‘Safety concerns’ puts Hill New Year’s party on ice

Citing the extreme cold, the Department of Canadian Heritage has cancelled New Year’s Eve performances by musical acts and DJs.

Skating and pyrotechnics will proceed on Parliament Hill as planned.

The department said in a statement Friday that it was cancelling some outdoor events scheduled for Saturday and Sunday given Environment Canada’s extreme cold warning and “public health and safety concerns.”

Acts including DJ Shub and Kardinal Offishall had been scheduled to perform at the Canada 150 Closing Party from 9 p.m. to midnight Sunday. Events now include:

Nimidiwin, 4-5:30 p.m. at the Canadian Museum of History; public skating on the Canada 150 Rink with hours extended until midnight Dec. 31 (ice time must be reserved online at canada150rink. com); Christmas Lights Across Canada; pyrotechnics; and a laser show at midnight

Extreme cold had already moved the Bell Capital Cup from the Canada 150 Rink to indoor venues while most Ottawa 2017 celebrations have moved inside Ottawa City Hall.

“We invite all Canadians and visitors to consider the extreme weather conditions and to dress warmly and prepare accordingly to prevent frostbite and other injuries,” Canadian Heritage said in the statement.

And for those who don’t want to brave the cold to make it to the celebrations at city hall or the Canada 150 events at Parliament Hill, there are plenty of events happening elsewhere in the city:

Rick Chiarelli’s Alcohol-Free New Year’s Eve is an assortment of events, including a show by the Nepean Skating Club, a skating party, sleigh rides, bouncy castle, games, magic and a talent show and costume contest, and concludes with fireworks at 10 p.m. It takes place at Ben Franklin Place, 101 Centrepointe Dr., beginning at 6 p.m. More info: veronicachiarelli. github.io/NYE-2017/

The Scottish Society of Ottawa hosts its sixth annual Hogman-eh! New Year’s Eve party at the Aberdeen Pavilion. Doors to the free event open at 5 p.m. There will be bagpipes and kilts, a KidsZone and Scottish edibles, as well as a cash bar and whisky tastings. There will also be two New Year’s countdowns, one at 7 p.m. and another at midnight, and fireworks. More info: www.ottawafestivals.ca/ event/hogman-eh/

Billed as Ottawa’s last Canada 150 marquee event this year, the Ottawa New Year’s Eve Charity Ball is a fancy gala in support of children with autism and special needs. It’s being held at the Ottawa Conference and Event Centre, 200 Coventry Rd., and features a four-course meal, dance, charity casino and live auction. More info: ottawacharityball.ca

Not specifically geared to New Year’s Eve, both the Magic of Lights drive-through light show in Wesley Clover Parks and Upper Canada Village’s walk-through show, Alight at Night, continue until Jan. 6. The Magic of Lights runs nightly from 5-10 p.m., while Alight at Night is open from 5 to 9 p.m. More info: wesleycloverparks. com/events/magic-of-lights/ and www.uppercanadavillage.com/ events/alight-at-night/

Comics Ben Miner, Jessica Holmes and David Merry host the seventh annual New Year’s Eve Comedy Night at the Shenkman Arts Centre on Sunday at 9 p.m. This year’s event is sold out. More info: www.shenkmanarts.ca

Also sold out is the National Arts Centre’s Light the Lantern New Year’s Eve celebration, featuring a four-course dinner and dancing to the music of Big Band Ottawa. Info: nac-cna.ca/en/event/17606