In previous years, I’ve been “that guy” who is sitting at home on December 30th wondering what I’m going to do for New Year’s Eve the next day. Then once plans are made, I get annoyed that events are sold out, or everyone else has plans. The problem with New Year’s Eve, is that we’re under pressure to do the most fun thing possible and to do any less would be unacceptable, so we’ll procrastinate and hold off in actually making plans until it’s too late, just in case, there’s something more fun that we can do. Have you ever been there?? It’s possible that it’s just me, but I’m willing to bet that I’m not alone on this one in the search for maximum fun on NYE. So, what I’m doing here is that I’ve compiled a list of the major events going on in Ottawa for New Year’s Eve. I make no promises that these are “the most fun” event you’ll ever attend, but from what I have dug up, they all look like they’ll be a good time. I am purposely not including each individual bar/pub/restaurant on this list as most locations will have a NYE party consisting of food/drinks/music/etc. I’ve only included a couple bars with larger or “different” themes. These ones are what I’ve found to be the larger and more “unique” events throughout the city (in no particular order). The information provided below should be considered a summary and is obtained directly through the websites/facebook page of the event sponsor.
- City of Ottawa NYE Family Celebration
- Ottawa City Hall, 110 Laurier Ave West
- http://www.ottawa2017.ca/full-year-of-sesquicentennial-celebrations-in-ottawa-to-kick-off-with-the-lighting-of-an-eye-catching-cauldron-on-new-years-eve/
- 5:30pm – 8:30pm
- Cost: Free
- An early-evening, family-friendly celebration that will include the lighting of a spectacular cauldron at Ottawa City Hall. The sparking of this special landmark will cue hundreds of Ottawa-area students to form a human chain, connecting young people from diverse backgrounds and weaving a line of youthful optimism through downtown Ottawa streets. Ceremony begins at 6:15 pm but we invite everyone on-site as of 5:30 pm for :
- The Enbridge New Year’s Eve BBQ (free hot dogs – while quantities last)
- Free coffee and hot chocolate offered by Tim Hortons
- A DJ and on-site animation
- Hogmanay 2016
- Aberdeen Pavilion, 1015 Bank Street, Ottawa (Glebe)
- http://www.thescottishsocietyofottawa.com/event/hogmanay-new-years-eve-2016/
- 5:00pm – midnight
- Cost: FREE – $70 (VIP Experience (see website)
- Traditional and contemporary live Scottish/Celtic music; bagpipes; Scottish highland and traditional dancing; face painting and other children’s activities; Scottish food and drink; 7 p.m. early New Year’s Eve countdown and balloon drop for the wee ones (midnight in Scotland); Fireworks at midnight.
- Parliament Hill New Year’s Eve Party
- Parliament Hill, Ottawa
- http://canada.pch.gc.ca/eng/1474298562388
- 7:00pm – Midnight
- Cost: FREE
- Be a part of the celebration on Parliament Hill. Attend the official historic ceremony, watch the sky light up with bursts of colour and enjoy musical performances by Radio Radio, Brett Kissel and Carly Rae Jepsen during this unforgettable event. The pyromusical fireworks taking place at 8:17 p.m. will be spectacular and the fireworks display at the stroke of midnight will kick off the festivities for Canada’s 150th anniversary with a bang! (refer to the website for official schedule of acts)
- New Year’s Eve Gala
- Sala San Marco, 215 Preston Street
- http://staging.salasanmarco.ca/wp-content/uploads/2016/10/NYE.pdf
- 5:30pm – 2:00am
- Cost: $160 ($125 children)
- Delicious dinner including filet Mignon/lobster tail, 40 foot midnight buffet, full bar, champagne toast, live band (see details on the website)
- Ottawa New Year’s Eve Charity Ball (pic)
- Ottawa Conference and Event Centre, 200 Coventry Road
- http://www.ottawanewyearseve.ca/#
- 6:00pm – 2:00am
- Cost: $149
- Elegant Four Course Dinner; Dancing; Live Music bySoundProof; Midnight Champagne;
Silent Auction; Live Auction hosted by Ottawa’s Dave Smith; 50/50 Draw; Free underground parking; A chance to Win the Grand Door Prize worth over $10,000.
- Island FEVER
- Ottawa Marriott Hotel, 100 Kent Street
- eventsbystarfish.com/nye
- Cost: $65 (until Dec 26th), $75 after
- 8:00pm – 2:00am
- Celebrate with hundreds of party-goers Caribbean style. Includes DJ Ray Ray, and special guest DJ MACE along with live entertainment. See website for details on prizes, and food/drinks.
- New Year’s Eve at Perspectives
- Perspectives, Brook Street Hotel, 525 Legget Drive, Kanata
- http://www.brookstreethotel.com/l/holiday/
- Cost: $ see website for options
- 5:00pm or 8:00pm start
- Enjoy a special dinner at Perspectives to celebrate the start 2017. Two dining options are available; a 3-course menu (available from 5pm – 7pm ) and a 5-course menu (available 8pm onwards). Special guestroom rates are available to our New Year’s Eve diners.
- Timeless New Year’s Eve Gala
- Infinity Convention Centre, 2901 Gibford Drive, Ottawa
- http://www.timelessnye.com/
- Cost: $75
- 7:30pm – 2:00am (depending on package)
- Swanky. Posh. Sexy … Timeless. Timeless NYE, is happening at Ottawa’s most sophisticated new venue, The Infinity Convention Centre. Timeless NYE will cater to the high standards of the fashionable 25+ crowd; the finest food, service, live music & DJs Ottawa has to offer. Black tie encouraged. Hosted by Ottawa Venues, we invite you to ring in the New Year in style and create some Timeless memories of your own.
- New Year’s Eve Masqueraded Reception and Dance Party
- Lowertown Brewery, 73 York Street, Ottawa
- https://www.escapemanor.com/ottawa/nye
- 8:00pm – 2:00am
- Cost: $20.17 – $39 (see website or below for packages)
- Escape Manor presents MASQUERADE into 2017
- VIP Cocktail Reception & Video Dance Party
- Cocktail Reception | 8pm-10pm | $20.17 – VIP Masqueraded Cocktail Reception, featuring endless passed hand-crafted hors d’ouevres; a welcome cocktail; subtle lounge music; entertainment from Illusionist Jaymes White. Each VIP at the reception will be given a golden ticket to win a VIP prize pack worth $500. Masks and canned good donations for Ottawa Food Bank are encouraged.
- Dance Party | 9pm-2am | $20.17 – Ultimate New Year’s Eve Masquerade Video Dance Party! Receive a key with a canned good donation for your chance to win over $1000 in prizes in our New Year’s Trunks. Dance under a ceiling of balloons that will drop at midnight. Revel in your favourite dance, r&b and EDM videos of 2016. Includes: champagne toast at midnight; prizes for best masquerade costumes, and other spectacular surprises!
- Combo Ticket | 8pm-2am | $39 – Come for the VIP reception and stay for the dance party! A full night of gourmet food, exceptional entertainment, and partying!
- Ottawa New Year’s Eve Party GENESIS
- OCR Academy, 1140 Morrison Drive, Ottawa
- http://OttawaNYEParty.eventbrite.com/
- 8:00pm – 2:00am
- Cost: $60 (plus fees)
- Ottawa’s Biggest New Year’s Eve Party: Special Venue hosting 1000 people; Epic Midnight Countdown Celebration; Live performance by Ottawa’s #1 DJ’s; Free Champagne Toast; Balloon Drop; AND MUCH MORE… (see website for further details)
- Barrymore’s New Year’s Even Bash
- Barrymore’s Music Hall, 323 Bank Street, Ottawa
- https://www.facebook.com/events/361149787573123/
- 9:00pm – 2:00am
- Cost: $20
- New Year’s Eve at Barrymore’s features catered food, NYE decorations, and a NYE count down. At least 5 decades of music (60’s, 70’s, 80’s, 90’s and today’s top 40) will be covered. Last year’s New Year’s event sold out 2 weeks in advance so get your tickets early.
- CRAFT Beer Market Brewmaster’s Series New Year’s Eve
- CRAFT Beer Market, 975 Bank Street, Ottawa (Lansdowne)
- http://craftbeermarket.ca/ottawa/events#newYearsEve
- 6:00pm or 8:00pm – 2:00am
- Cost: $75
- Ring in the New Year at CRAFT Beer Market’s Best of 2016 party! If you enjoy great beer paired with fresh local food, dinner and dancing, this is an event you do not want to miss! Your ticket includes four delicious courses, beer pairings, party favours, champagne at midnight and entertainment! (see website for seating details)
- SKA New Year’s Eve Free-Play Party (pic)
- House of Targ, 1077 Bank Street, Ottawa
- https://www.eventbrite.com/e/ska-nye-free-play-party-tickets-29553635720?aff=FB
- 9:00pm – 2:00am
- Cost: $15 (advance)
- Skank your way into 2017 with some live Ska, the incredible Voice of The People Dj’s and unlimited arcade Free-Play action.
- FU 2016 – Live 88.5 New Year’s Eve Party
- Live POP Up lounge, 95 York Street, Ottawa
- http://www.live885.com/inside.asp?mn=11&id=1992&cc=2
- 9:00pm – 2:00am
- Join LiVE 88.5 on New Year’s Eve as we burn 2016 down! DJ Noah will be your guide on the rocking journey, and there’ll also be games, and prizes!
[contact-form][contact-field label=’Name’ type=’name’ required=’1’/][contact-field label=’Email’ type=’email’ required=’1’/][contact-field label=’Website’ type=’url’/][contact-field label=’Comment’ type=’textarea’ required=’1’/][/contact-form]