The first week of January is traditionally one of the quietest of the year when it comes to events and festivals, as many people ease back into work or school after the holiday break. But that doesn’t mean there’s nothing to do! From joining a free guided hike in Gatineau Park or enjoying hoop dancing in Cornwall to taking on a cross-country skiing challenge or making a vision board, you can jump into 2026 in all sorts of ways.
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- Catch a hockey game at TD Place or the Canadian Tire Centre
- Nosh on pierogi in Wakefield
- See Alight at Night in Morrisburg
- Take a leather-working class in Cumberland
- Pick up art supplies in Almonte
- Enjoy a winter carnival in Arnprior
- Try brunch with a twist in the Glebe or Wakefield
- Learn how to track animals in Gatineau Park
- Test your cornhole skills in Kemptville
- Learn to paint in Russell or Centretown
- Delve into classic rock in Gatineau
- See hoop dancing in Cornwall
- Catch a concert in Ottawa and elsewhere
- Get outdoors with the Canadian Ski Challenge
- Make a vision board in Chelsea or Almonte
- Hit a flea market at Lansdowne Park
Catch a hockey game at TD Place or the Canadian Tire Centre
If you haven’t seen the PWHL’s Ottawa Charge in action yet, why not make this your weekend? The women of the Charge are facing off against the Vancouver Goldeneyes at the Arena at TD Place on Sunday, January 11. The video above is a great introduction to the team—and the fan devotion they inspire.
Over at the Canadian Tire Centre in Kanata, the Ottawa Senators are playing the Florida Panthers on Saturday, January 10.
Nosh on pierogi in Wakefield
This sounds like the perfect way to cocoon from the cold: an evening of pierogi and live music at Kaffé 1870 in Wakefield. It’s happening on Thursday, January 8, and pierogi will be available from 5pm until they run out; the music lasts until 7:30pm. This event will repeat every second Thursday.
See Alight at Night in Morrisburg
Are you sad because you didn’t make it to Alight at Night at Upper Canada Village in Morrisburg during the holidays? Well, you’re in luck, because the installation—which sees the museum’s heritage buildings illuminated with a million lights—has been extended until January 15.
Take a leather-working class in Cumberland
The Cumberland Heritage Village Museum is hosting an introduction to leatherwork class on Sunday, January 11. Under the guidance of a museum artisan, you’ll learn how to lay out, emboss and stitch a heritage-style slipcover that will fit a 4×6 notebook. Advance registration is required, and supplies and light refreshments are included in the registration fee.
Pick up art supplies in Almonte
JB Arts, a shop in Almonte, is closing its doors. On Saturday, January 10, you can pick up art supplies and equipment at good prices during the store’s final clearance sale.
Enjoy a winter carnival in Arnprior
The Arnprior Optimist Winter Carnival kicks off on Saturday, January 10, with an indoor play centre for kids and outdoor horse-drawn wagon rides. The festivities continue until Sunday, January 18, with the bulk of the fun happening next week. Check my list of local winter carnivals to find out what other snowy festivities are coming your way in the next few months!
Try brunch with a twist in the Glebe or Wakefield
Irene’s Pub in the Glebe is hosting an all-ages drag king brunch on Sunday, January 11. Enjoy family-friendly performances (complete with colouring pages) while noshing on breakfast goodies.
That same day, up in the Gatineaus, the Wakefield Mill Inn and Spa is offering a live art demonstration during brunch in its Heron Wine Bar. You can enjoy brunch while watching stained-glass artist Helen Boutilier-Inglis and collage artist Anne Swiderski at work.
Learn how to track animals in Gatineau Park
The NCC is offering free guided snowshoeing hikes in Gatineau Park on weekends throughout the winter, starting on Saturday, January 10. Learn to spot and identify animal tracks! The outings will be offered alternately in English and French, on Saturdays and Sundays, and snowshoes are provided. Spaces are limited, so register in advance.
Test your cornhole skills in Kemptville
The Ladies of Hollywood Annual Cornhole Tournament is happening at the North Grenville Community Centre in Kemptville on Saturday, January 10, starting at 12pm. Teams of two will vie for prizes, while also trying their luck in raffles.
Learn to paint in Russell or Centretown
On Sunday, January 11, you can take a two-hour workshop to paint a winter owl scene at the Russell Legion. Beginners welcome. Light snacks included.
Looking for something more intensive? An eight-week introduction to portrait painting class starts this Sunday, January 11, at Wallack’s Art Supplies and Framing in Centretown.
Delve into classic rock in Gatineau
Time is running out to catch Retro—Popular Music in Canada From the ’60s, ’70s and ’80s, an exhibition at the Canadian Museum of History in Gatineau. The deep dive into the glory days of CanCon (hands up, everyone who remembers when you couldn’t escape BTO, Honeymoon Suite and Tom Cochrane on AM radio) is closing on Sunday, January 18.
See hoop dancing in Cornwall
Root to Sky is a circus-inspired aerial showcase starring First Nations hoop dancer Feryn King, who will guide the audience through the changing seasons of life by following the story of a tree. King uses hoops to represent the seasons, and the connections between land, body and spirit, ultimately creating a tree of life. The unique, family-friendly performance is taking place at the Aultsville Theatre in Cornwall on the afternoon of Sunday, January 11.
Catch a concert in Ottawa and elsewhere
Concerts coming up this week include two Ottawa shows by Hedonic, a night of folk music at Ottawa’s Art House, an Intimate Acoustics show in Morrisburg and a Kingston Symphony Orchestra performance at the Isabel Bader Centre for the Performing Arts in Kingston. You’ll find links to these and many, many more performances in my concerts calendar.
Get outdoors with the Canadian Ski Challenge
Looking to work off some of that holiday turkey and champagne? You can sign up for the Canadian Ski Marathon’s Canadian Ski Challenge. Your task: Complete as many 15km and/or 50km ski trips as you can, anywhere you like, between January 1 and March 25. The more you do, the more badges you can earn! (Kids can earn badges for trips of 2km and 10km, and children under age 14 can register for free.)
Make a vision board in Chelsea or Almonte
Did you know that Saturday, January 10, is National Vision Board Day? Well, now you do. And it makes sense, given that so many people charge into a new year full of resolutions. If you’re one of those folks, you might be interested in a six-hour Ultimate Boutique Vision Board Experience (wow, that’s a mouthful), taking place at the Almonte Library on Saturday. The event includes dinner and is limited to 15 participants.
If you’d like to get a jump on the national day, you could sign up for a New Year Intentions Workshop at the Chelsea Wellness Market on Thursday, January 8. The two-hour evening events includes meditation, journalling and vision boarding. Hot drinks and some supplies provided.
Hit a flea market at Lansdowne Park
The first 613Flea market of 2026 comes to the Aberdeen Pavilion at Lansdowne Park on Saturday, January 10. Some 150 vendors selling everything from snacks to shoes will be on hand, and the goods include new, handmade and vintage products. Free admission.
Looking for more tips on things to see and do in and around Ottawa? Subscribe to my free weekly newsletter or order a copy of my book, Ottawa Road Trips: Your 100-km Getaway Guide.
As the owner of Ottawa Road Trips, I acknowledge that I live on, work in and travel through the unceded, unsurrendered territory of the Algonquin Anishinaabeg Nation. I am grateful to have the opportunity to be present on this land. Ottawa Road Trips supports Water First, a non-profit organization that helps address water challenges in Indigenous communities in Canada through education, training and meaningful collaboration.