Hello ORLÉANS!
Welcome to the 40th edition of Orléans Connect.
As always, welcome new subscribers!
Many thanks to the deluge of new Pets of Orléans entries we received last week as a result of our call. But hey… we can never get enough of seeing your cute pets, so if you still haven’t sent in a photo of your best 🐹 furry friends 🐰, you can do so here: [email protected]
This week, amidst the now seemingly endless 🥶 cold and ❄️ snowy weather, we made a trip to another local favourite to explore one of Orléans best cafes. Make sure to check out our new food spot review here.
And of course… don’t forget to check out this week’s poll ❓ at the bottom of the newsletter. This week we’re asking: Who serves or delivers the best 🍕 Pizza in Orléans? ⬇️
Here’s what’s happening in Orléans over the next seven days: ⬇️
Here’s our roundup of upcoming events:
🎶 December 12th - Step into the world of Foreigner’s greatest hits with Forever Foreigner, the ultimate tribute band bringing the iconic sounds of one of classic rock’s finest bands back to life. 🎟️ Tickets $56. Concert starts at 8 PM
📍Shenkman Arts Centre, 245 Centrum Blvd
💃 December 12th - It’s time for the All Request Dance Party at 7 PM, and the Orléans Legion. Choose your decade, make your request, and songs will be spun, all night long! Get ready to dance!
📍800 Taylor Creek Dr
❄️December 13th - Join for Cookies and Cocoa with the Snow Queen Elsa at Reverie Princess Palace, and holiday Christmas activities. On from 10 AM - 2:30 PM. Get tickets online - they’re going fast!
📍210 Centrum Blvd, Unit 204
🎨 December 13th - Blackburn Hamlet Community Association is hosting a Holiday Crafting event for Kids and Youth from 10 AM - 1 PM at Blackburn Community Hall. Kids 10 and under must be accompanied by an adult.
📍190 Glen Park Dr
🐾 December 13th - Robert Plante Greenhouses is hosting their 3rd Annual Pet Day and Holiday Market from 9 AM - 4 PM! Browse 40+ pet-themed vendors featuring handmade collars, cozy pewter, gourmet treats, toys and custom gifts for your beloved companions. There will also be more than 150 local vendors offering handmade goods, festive décor, baked treats, honey, jewelry and more. Santa and Mrs. Claus will be there too - for photos with your pet! Book your spot online now - spaces are filling up fast!
📍4228 Navan Rd
🍽️ December 13th - The Blackburn Hamlet Community Association is hosting a Seniors Potluck Dinner from 5 PM - 9 PM. Potluck dinner is followed by entertainment and door prizes! Donations at the door will be received (cash or cheque) to the Snowsuit Fund.
📍190 Glen Park Dr
🎵 December 13th - SDBC Taproom Concerts Presents: Bon Echo Holiday Show, show at 8 PM. Tim and Emma (Bon Echo) perform some wintery classics, mixed in with originals, traditional bluegrass and a whole lot of good feels for everyone! Tickets $10.
📍Stray Dog Brewing Company, 501 Lacolle Way, Unit 4
🎅🏻 December 14th - Breakfast with Santa | Déjeuner avec le père Noël. Order tickets online, and save $2 per ticket! Kids 5 and under are free! Hosted by the Legion Branch 554 Rockland and District and the Cumberland Lions Club.
📍Maple Hall, 2552 Old Montreal Rd, Cumberland
🎄 December 15th - Bublé Christmas is a Canadian tribute show that authnetically captures the essence of Michael Bublé’s performances. The show is led by Canadian musical theatre star Jay Davis, whose portrayal of Bublé encompasses both his distinctive vocal style and charismatic stage presence. 🎟️ Tickets $59. Concert starts at 7 PM.
📍Shenkman Arts Centre, 245 Centrum Blvd
🧘🏽♀️ December 17th - FREE Yoga and Meditation Classes hosted by the Greater Avalon Community Association, from 7 PM - 8 PM. No sign-up required. Beginners and children 10+ welcome. Last one before the holidays. Weekly Wednesday Yoga will resume on January 7th.
📍Alain-Fortin Catholic Elementary School, 676 Lakeridge Dr (in the gym)
🏳️🌈 December 17th - Orléans Pride presents Pridemas Coffee House, from 6:30 PM - 8:30 PM. Everyone is welcome to jump into the cozy vibes with holiday nibbles, trivia, art, live music and more!
📍 Orléans United Church, 1111 Orléans Blvd
🎟️ GET TICKETS WHILE YOU CAN! 🎟️
Get tickets while you can - these events will fill up quickly!💨
🪄 Dogs Do Magic: A Canine Christmas - get ready for an unforgettable evening of mind-blowing magic, hilarious comedy and jaw-dropping canine tricks in this one-show-only spectacular! 🎟️ Tickets $46.50 to $61.50. All ages. At the Shenkman Arts Centre on Fri, Dec 19th at 7 PM.
🗓️WHAT ARE YOU DOING ON NEW YEAR’S EVE? 🗓️
Here are some local options:
🪩 NYE at Stray Dog: Mixtape Magic is ringing in 2026 the only way we know how at Stray Dog Brewing Company - with the ultimate 90s throwback party. Backstreet to Britney, Blink to Beyonce - it will be a night to remember. Dress to impress, and come ready to dance! Dec 31st, 9 PM - 1 AM. Get your tickets online now! 🎟️$40 - includes a champagne toast at midnight.
😂 Ring in 2026 with laughter at the 14th Annual New Year’s Eve Comedy Night at Shenkman Arts Centre! Check out the lineup, and get your tickets early - this event traditionally sells out!
🥂 New Year’s Eve Party hosted by the Cumberland Lions Club. Head over to Maple Hall for an evening of live music by The Classics, dancing and a finger food buffet! At midnight, ring in the new year with a complimentary champagne toast. Tickets are $30 / person.
🍾 And if you’re looking for something to do for NYE outside of Orléans, here’s a round up of some ideas! Note that OC Transpo and the LRT are FREE after 6 PM on December 31st. 🎊
Do you have an event you want to see featured here? Let us know!
📰 News you should know about…
🚨 Help find a missing 15-year-old (last seen in Orléans) (Ottawa Police Service)
🏫 Ontario investing $162 million to build and expand schools in Ottawa (Province of Ontario Newsroom) - including: A new $74.7M Ottawa Catholic School Board High School is coming to Orléans (OCSB News)
BUSINESS SPOTLIGHT 🔦
This week’s Orléans business spotlight is… 🥁 … BBCR Café - located at 511 Lacolle Way
BBCR Café, short for Brown Bag Coffee Roasters is a local coffee shop with 3 locations in the Ottawa and Gatineau area. But BBCR is much more than a cozy, and hoppin’ coffee spot, it’s an excellent place for breakfast, lunch or a meetup with a larger group of friends or colleagues. And of-course, there’s plenty of excellent coffee on offer as well. Check out our full review of BBCR in this week’s food spot review.
And as always, if you wind up visiting them, make sure to tell them Orléans Connect sent you.
While the Vinette Silo in Orléans is valued as a heritage landmark, it serves as an unexpected conservation purpose: it may be a habitat for barn swallows, a species that is threatened in Ontario and has experienced declines of 80% or more across the province. This makes preservation of the old silo doubly important as both a local, historical artifact and wildlife refuge.
Many thanks to Judy M. for sending in a photo of Zulu. If treat catching were an Olympic sport she would win a Gold Medal as she rarely misses.
Submit a photo of your Orléans pet(s) by emailing it to: [email protected]
THIS WEEK’S POLL ❓
Who serves or delivers the best 🍕 pizza in Orleans?
