vintage toys, throwback-inspired crafts, themed scavenger hunt, and more! Best suited for families with children ages 6 to 12.

Stay tuned

Follow us on social media to make sure you don’t miss a single announcement. Billings Estate National Historic Site (or @billingsestatemuseum on Instagram) Cumberland Heritage Village Museum (or @cumberlandmuseum on Instagram) Fairfields Heritage House Nepean Museum Pinhey’s Point Historic Site (or @pinheyspoint on Instagram)