While not every resident of Ottawa marks December 25th with celebration, the Christmas season is an atmospheric force that touches everyone in the city. As journalist Bruce Deachman discovered during a recent visit to the historic ByWard Market, the holiday acts less like a private party and more like a shared weather system—it sweeps through, altering routines, filling public spaces, and leaving its distinct imprint before moving on.
A Season of Many Stories in the Heart of Ottawa
In search of personal narratives, Deachman ventured to the ByWard Market in late December 2025. His conversations revealed a rich tapestry of perspectives, confirming that the Christmas experience is far from uniform. He spoke with a Muslim woman who enjoys visiting Christmas markets primarily for the festive foods. A Jewish merchant shared that he freely wishes customers "Merry Christmas," valuing the generated goodwill over rare moments of personal dissonance.
The interactions highlighted a spectrum of connections to the season. A 74-year-old man described retaining his belief in Christmas's inherent "magic." A student reflected on a childhood enriched by gifts from both Christmas and Hanukkah. A woman born in China recounted how Christmas, once completely unfamiliar, has become a blended tradition in her life.
Tensions Between Tradition and Change
Not every story embraced this evolving diversity. Deachman recounts a telling moment with two orange-vested workers on William Street. As they paused to watch a restaurant worker skilfully hand-pull noodles—a tradition in itself—one labourer expressed a lament. He felt like a "dying breed of Christmas traditionalists," suggesting that "this country isn't the way it was built anymore."
This brief exchange captured a central tension: a concern that personal traditions are under threat precisely while observing another's enduring custom. Deachman notes this friction between the familiar past and an inclusive present is not new to Christmas, nor unique to it. However, the high emotions and crowded schedules of the holiday season often magnify these feelings wherever communities gather.
Christmas as a Shared Civic Experience
The article, published on December 23, 2025, underscores that Christmas in Ottawa is an unavoidable civic phenomenon. It rearranges the city's rhythm, closing schools, changing work schedules, and imposing a collective mood or expectation. For some, it brings increased labour; for others, a welcome pause. It can prompt family reunions or deepen feelings of loneliness.
Ultimately, Deachman's stroll through the ByWard Market, with its iconic towering Christmas tree, illustrated that navigating the Christmas season is a shared reality for all Ottawans. Whether one celebrates, observes, or simply endures it, the holiday's passage through the city is a common thread in the diverse fabric of Canada's capital in late December.
