STATISTICS OTTAWA

NUMBER

• 0

• – The number of passengers a vehicle is considered to be carrying in the High Occupancy Vehicle lane if said passenger is a cat.

• The Ontario Provincial Police issued a $110 fine to a driver today on Highway 417 near Terry Fox Drive for driving in the High Occupancy Vehicle lane without a human passenger. The driver told the officer that she was unaware that cats didn’t count.

• Norman Provencher in the Ottawa Citizen

•  

OTTAWAN OF THE DAY

• Jacques Martin

• The ‘Winningest Coach’ in Sens history will be granted the Ring of Honour by the team next month.

• Thirty years to the day after coaching his first match, Martin will be honoured on ice at the Saturday, January 24 home game against the Carolina Hurricanes.  He will be the Ring’s fourth recipient.

• Steve Warne in the Hockey News
   

QUOTE

• “

• People made a commitment to live outside the city. It was a gamble.

• – Retired professional planner and academic Barry Wellar on Federal public employees who moved to the quaint towns surrounding Ottawa in anticipation of working remotely and enjoying a higher standard of living. 

• Joanne Laucius in the Ottawa Citizen
   

SPORTS

• 🏒 WPHL Ottawa Charge 1 – Seattle Torrent 4, yesterday

• 🏒 CHL Les Olympiques de Gatineau 5 – L’Armada de Blainville-Boisbriand 3, yesterday

• 

  PLEASE SUPPORT THE OTTAWAN

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  WHAT’S GOING ON AT CITY HALL

  No more meetings this year

  Meetings and agendas

  

  WHAT OTTAWA IS TALKING ABOUT

  🚧 Construction of Lansdowne 2.0 means Atlético Ottawa must play host to its first-ever CONCACAF Champions Cup match in Hamilton. As the winner of the Canadian Premier League this year, Atlético is automatically in the running for the CONCACAF Champions Cup. The team will play Nashville Soccer Club in The Hammer February 17. – Jayden Dill at CBC 

   

  🚨 Three men from Toronto have been charged with 400 counts over a string of convenience store burglaries last summer across the regions. The trio hit shops, after hours, in Ottawa, Kingston, Brockville, Cornwall and Leeds, Grenville, Russell, Lennox and Addington, and Quinte West counties stealing cigarettes, lottery tickets, and cash. – Natasha O’Neill at CityNews 

   

  🏡 Every month, CTV figures out how much the average person needs to earn annual to afford an average house in Ottawa. This time, it’s $132,800 in November, down $760 from October. The average home price in November was $620,400.  – Josh Pringle at CTV 

  
  🛒 Every week, @stromanker reads all the local grocery flyers and posts the deals on Ottawa Reddit. This week he highlights sirloin tip ($5.88/lb at No Frills), eggs ($2.77/12 at IGA), $2.99/12  at Metro Quebec, $7.99/30 at FreshCo), and pineapples ($1.50/ea at No Frills).

  He reckons that the cheapest turkeys are $1.49/lb at Metro Ontario for frozen and  $2.44/lb at Metro Ontario, $2.49/lb at Independent, Loblaws, No Frills, Provigo, RCS, and Walmart for fresh.  – /Ottawa 

  

  THE DAILY POLL

  What will you be doing next week?

  🔘 Call me Bob Cratchit; I’ll be working right through to Christmas Eve

  🔘 Technically on the job but no work will be done

  🔘 I’m off the entire week

  🔘 It’s just another week to me. No change.

  🔘 I’m not working now, happy to have others join me

  • 
    Previously in ottawan polls:

  • We asked, ‘How do you feel about curling?’

    • 11% It’s really fun to play

    • 21% It’s really fun to watch

    • 31% Not for me in any way

    • 10% It just reminds me that I need to sweep up at home

    • 27% Isn’t it just a life size version of shuffleboard?

  • 
    Commentary

  ▪️ “Fun to both watch AND play sadly wasn’t an option :-)”
  
  ▪️ “I am completely indifferent towards curling. Great if you enjoy it.”
  
  ▪️ “It's an Olympic year so come on out and try curling, local clubs usually have a free ‘try curling’ event to recruit new players for their learn to curl program. I might be biased, but the Navy curling club by Dow’s lake is the place to be.”​​​

  

  HISTORIC OTTAWA LOGO T-SHIRTS

  If you are thinking of one of our t-shirts as a Christmas gift, it’s too late for delivery.

  BNR T-Shirt Bell Northern Research was founded in 1971. In 1996, it was purchased by Nortel and eventually shared that companies fate. The BNR campus in Ottawa was fondly deemed the ‘Big Nerd Ranch’, and is now the headquarters of the Department of National Defence. Help support the ottawan by buying one of our historic logo t-shirts. Shop for t-shirts

  

  THE ROLLING THREE DAY CALENDAR

  Is there an event we should know about?
  Please use our easy event submission form

  ✳️ Means change from previous edition

  THURSDAY

  • Experience a winter wonderland blending sparkling lights with vibrant Indigenous traditions at Mādahòkì Farm. You’ll find family-friendly festivities such as the Trail of Lights & Traditions, an Indigenous Craft Market, interactive beaded earring and ornament workshops, and cozy Indigenous Christmas feasts all waiting for you. Thursdays through Sundays until December 28.   

  • Visit the Chateau Laurier and be inspired by the Christmas trees decorated by community groups and local businesses in the 28th annual Trees of Hope. Then, enjoy classic holiday-inspired cocktails in a setting of vintage charm and festive sophistication at the 1912 Yuletide Lane pop-up at the Chateau Laurier. (Downtown) 

  • Road trip: Upper Canada Village’s 25th annual Alight at Night Festival is more than a festive sound and light show. There are activity stations, add-on features like a horse-drawn carriage ride and a miniature toy train ride, a Village Store with gifts for everyone on your list, dining, and old-fashioned carolling. Select nights until January 15.  (Morrisburg) 

  • Silent Book Club Ottawa Chapter meets at Absinthe on the third Thursday of the month. There’s no assigned reading; it’s just introvert-friendly quiet time for reading with a nice glass of something. 2:00 pm to 4:00 pm (Wellington West) 

  Cinema

  • ByTowne Cinema: Bugonia, The Secret Agent, Detour: Female Trouble 

  • Mayfair Theatre: The Librarians, Safe 

  Gigs

  • Season’s Beatings 2025: Slo’ Tom & The Handsome Devils, The Bushpilots, the Retreads. House of TARG

  • Paco Dvoi Altfolk Trio0 with Lloyd Smiley: Strung Together. Night Oat

  • Moose Knuckle Boylesque: Deck the Balls. LIVE on Elgin

  • Questionable Behaviour Trivia. Royal Oak (Stittsville)

  • It’s Bingo Night at Broadhead Brewery, where games are free to play and prizes are waiting to be won (Orleans). 

  • There’s no cover at Stray Dog Brewing Co’s Open Mic Night. (Orleans) 

  • There’s also no cover at Moose McGuire’s Hunt Club Open Mic, but there is a guitar amp, bass amp, electronic drums, mic, and mic stand. (Hunt Club)

  • Few pieces of music have the power to send shivers down the spine faster than 100s of voices singing the “Hallelujah” chorus of George Frederic Handel’s Messiah. Tonight  it’s the NAC Orchestra’s turn to bring the magic, accompanied by some of the best Canadian vocal talent (Downtown) 

FRIDAY

It’s the final Friday before Christmas, and Ottawa is buzzing with things to do, places to shop, and seasonal sights to see.

• Shop inside the warmth of Gloucester Centre for one-of-a-kind handmade gifts and treats of the Gloucester Night Market.  (Gloucester) 

• Take a beginner lesson with Ottawa Vintage Swing. (Centretown) 

• The Stan Clark Orchestra plays jazz-flavoured Christmas tunes with guest Johnny Vegas (Carlingwood). 

• Art House’s monthly Fever Pitch jazz night is back, bringing a 1920s speakeasy vibe to your Friday night (Centretown). 

• You don’t need experience or a partner to participate in the Rahim Salsa workshop from 8:00 pm to 9:00 pm (Centretown).

• Enjoy one last shopping experience with 613Flea’s Holiday Night Market (Lansdowne). 

• Miller’s Farm transforms into a festive winter wonderland with vendors, treats, an open fire, and hot drinks for sipping this weekend. (Manotick) 

• Cumberland Heritage Village Museum brings the holiday season of the 1920s and 30s to life. Look at the displays and try your hand at gingerbread cookie decorating (Cumberland) 

• Unsurprisingly, the advance tickets for Sea Shanties, Carols, and Empty Beer Barrels v 4: Fundraiser for Dalhousie Food Cupboard  are sold out. There will be space for a few walk-ins, however, if you don’t dilly-dally (Lowertown)

Cinema

• ByTowne Cinema: It Was Just An Accident, The Secret Agent, Yi Yi - 25th Anniversary Restoration, Black Christmas (1974) 

• Mayfair Theatre: The Tale of Silvan, Die Hard, The Rocky Horror Picture Show 

Gigs

• 4DAYWKND. Rainbow Bistro

• Jana Salameh in a Christmas Soiree. Asrieli Studio, National Arts Centre

• Lauryn Hill. National Arts Centre

• “Cowboy Cake” album release party. Irene’s Pub

• Dead Root Revival. LIVE on Elgin

• Big Jim’s Plumbing & Electrical, Go Long. House of TARG

• The Spectrasonic Holiday Banger. Bronson Centre

• Santa’s Naughty List: Wyntr, Threefold Ruin, Acid Moth, Sunnyside Avenue, Sun Temple. Dominion Tavern

SATURDAY

Last Minute Christmas Markets

• Celebrate the longest night of the year at the Yule Market, presented by Ottawa Mystic Market. Today and tomorrow at Next Door Ottawa (Hintonburg) 

• Shop from 25 local artisans and makers at All My Favourite Things Market by Minerva Ottawa (ByWard Market) 

• Tick some gifts off your list at the final Nepean Day Market Christmas Edition, and enjoy complimentary coffee, carols, and fun (Nepean). 
  
   

• There’s no cover, but you’ll be greeted with a smile if you wear your ugliest Christmas sweater to Broadhead Brewery’s Live Music Saturday: A Rusty XMAS Party (Orléans)

• Create your own ceramic tree luminary at Hintonburg Pottery (Hintonburg). 

• Keep it casual at the I’m Dreaming of a White ... Rabbit! “Come As You Are” holiday party. Dance to house and techno in your sweats, all night all long (Downtown).

• Dress code: ugly sweaters at Moose McGuire’s Neighbourhood Christmas Party (Hunt Club).

• 27 Club’s Emo Night doesn’t stop for Christmas (ByWard Market). 

• Why are some Haunted Walk tour guides too scared to give tours of the ByTown Museum, even at Christmas time? Find out at Nightmare Before Christmas / After X-mas (Downtown)

• The Prescott’s Stomp & Sip Country Night will have you tee-hawing into the wee hours. Also: Mechanical bull! (Little Italy)

• Experience a winter wonderland blending sparkling lights with vibrant Indigenous traditions at Mādahòkì Farm. You’ll find family-friendly festivities such as the Trail of Lights & Traditions, an Indigenous Craft Market, interactive beaded earring and ornament workshops, and cozy Indigenous Christmas feasts all waiting for you. Thursdays through Sundays until December 28. (Nepean)

• Miller’s Farm transforms into a festive winter wonderland with vendors, treats, an open fire, and hot drinks for sipping this weekend. (Manotick)

Cinema

• ByTowne Cinema: Free for Members: The Apartment (1960), Trifole, The Secret Agent, Aliens (Theatrical Cut)

• Mayfair Theatre: Sense and Sensibility, It’s A Wonderful Life, Die Hard 

Gigs

• TARG Dance Mix 90s: Mega Bass Mixmas Bangers Edition. House of TARG

• Amos the Transparent: A Christmas Show 3. Club SAW

 

JUST ANNOUNCED / NOW BOOKING

• Nostalgia Music Festival returns to LeBreton Flats in August 2026. Make someone’s Christmas with tickets, on sale now.