Holiday Scavenger Hunt in Ottawa by Holly Jolly Hunt

Exploring Ottawa During the Holidays with Holly Jolly Hunt

If you’re looking for a novel way to enjoy Ottawa’s holiday charm, the Holly Jolly Hunt offers a playful, interactive experience you can tailor to your schedule. This app-based scavenger hunt turns the city into a festive playground, inviting you to hunt for holiday-themed items, complete silly challenges, and compete on a global leaderboard—all in just about an hour. It’s a fresh twist on traditional sightseeing, blending urban exploration with holiday cheer, making it an appealing activity for groups of family, friends, or colleagues.

What makes this experience stand out? First, the flexibility to play anywhere in Ottawa allows you to soak in the city’s seasonal atmosphere on your own terms. Second, the combination of photo challenges and humorous tasks ensures plenty of laughs and memorable moments. However, one potential consideration is that you’ll need a smartphone with internet access, and private transportation isn’t included, so planning your route is key. This activity is particularly suited for those who enjoy lighthearted fun, want to add a bit of friendly competition to their holiday outing, and are comfortable navigating the city with a mobile device.

Key Points
– Flexible Location: Play anywhere in Ottawa, making it easy to customize your holiday outing.
– Cost-Effective: At just over $20 per group, it offers great value for a unique experience.
– Inclusive Fun: Suitable for all ages, from kids to adults, with challenges designed to generate laughter.
– Virtual Guide: A remote guide via text enhances the experience without added complexity.
– Duration: A quick 1-hour activity, perfect for fitting into a busy holiday schedule.
– Limited Equipment Needs: Just your smartphone—no extra gear required.

A Practical Look at the Holly Jolly Hunt Experience

The Holly Jolly Hunt is an app-driven scavenger hunt designed to bring holiday cheer to any corner of Ottawa. For a modest fee of $20.44 per group (up to 10 people), you gain access to a lively, interactive activity lasting approximately one hour. It’s a perfect quick diversion during the busy holiday season, especially if you’re looking to add a touch of playful competition to your sightseeing.

You’ll start at 100 Elgin St, in the heart of Ottawa’s downtown. From there, the hunt is entirely self-directed, with the app providing the clues, challenges, and prompts. Think of it as a treasure hunt where the city’s streets and landmarks become your playground. The activity includes all fees and taxes, so no surprises there, and you get a remote guide via text message, providing support throughout the adventure. This means you can focus on having fun rather than managing logistics, which is a definite perk.

What the Tour Entails: The Itinerary in Detail

The beauty of this activity is that it’s designed to be flexible—you decide where to go, how long to linger, and what to see. The app prompts you to hunt for traditional holiday items like ornaments, wreaths, or Santa hats, but also encourages you to seek out not-so-traditional items that add a personalized twist. As you search, you’ll take photos through the app to earn points, turning your smartphone into both a camera and a scoring device.

Along the way, you’ll be asked to perform silly holiday tasks that are meant to induce laughter and camaraderie. These might include-—though not explicitly detailed in the info—posing with a holiday display, singing a seasonal tune, or acting out a Christmas card scene. Participants have found this to be a highlight, as one reviewer noted, “We loved the way it brought out the silly side of everyone.”

The goal is to collect as many items as possible within the hour, competing against other teams on a leaderboard. After completing your hunt, you’ll return to the starting point, where your scores are tallied. The competitive aspect adds a layer of excitement, but the real reward is the lasting holiday memories and the shared laughter.

The Practicalities: Logistics and Considerations

The activity is designed to be easy to participate in. Since it’s private and only your group is involved, it’s flexible for small family outings, friend groups, or even coworkers looking for a festive team-building activity. The meeting point is at a convenient central location—Elgin Street, which is near public transportation options—making it accessible for most travelers.

Timing-wise, the activity is available from November 29 to December 31 in both 2025 and 2026, during regular business hours from 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM. This generous window allows you to plan your hunt when it best fits your schedule. Since no transportation is included, you’ll want to plan your route to make the most of your hour, perhaps combining it with other sightseeing or holiday activities in Ottawa.

While the cost is quite reasonable, bear in mind you’ll need your own smartphone with internet access to participate. No additional transportation is included, so if you’re staying farther from the start point, consider your transit options. The activity is suitable for most travelers, including those with service animals, and it’s designed to be accessible and straightforward.

The Value of Holly Jolly Hunt

In terms of value, this scavenger hunt provides an affordable and engaging way to experience Ottawa’s holiday spirit. For just over twenty dollars, you and your group get a guided, curated experience that combines sightseeing, holiday fun, and a bit of friendly competition—all within an hour. It’s a great way to break the ice with fellow travelers, create shared memories, and see the city from a playful perspective.

Many who have tried the Holly Jolly Hunt report that it brings joy and laughter, with comments like “you will create holiday memories that you will not forget.” It’s especially good for those who enjoy a casual, interactive activity that isn’t overly strenuous or time-consuming, making it perfect for families with kids or groups of friends wanting a break from traditional touring.

Who Should Consider This?

This experience suits travelers looking for a lighthearted holiday activity with a flexible schedule. It’s ideal for families, groups of friends, or coworkers wanting a fun team-building event. If you’re into scavenger hunts or enjoy exploring cities in a playful way, Holly Jolly Hunt offers a memorable twist on your typical sightseeing tour.

However, if you prefer in-depth historical or cultural tours, or if you require guided commentary, this may not be the best fit. It’s more about interactive fun than detailed education. Also, those who don’t want to rely on their smartphones or have limited access to mobile data might find it less suitable.

Final Thoughts

The Holly Jolly Hunt in Ottawa offers a refreshingly simple, fun, and affordable way to get into the holiday spirit. Its self-guided, app-based format means you can set your own pace and choose your own route, making it a flexible activity for all kinds of travelers. With the added bonus of silly challenges and photo opportunities, it’s bound to generate smiles and create memorable moments.

For families, groups of friends, or colleagues looking to inject some holiday cheer into their visit, this scavenger hunt can be a highlight of your Ottawa trip. Its convenience, affordability, and cheerful spirit make it a worthwhile addition to your holiday itinerary—especially if you enjoy a bit of friendly competition and playful exploration.

FAQ

Do I need a special app to participate?
Yes, the Holly Jolly Hunt is run through an app you download on your smartphone. All activities, clues, and challenges are delivered via this app.

What equipment do I need?
Just your smartphone with internet access. The activity includes taking photos through the app, so a good camera function is helpful.

Is transportation included?
No, private transportation isn’t included. You’ll need to plan how you’ll get to and from the starting point at Elgin Street, and map out the route if you want to maximize your time.

Can I do this activity with young children or seniors?
Yes, it’s designed to be inclusive and fun for all ages. The challenges are meant to be silly and engaging, suitable for families and groups of all ages.

What if I want to cancel?
You can cancel free of charge up to 24 hours before the activity for a full refund. Cancellations within 24 hours are not refundable.

How long does the activity last?
Around one hour, making it a quick and festive activity that can fit into a busy holiday schedule.

To sum it up, the Holly Jolly Hunt provides a practical, joyful way to experience Ottawa during the festive season. It’s a budget-friendly, interactive activity that turns sightseeing into a game, perfect for those who appreciate fun, humor, and a bit of friendly competition. Whether you’re a local looking for a new holiday tradition or a visitor wanting a memorable, family-friendly experience, this scavenger hunt can be a delightful addition to your Ottawa holiday plans.