City of Ottawa - At your museum - November 2025

 

Vintage Village of Lights

Visit Ottawa’ s very own heritage village for a unique holiday experience! Immerse yourself in the festive season as Cumberland Heritage Village Museum transforms into the Vintage Village of Lights with dazzling displays and postcard-perfect scenes from yesteryear. Visit with Santa Decorate gingerbread cookies Make an ornament Take in a heritage skill demonstration Explore heritage buildings and see vintage vehicles Browse the boutique for handmade gifts Enjoy a treat from the canteen, including a selection of baked goods made with produce grown right here at the museum Plan your visit: Friday, Saturday and Sunday evenings beginning November 28 through December 21. Advance registration is recommended.

Tree lighting at Cumberland Heritage Village Museum

Celebrate the opening of the Vintage Village of Lights on Friday, November 28 at 5:15 pm. Santa’s magic will light the village’s main tree and surrounding displays, but we need your help to make it happen through the power of Christmas cheer! Sing along to classic carols with special performers from Vintage Stock Theatre. You might even catch a glimpse of the museum’s 1929 Landau Deluxe Oldsmobile (weather permitting). Advance registration is recommended.

Retro Christmas

Step back in time to the 1970s, 80s and 90s at Nepean Museum. Families are invited to a retro Christmas party on December 6 and 7 between 10 am and 4 pm. Make and decorate vintage paper ornaments and paper fidget toys, play with retro toys and games, try a classic video arcade game, complete the scavenger hunt to collect a prize, browse local toy advertisements from years past and more! Activities are best suited for children ages 10 and under.

New workshop! Sleigh bell door hangers

Learn the basics of leatherwork and make your own handcrafted decoration to delight friends and family. No prior leatherwork experience is required. This workshop will cover techniques for cutting, tooling and finishing leather to create a festive sleigh bell door hanger. Light refreshments will be served and participants are invited to stroll the site before or after their workshop to enjoy the seasonal light displays at Cumberland Heritage Village Museum. Ages 16 and up. Advance registration is required.

Bake-at-home scones

Did you know Billings Estate National Historic Site offers bake-at-home scones during the holiday season? These traditional treats are prepared in our tearoom kitchen and frozen so you can bring the taste of our afternoon tea experience home with you. New! We’re pleased to offer apple butter made in-house with apples harvested at Billings Estate, a perfect complement to a freshly baked scone. Orders open on November 28. Place your order by December 17 by calling 613-580-2088 ext. 35258 or by emailing BillingsEstateTea@ottawa.ca.

Holiday hours at Billings Estate

Take a quiet break from the hustle and bustle at Billings Estate National Historic Site. Explore a piece of local history and enjoy the Victorian-inspired Christmas decorations at Ottawa’s oldest wood-frame house. November 28 to December 19: Wednesday to Sunday from 10 am to 5 pm (excluding December 13 and 14). Regular admission fees apply.

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)

City of Ottawa: Introducing the Older Adult Plan 2025-2030

 

The City of Ottawa has released the Older Adult Plan 2025-2030. This is the fourth version of the Plan since 2012. It builds on past efforts and focuses on making Ottawa a supportive community where everyone can age with choice and dignity. The Plan was shaped by input from residents during public consultations and developed in collaboration with community agencies. It was approved by City Council in November 2025. The new version has a stronger focus on working with community partners to help make a bigger, more lasting impact. Read the Older Adult Plan 2025-2030.

For older adults who want to get involved

To help guide the Plan's progress, the City is creating an Older Adult Plan Roundtable. This group will include City staff, community partners and older adult residents. We are currently seeking five volunteer older adults to join the Roundtable. A selection process will be used to ensure fair and equitable representation. Selection criteria include: Lived experience as an older adult in Ottawa Represent the diversity of Ottawa's older adult population Willing and able to attend a half-day, in-person launch meeting in January 2026 Willing and able to dedicate at least two hours every three months Interest in sharing ideas and helping guide the progress of the Plan If you are interested in applying to volunteer for the Roundtable, please complete the application form on Engage Ottawa. If you need help with the form, email olderadults@ottawa.ca and a staff member will assist you. Applications will be accepted until December 3, 2025 and successful candidates will be contacted before December 17, 2025.