ALMA @ ByWard Market Ottawa: The Complete Guide to Suites, Amenities, and Student Life
ALMA @ ByWard Market at 256 Rideau St, Ottawa offers fully furnished, all-inclusive student suites — studios, studio + den, and shared…
Building Updates
January in the ByWard Community! Just bundle up! It’ll be worth it.
January all about getting out, warming up, and staying connected. From gallery walks to comfort eats and winter sights, there’s plenty happening just outside your door.
Check out some of our ALMA-approved experiences below👇
Free Admission to National Art Gallery on Thursday’s
Dates: January 08 – March 26 2026
Time: 5:00 PM to 8:00 PM weekly on Thursday’s
Location: National Art Gallery
Details: Yup we said it! F-R-E-E! From 5 to 8 p.m. on Thursday nights, visitors to the National Gallery of Canada can enjoy seasonal refreshments and snacks while taking in music and the ambiance of art. Visitors will also have an opportunity to participate in free art-making activities and themed tours…Take advantage Alma squad..
Free Admission To Rink of Dreams
Dates: December – March 2026 (weather permitting)
Time: Enjoy free ice skating on a refrigerated ice surface 7 days a week from 9:00 PM to 11:00 pm.
Location: Ottawa City Hall, 110 Laurier Ave.
Details: They say the best things in life are free.. Clearly that’s true with the Rink of Dreams, which is a 12,500-square-foot refrigerated ice surface located right outside City Hall, the perfect place to experience Ottawa’s winter charm. If you’re skating at night, the rink is illuminated in glowing colours to make this experience as dreamy as the name suggests. Afterwards, grab a Beavertail and a hot chocolate to warm up.
U of G News
January is softly rolling out cozy, curated, feel-good experiences happening nearby.. Take a look and ease into the month.
🛍️ 613Flea Market Day
January 10
Start with a coffee stop → Planet Coffee — cozy, affordable, and right in the Market for an easy winter warm-up. Head to 613Flea Market → Aberdeen Pavilion (Lansdowne) to browse vintage finds, handmade goods, and local art with zero pressure to buy. Wrap things up with a late lunch → Shanghai Wonton Noodle for hot, comforting bowls that are filling, affordable, and perfect for January weather.
Chill, low-effort, and very Alma- approved.
❄️ Winterlude Evening Out
January 30
Start with a warm drink stop → Café Delice — cozy, low-key, and perfect for a hot coffee or tea before heading out into the cold. Then dive into Winterlude festivities to check out ice sculptures, winter lights, pop-ups, and classic downtown winter vibes. Wrap up the night with a cozy warm-up stop → The Clarendon Tavern — relaxed, close to the ByWard Market, and easy for a quick drink or bite before heading home.
Festive, walkable, and fully worth bundling up for.
Upcoming Events
Wowzers! Is this all for January??
We’re launching the new season with a delayed but not denied Slice Society: Pizza party this Friday, January 9 7:30 p.m, followed by the Coffee Club Pours + LIVE DJ Beats at 11:30 a.m. this Saturday, January 10, the perfect way to welcome our
froshers and ease into the weekend. Wellness is front and centre with UNLEASH: Boxing with Michael Farach for all squad levels, plus How to Adult (the Cool Way)—a hands-on, ALMA-fied meal prep workshop that makes real-life skills actually dope…& dare we say fun?
Art lovers can look forward to our moody by a local, yet iconic influencer in the form of a Candlelight Sip & Paint session later this month as we ease into the love month next…
REMEMBER TO REGISTER WITH YOUR ENTRATA APP
OR
USE THE SIGN UP SHEET LINK HERE
Wellness & Lifestyle
Prioritize Your Wellness.
January is all about leveling up your wellness in three ways.
We’re introducing our new Unleash Boxing series on Saturday’s at 4:30pm, bringing back the fan-favourite ALIGN WITH ALMA Pilates on Wednesday’s at 7:00pm, and keeping the energy going with Re:Set: Sculpt + Strength + HIIT raining sessions, with legendary Anthony — giving you multiple ways to move, strengthen, and reset.
REMEMBER TO REGISTER WITH YOUR ENTRATA APP
We’re excited to share that The Collective (B2 Floor) is now available to book for resident events 
Bookings open TODAY: Tuesday, January 6 through the resident portal on Entrata.
What you need to know:
- Availability: Monday–Sunday, 4:00 PM – 2:00 AM
- Booking window: Requests must be submitted at least 7 days in advance
- Space: Bookings will be for the full Collective space!
- Approval: All requests are subject to approval
Please note: booking requests submitted with less than 7 days’ notice cannot be accommodated.
We can’t wait to see how you bring your events to life @ The Collective.
Have more questions, that need answers?
Or need support with planning your next super cool event?
Feel free to reach out to our office team during operational hours.
Garbage Disposal
🚮 Keep ALMA Fresh & Clean!
- Please place all garbage directly into the garbage chute—don’t leave items behind in the chute rooms.
- Bring any oversized garbage and all cardboard down to the Garbage Room on the 2nd floor of the Rideau Tower.
Be in the Know!
Keep up-to-date with all the events and amenity updates by setting up alerts on your Entrata Resident Portal.
Main Door Access
Hold the door… but only for friends! 🚪 Let’s keep ALMA safe by making sure no strangers slip in behind you.
Have any questions?
Stop by and visit our front desk team!
