Welcome to Part 10 (!!!) of Apartment613’s local holiday gift guide! Visit Apt613.ca often for new suggestions daily.
Here are some fun and festive (and free) ways to get into the holiday spirit.
Editor’s note: updated to include Taffy Lane, a neighbourhood worth stopping into this holiday season.
#WelliWindows
Hintonburg and Wellington Village
Hot off the heels of #WelliWingo, Hintonburg and Wellington Village are once again hosting #WelliWindows. More than 20 local shops have decorated their front window for passerbys to enjoy. From November 28 to December 13, vote for your favourite window to win the People’s Choice Award. To enter, take and post a photo of your favourite window on Instagram using the hashtag #WelliWindows, tagging the merchant and @wellington_west.
Apt613 pick: This 2019 613TV post about holiday shopping under $30 includes a stop at Maker House Co. located in the heart of Hintonburg.
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Christmas Lights Across Canada
Around town, including Confederation Park
The name says it all… may your holidays be merry and bright(…ly lit with strings of Christmas lights). Christmas Lights Across Canada kicks off on November 30, with a virtual illumination starting on December 17.
Apt613 pick: Grab a holiday drink from a local coffee shop (get some inspiration from Apt613’s Ottawa Café Crawl) to keep warm and cozy while you stroll and enjoy the lights from November 30 to January 7.
Trees of Hope
Château Laurier, 1 Rideau Street
The annual Trees of Hope is one of the most magical ways to celebrate the holiday season. Hosted by the Château Laurier, this event raises funds to support CHEO. Visitors can stroll through an enchanted forest of beautifully decorated trees, and then vote on their favourites. New this year is a virtual tour of the trees starting December 1. Note that to respect social distancing guidelines, to see the forest of trees you must be a guest or a patron of one of thoe hotel’s restaurants. Starting December 1st you can also view a wonderful virtual tour.
Apt613 pick: Make an afternoon of it! Book holiday high tea at Zoe’s restaurant or enjoy a fancy cocktail at the bar. We also hear that you’ll be able to order high tea to go, which pairs perfectly with a virtual tour of the trees!
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Lights at Lansdowne
Lansdowne Park
Instead of a Christmas Market at Lansdowne, this year the Casino Lac-Leamy plaza will feature “the largest Christmas tree in Ottawa” and an impressive (aka Instagrammable) canopy of lights. There’s also a free outdoor skating rink to enjoy while we wait for the canal to freeze. While you’re in the area, don’t miss the Glebe Spree for a chance to win a $10,000 shopping spree in the Glebe! Get all the details here.
Apt613 pick: Irene’s Pub is one of our favourite music spots and they’re offering up a virtual Music Pass—with the purchase of a pass, you’ll receive Zoom details to join Irene’s Sunday Sessions featuring a different local artist each week live from their stage.
Taffy Lane
Taffy Lane, Orléans
Neighbours on this street in Orléans has been going all out for Christmas for many years, and the decorations are worth a drive. Be prepared to wait for your turn to drive through and enjoy the lights as we hear it’s busier this year than ever before.
One of the festive houses on Taffy Lane. Photo: Hannah Manning
What did we miss? Tell us in the comments how you’ll be getting into the holiday spirit this year.
