In fact, the heart of the all-star celebrations will be far away from Senators’ home rink in Kanata, and will mostly take place around the Rideau Canal, the Ottawa Convention Centre and ByWard Market.
Here’s a guide to some of the places you can go and things you can do to join the party

THE BAR SCENE

GREAT CANADIAN CABIN

95 York St.
Sirius XM Canada will be hosting an intimate concert featuring performances by Canadian rockers the Sheepdogs and Young Rivals on Friday starting Friday at 8 p.m.

HEART & CROWN

67 Clarence St.
With five pubs and plenty of TV screens under one roof, there’s no need to miss any of the All-Star action.

PUB 101

101 York St.
It’s downtown Ottawa’s go-to place to check out just about any sports event, and will be hopping during All-Star Weekend.

MACLAREN’S

301 Elgin St.
MacLaren’s is always giving away free Senators tickets, and this weekend will be no exception. Swing by to get a chance to win your own set.

ST. LOUIS WINGS & RIBS

399 Elgin St.
The small bar has been stocking up on prizes — expect lots of weekend giveaways.

CRAZY HORSE

115 Roland Michener Dr.
The restaurant is not only a Kanata favourite, it’s frequented by Senators players year around. The band Cherry Suede will be playing there all weekend — as will all of the All-Star events on the big screen TVs.

RIDEAU CANAL

The world’s longest skating rink, suitably, will be the centre of many All-Star Weekend activities.

OPENING CEREMONIES

Thursday, 2:30 p.m.

All-star weekend kicks off with the Stanley Cup and several other of the league’s most prestigious trophies, including the Hart, travelling along the canal by sleigh. The public is encouraged to skate along with the procession, which begins at Waverly Street and ends at the Ottawa Convention Centre, where the trophies will be on display at Fan Fair.
Did you know? The last time the Stanley Cup was on the Rideau Canal was in 1905, when Harvey Pulford, a member of the Ottawa Silver Seven, drop-kicked the trophy into the water after some late-night partying.

ENERGIZER NIGHT SKATE

Friday, 7 p.m.

Participants will don headlamps as they skate a five-km route along the canal, with proceeds from the $20 (adults) and $15 (children under 12) registration fee going to the Sens Foundation’s plan to build 19 outdoor rinks in Ottawa. The event begins and ends at Waverly Street. Organizers are expecting more than 2,500 skaters for what they hope will become an annual event.

Did you know? Many NHL all-stars, including Jason Spezza, will play shinny over the next few days with friends on one of Ottawa’s outdoor rinks.

JUNIOR SKILLS COMPETITION

Saturday, 9 a.m.-noon

Canadian Tire’s national skills competition for players seven to 12 years old — they are being flown in from around the country — takes place between Rideau Street and the Mackenzie King Bridge.
Did you know? Chicago Blackhawks captain — and NHL All-Star — Jonathan Toews helped co-found the Canadian Tire Hockey School, which runs the junior skills competition.

CASINO DU LAC-LEAMY

1 Blvd. du Casino, Gatineau

FANTASY DRAFT

Thursday, 8 to 9:30 p.m.

Back for its second year, the All-Star Game draft — two pre-selected captains will choose lineups like kids on an outdoor rink — will be a glitzy affair at the casino. This is a great opportunity to see NHL stars up close as they walk into the event.
Did you know? Last year, Toronto Maple Leafs’ Phil Kessel was picked last in the draft. But he got a decent consolation prize — a new car, and a $20,000 donation to a charity of his choice.

 OTTAWA CONVENTION CENTRE

55 Colonel By Dr.

NHL FAN FAIR

Thursday, 3-10 p.m., Friday, 10 a.m.-10 p.m., Saturday, 10 a.m.-6 p.m.

All three floors of Ottawa’s grand new convention centre will be transformed into a giant hockey theme park. The actual time of player appearances for autographs sessions is still being worked out, but here’s a look at some of activities lined up for Fan Fair:

• Pose with the Stanley Cup as well as other NHL trophies;
• Meet former NHL stars at autograph signings;
• Take photos of your favourite NHL team mascot;
• Collect and trade hockey memorabilia and cards;
• Learn more about the history of the game at 30 exhibits;
• Test your shot accuracy and other hockey skills at one of the interactive attractions

 SCOTIABANK PLACE

1000 Palladium Dr.

NHL SKILLS COMPETITION

Saturday, 7 p.m.

The league’s best show off their skating, puck-handling and shooting skills. The event is sold out, but will be shown on CBC-TV.
Did you know? At this year’s Senators skills competition, Colin Greening (who will also take part in Saturday’s event) set a team record in the fastest skating competition with a time of 13.343 seconds. That gives him a good shot at winning Saturday — last year’s top time was Islanders winger Michael Grabner’s 14.238 seconds.

ALL-STAR GAME

Sunday, 4 p.m.

The busy weekend wraps up with the big game itself, which will feature four Ottawa Senators: Daniel Alfredsson, Jason Spezza, Erik Karlsson and Milan Michalek.
Did you know? All-Star Weekend is expected to pump $30 million to $35 million into the local economy.