the holiday season in ottawa and gatineau

Kids Ottawa has loads of resources to help you with making this holiday season one to remember.

Check the Kids Ottawa event calendar for lots of fun Christmas and other seasonal events. Craft fairs, Christmas bazaars, family plays and musicals, special outdoor activities and more.

You can also use our local directory of resources to find local sources for:

• gifts and gift ideas
• sources for winter sports gear
• winter sport programs
• arts and craft supplies
• party suppliers

Cool tip: There are so many ways to make the holidays more meaningful, but choosing a charity to support with your children each year is a great place to start. CanadaHelps makes finding and supporting charities easy.

top picks for events and happenings

Chanukah Gift Fair, 18 November

Winter Fair at Parsifal Waldorf School, 1 December

Christmas with the von Trapp Children, 3 December

Royal Winnipeg Ballet: Nutcracker, 5-9 December

Chris McKhool: Celebrate! Holidays of the Global Village, 9 December

Kintail Country Christmas, 15 December

Ottawa Artisan Christmas Sale, 16 December

Christmas FanFair Concert, 16 December

Winter Solstice and Evening Star Party, 21 December

All Christmas and seasonal events on the calendar

ongoing events

Alight at Night at Upper Canada Village

Christmas Lights Across Canada

tips for parents

Four Steps to a More Meaningful, Less Commercialized Holiday - with Kids

Suggested mailing dates for 2007 holiday season from Canada Post

Canada Post ready for Santa request mail

The Kids' Catalog of Hanukkah (ages 8-12)

Donate new toys through Ottawa Fire Stations

Looking for recommended toys? The Canadian Toy Testing Council shares its "best bets" every year.

A great web resource for homemade gifts, seasonal recipes, party ideas, crafts, and more is FamilyFun.com.