The Ottawa Sports and Entertainment Group (OSEG) today announced details of a spectacular new event to kick-off the Holiday Season at Lansdowne Park. Modelled after the world-renowned Christmas markets of Europe, the Ottawa Christmas Market will feature seasonal food and beverage treats, musical guests, Christmas programming and a unique holiday shopping experience with vendors in cabins bordering magical streetscapes under a canopy of lights. The Market will be open on weekends between November 29th and December 22nd.

“It’s the start of what will become a Christmas tradition for tens of thousands of visitors to Ottawa and Lansdowne,” said Mark Goudie, OSEG’s President and CEO. “The Ottawa Christmas Market will feature the best elements that we saw in Europe and elsewhere, along with artisans and entertainers to make it a uniquely Ottawa/Gatineau festive experience.”

Funded in part by a grant from Ottawa Tourism’s Destination Development Fund, The Ottawa Christmas Market will transform Lansdowne’s Aberdeen Square into a Christmas village with free admission to ensure all Ottawa/Gatineau residents and visitors can take in the sights and sounds of the season.

“The Ottawa Christmas Market will grow into a major tourist attraction for our city and region,” said Michael Crockatt, President and CEO, Ottawa Tourism. “The OSEG organization has proven that they’re very good at staging major events and festivals and Lansdowne Park is the perfect venue to host a multi-weekend event of this calibre. Ottawa Tourism will promote the Ottawa Christmas Market to travel journalists and visitors from around the world, providing a boost to our local tourism economy. As a winter city, we are happy to have another reason to encourage people to visit Ottawa during the festive season.”

The Ottawa Christmas Market will feature a live performance stage, Christmas cabins for artisans and food and beverage providers, a forest of Christmas trees and it will be spectacularly illuminated with over 100,000 energy-efficient Christmas lights.

“The Ottawa Christmas Market at Lansdowne Park will be an exciting and festive new attraction for our city,” said Ottawa Mayor Jim Watson. “Christmas Markets in cities across Canada attract a significant number of visitors and are a huge boost to their local economy. I am confident that Lansdowne Park’s central location and our city’s vibrant holiday spirit will contribute to the success of Ottawa’s very first Christmas Market!”

A promotional video and other information on the Ottawa Christmas Market at Lansdowne can be viewed at ottawachristmasmarket.com