Fan activities surrounding the World Juniors in Ottawa

World Juniors kick off in Ottawa The world's top junior hockey players are in Ottawa. CTV's Dylan Dyson looks at the events surrounding the Christmas tournament.

The annual hockey tradition of the World Junior Hockey Championship has taken over Ottawa as the nation's capital hosts the international tournament.

Beyond the games at the Canadian Tire Centre and TD Place Arena is a festival of hockey fandom, with free family-friendly activities, watch parties and more. Doors open daily at 2 p.m. and close at 10 p.m.

"We wanted to make sure that whether or not you had a ticket to the World Juniors here in Ottawa, you had a chance to experience the excitement of it," says Khanh Be, Hockey Canada's Fan Fest lead.

The 2025 World Juniors Fan Fest takes place at the historic Aberdeen Pavilion at Lansdowne Park. You can find watch parties for Team Canada games, live music, a beer garden, a synthetic ice rink and street hockey mini rink, merch, virtual reality stations, games, prizes, and exhibits like the Hockey Hall of Fame.

"We had just about 10,000 people come through the doors on day one," said Be.

"We had a line up just at 2 p.m., and we walked up and walked everybody in. We're on track to do the same numbers, if not more, as the tournament goes on. We'll be looking to have hopefully over 100,000 people come through the doors on the course of the event."

Friday's schedule included free skates, live music by The Vanduras and a Canada vs. Latvia watch party.

Nearby businesses are also scoring big during the tournament.

"It felt like a busy Saturday night, which is usual for us," said Blair Brassard, co-owner of the Glebe Central Pub, on the excitement see at the pub on day one of the tournament.

"We'll see about [Friday's] games. It's not as big of an opponent to being Latvia (versus Canada). But I'm sure we're still going to have a lot of people interested in watching it. I know that we've already got our busses full for the American game."

The Glebe Central Pub is running a shuttle service out to the Canadian Tire Centre during the World Juniors, providing a start and end point for fans to enjoy the games.

"We really find it's a massive boost to us when it comes to any sporting event that goes on at Lansdowne," says Brassard.

"A lot of people are watching half of the games there and then after the game, they're coming back here and watching as well. So, we've created a good atmosphere where everybody can watch the games."

On Saturday at Fan Fest, you can see the Stanley Cup from 2 to 10 p.m. There will be free skates from 4 to 5 p.m. and from 7:30 to 9:30 p.m., and live music by JW Jones from 7:30 to 8:30 p.m. Sunday's free skates are from 2 to 3 p.m., 5 to 6:30 p.m., and 8:30 to 9:30 p.m. Jon Deck is providing live music from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. and the Canada vs. Germany watch party begins at 7:30 p.m. Monday has a Mascot Jamboree from 4 to 6 p.m., free skates from 4 to 5 p.m. and from 8:30 to 9:30 p.m. and live music by OK Naledi from 6 to 7 p.m.

While Fan Fest will be closed on New Year's Day, the party is extended to midnight New Year's Eve, with free skates, the Canada vs. USA watch party and fireworks to ring in 2025.

There will be watch parties for all quarterfinal, semifinal, and medal games Jan. 2, 4, and 5, respectively. On Thursday, you can meet and greet with Ottawa Charge stars like Danielle Serdachny, Rebecca Leslie, Stephanie Markowski, Hayley Scamurra, Mannon McMahon, Sam Isbell, Alexa Vasko, and Taylor House from 5 to 7 p.m.

Parking is limited, but there is a free shuttle service from Carleton University to Lansdowne Park and travel on OC Transpo is free for World Juniors ticketholders and volunteers. OC Transpo routes 6 and 7 travel directly to Lansdowne Park.

Fans are encouraged to bring gently used sports equipment, non-perishable food items, and e-waste (any discarded device that has a battery or plug) to the Aberdeen Pavilion at Lansdowne Park. Donations are being accepted during all open Fan Fest hours.

--With files from CTV News Ottawa's Dylan Dyson