# Christmas Events, Markets & Things to Do in Ottawa, IL - **Subtitle**: Celebrate Christmas 2026 in Ottawa, Illinois with festive markets, holiday parties, Christmas dinners, family activities, Santa experiences, Christmas lights, live shows, brunches, concerts, and seasonal events. Discover the best things to do and book your tickets online. - **Category**: Christmas - **Display Name**: Christmas events - **Type**: other ## Audience - **Followers**: 433k+ - **Recent Followers**: - **Avatar 1**: https://cdn-az.allevents.in/events1/banners/bab011f14b1271d0dede8faaebc00e25addcada5e21fe82b0abbe2550f7b1364-rimg-w179-h179-dc77462f-gmir?v=1757709607 - **Avatar 2**: https://cdn-az.allevents.in/events9/banners/2009efe0c574e3dc8aafa326aa5db79a7d48ae3bb59bafd8dd62c8ab54e6429f-rimg-w200-h200-gmir.jpg?v=1656541205 - **Avatar 3**: https://cdn-az.allevents.in/events6/banners/0b430ca346d6b926a35a959999b3654b156fa712f25b30fd8233cc8adf27ae6c-rimg-w201-h200-dc90928f-gmir?v=1759151405 ## About As Christmas draws near in the Ottawa in 2026, mark your calendars for a taste of festive enchantment! Beyond the traditional gatherings at home, exploring during this festive season can be enchanting. Whether planning a family trip or going solo, there's a sleigh-load of festive fairs, holiday craft shows, and Christmas services in the Ottawa waiting to be explored. Check out the best events and parties in Ottawa to make your Christmas unforgettable, and get ready for a season of joy and celebration! ## Christmas Events in Ottawa - **Event Name**: Exploreum Merry Makers Market - **Description**: πŸŽ„ Exploreum Merry Makers Market πŸŽ„ Shop a Little. Play a Lot. Make Some Christmas Magic. Something NEW is coming to Ottawa this holiday season! Join us for the very first Exploreum Merry Makers Market, a three-weekend indoor holiday experience filled wi - **Interested Audience**: - Count: 3 - **Date**: Fri Nov 27 2026 at 12:00 pm – Fri Nov 27 2026 at 07:00 pm (-06:00) - **Event URL**: https://allevents.in/ottawa/exploreum-merry-makers-market/200030741004522 - **Venue**: 601 W Norris St, Ottawa, IL 61350-1308, United States - **Banner**: https://cdn-ip.allevents.in/s/rs:fill:500:250/g:sm/sh:100/aHR0cHM6Ly9jZG4tYXouYWxsZXZlbnRzLmluL2V2ZW50czkvYmFubmVycy84ZGU4NzBmZjg0OWEwOTdmMTY3NWI3YTkyYmM5MzdjYTc3NTAwMzM5ZDI3NWVkNTlhMjkyZjFiNjhkODU5M2U5LXJpbWctdzg1MS1oMzE1LWRjMDgzODI4LWdtaXI_dj0xNzkwNDI3OTMx.avif - **Categories**: Kids - **Event Name**: "It's A Wonderful Life!" Performed by the Pop-Up Players - **Description**: It’s Christmas Eve 1946 and the staff of Chicago radio station WHEW are hard at work re-creating one of the most beloved yuletide productions of all time! It's The Pop-Up Players returning to The Abbey with "On The Air With - IT'S A WONDERFUL LIFE." All - **Date**: Sun Dec 13 2026 at 02:00 pm (-06:00) - **Event URL**: https://allevents.in/ottawa/its-a-wonderful-life-performed-by-the-pop-up-players/200030642056836 - **Venue**: 113 E Lafayette St, Ottawa, IL 61350-2114, United States - **Banner**: https://cdn-ip.allevents.in/s/rs:fill:500:250/g:sm/sh:100/aHR0cHM6Ly9jZG4tYXouYWxsZXZlbnRzLmluL2V2ZW50czIvYmFubmVycy9jNzYzZTIzYTcyOGY4YzE0OTQyZGY3NTZlNDM5OTVmYzNiYzUwNjQ5ZmZiMTk1NzFkNmQzYzMyNzlmNzdjYmFkLXJpbWctdzEyMDAtaDYyOC1kYzA4MDgwOC1nbWlyP3Y9MTc4ODI1NTIxNg.avif - **Categories**: Entertainment, performances, Nonprofit ## Trending Events in Ottawa - **Event Name**: Ottawa Fall Fest & Parade 2026 - **Description**: Join us for our fifth annual Ottawa Fall Fest & Parade! Parade, live music, local vendors, food trucks, and LOTS of free kids activities! - **Venue**: Downtown Ottawa, Illinois - **Banner**: https://cdn-az.allevents.in/events8/banners/bf07897d4047717bf1568433ad17da61351ef85a8e401b8d8444a053199ccafd-rimg-w1200-h1800-dcf8f8f8-gmir?v=1787445181 - **Event Name**: River Bend Mobile Pantry - October 3 - **Description**: OSF Healthcare 1050 Building Parking Structure- 1050 E. Norris Dr. Ottawa, IL 61350 Saturday, October 3 PLEASE NOTE: This event takes place on the first Saturday of the month β€’ Registration is from 9:30 - 11:30 AM. β€’ PLEASE DO NOT ARRIVE MORE THAN 30 - **Venue**: 1050 E Norris Dr, Ottawa, IL 61350-1602, United States - **Banner**: https://cdn-az.allevents.in/events2/banners/c70ebe739eab07d23ab1552af2b41fdfef6793f89ff77971376e23b80167f1d4-rimg-w820-h362-dc48b808-gmir?v=1789432149 - **Event Name**: Starved Rock Guided Kayak Tour 2026 - **Description**: Explore the beauty of Starved Rock on a guided kayak tourAbout this EventBOOK DIRECT TO SAVE MONEYwww.kayakstarvedrock.com/online-booking/Kayak Starved RockWe Welcome Everybody for our Starved Rock ToursPpl of all - **Venue**: KAYAK STARVED ROCK CAMPGROUND - **Banner**: https://cdn-az.allevents.in/events5/banners/0abe637ddfd7ddb7bdd02aa1805136542bb72a2b3337872ec819bbc37a8fba8c-rimg-w500-h422-dc080808-gmir.jpg?v=1788825784 - **Event Name**: Harbor Stories: Unplugged Season 8 | Season Tickets - **Description**: Grab your Harbor Stories: Unplugged Season 8 tickets! 7 shows, $250, one-week-only sale August10-16. Don’t miss out!About this EventHarbor Stories: Unplugged Season 8 (2026–2027)Ex - **Venue**: The Vue at Heritage Harbor Resort - **Banner**: https://cdn-az.allevents.in/events8/banners/3355153c3c26a8f4b45da8b388f5a1e4400a28f3917e8c99ac01d58b214a8115-rimg-w1200-h600-dc081818-gmir.jpg?v=1786383185 - **Event Name**: Taps and Tunes 2026 Featuring PARAMOUNT - **Description**: Taps & Tunes 2026 Saturday, October 24, 2026 Presented by BCI Solutions Group & Bob Allen Ford Join the Friends of the Ottawa Memorial Auditorium for their largest fundraiser of the year! Taps & Tunes is an evening of craft beverages, live mu - **Venue**: Ottawa Memorial Auditorium - **Banner**: https://cdn-az.allevents.in/events1/banners/b9d6d6f786ba6c1d8b7ec194204796f9866a1041de3416398e5d4f5606235b68-rimg-w1200-h630-dc484848-gmir?v=1788689011 - **Event Name**: Homecoming Parade 2026 - **Description**: Kick off Homecoming 2026! Join us in downtown Ottawa as we kick off Homecoming. Line the streets and cheer on our Crusaders, teams, students, alumni and Hoco Court as we celebrate Marquette! Then, meet us at the Gould practice field for: β€’ Tenderloin &am - **Venue**: Ottawa, Illinois - **Banner**: https://cdn-az.allevents.in/events7/banners/ffc57f5bc461f0b53a970ca087274cd02b818b2bf4e789044cc260c0404a0ded-rimg-w1200-h1558-dcf8f8f8-gmir?v=1790427929 - **Event Name**: Trunk or Treat - **Description**: πŸŽƒ TRUNK OR TREAT AT STARVED ROCK H-D πŸŽƒ Saturday, October 17 | 12–4PM Fall is here, and we're taking over the lot! Bring the family for a massive afternoon of tricked-out trunks and community fun. πŸš— Trunk or Treating with local businesses 🎨 Make-Your - **Venue**: 750 Centennial Dr, Ottawa, IL, United States, Illinois 61350 - **Banner**: https://cdn-az.allevents.in/events8/banners/03a8cf26e7b85b4ba7b507f2e1a9509a20b1b0d5e7f54d6110961977056c0894-rimg-w1200-h675-dc080808-gmir?v=1790427933 - **Event Name**: Out of the Darkness LaSalle County Walk - **Description**: Out of the Darkness Community Walks are AFSP's signature fundraising events, bringing people together across the country to raise awareness and funds for suicide prevention. Whether you've been personally touched by suicide loss or simply want to show up - **Venue**: Washington Park Ottawa il - **Banner**: https://cdn-az.allevents.in/events6/banners/e5243b83774cf784186c448ee0e0af2c396813e98db6aaf53f8f92b29b55475b-rimg-w820-h312-dc183878-gmir?v=1788248737 - **Event Name**: Affective Teaching in Action (led by Chase Mielke) - **Description**: Award-winning educator, speaker, and writer Chase Mielke will facilitate this morning session designed to energize and engage your students.About this EventAffective Teaching in Action led by Chase Mie - **Venue**: Ottawa Township High School - **Banner**: https://cdn-az.allevents.in/events5/banners/ed7732d854324eb17124d769b9deb20ed87807f0d84f0074747b3d8fd6b49e13-rimg-w1200-h600-dcffffff-gmir.jpg?v=1785135722 ## Browse Christmas Events by Date - [Christmas Events Today in Ottawa](https://allevents.in/ottawa/christmas--today) - [Christmas Events This Weekend in Ottawa](https://allevents.in/ottawa/christmas--this-weekend) - [Christmas Events in September in Ottawa](https://allevents.in/ottawa/christmas--september) - [Christmas Events in October in Ottawa](https://allevents.in/ottawa/christmas--october) ## FAQs - **Q**: What are the top Christmas events in Ottawa? - **A:** Exploreum Merry Makers Market (Fri Nov 27 2026 at 12:00 pm at 601 W Norris St, Ottawa, IL 61350-1308, United States), "It's A Wonderful Life!" Performed by the Pop-Up Players (Sun Dec 13 2026 at 02:00 pm at 113 E Lafayette St, Ottawa, IL 61350-2114, United States). - **Q**: How can I find Christmas events in Ottawa? - **A:** You can discover upcoming Christmas events in Ottawa on AllEvents.in. Browse by date, venue, or price to find events that match your interests. - **Q**: How do I buy tickets for Christmas events in Ottawa? - **A:** You can buy tickets directly through AllEvents.in. Many events offer online booking with options for free, paid, and early-bird tickets. - **Q**: What are the popular venues for Christmas events in Ottawa? - **A:** Some popular venues hosting Christmas events in Ottawa include 601 W Norris St, Ottawa, IL 61350-1308, United States, 113 E Lafayette St, Ottawa, IL 61350-2114, United States. - **Q**: Who are the top organizers for Christmas events in Ottawa? - **A:** Popular organizers hosting Christmas events in Ottawa include Exploreum Children's Museum, Ottawa Center for the Arts. - **Q**: Are there any online Christmas events available? - **A:** Yes, many Christmas events are available online. You can filter for virtual events on AllEvents.in to attend from anywhere. - **Q**: How can I get notified about new Christmas events in Ottawa? - **A:** Follow the Christmas category on AllEvents.in to get notified when new Christmas events are listed in Ottawa. ## Category Banner - **Banner Image**: https://cdn2.allevents.in/transup/94/d198cea1ed44b0a8fd3623f92d897d/Maskgroup-1.5x-7-.webp - **Mobile Banner**: https://cdn2.allevents.in/transup/da/76f1714ac6480a872527c6e06e99e5/Rectangle1795.webp ## Christmas events from nearby cities - [Christmas events in Utica](https://allevents.in/utica-il/christmas) - [Christmas events in Oglesby](https://allevents.in/oglesby-il/christmas) - [Christmas events in Peru](https://allevents.in/peru-il/christmas)