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8 Budget-Friendly Outings to Do this Holiday Break in Ottawa
It's the last week of school, and now you're staring down two weeks of Christmas break to fill up. Get out on the town without breaking the bank and take advantage of these great inexpensive activities in Ottawa.
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Freezing and Mary Poppins
Two great local shows help keep the holiday fun alive. Grab a spoonful of sugar with Mary Poppins at the Kanata Theatre from December 27 through 30, with tickets available at just $10 each. At the other end of town, the hilarious original family musical Freezing plays at The Gladstone now through January 3, with a 20% discount available to groups of 10 or more.
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Museum of Nature
It's never been a better time to visit the Museum of Nature, which has a great limited time tri-ticket combo deal right now. The package includes regular admission, their special exhibit Bugs: Outside the Box, plus a 3-D movie for just $15 per child, and it's totally free for kids under 3. Pack a lunch and you can keep ‘em busy for a whole day for a song.
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Rink of Dreams
Our favourite skate spot in town is right outside City Hall on the Rink of Dreams. Totally free, not as bumpy as the canal (when it's frozen, that is), and with a warm hut for changing and hot chocolate nearby, it's the perfect way to celebrate the coming of winter. Bonus: it's a fun and festive way to tire them out and ensure they have a good night's sleep.
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Christmas Lights across Canada
Keep the holiday celebrations going even after the big day is over by visiting the amazing light show on Parliament Hill and all through the downtown core. The lovely laser show on the hill and other lights start up at 5:30 each night through to January 7. Dress warmly and gather near the Centennial Flame for a little extra coziness.
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Alight at Night
It's a bit of a drive, but Alight at Night at Upper Canada Village never disappoints—the lights, the carol singalong, the horse and carriage rides, and of course, hot chocolate all combine to make for a magical evening. It costs a couple of extra dollars to buy tickets in advance online, but we think it's worth it—it'll save you lots of time at the entrance and make the whole evening much more pleasant. The lights are on until January 2.
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Snowshoeing in Gatineau Park
What could be more picturesque than a snowshoe through Gatineau Park? There's plenty of easy trails to choose from, including two short loops right at the visitor centre perfect for first-timers. And if you don't have your own snowshoes, you can rent them for just a few dollars per hour.
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Sens Skills Competition
Little ones and casual fans sometimes find a full game hard to sit through, so the Sens Skills competition is the perfect solution—lots of action in a shorter time frame, with cute participation of local hockey kids too. The showdown happens on December 31 at 11 am and close, lower level seats are just $20 each.
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Carillon Concerts on Parliament Hill
Did you know that the carillon (the bells in the Peace Tower on Parliament Hill) are played several times a week? Each mini concert starts at noon and lasts 15 minutes, and features a surprising array of familiar and current hits, like Frosty the Snowman on December 30 and Hound Dog on January 8. Combine it with a tour of the buildings or a browse through the market and you've made a day of it.