Free Events in Ottawa

Atlético Ottawa vs. Pacific FC

Ottawa Rapid FC vs. Roses de Montréal FC

Celebrating Valour: Film Screening & Panel Conversation

Join Us on September 9, 2026 for Celebrating Valour: Film Screening & Panel Conversation Presented in partnership with T…

Smile On Us! – Free Dentistry Day

Kemptville: 115 Sanders St. Kanata: 650 Kanata Avenue, Unit K4 (Kanata Centrum) Carleton Place: 6 Costello Drive A denta…

Honouring Soldiers of Suicide

United together to honour soldiers of suicide See the faces of the unremembered in this sunset ceremony at the National…

The White Lotus Society – COCKTAIL CLASS | September 12

Inspired by the hit series The White Lotus, this interactive cocktail class takes guests on a journey through three icon…

Living Library – Bytown 200

Beechwood’s Annual Living Library – Bytown 200Join us at Beechwood Cemetery for the Annual Historical Tour, a unique eve…

Visite guidée de la partie ouest du cimetière de Beechwood

Inscrivez-vous ici ! Se promener dans la partie ouest du Cimetière Beechwood, c’est comme se promener dans l’histoire de…

Matinee Café: Wild Remedy

Join us for an afternoon of entertainment and delicious treats with Wild Remedy, a trio of Ottawa-born musicians with a…

Powwow Life-Drawing

Come join us for this two-hour life-drawing session where you can capture the dynamic beauty of powwow dances and their…

Matinée Café: Wild Remedy

Join us for an afternoon of entertainment and delicious treats with Wild Remedy, a trio of Ottawa-born musicians with a…

Cold War Speaker Series 2026

We invite you to join us virtually this fall to hear from experts about a variety of relevant Cold War themes and events…

Positive World @ MEND: A Plasticscapes Event

A free MEND night inside the Plasticscapes installation at St. Albans Church, opening the Culture Days run.

Studio Rat: Plasticscapes

An inflated structure built from foraged plastics fills St. Albans Church for Culture Days, open over six evenings with…

Kanata Farmers Market + Live Music + Petting Farm | Septembe…

Where fresh finds, friendly faces, and local vibes come together. This time the fun is double! The market will host a Pe…

Inflating Waste: Plastic Crafting with Studio Rat

A free hands-on workshop with Studio Rat, turning foraged plastic into craft inside the Plasticscapes installation.

The Historical Society of Ottawa presents: "20th century Can…

Laurence Wall looks back at the great events of the last century that radio helped bring to life.Laurence is a retired C…

Taste of Wellington

A free street festival along Wellington West in Hintonburg and Wellington Village, with donation-based tastings supporti…

Plantains & Caviar @ MEND: A Plasticscapes Event

A free late-night MEND session inside the Plasticscapes installation at St. Albans Church.

Capital Pop-Up Cinema Presents a Timeless Tale: Jumanji

​Experience a unique cultural event in the beautiful green space of Beechwood Cemetery, Canada’s only national cemetery.…

Annual Police and Peace Officers Memorial at the RCMP Nation…

Date: Sunday, September 20, 2025 Time: 10:45 a.m. Location: RCMP National Memorial Cemetery at Beechwood, 280 Beechwood…

Atlético Ottawa vs. FC Supra du Québec

Ottawa Rapid FC vs. Calgary Wild FC

The Death Dialogues: Non-Traditional Losses or Living Loss…

Join us on Tuesday, September 22 at 6:30 p.m. at the Beechwood National Memorial Centre for a thoughtful evening explori…

Ottawa Wildflower Seed Library Workshops

Session 4: “Collecting and Storing your Native Plant Seeds”Welcome to the final workshop in the 4-part "Ottawa Wildflowe…

Speaker Series | Allied Intelligence Networks in the Early C…

We invite you to join us for the Diefenbunker’s 2026 Cold War Speaker Series! In this series of free events, hear from e…

Fortress @ MEND: A Plasticscapes Event

A free MEND night with Fortress inside the Plasticscapes installation at St. Albans Church.

25 fois Franco, 25 fois les Jeux

Join us for a grand celebration of the Francophonie as we mark both Franco-Ontarian Day and the 25th anniversary of the…

Post-show Dance Party: Traditional music and dance with La D…

NAC Dance invites you to a traditional dance party in the Canal Foyer, designed to enhance your experience of the show M…

Ottawa 200+ Bytown Together

The Bytown Museum is proud to help shape Ottawa’s bicentennial year in collaboration with the City of Ottawa and partner…

REDBLACKS vs Calgary Stampeders

Body Talk @ MEND: A Plasticscapes Event

A free closing MEND night with Body Talk inside the Plasticscapes installation at St. Albans Church.

Nuit Blanche Ottawa-Gatineau 2026

Nuit Blanche is coming to the ByWard Market District as part of Ottawa’s 200th anniversary celebrations! For one unforge…

National Military Cemetery Clean-Up 2026

Join us at the National Military Cemetery for a day of service and community. We invite all members of the community, se…

Reconciliation Through Art

Four days of Indigenous art, music, food, and teachings in Almonte for the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation, fr…

Atlético Ottawa vs. Cavalry FC

REDBLACKS vs Hamilton Tiger-Cats

Right to Food Day Block Party

Enjoy free food, music, kids activities, engage with PFC and our community partners about food security, and above all H…

Bingo Royal

Capital Pop-Up Cinema Presents a Timeless Tale: The Mummy’s…

Join us for our season finale with a unique collaboration with Ottawa Chamberfest! This one-of-a-kind event offers a lif…

Metric with Broken Social Scene & Stars

Canadian Indie Icons Announce All the Feelings Tour Longtime friends and acclaimed Canadian indie bands Metric, Broken S…

Queen: It's a Kinda Magic

Are you ready to rock?! Direct from Australia, the hit tribute returns to Canada in 2026—bigger, better and louder than…

Heartbroken & Bootleg Creedence

BOOTLEG CREEDENCE - Canada's Premier Tribute CCR! Presents the timeless sounds of Creedence Clearwater Revival and John…

Matinee Café: Silk Road Diaries

Sit back and get ready to be taken on a magical, musical journey from China via India and to Italy. Musicians Ran Wang (…

Powwow Life-Drawing

Come join us for this two-hour life-drawing session where you can capture the dynamic beauty of powwow dances and their…

Matinée Café: Silk Road Diaries

Sit back and get ready to be taken on a magical, musical journey from China via India and to Italy. Musicians Ran Wang (…

REDBLACKS vs Toronto Argonauts

The National Women’s Show

Grab your besties, it’s time for the ultimate girls’ day out at the National Women’s Show! Shop, sip, sample, and discov…

Atlético Ottawa vs. Forge FC

Ottawa Rapid FC vs. Vancouver Rise FC

Mamatinées

It’s basically a mother-and-baby fair, where local businesses showcase how they meet the needs of both current and futur…

Cold War Speaker Series 2026

We invite you to join us virtually this fall to hear from experts about a variety of relevant Cold War themes and events…

JImmy Carr: Laughs Funny Tour

National Day of Tribute – Service Day of Landscape Ontario H…

Ottawa Chapter – Day of Tribute Friday, October 23, 2025 | 7:30 AM – 11:00 AM Tank at Beechwood Cemetery | 280 Beechwood…

Spectrasonic Presents: Skrizzly Adams

with special guest Braden Foulkes All Ages/Licensed 19+ - bar service with photo ID Presented with the support of Ontari…

Capital Region Writers Group: Write-In

Join your fellow writers to get excited for Capital Region Writers' marathon month in November! Build emergency plot kit…

Toddlers’ Halloween Hunt 2026

Our annual Toddlers’ Halloween Hunt is back! Bring your little ones for a day of fun to get into the Halloween spirit. C…

The Psychology of Cults

## “The chilling truths behind cult indoctrination, brainwashing, and survival.” From the same people who brought you Th…

No Stone Left Alone at National Military Cemetery 2026

Join Us for the 9th Annual No Stone Left Alone Ceremony On Tuesday, November 3, 2026, at 10:30 a.m., the National Milita…

Matinee Café: Grey Jazz Big Band – A Concert to Remember

In honour of Remembrance Day, Meridian Theatres @ Centrepointe hosts an intimate, afternoon performance featuring the so…

Powwow Life-Drawing

Come join us for this two-hour life-drawing session where you can capture the dynamic beauty of powwow dances and their…

Matinée Café: A Concert To Remember With Grey Jazz Big Band

For this Remembrance Day, the Shenkman Arts Centre hosts an intimate, afternoon performance featuring the sounds of the…

Veterans’ Week at the Diefenbunker 2026

The Diefenbunker was an active military base for 32 years throughout the Cold War. We invite you to learn why we remembe…

CSIS National Memorial Cemetery Remembrance Ceremony

The Pillar Society proudly continues its tradition of remembrance at the CSIS National Memorial Cemetery, honouring all…

No Stone Left Alone – NCR Girl Guides Ceremony 2026

Each year, the Girl Guides of Canada play a meaningful role in remembrance through the No Stone Left Alone Ceremony, hon…

RCMP Annual Veterans’ Week Memorial Service and Commemoratio…

You are invited to attend the RCMP Annual Veterans’ Week Memorial Service, organized by the RCMP Veterans Ottawa Divisio…

Amicitia France-Canada Remembrance Day Ceremony

Join us for a special commemorative ceremony honouring the soldiers who fell in battle and celebrating the enduring frie…

National Military Cemetery’s Annual Remembrance Day Service

All military members of the National Capital Region, along with their families and friends, are invited to attend the Re…

K-POP INFINITY TOUR

Cold War Speaker Series 2026

We invite you to join us virtually this fall to hear from experts about a variety of relevant Cold War themes and events…

Third Annual Lebanese-Canadian Military Remembrance Ceremony

Join us during Lebanese Heritage Month as we gather to honour the bravery, sacrifice and enduring contributions of Leban…

The Historical Society of Ottawa Presents Songs of Old Bytow…

Celebrate the 200th by singing traditional folk songs of the Ottawa Valley Sunday, November 22, 2026 1:30 to 3:00 pm Bee…

Orléans Holiday Arts Market

Celebrate the festive season the Orléans way. From the Heart of Orléans, unique gift ideas are brought to you by creativ…

Powwow Life-Drawing

Come join us for this two-hour life-drawing session where you can capture the dynamic beauty of powwow dances and their…

Matinee Café: Quatuor Despax

Four musical siblings make up Quatuor Despax and regularly perform concerts in Canada's national capital and Outaouais r…

Matinée Café: Quatuor Despax

Four musical siblings make up the Quatuor Despax and regularly perform concerts in Canada's national capital and in the…

O Christmas Tea: A British Comedy

**Fans of Monty Python, Mr. Bean, and Dr. Seuss… Grab your teacups!** Combining British propriety with an unabashed love…

Young Adult Reading Challenge 2026 / Défi de lecture pour ad…

For ages 13-18. This year, we challenge you to read 1 book a month. Pick up your Young Adult Reading Challenge 2026 shee…

Lord of the Rings: Return of the King

Céleste Lévis - Si.elle

A new chapter. A voice asserting itself. With Si.elle, her fifth album, released in winter 2026, Céleste Lévis is back o…

Dutch Remembrance Ceremony 2027

Join Us for the Dutch Remembrance Ceremony on May 4, 2026 Date: Monday, May 4, 2027 1:30 PM to 3:00 pmLocation: National…

Day of Remembrance and Victory over Nazism in World War II C…

Join us on May 8th 2027 at 1030 hrs for a Remembrance and Wreath laying ceremony at the National Military Cemetery. We w…

RCMP Veterans’ Association, Ottawa Division Annual Commemora…

Join Us for the 154th Anniversary of the Founding of the North-West Mounted Police and the Royal Canadian Mounted Police…

Veterans National Memorial Remembrance Ceremony

Veterans National Memorial Remembrance Ceremony The Veterans National Memorial Remembrance Ceremony brings together Vete…

Third Annual Under the Maple Leaf – Respecting the Canadian…

Join Us for the Third Annual Under the Maple Leaf – Respecting the Canadian Flag Ceremony Wednesday, June 9, 2027 | 7:00…

33 Combat Engineer Regiment Commemorative Ceremony

Saturday, June 19, 2027 | 10:30 a.m. Section 27, Beechwood Cemetery – Canada’s National Cemetery Join the members of the…

EEPMON

Come to the Jackson Café to discover two large murals, featuring the digital artwork of Eric Chan (aka eepmon)! In Futur…

Trivia Tuesdays at The Barley Mow

Test your knowledge every Tuesday night at The Barley Mow! Grab your smartest friends (or the funniest ones) for trivia…

Toddler Tuesdays at National Arts Centre

Interactive performing arts program for children aged 18 months - 5 years. Singing, dancing, games, story time and creat…

Hard Rock Cafe Ottawa Live Performances

Every Friday and Saturday evening Hard Rock Cafe has FREE live concerts starting at 9:30PM

613 Flea Market at Aberdeen Pavilion

Ottawa's largest indoor vintage and artisan market featuring 150 vendors offering antiques, vintage clothing, handmade g…

Art n Tell – Monthly Artist Showcase

Monthly open mic for visual and performing artists of all disciplines and skill levels to showcase their work in a suppo…

Threshold

Created by Ottawa-based artist Jennifer Macklem with studio assistance from Faezeh Maleki, these three large dragonfly w…

Diatom Rose Window

In this work, Ottawa-based artist Jennifer Macklem draws inspiration from an enlarged image of a diatom – microscopic je…

Canadian War Museum - Free Thursday Evenings

Free museum admission every Thursday evening with special exhibitions on Canadian military history. Reservations require…

Faith Fyles: In Full Bloom

Faith Fyles’s pioneering career as both a botanist and artist is brought into conversation with contemporary women artis…

What’s in a Frame? 200+ Years of Community Portraits

Our upcoming temporary exhibition, What’s in a Frame? 200+ Years of Community Portraits, officially launches on May 15th…

Thirsty Thursdays

Flightpaths: Initiations

This interactive artwork encourages visitors to handle, move, and stack magnetic shapes – moths, butterflies and childre…

Drag the Archive: Photographs of Queer Gender Performance

A collaborative exhibition showcasing the life and work of drag performer Paul "Peaches Latour" Fournier and queer right…

Sàgàbigonì

This banner combines detailed images from artist Stephanie Tenasco’s beaded deer hide work Kìwàbandamogoban “he/she had…

Ottawa Farmers' Market

From the heart of the land to the heart of the city ? welcome to our Winter Farmers' Market season! Join 75+ local vendo…

Barrio del Sabor (Latin Dance Sundays)

A free weekly Latin dance night at Barrio Ottawa with a beginner/intermediate lesson at 7:00 PM and a social dance party…

English Conversation Group / Groupe de conversation en angla…

Join our free English Conversation Group to practice speaking in English in a relaxed and friendly environment. All leve…

Stittsville Cozy Crafters

Got a portable craft project? Bring it along and chat with some fellow crafters while you work! Share your expertise if…

Write With Us!

The Writers Collective of Canada (WCC) and the Orléans Branch invite you to join us for our writing workshops: Write Wit…

1 on 1 with the Western Ottawa Community Resource Centre: As…

Come meet 1 on 1 with Social Prescriber Maddie from the Western Ottawa Community Resource Centre (WOCRC). A social presc…

confinement (2024-2025)

This exhibition explores the artist’s experience under the shadows of the pandemic. During her almost daily walks, Roxan…

Employment Support

Are you looking for work? Unemployed or underemployed? Drop-in to meet one-on-one with an Employment Counsellor from the…

Fibre Fridays | Vendredis en bouts de laine

Bring your knitting or crochet project (or needlepoint, cross-stitch, etc) and share tips and tricks, ideas and conversa…

1 on 1 with the Western Ottawa Community Resource Centre: As…

Come meet 1 on 1 with Social Prescriber Maddie from the Western Ottawa Community Resource Centre (WOCRC). A social presc…

613flea

Don?t miss the ever-changing marketplace that features eclectic goods, handmade, antiques, vintage clothing, great foods…

Groupe de conversation en français | French Conversation Gro…

Pratiquez votre français dans un milieu décontracté et amical.Practice your French conversation skills in a relaxed and…

Capital Region Writers Group: Write-In

You’re invited to join the CRWG for a “Write-in”: dedicated work time where you can thrive in the camaraderie of working…

Employment Support

Are you looking for work? Unemployed or underemployed?Drop-in to meet one-on-one with an Employment Counsellor from the…

Memory Café

**Please note that the Monday, January 5th session is cancelled. We apologize for any inconvenience.** An open house for…

An Afternoon of Fun and Games for Adults! Une après-midi de…

Do you love board games? Cards? Chess? Any game goes! We will provide an assortment of games, but you're welcome to brin…

Orléans Writing Group

Get feedback on your writing (any genre)and ideas from the group. Hear the work of other writers and offer your feedback…

Genealogy Drop-In

Want to learn more about your family history or getting stuck working on your family tree? Drop-in to work on your famil…

Homework Help / Aide aux devoirs

Come and get help with reading, math, science, French, English, etc. Led by United for Literacy volunteers. For students…

Groupe de conversation en français / French Conversation Gro…

Participez notre groupe de conversation, dans une ambiance amicale et décontractée, afin d'améliorer vos habiletés con…

1 on 1 with the Western Ottawa Community Resource Centre: As…

Come meet 1 on 1 with Social Prescriber Maddie from the Western Ottawa Community Resource Centre (WOCRC). A social presc…

Knit & Knatter

Bring your knitting or crochet and meet fellow enthusiasts at the Sunnyside branch. Knitters of all abilities are welcom…

Knitting and Crochet Club / Groupe de tricot et crochet

Bring your knitting or crochet project and share advice, ideas and conversations with fellow enthusiasts. For adults of…

Reading Group #1

Share the enjoyment of good books in a relaxed atmosphere! Drop-in. Sept-June.1st Wednesday of the month. (Some exceptio…

The Great Yarn Club of Manotick

Join us at yarn club!Knitters, crocheters, needle workers, rug hookers – all are welcome to socialize with fellow yarn c…

Carp Book Club

Share the enjoyment of good books in a relaxed atmosphere. All are welcome! Drop-in program.This group meets the first T…

Employment Support Workshops

Are you looking for a job? Learn all the necessary skills to do so at the Elmvale Acres Branch of the Ottawa Public Libr…

Vernon Book Club

Everyone is welcome to join Vernon’s book club!Visit with your friends and neighbours to discuss great books.First Thurs…

Miniature Gaming

Interested in miniature gaming with toy soldiers? Join in to play science fiction, high fantasy and historical games. Pr…

Newcomer Support Drop-in

New to Canada? Looking for support with school, work, or your social life?Drop-in to meet with a settlement youth outrea…

Nepean Centrepointe Book Club

Come meet to enjoy and discuss a wide variety of books selected by book club members. All are welcome!Every second Thurs…

Orléans Book Chats

Share the enjoyment of good books in an informal and relaxed atmosphere. Second Thursday of every month. New members wel…

Wild Colour

Through nearly 200 specimens, audio stories, and immersive colour zones, Wild Colour reveals how living things use colou…

North Gloucester Book Club

Meet up with other book lovers in the neighborhood and chat about the monthly pick. See the book list below for links to…

Storytelling Open Mic

Storytelling Open Mic is a perfect place for newcomers to discover oral storytelling in a warm and supportive atmosphere…

CUAG Centretown / Mélanie Myers: Humidité Relative Humidity

May 25, 2026 - April 30, 2027 ## too much humidity is destructive ... yet too little humidity leads to cracked woodwork,…

Elmvale Acres Book Club

Meet up with fellow book enthusiasts for a discussion of the month's chosen book.February 23rd: Finding Edward by Sheila…

Stittsville Branch Afternoon Book Club

The Stittsville Branch Afternoon Book Club meet on the third Monday of most months and read a variety of fiction and non…

Eastern Tour of Beechwood Cemetery

The eastern half of Beechwood Cemetery is rich with cultural and military history. Participants will visit some of the c…

Club de lecture francophone de la Centrale

Joignez-vous nous pour des discussions conviviales propos de livres en français.Présentez-vous au bureau de consultati…

Happily Ever After Book Club

If you are a love story lover, join us each month for discussions on romance novels in a relaxed atmosphere! From enemie…

The Heart of Orléans Market

The Heart of Orléans Market is a vibrant, community-driven outdoor market that brings together local makers, farmers, ar…

Western Tour of Beechwood Cemetery

Sign up here! Walking through the western half of Beechwood Cemetery is like walking through the history of early Canada…

Timescapes

In the context of Ottawa’s bicentennial anniversary, and the large-scale environmental transformation that has occured o…

Taproom Trivia

Exercise your grey matter each and every Wednesday night. We know the poster says 6 pm but realistically we wait for eve…

Beading is Medicine

Rural Business Touchpoint

Chat with a City of Ottawa Rural Business Liaison to ask questions about your business ideas, plans and impediments.

Western Tour of Beechwood Cemetery

Sign up here! Walking through the western half of Beechwood Cemetery is like walking through the history of early Canada…

Centre 507 Outreach Team | Équipe d’intervention du Centre 5…

An outreach team from Centre 507 will be at Main (1st floor) every Monday from 10:30 AM to 3:00 PM.Harm Reduction Suppor…

Rural Business Touchpoint

Chat with a City of Ottawa Rural Business Liaison to ask questions about your business ideas, plans and impediments.

Eastern Tour of Beechwood Cemetery

Sign up here! The eastern half of Beechwood Cemetery is rich with cultural and military history. Participants will visit…

Game Café for Adults

Come play cards, roll the dice or play board games with us!

Purls of Wisdom Knitting Group

Join us at the Beaverbrook Branch for an evening of crafting. Bring your knitting, crochet, embroidery, felting and sewi…

ሀሌታ | Haleta: The Threshold of Being

Have you ever experienced a feeling so intensely, yet struggled to find the right word for it? The Amharic word Haleta o…

Western Tour of Beechwood Cemetery

Sign up here! Walking through the western half of Beechwood Cemetery is like walking through the history of early Canada…

Eastern Tour of Beechwood Cemetery

Sign up here! The eastern half of Beechwood Cemetery is rich with cultural and military history. Participants will visit…

Comedy at the Carleton (Open Mic)

A free stand-up open mic upstairs at The Carleton Tavern, weekly on Tuesdays from September 1. Local comics, cheap drink…

Frame by Frame: Animation in Ottawa

Shaped by artists, filmmakers, researchers and studios, animation in Ottawa has evolved through a dynamic exchange of cr…