The 2017 festivities begin at Ottawa City Hall at 5:45 pm, December 31st, with free hotdogs, hot coffee and hot chocolate, live music performances and animation. Then… at 6:15 pm, a special ceremony talked about all year,

the lighting of the cauldron !

L-Guy Laflamme, R-Mayor Jim Watson stand in front of the cauldron, a towering sculpture that will be lit up with fire and remain lit all year.

It’s not just another new year ushered in; it’s Canada’s 150th anniversary. Yet, Ottawa is lighting up all year starting with “crazy-wild-creative” experiences, which surely exceed any plans in the nation.

Did you hear about the Godzilla-sized automated spider crawling through the core, through the crowds and onto buildings? This is only one piece of this year-long show.

Tomorrow night, is the perfect New Year’s extravaganza for families. It starts early and you can leave before the kiddies become sleeping cargo.

See the early schedule here.

Enjoy this exhilarating video featuring key events in Ottawa 2017. If you’re looking for excitement, Ottawa has it tomorrow night. (And all year!)