by Sue MacGregor
For the fifth year, the Scottish Society of Ottawa (SSO) is hosting the biggest and best New Year’s Eve party in town, kicking off 2017 celebrations in Ottawa to commemorate Canada’s 150th birthday. You’ll find lots to see and do inside where it’s warm at the Aberdeen Pavilion.
Building on past success, this year’s celebration will feature singers, pipe bands, scotch tasting, food kiosks, a special “Kidzone” and entertainment for all ages.
In Scotland, Hogmanay celebrations on New Year’s Eve are the highlight of the festive season and continue for days. They bring people together to sing and dance and to celebrate new beginnings. In Ottawa, we’re bringing the same fellowship to our community.
Two New Year’s Eve countdowns
If you want to get your kids home to bed early, we have the answer for you. The children’s events start at 5:00 pm and then count down the seconds to 2017 in Scotland at 7:00 pm Ottawa time. There will be balloons and singing of “Auld Lang Syne.”
The party continues with more live music until we do the countdown again at midnight followed by a great fireworks display.
That’s two parties for the price of one with fun for the whole family. No tickets are required and thanks to our many generous sponsors, it’s free!
“Many people also ask if there’s dancing,” said Alix MacGregor Williams, the event organizer. “I tell them to bring their dancing shoes because our live music program is sure to inspire people of all ages to kick up their heels!”
Activities and entertainment run from 5:00 pm to midnight, including this year’s headline act, The Barra McNeils.
Among Canada’s foremost Celtic performers, the family band from Sydney Mines, Nova Scotia, will have wound up their 2016 Christmas tour and will return to Ottawa for Hogman-eh!
The full lineup of entertainers on stage at the Aberdeen Pavilion will be exciting, with local musician Bobby Watt and his band Écosse back by popular demand.
Dress code is anything you want to wear, from casual jeans to dress pants, suits, cocktail dresses, long dresses or, of course, a kilt!
The SSO is also proud to sponsor The Scottish Diaspora Tapestry during January, Scottish Festival Month in Ottawa. New Year’s revelers can get a sneak peek of some select tapestries at Hogman-eh! where they will be on display in the Horticulture Building from 5:00 – 9:00 pm.
We hope to see you at Aberdeen Pavilion on New Year’s Eve! For further details, check out ottscot.ca.