Hello ORLÉANS!
Welcome to the 41st edition of Orléans Connect.
As always, welcome new subscribers!
Well, this is it, the final week before the ✨ holidays arrive 🎅, and we hope you all have a wonderful time and perhaps recharge a bit before we head into January. Also a Happy Hanukkah to all those that celebrate!
And while this year 🎁 Christmas Day happens to fall on a Thursday which is the usual day we publish every week, expect to see the next edition of the newsletter on Friday Dec 26th. 🎄
And one more thing, we’d love to get some feedback from you as to what places we should visit for the next Orléans food spot review. Open to all suggestions, just send us a quick email with your suggestion.
And of course… don’t forget to check out this week’s poll ❓ at the bottom of the newsletter. This week we’re asking: Are you 💰spending more, less or about the same as last year on Christmas / Holiday gifts?
Here’s the happenings in Orléans over the next seven days: ⬇️
Here’s our roundup of upcoming events:
🎵 December 19th - Christmas Party with Bill Wiswell at the Orléans Legion from 7 PM - 9 PM. There will be an optional three-course dinner from 5 PM - 7 PM for $30/person. Come out for dancing, drinks and of course some fantastic music!
📍800 Taylor Creek Dr
⛸️ December 19th - Holiday Skate with City Councillor Laura Dudas from 7 PM - 8 PM. A certain holly jolly guest 🎅🏻 will be making a magical appearance!
📍Rob MacQuarrie Recreation Complex
🧠 December 19th - It’s Trivia Night hosted by Outside the Box Trivia, from 8 PM - 10 PM. Think you’ve got what it takes to be the brainiest in the room? Grab your crew and join for a night of fun, drinks and awesome prizes!
📍Taproom260, 260 Centrum Blvd
🍕 December 20th - Fire Box Pizza specializes in Neapolitan-style pizzas made in the wood-fired oven, and they’re hosting a Pop-Up from 12:30 PM - 6:30 PM at Stray Dog Brewing Company.
📍510 Lacolle Way
🎄 December 20th - Live Music Saturday at Broadhead Brewery - A Rusty Xmas Party! Join for tunes, brews and BBQ - from 7 PM - late! Rusty Breezes will be performing a mix of the hits and Christmas classics. Come donned in your ugliest Christmas sweater and be ready to rock along with the band. All are welcome, no cover, no reservations required.
📍1680 Vimont Crt, unit 106
😂 December 20th - It’s Comedy Night! There are still tickets available for the 10:30 PM show! Montreal-based Derek Seguin is one of the most sought after standup comedians on the international circuit! 🎟️ $40.
📍Taproom260, 260 Centrum Blvd
🍳 December 21st - The Rendez-vous des aînés francophones d’Ottawa invites the Orléans community to its monthly breakfast, from 9 AM - 11 AM. Cost $17/member, $19/non-member, $13 for children ages 6-12, free for children under 6. | Déjeuer mensuel au RAFO, 9 h à 11 h - Faites-vous plaisir!
📍3349 Chemin Navan
🎶 December 21st - It’s Name that Tune: A Musical Challenge at Broadhead Brewery with your host and entertainment Randy Scott, from 1 PM - 5 PM. Free to play, prizes to be won!
📍1680 Vimont Crt, unit 106
🃏 December 21st - Rendez-vous des aînés francophones d’Ottawa invites the Orléans community to its Monthly Military Whist from 1 PM onwards. Whether you’re a beginner or an experienced player, this is the perfect opportunity to share a friendly afternoon in great company! The more players, the better the prizes to be won!
📍3349 Chemin Navan
🎥 December 23rd - Blackburn Hamlet Community Association is hosting Family Pizza and Holiday Movie Night from 6 - 8:30 PM. Register for your free slice of pizza and drink by emailing [email protected] and include total number of kids (ages 4-12) and teens/adults (13+). Popcorn will also be provided. Bring your blankets, cozies and chairs.
📍190 Glen Park Dr
🎨 Are you looking for ways to keep kids busy during the holidays from school? Ace Arte Studio is hosting a range of kids art workshops, and some family workshops too, if you’re looking for something fun and holiday-themed to do together! Watercolours, pastels, acrylic painting to pottery - there’s something for everyone. Explore available sessions here.
🗓️SAVE THE DATES! 🗓️
🔢 December 26th - Blackburn Hamlet Community Association is hosting Kids Bingo from 3 - 4:30 PM, for ages 8 - 17. There will be prizes for winners! Kids 10 and under must be accompanied by an adult.
📍190 Glen Park Dr
✏️ December 27th - Tween Drawing Workshop (age 10+) - K-Pop Demon Hunters Inspired, from 11:30 AM - 1 PM at Ace Arte Studio. Book now!
📍2095 St Joseph Blvd
💗 December 27th - Rizk Law Office is hosting its 3rd Annual Food Fundraising Frenzy: Meals and Wheels at the Ray Friel Recreation Complex (Rendez-Vous Room), from 12 PM - 4 PM. This year, they’re partnered with the Ottawa Food Bank and Helping with Furniture. The goal is to bring the community together and support families who could use a helping hand during the winter season. This year, they’re collecting non-perishable food items for the Ottawa Food Bank, and bicycles of any kind, which Helping With Furniture will repair and donate to children, students and adults in the community. Every donation receives raffle tickets as a thank you! There will also be warm drinks, treats and a welcoming space for families and neighbours to spend time together! Register online here.
🎨 December 28th - Blackburn Hamlet Community Association is hosting Youth “Paint Night” from 1 - 3 PM, for ages 7 - 17. Register for free to participate in 1 of 2 guided painting sessions by emailing [email protected]. Kids 10 and under must be accompanied by an adult.
📍190 Glen Park Dr
✨ RAFO Winter 2026 Program Now Available! ✨
Discover the Winter 2026 programming at RAFO, a centre for active living for Francophones and Francophiles aged 50+. Join them for a season filled with activities, learning opportunities, and meaningful connections — all in a welcoming French-language environment. Stay active, engaged, and inspired with RAFO this winter! Learn more here.
Do you have an event you want to see featured here? Let us know!
📰 News you should know about…
⚡ Hydro Ottawa ‘communication lapse’ leaves some Orléans residents in the dark (The Ottawa Citizen)
🤒 3 children die from influenza A-related complications in Ottawa and eastern Ontario region (CTV News)
🤒 No, you can’t get the flu from a flu shot - and other misconceptions (The Ottawa Citizen)
💉 Local health officials strongly recommend everyone aged six months and older get their flu vaccine as soon as possible. Here’s some information from OPH about eligibility and where you can get vaccinated. (Ottawa Public Health)
♻️ Changes are coming! Here’s what you need to know about changes to blue and black bin recycling in Ottawa on Jan 1, 2026. (CTV News)
🚉 Coming early in 2026: Ottawa’s O-Train Stage 2 Eastern Extension - take a peek inside the new O-Train stations in this video (Rail Fans Canada)
👩🏽 Do you know a woman and/or girl who makes outstanding contributions to our community? Call for Nominations are open for the annual Orléans Leading Women and Girls Recognition Awards! To obtain a nomination form, please email ([email protected]) or call (613-834-1800). Nomination deadline: February 9th, 2026.
BUSINESS SPOTLIGHT 🔦
This week’s Orléans business spotlight is… 🥁 … Orléans Brewing Co. - located at 4380 Innes Rd.
Orléans Brewing Co. is one of only a couple of amazing local breweries and in addition to their locally made selection of beer, they also happen to serve some amazing bar and pub food. That includes flatbreads, nachos, jalapeño poppers, wings, salads, sandwiches, burgers and more! And if that wasn’t enough, OBC is also home to many local events like karaoke nights, music bingo and other one-off events in partnership with other organizations from Orléans.
And as always, if you wind up visiting them, make sure to tell them Orléans Connect sent you.
A few weeks ago we published an Orléans Food Spot Review on the new deli sandwich spot known as Gabagool and after seeing feedback and demand from the Orléans community, it looks like they’ve decided to expand their hours starting on December 22nd, every day of the week from 11:00 am to 5:00 pm. 🥳
Many thanks to June M. for sending in a photo of Luna, a 13-year old pup who, like all good dogs, loves going for walks, begs for treats, and is the heart of her home.
Submit a photo of your Orléans pet(s) by emailing it to: [email protected]
THIS WEEK’S POLL ❓
Are you 💰 spending more, less or about the same as last your on Christmas / Holiday gifts?
Here are the results of last week’s poll: Who serves or delivers the best 🍕 pizza in Orléans?
🥇 Louis’ Pizza Express - 27%
🥈 River Pizza - 15%
🥉 Aroma Pizza - 13%
Fire Box Pizza - 12%
Gabriel’s Pizza - 12%
Mama Rosa Pizza - 7%
The Dough Bros - 4%
Milano Pizza - 4%
Tony’s Pizza - 3%
