Turtlehead Events for November 8/9

Ottawa area events for families and kids

This week in the city: several craft and toy sales happening as Christmas shopping season swings into high gear; lots of great arts and theatre events to attend; and a matinee hockey game for your little ones to enjoy.

The Samko and Miko Toy Warehouse sale begins WEDNESDAY, November 5, at the EY Centre near the airport, and runs through to Sunday. The sale opens at 8 a.m. on Wednesday and there WILL be a massive line up to get in, so try to arrive early if you're a dedicated deal searcher - or, do yourself a favour and wait until Friday to go if you're just looking to browse. I've been before and there are good deals to be had on Barbies, Thomas the Train, and Fisher Price, plus thousands of books, but it's best if you have people to shop for of specific ages (preschoolers are best), and no specific wants or asks (nieces and nephews work great for this). It's free to get in, but don't forget that parking is $7.

The Lakeside Players present their annual holiday Panko starting on Thursday, November 6 and running through to Sunday. This year it's The Sleeping Beauty, a fun and family-friendly performance that invites the audience to get involved. Tickets are just $10 adults, $7 kids, and there are matinees and even morning performances on the weekends. The shows take place at the Ron Kolbus centre in Britannia Park. Tickets available on their website.

Rocklilffe Park Public School - on Buena Vista Road - holds one of the biggest Used Book Sales in the city each year. This year's sale starts Friday morning at 10 a.m. running until 9 p.m., then again Saturday 10 to 6, and Sunday 11 to 5. Entry is free and trust me, there is something for everyone here.

The Ottawa Storytellers present a Children's Storytelling Festival on Saturday, November 8, at the Nepean Centrepointe Library. Performances from several local storytellers start at noon (after an opening performance by Baobab Drummers) and run until 4:30. All performances are free, snacks are provided, and there's a huge range of topics and styles and even a little bit of French thrown in for variety - certain to be a fun afternoon.

Saturday, November 8 at 6 p.m., Centrepointe Theatre presents The Snow Queen, a retelling of the famous Hans Christian Anderson tale in dance. Presented by the La Fantasie troup, the story is told through jazz, tap, hip hop, disco, and even more styles. Tickets are a flat $25 per person - this sounds amazing, wish I could go!

Handmade Harvest is one of the top craft shows in the city, showcasing all local artists hand-picked to be part of the show. Their annual Holiday Show is this weekend, Saturday November 8 and Sunday November 9, at Old Almonte Town Hall. There are different vendors each day, and admission is free, so try to make it out for both days - but if you can only pick one, check the list of vendors here to help make the decision easier.

The Ottawa 67s have a matinee game on Sunday, November 9 - 2 p.m. at TD Place at Landsdowne Park. Tickets start at just $10.75 and can be purchased through the link on the schedule here.

Lastly, the Canada Aviation and Space Museum has a Remembrance Day concert on Sunday, November 9, at 2 p.m. It's free with admission and features a joint, hour-long performance by the Governor Generals Foot Band and the Armed Forces Band.