THE ADVENTURE COLLECTIVE® · Independent discovery and booking for outdoor travel
Turn Ottawa’s streets into a holiday playground with Holly Jolly Hunt, an app-led scavenger hunt that sends teams hunting for seasonal items, performing silly challenges and competing on a live leaderboard. It’s a family-friendly way to explore ByWard Market, Parliament Hill and the Rideau Canal in about an hour.
Turn Ottawa’s streets into a holiday playground with Holly Jolly Hunt, an app-led scavenger hunt that sends teams hunting for seasonal items, performing silly challenges and competing on a live leaderboard. It’s a family-friendly way to explore ByWard Market, Parliament Hill and the Rideau Canal in about an hour.
A crisp winter morning in Ottawa—steam rising from a cafe window, the Rideau Canal glittering like a ribbon of glass—sets the stage for a different kind of city tour. The Holly Jolly Hunt drops players into streets and squares with a smartphone as their map, asking teams to find holiday motifs, complete silly seasonal challenges and photograph discoveries for points on a live leaderboard.
Verified experiences and guided adventures in the surrounding area.
Operated by Holly Jolly Hunt - Holiday Scavenger Hunt · Ottawa, Ontario
A crisp winter morning in Ottawa—steam rising from a cafe window, the Rideau Canal glittering like a ribbon of glass—sets the stage for a different kind of city tour. The Holly Jolly Hunt drops players into streets and squares with a smartphone as their map, asking teams to find holiday motifs, complete silly seasonal challenges and photograph discoveries for points on a live leaderboard.
The route threads through the capital’s civic heart: markets that hum with vendors, the broad steps by Parliament, and canals that freeze into a public rink. Ottawa’s history—the Rideau Canal built for defense and now a UNESCO winter attraction—gives context to checkpoints that may highlight architectural details, public art or local holiday traditions. Cultural touches, from francophone storefronts in ByWard Market to local craft displays, shape the scavenger hunt’s prompts.
Expect easy-paced walking on city sidewalks and plazas; the game is designed for families, friend groups and office teams rather than serious hikers. Practical guidance: bring a fully charged smartphone, a portable charger, and weather-appropriate footwear; dress in layers, as the wind off the canal pushes a sharper edge. The app includes a remote guide via text for one hour and records scores centrally, so teams can focus on creativity and speed rather than navigation.
Play anytime in daylight hours for best photo quality and accessibility. The format supports private bookings and is stroller- and transit-friendly—ideal for visitors staying in central Ottawa who want an active, festive half-hour to 90-minute experience that mixes exploration, light competition, and seasonal cheer.
easy.
1 hour.
Light walking; suitable for most fitness levels, including children and older adults
The standard session is one hour; teams can often play longer informally, but the guided portion and leaderboard scoring run for the booked hour.
Yes—organizers list the hunt as suitable for all ages and stroller accessible, with mostly flat city sidewalks.
Booking is per team (one ticket per booking) and the app-based format supports group play under a single reservation.
Full refunds are available if you cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled start time; no refund within 24 hours.
Ottawa developed as Canada’s capital in the 19th century; the Rideau Canal (completed 1832) connects the city’s waterways and plays a central role in seasonal recreation.
Stick to public spaces, avoid private property for photos, and carry out any litter—small groups help reduce impact in busy festive areas.
Holly Jolly Hunt - Holiday Scavenger Hunt operates guided outdoor trips and adventures with an emphasis on safety, stewardship, and memorable experiences.
A crisp winter morning in Ottawa—steam rising from a cafe window, the Rideau Canal glittering like a ribbon of glass—sets the stage for a different kind of city tour. The Holly Jolly Hunt drops players into streets and squares with a smartphone as their map, asking teams to find holiday motifs, complete silly seasonal challenges and photograph discoveries for points on a live leaderboard.
A crisp winter morning in Ottawa—steam rising from a cafe window, the Rideau Canal glittering like a ribbon of glass—sets the stage for a different kind of city tour. The Holly Jolly Hunt drops players into streets and squares with a smartphone as their map, asking teams to find holiday motifs, complete silly seasonal challenges and photograph discoveries for points on a live leaderboard.
The route threads through the capital’s civic heart: markets that hum with vendors, the broad steps by Parliament, and canals that freeze into a public rink. Ottawa’s history—the Rideau Canal built for defense and now a UNESCO winter attraction—gives context to checkpoints that may highlight architectural details, public art or local holiday traditions. Cultural touches, from francophone storefronts in ByWard Market to local craft displays, shape the scavenger hunt’s prompts.
Expect easy-paced walking on city sidewalks and plazas; the game is designed for families, friend groups and office teams rather than serious hikers. Practical guidance: bring a fully charged smartphone, a portable charger, and weather-appropriate footwear; dress in layers, as the wind off the canal pushes a sharper edge. The app includes a remote guide via text for one hour and records scores centrally, so teams can focus on creativity and speed rather than navigation.
Play anytime in daylight hours for best photo quality and accessibility. The format supports private bookings and is stroller- and transit-friendly—ideal for visitors staying in central Ottawa who want an active, festive half-hour to 90-minute experience that mixes exploration, light competition, and seasonal cheer.