Looking for a party or something to do to ring in the New Year? Here’s what’s happening in Ottawa

There might not be any official fireworks in the capital again this year according to Canadian Heritage, still 2024 is fast approaching so if you don’t have plans yet, and are looking for something to do this weekend to ring in the new year, the nation’s capital has plenty to offer.

You can celebrate the New Year’s by catching the last Senator’s game before 2024 as they host the Buffalo Sabres on December 31 at the Canadian Tire Centre.

Tickets can be picked up from Ticketmaster.

If you’re not in the mood for hockey, you can experience a New Year’s Eve with a Scottish flair at the Scottish Society of Ottawa. They are hosting Hogman-eh!, the largest Scottish-style New Year’s event outside of Scotland.

Starting with the family-friendly ‘Great Scot’ party where party-goers can take part in clan research, enjoy Ceilidh music, and Celtic entertainment, including a children’s parade and balloon drop at 7:00 p.m.

That’s followed by Scottish food and drinks and performances by Celtic bands Mudmen and Anna Ludlow, concluding with the iconic Auld Lang Syne at midnight.

Tickets run from free to $95 for a VIP seat close to the stage and a meal.

If comedy is more your scene you can usher in 2024 with some laughs at Shenkman Arts Centre’s annual New Year’s Eve comedy night or Yuk Yuk’s New Year’s Eve dinner and a show at their Biagio’s Italian Kitchen location.

Tickets for Yuk Yuk’s run from $35 to $50 and Derek Seguin headlines the show this year, with MC Jesse Reynolds and special guest Logan Brown.

Shenkman’s will put you back $60 a ticket and features Canadian comics and Just For Laughs veterans Rob Pue and Leonard Chan as well as 2017’s Ottawa Yuk Yuk’s Winter Wish comedy champ Jenn Labelle.

Also, Winter Lights Across Canada continues to highlight sites along Confederation Boulevard in Canada’s Capital Region every evening until January 7.

“Parliament Hill continues to be a picturesque point on the Pathway of Lights with a seasonal illumination of the Centre Block and the Peace Tower,” said Caroline Czajkowski, a spokesperson for the Canadian Government.

Police warn of drunk driving

The Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) are reminding everyone to plan a ride home if you’re going to drink or consume cannabis at any New Year’s party.

OPP also wants to remind residents they’re still out in force with their annual Reduce Impaired Driving Everywhere (RIDE) campaign.

So far this year, 890 drivers were charged with impaired-related offenses with 261 of them being in accidents, according to police.

“If you are going to consume alcohol or cannabis, plan a safe ride home, like a designated driver, a taxi, rideshare or public transit,” police said in a statement.

The OPP-led Festive RIDE campaign runs until January 2.