The Ottawa Christmas Market takes over Lansdowne’s outdoor plaza in the Glebe neighbourhood, framed by the historic Rideau Canal and the Aberdeen Pavilion. It’s free to enter, refreshingly local in character, and runs right through to New Year’s Eve, making it one of the longest-running holiday markets in the country.
Ottawa Christmas Market 2026
Dates
Status: Confirmed
Ottawa dates: 20th November to 31st December 2026
Last checked: July 2026
Update: Dates were announced in May. Sign up for our newsletter to be notified of changes.
Source: Verified by Ultimate Christmas Markets via Ottawa Tourism.
Plan Your Visit
Location and Times
Location: Aberdeen Plaza at Landsdowne.
Opening times:
Friday: 5pm to 10pm.
Saturday: 10am to 10pm.
Sunday: 10am to 8pm.
Christmas Eve: Closed.
Christmas Day: Closed.
New Year’s Eve: 6pm to 2am.
New Year’s Day: Closed.
Travel and Accommodation
Recommended tour: ByWard Market food tour.
Public transport: Bus stop: Landsdowne.
Parking: Please take public transport to help limit congestion. Parking is available at Landsdown Parking and TD Place.
Where to stay: The Metcalfe is a highly-rated hotel in Downtown Ottawa.
Amenities and Attractions
Admission: Free.
Lights: No switch on date.
Santa: Crafts for kids are available at Santa’s Workshop.
Ice skating: Yes.
Reason to visit: European-inspired market, one of the biggest in Canada.
Dietary Options
Vegetarian: Yes, plenty of options.
Vegan: Yes, plenty of options.
Gluten-free: Limited. Ask individual vendors, but beware of cross-contamination.
Christmas cocktails: At Santa’s Workshop.
Food specialities: Beavertails, tourtière, butter tarts, spruce beer and Nanaimo bars.
Accessibility
Accessible: Yes.
Pet-friendly: Yes, but not recommended during busy periods.
Convenient Hotels
Although the market is located in the Glebe neighbourhood, I recommend staying in the downtown area or the busy ByWard Market neighbourhood for convenience.
The Metcalfe Hotel is an excellent option in this area and is one of the most popular hotels in Downtown Ottawa.
Recommended Tours
You could take a regular city tour, but I think this ByWard Market food tour is a more interesting option as you get to see some of the sights in between 6 stops that include both savoury and sweet dishes, plus drinks.
For more places to visit this year, read my guide to the Canadian Christmas Markets.
Location
Wrapped up your Christmas visit? We’d love to hear about your experience. Share your story and tag photos with #UltimateChristmasMarkets on social media.
Christmas in Ottawa
Ottawa’s Marché de Noël is styled after traditional European Christmas markets. More than 50 decorated wooden chalets are stocked with food, drinks and gifts from local producers and traders.
Note that the stalls will reopen after Christmas Day and remain open until the New Year, accommodating larger crowds and more vendors. The event remains free and always family-friendly.
Regional Specialties
- Beavertails: Originating in Ottawa, they’re a treat you should definitely sample. They can be sprinkled with cinnamon sugar, spread with chocolate, or loaded with other toppings.
- Tourtière: A classic French-Canadian pie filled with finely diced pork, beef, and spices. It has roots in Québec but has become a favourite across Canada.
- Maple Taffy: You can see vendors preparing this sweet right at the market.
- Butter tarts: Small, round pastries with a simple butter-based filling, sometimes with the addition of raisins or nuts.
- Spruce beer: A unique drink that might surprise you. It’s a soft drink (though sometimes alcoholic) made from the buds, needles, or essence of spruce trees. Historically, sailors consumed it to prevent scurvy due to its vitamin C content.
- Nanaimo Bars: A no-bake dessert bar originating from Nanaimo in British Columbia. It consists of three layers: a crumb base, custard-flavoured butter icing in the middle, and a layer of chocolate.
- Pea and ham soup: Grab a cup of split pea soup on a cold day.
- Cider: Made from local apples, enjoy it hot or cold.
Gifts and Stocking Fillers
- Maple Syrup: The classic Canadian product, available as packaged gifts.
- Wood Carvings: Crafted by the indigenous Inuit people of Canada.
- Canadian Whisky: The Ottawa region is known for producing some fine Canadian whiskies.
- Moccasins: Handmade by Indigenous artisans.
- Hudson’s Bay Blanket: These iconic wool blankets feature multicoloured stripes and are very comfy. I love mine!
- Wild Blueberry Products: The regions surrounding Ottawa are known for wild blueberries. Look for jars of jam, jellies, or freeze-dried blueberries.
- Craft Beer: The city has a budding craft beer scene, and you can buy gift boxes at the chalets.
Sustainability Tips
- Eco-friendly hotels: When visiting, consider booking a hotel that utilises renewable energy and implements sustainable practices.
- Mindful eating: When eating out, be conscious of your portions to avoid food wastage.
- Ethical shopping: Purchase mindfully, prioritising items you genuinely need or will use.
- Sustainable diets: Try the local vegan and vegetarian food options. A plant-based diet has a significantly lower environmental impact than meat-based options.
- Transport: Ottawa has an efficient public transportation system, a greener alternative to renting a car or hailing taxis. Consider using the OC Transpo buses or cycling along the city’s well-maintained bike lanes.
Comment below if you want to leave a Xmas review, have any questions or would like to report any inaccuracies.
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Recommendations are independently chosen based on personal travel experiences and extensive research. While we make every effort to provide accurate information, the dates and details listed here should not be relied upon as definitive. Please consult the official website before booking your trip or planning a visit.
I am trying to get information to which parking would be best for handicapped and elderly parking closest to the Christmas Farmers Market. Your site does not provide me with this info.
Unable to get maps, and very confusing. Wish we would not be forgotten.
Murielle
It is a bit difficult to find unfortunately. It would be best if you contact the organiser or the local council, as they would have up-to-date information.