This week’s calendar of events is wide ranging, both geographically and thematically! You can taste chocolate in Almonte, laugh at standup comedy in Chelsea, go to a film festival in Cornwall, shop for antiques in Carleton Place, play board games in Vanier, taste chili in Centretown, enjoy a modern dance performance in Deep River or Orleans, go to a slew of hockey games or Robbie Burns celebrations … and that’s just the tip of the iceberg.
Table of contents
- Learn about sports history in Cornwall
- Go fat biking in Gatineau
- Browse for antiques in Carleton Place
- Get wedding ideas in Ottawa
- Frolic at a winter festival
- Play board games in Vanier
- Check out a market in Navan or at Lansdowne Park
- Learn about black history in Orleans
- Catch a concert
- Have some laughs in Chelsea or Kingston
- See modern dance in Orleans or Deep River
- Eat chili for a good cause in Centretown
- See indie films in Cornwall
- Enjoy night and day snowshoeing in Gatineau Park
- Taste chocolate in Almonte
- Kick back at two parties in Arnprior
- Take in a play
- Celebrate Robbie Burns all over
- Cheer for the home team at a hockey game
- Get outdoors with the Canadian Ski Challenge
- Enjoy retro-themed drag bingo in Hammond
- See a museum show
Learn about sports history in Cornwall
The second event of the Stormont, Dundas and Glengarry Historical Society’s new Speaker Series is taking place on Tuesday, January 20, at Schnitzel’s Restaurant in Cornwall. Author Thom Racine will be sharing tales of Cornwall’s sporting history, teams and individuals, such as Victorian lacrosse games at the Athletic Grounds, the on-ice death of Owen McCourt and the trial that followed, and the women who took over the hockey scene during the First World War. Space is limited and tickets are $15.
Go fat biking in Gatineau
Le Harfang, a fat-biking and snowshoeing site in Gatineau, is hosting an all-day event called Fat-Fest on Saturday, January 24, featuring guided fat-bike tours (for riders of various levels of ability), outdoor and indoor music, a microbrewery beer tasting, food from Le Rituel, and more.
Browse for antiques in Carleton Place
The Carleton Place and Beckwith Heritage Museum is hosting its first-ever fundraising antiques sale on Saturday, January 24. Eight vendors will be on hand with antiques, vintage items and collectibles.
Get wedding ideas in Ottawa
Did you find an engagement ring under the Christmas tree? At the Capital Wedding Show at the Ottawa Conference and Event Centre (January 24 and 25), you can gather ideas for dresses, catering, honeymoons and more.
Frolic at a winter festival
Winter carnivals in and around Ottawa this week include the Carnaval St-Jean Bosco in Gatineau (January 19 to 25), the Optimist Club Winter Carnival in Carlsbad Springs (January 23 to 25), the Dalkeith Winter Carnival in Dalkeith (January 24 and 25) and the Trend Arlington Community Association’s Winter Carnival (January 25). A bit further afield, you could enjoy Laval en blanc in Laval (January 23 to 25).
If a winter festival isn’t in the cards for you this week but you’d like to go to one later in the season, check my big list of nearby winter carnivals.
Play board games in Vanier
The Vanier Sugar Shack is holding a board games night on Tuesday, January 20, from 6pm to 10pm. All ages are welcome. Experts from game shop Studio Staja will be on hand to demonstrate new games. Snacks and bar service will be available. If you bring your own game, admission is free; otherwise, you’ll pay $3 per person.
Check out a market in Navan or at Lansdowne Park
On January 24 and 25, Robert Plante Greenhouses in Navan is hosting a Winter Market inside its tropical greenhouses. More than 150 local vendors will be on hand, selling hand-made and artisanal products.
And in the Aberdeen Pavilion at Lansdowne Park, 613flea is back with another busy indoor market on Saturday, January 24, featuring 150 vendors selling hand-made items, antiques, vintage clothing, foods and one-of-a-kind products.
Well-behaved pets are welcome at both events.
Learn about black history in Orleans
Stories and Sweets: Celebrating Black History is an afternoon event at the Shenkman Arts Centre in Orleans on Sunday, January 25. The all-ages event will include a vendor market, live music and spoken-word performances, and a panel discussion led by Black creatives and professionals.
Catch a concert
Music lovers are spoiled for choice this week, with shows including an open-stage event in Chelsea, multiple shows by Mimi O’Bonsawin, a Greathunter single release party, and tributes to The Eagles, Black Sabbath and AC/DC. See my concert listing for links to these and many other performances.
Have some laughs in Chelsea or Kingston
The Culturally Inappropriate Comedy Tour touches down at The Mansion in Kingston on Thursday, January 22.
Motel Chelsea is hosting a comedy night on Friday, January 23, with host Jordan Angus, award-winning comic Bobby Knauff and headliner Rory Gardiner.
See modern dance in Orleans or Deep River
MOSAÏCO combines digital art and dance—flamenco, Québécois step dance, African, Latin and urban dances—to honour our diverse society. The movements of five dancers on stage influence a reactive digital projection in the background: a textured mosaic comes to life, transforming and decomposing according to the performers’ motion. The production will be on stage at the Shenkman Arts Centre in Orleans on Thursday, January 22, and at the Bernard Childs Auditorium (inside Mackenzie Community School) in Deep River on Friday, January 23.
Eat chili for a good cause in Centretown
Ottawa Dog Rescue is hosting a fundraising chili cookoff on Sunday, January 25, at the Kent Street Legion in Ottawa. As well as tasting 10 different chilis, you can meet some adorable dogs looking for their forever home.
See indie films in Cornwall
The Aultsville FilmFest (January 23 to 25) will screen four independent movies—three Canadian, one British—at the Aultsville Theatre in Cornwall. The fun includes a red carpet opening night reception and post-screening Q&As to delve into the movies in more detail.
Enjoy night and day snowshoeing in Gatineau Park
The Friends of Gatineau Park are offering Snowshoes Under the Stars on Friday nights (weather permitting). The event includes snowshoe rental, a trail pass, a guided walk (during which you’ll learn how animals adapt to winter), and hot chocolate at the end. Over the course of the winter, the event will be held at different trails in Chelsea and Wakefield. Hikes start at 7pm. Buy your tickets online in advance to avoid disappointment.
Don’t forget that the NCC is also offering free guided snowshoeing hikes in Gatineau Park on weekends throughout the winter. Learn to spot and identify animal tracks! The outings are offered alternately in English and French, on Saturdays and Sundays, and snowshoes are provided. Spaces are limited, so register in advance.
Taste chocolate in Almonte
Did you know that Hummingbird Chocolate Maker in Almonte offers tours of its tasty-smelling factory on Saturdays? Advance ticket purchase is recommended, as these tours often sell out. The tours take place at 1pm and cost $10 plus HST. You’ll get a 10% discount on chocolate during your visit. Note that these tours are aimed at adults and are not suitable for visitors younger than 8.
Kick back at two parties in Arnprior
The Cold Bear Brew Company in Arnprior is marking its third anniversary this weekend with not one but two parties! On Friday, January 23, it’s Flamingo Friday with the Polar Reefers, who claim to be Canada’s only Jimmy Buffett tribute band. Wear your best tropical clothes—there will be prizes! The following day, the brewery is hosting a Newfoundand Kitchen Party with live music by Carrickmore. Cold Bear will be launching three new beers, too.
Take in a play
This is your last week to catch the play Copperbelt at the National Arts Centre in Ottawa. For details on that show and other plays coming up soon in Ottawa and elsewhere, check my theatre post.
Celebrate Robbie Burns all over
With Robbie Burns Day falling on a weekend this year, there is no shortage of celebrations planned all over the region.
St. Paul’s Anglican Church in Kanata is getting a jump on most of the events by holding its Robbie Burns Night on Friday, January 23. The festivities include a roast beef supper, music and poetry.
The Scottish Society of Ottawa is hosting a Burns Night Ceilidh at the NDHQ Warrant Officers’ and Sergeants’ Mess in Centretown on Saturday, January 24. Tickets for the dinner are sold out, but tickets for the ceilidh only are still available.
In Stittsville, the Amberwood Lounge and Eatery is celebrating Robbie Burns on January 24 with a four-course dinner with whisky pairings.
In Alexandria, where Scottish roots go back hundreds of years, you can watch fencers and sword fighters compete in the Robbie Burns Charitable Tournament on January 24.
That evening, there’s a Robbie Burns Dinner at the Kemptville Legion, featuring the Kemptville Legion Pipes and Drums and The Andrea Goral School of Highland Dancing.
Also on Saturday, the Cove Inn in Westport is offering a Robbie Burns Supper with music by Seventh Town.
On Sunday, January 25, you can enjoy an afternoon of sing-along Scottish songs at St. John’s United Church in Kemptville. The performance by Tripoly and the Grenville Troubadours is a fundraiser for the Friends of the North Grenville Library.
Cheer for the home team at a hockey game
You can see the Ottawa Senators facing off against the Carolina Hurricanes on Saturday, January 24, and the Vegas Golden Knights on Sunday, January 25. Both games are at the Canadian Tire Centre.
Over at the Arena at TD Place, the Ottawa 67s are taking on the Oshawa Generals on January 24 and the Saginaw Spirit on January 25. The Kingston Frontenacs will also be playing those two visiting teams at Slush Puppie Place in Kingston this week: the Saginaw Spirit on January 23 and the Oshawa Generals on January 25.
The Gatineau Olympics play the Rouyn-Noranda Huskies on January 23 and the Blainville-Boisbriand Armada on January 25. Both games are at Centre Slush Puppie in Gatineau.
The Central Canada Hockey League has a packed schedule of Junior A games across Eastern Ontario this week, including games in Navan, Cornwall, Hawkesbury, Rockland, Smiths Falls, Brockville, Renfrew, Nepean, Carleton Place and Pembroke.
The Ottawa Charge has no home games this week.
Get outdoors with the Canadian Ski Challenge
Looking to get in shape in 2026? You can sign up for the Canadian Ski Marathon’s Canadian Ski Challenge. In that, you 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.)
Enjoy retro-themed drag bingo in Hammond
Devona Coe and a special guest are hosting Drag Bingo at Hammond Golf and Broken Stick Brewery on Sunday, January 25. Admission includes four rounds of bingo with four cards per round, drag performances and the chance to win prizes. Proceeds from rainbow cocktail sales will be donated to LGBTTQ+ Around the Rainbow. Dinner will be available for an additional fee.
See a museum show
This is your last week to see A Lifetime of Collecting Part 2: Canadian Handwoven Overshot Coverlets from the Dennis and Sylvia Mills Collection. This comprehensive and well-documented collection of Canadian handweaving includes many beautiful overshot coverlets. Some were made using regional weaving techniques often overlooked in modern times. The show closes on Sunday, January 25. For details on many other exhibitions in Ottawa, Eastern Ontario and beyond, see my museums and galleries post.
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.