10+ Must Places to See Christmas Lights in Ottawa [2024]

As the Winter Season arrives, the streets and Houses in Ottawa blend themselves into the vibe of the coming Christmas Season.

Truly, Ottawa has a lot of places to visit during Christmas Eve to see the really cool and mesmerizing decoration by the peoples. Unfortunately, not many people know where to find these light shows.

I would say, it is the best month in the entire year when all the streets and houses are decorated showcasng something especial has arrived. I do like to celebrate Christmas with trees and home decor but to be true I love the Christmas light decoration more than anything else.

So, here I have made a perfect guide to Christmas lights in Ottawa. It’s all about the best places where you watch the Christmas lights in Ottawa and don’t need to pay for anything for it.

Ottawa Christmas Lights Map

Here I have embedded a Map where all the best places where you can see Christmas Lights in Ottawa have been marked. You can either take a screenshot to save it somewhere(notes) so you don’t forget it.

Best Places to See Christmas Lights in Ottawa

Taffy Lane

Fare	Free
Date & Time	1st to 30th December, after 5pm
Distance	17.6 km (16 min drive)
Address	Taffy Lanes in Orlean

It’s a street in Orleans that’s further a small town in Ottawa. During Christmas week, the entire lane is decorated in Christmas theme and the lights at night look so mesmerizing that you can’t take your eyes off from it.

The lane has quite a long history, back in 1977 people of the town started decorating their homes and streets by hanging lights around their spruce trees. But over the years, they have added many more colossal figures like toys, trees, soldiers, snowmen, and a lot more, just to make everyone smile as they pass by the lane.

Here is a crazy thing about the street, back in 2020, a house in Orlean had more than 13,000 lights just to decorate their home for Christmas. Surprisingly their electricity bill was more than $120 only for the lights.

Simple piece of advice, consider visiting the place on weekdays as there will be less crowd and more to enjoy.

Wesley Clover Park – Magic of Lights Show

Fare	$25 Online $35 Mon. to Thurs. $40 Fri. to Sun. (Weekends)
Date &Time	9th Nov. to 8th Jan, (From 5 pm to 10 pm)
Distance	18.4 km (16 min drive)
Address	Wesley Clover Parks, 401 Corkstown Rd, Nepean, ON K2H 8T1, Canada

It’s the No. 1 Christmas Light Display in the Entire Ottawa region. If you are planning to visit only one place for the Christmas Light Show in Ottawa then believe me it’s the place.

It’s a drive-through experience where you have to pay per vehicle. But don’t worry you can save up to 40% on the price if you book your ticket using the online medium.

Having it, allows you to drive your vehicle at your own pace while enjoying the Christmas Light Show. If you live in a nearby town then I highly recommend you to visit the place.

As you drive by you will witness some of the Cutest Christmas decorated homes and streets. The entire experience is so mesmerizing and amazing that you can’t really forget about it.

If you are visiting the Magic of Lights at Wesley Clover Park, than you are really helping the Children’s Hospital of Eastern Ontario (CHEO), in Ottawa, as all the collection is donated to the hospital.

Home Alone – Stittsville (Elf House)

Fare	Free
Dates (Time)	1st to 31st December, after 5pm
Distance from Ottawa	32 km (28 min drive)
Address	18 Cypress Gardens, Stittsville, ON K2S 1W6, Canada

Stittsville is another small town in Ottawa. Turcotte’s family is the reason why the town is so famous as they so obsessed with the Home Alone movie that they made the exact replica of the house as shown in the film. They never fail to amaze as they turn their home into a Christmas spectacular every year.

On top of that, they donate all the funds collected from generous donations during the festival to support the Children’s Hospital of Eastern Ontario (CHEO), spread joy, and give back to the community.

Cumberland Heritage – Village of Lights

Fare	$25 per Group (max. 6 people)
Dates (Time)	2nd to 18th December
Distance from Ottawa	29.6 km (24 min drive)
Address	Cumberland Heritage Village Museum, 2940 Ch. Old Montréal Rd, Cumberland, ON K4C 1G3, Canada

Cumberland Heritage – Village of Lights is a Heritage Village Museum embedded in the 1920s and 30s theme. The place is decorated with more than 30,000 lights, making it look beautiful and mesmerizing.

Now you don’t need to drive for hours beyond downtown Ottawa to have a glimpse of the past because the Cumberland Heritage Village Museum offers you an immersive experience that showcases how things were in the 1920’s.

Don’t forget to book the tickets in advance so that you don’t need to worry about anything. Lastly, the place is totally worth visiting whether you are going with your friends or family.

Lights Show At Lansdowne

Fare	Free
Dates & Time	27 Nov to 7 January, after 5 pm
Distance	3.4 km (7 min drive)
Address	Casino Lac-Leamy Plaza at Lansdowne, 1015 Bank St, Ottawa

The Christmas Lights Show at Lansdowne Market also has thousands of beautiful lights along with decorated streets & homes.

It looks like the stars have fallen from the sky and are stuck in streets and homes. Advise: Try to visit the place before Christmas week otherwise the whole place will be so crowded and will spoil your experience.

Usually, markets remain open on weekends and are absolutely free to visit. It’s a great place to find everything from local artifacts to ornaments sold by small street vendors.

Don’t forget to take some photos of yourself in front of the decorated streets and signs as a great memory of the place you have visited.

Parliament Light Show

Fare	Free
Dates (Time)	8th to 7th January, after 5:30 pm
Distance from Ottawa	350 m (5 min walking distance)
Address	Parliament Hill, Wellington St, Ottawa, ON K1A 0A9, Canada

The Parliament Building is already a popular tourist destination, during Christmas as it becomes one of the best place to watch the Christmas Light Show in Ottawa. It’s a free light show to watch with a duration of around 15 – 20 minutes.

The show begins after 05:30 pm and has plenty of space for everyone to watch it comfortably. The entire show is projected on the Parliament Building which means you don’t need to be very close to watch it clearly.

To be true, it feels like watching a short movie. Plus, if you are visiting the place with kids then they are sure to be amazed by it.

Upper Canada Village – Winter Wonderland

Fare	$15 / per person + HST
Dates & Time	1st to th December, 5 pm to 10 pm
Distance	90 km (1 hr 7 min drive)
Address	Upper Canada Village, Ontario K0C 1M0, Canada

“Alight at Night” is so far the Ontario’s largest outdoor light festivals. Everything in the village is decorated in a Christmas theme from buildings, fences, streets, houses, trees literally everything.

The place has more than 1 Million lights which illuminate the entire village at night and make it look so beautiful and cozy. These lights are sure to give a proper vibe and feel that Christmas has finally arrived.

Santa’s experience at Saint Nick’s Merry Mansion is a must-experience that you really need to have if you are visiting the place with Kids.

Besides all that, it is one of the largest living historic museums in Canada which was founded back in 1961. It features more than 40 historic buildings which will give a glimpse of the history.

Sparks Street

Fare	Free
Dates & Time	25th to 8th January, after 5pm
Distance	800 m (8 min walking distance)
Address	Sparks St., Ottawa, ON, Canada

If you are not a big fan of Christmas but are fond of watching the Christmas light decorations then Sparks Street is a perfect place for you.

Every year the place gets decorated with a Christmas-style theme, which makes it an ideal spot for Instagram-worthy photos.

Previously, the place was not that popular for Christmas lights as very few lights were strung up across the streets and houses. But now within 4 years, the place has become a popular Christmas attraction during the winter.

The best thing about the place is that there are no entry fees. So, now you know where you have to go for the Christmas Light Show(if you live near Ottawa).

Christmas Lights – Downtown Ottawa

Fare	Free
Dates & Time	18th Decem. to 7th Janu. after 5 pm
Distance	400 m (5 min walking dist.)

Downtown Christmas Lights in Ottawa are also great as they as so close to the city and are totally free to visit without paying anything.

The best route to enjoy the beautiful light show is from the National War Memorial to the Rideau Canal Park. Firstly, you need to visit the parliament light show then on your way home go through the downtown area to enjoy the Christmas lights.

To be true, the lights are very spread out which doesn’t give you any vibe that Christmas has arrived. Instead, the decoration seems more like a wedding or party type.

Light Show at Perth

Fare	Free
Dates & Time	17th to 5th January, after 5 pm
Distance	85.3 km (1 hour drive)
Address	Perth, Ontario, Canada

I have personally visited this Light Show in Perth and was amazed by the decoration of houses and streets. The place has more than 13,000 twinkling lights and many decorated trees (around 50).

The best thing about the light show that I like the most is the fireworks (show) which begins around 06:30 pm. Believe me, you don’t want to miss this one.

Final Thoughts: Best Christmas Lights Ottawa

Here, I have shared the 10 Best Places to See Christmas Lights in Ottawa 2024. It has all the places from the drive-through to roaming in the streets.

Even if you are looking for a wonderful experience or an insane light show the article has all the things. After reading it, you will be able to find the right place for yourself to get the cozy feel of the festival season.

FAQs Related to Christmas Lights in Ottawa