OttawaStart's Weekly Event Round-Up: Things to do in Ottawa (besides opening presents)

[

](http://ottawastart.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/06/weekly-event-roundup250.gif)

_ Here are our contributors' picks for the best events in Ottawa for the week of December 22-28. Share your picks for great Ottawa events in the comments below. _ _

_

** Ruvini Godakandae ** from ** Ottawa Festivals ** :

** CHRISTMAS LIGHTS: **

The Alight at Night Festival, which runs until Jan.7, is the perfect holiday treat where you can bring friends and loved ones to see a sea of lights illuminating Upper Canada Village , as well as take in some winter activities. I, particularly, enjoy the house that lights up to choreographed music, the wagon ride and seeing all the elaborate gingerbread houses. It’s definitely a place to go to after a snowfall since it has a winter wonderland feel.

_ (Also suggested by _

_ Jean Labelle .) _

** Denise Deby , ** who writes for ** Green Living Ottawa : **

** ART: ** I’ve been intending to get to Great Big Smalls , the exhibition of small works of art that the Cube Gallery puts on every year, and this week there’s extra incentive. The Gallery is open extended hours on Thursday Dec. 22 and Friday Dec. 23 until 9 p.m., as well as Saturday until 4 p.m. Thursday evening sounds particularly festive with a special jolly visitor at 5:30 and jazz and mulled cider after 6:30.

** Amanda Earl , poet & publisher: **

** LITERARY: ** Peter F. Yacht Club Xmas Party & Reading , December 22 at 7:00 pm. the Carleton Tavern, 223 Armstrong, UPSTAIRS. Amanda Earl, Pearl Pirie, Vivian Vavassis, Monty Reid, rob mclennan, Christine McNair, Janice Tokar, Roland Prevost come out to hear poetry & celebrate with local writers.

** Laura Nicol , aka @311Laura : **

** MUSIC: ** Friday sounds like a great time to kick off the holidays if you don’t get to before that. Why not hit up The Love Machine’s Annual Holiday Hometown Party ? The 2011 Big Money Shot Grand Final Winners The Love Machine with Amos The Transparent will play a show at Greenfield’s (Barrhaven). Doors open at 9 and it’s only $10!

** Josee from Frugal Fun Ottawa : **

** KIDS: ** If you’re looking for a way to entertain the kids after Christmas, check out the Aviation Museum on Tuesday. As if visiting the museum wasn’t fun enough, you can catch Loralee’s Gigantic Stories in English at 11 am and 3 pm, and in French at 1 pm. Admission to the museum is just $18 per family.

** Glen Gower , Editor/Owner of OttawaStart.com : **

** HOCKEY: ** Check out Sens Skills , the annual skills competition and fundraising event put on by the Ottawa Senators. It’s on Wednesday, December 28 at 1:00pm. You’ll see the Sens compete for fastest skater, hardest shot, and more. And best of all, tickets start at just $7.50.

Have a great week and a great Christmas!

** See also: ** Ottawa Events Guide

If you liked this post, please consider subscribing to our blog via email, Twitter, Facebook or RSS. Thank you.