85 results found
Annual ceremony at the Celtic Cross monument honouring Irish immigrants who helped build the Rideau Canal, hosted by the Irish Society of the National Capital Region.
A romance book fair featuring over 70 authors, publishers, and vendors. Meet Canadian authors, discover new love stories, and explore a market for mature audiences.
Canada's national birthday celebration featuring live music, cultural performances, family activities, and spectacular fireworks across multiple downtown locations including Parliament Hill and LeBreton Flats.
North America's largest dragon boat festival featuring three days of racing on the Rideau River, live concerts, family activities, and local food vendors.
The world's largest free tulip festival featuring over 300,000 tulips blooming along the Rideau Canal, with fireworks finale and displays across the city.
14th annual multi-day music and community festival celebrating diverse cultures and languages with evening concerts and free daytime workshops and performances.
Week-long celebration featuring environmental events and activities designed to bring people together and take action for the planet. Offered in English and French.
Celebrate the 41st year of Ottawa's beloved sugar festival at Canada's only urban sugar shack, featuring maple taffy, live music, mini-farm, and lumberjack competitions.
Ottawa's St. Patrick's Day Parade returns to celebrate the Bicentennial of Bytown with a new route that frames the city's skyline.
Free museum admission every Thursday evening with special exhibitions on Canadian military history. Reservations required.
Free family activities and crafts about counterfeiting and bank note design during both Quebec and Ontario March Breaks. Interactive exhibits about money and economy.
Celebrate Ottawa's 200th anniversary with the theme 'Voices of a City,' featuring over 50 historical societies, museums, and heritage organizations at City Hall.
A free outdoor winter festival at the Governor General's residence featuring skating, live music, embassy activities, bonfires, hot chocolate, and tours of the State rooms.
Special evening events for teenagers and young adults at Snowflake Kingdom, featuring DJs, illuminated attractions, tube sliding, and retro winter vibes until 10 PM.
Watch world-class freestyle snowmobilers soar up to 40 feet in the air during this Winterlude weekend event in the heart of ByWard Market.
Experience a mini Pow Wow featuring Grand Entry, intertribals, invited drums, and dancers of many styles and ages in the Grand Hall.
Local and diverse DJs perform vibrant sets on Sparks Street during Winterlude. Pause, warm up, and dance along on festive Sparks Street!
Gatineau's winter wonderland featuring tube slides, snow mazes, obstacle courses, live performances, and family fun at Jacques-Cartier Park.
Experience ice sculptures, ice carving competitions, sound and light shows, fitness classes, and more at this official Winterlude site in downtown Ottawa.
Monthly open mic for visual and performing artists of all disciplines and skill levels to showcase their work in a supportive community setting.
Ottawa's largest indoor vintage and artisan market featuring 150 vendors offering antiques, vintage clothing, handmade goods, and one-of-a-kind finds.
Free public skating at Rideau Hall's refrigerated historic rink, established 1872. Restored heritage Winter Pavilion. Weather dependent, open through March 29.
Year-round pancake house and maple experience featuring sugar bush tours, two museums, maple products, and seasonal activities in Lanark County.
Skate on the world's largest skating rink – a 7.8 km stretch of the Rideau Canal, a UNESCO World Heritage Site in the heart of Ottawa.
Kick off the festive season with evergreen trees, dazzling decor, and holiday cheer at the annual Holiday Market!
3rd Annual Holiday Market featuring over 275 local vendors and artisans offering unique gifts, festive décor, food, drinks, and holiday magic inside lush tropical greenhouses.
The National Remembrance Day Ceremony honouring Canadian veterans and fallen soldiers, featuring dignitaries, two minutes of silence at 11 a.m., wreath-laying, and military flypast.
Free all-ages event featuring 100+ vendor tables with comics, collectibles, and unique novelties. Includes Ghostbusters and LEGO displays with family-friendly activities. Cosplay encouraged!
Free Doobie Brothers tribute performance on Halloween at Hard Rock Cafe. Doors open 7PM, show starts approximately 8PM. DJ until 1AM after show.
Interactive performing arts program for children aged 18 months - 5 years. Singing, dancing, games, story time and creative play with instructor Jesse Kahat.
Free LEGO Witch building event for kids! Build and take home your own LEGO Halloween creation while supplies last.
Free Queen tribute performance at Hard Rock Cafe. Doors open 7PM, show starts approximately 8PM. DJ until 1AM after show.
Come trick or treat with Mayor Mark Sutcliffe at Ottawa City Hall! Witches and reapers guard the entrance as visitors explore the shadowy halls and courtyard pumpkin patch.
Spooky afternoon of free treats, trick-or-treating, costume contest, and free pumpkin giveaway! Community resources available. Bring the whole family!
Westboro Village's annual trick-or-treating event with support from Real Canadian Superstore. Get extra use out of those costumes and fill your bag with treats from local shops!
Free John Mellencamp tribute performance at Hard Rock Cafe. Doors open 7PM, show starts approximately 8PM. DJ until 1AM after show.
Test your knowledge every Tuesday night at The Barley Mow! Grab your smartest friends (or the funniest ones) for trivia at 7pm.
Free live music with Electric Company at Hard Rock Cafe. Doors open 7PM, show starts approximately 8PM. DJ until 1AM after show.
A spooktacular, dog- and family-friendly Halloween event with costumes, games, vendors and support for local rescues!
Free Halloween-themed dental event for children! Face painting, photo booth, and fun introduction to dentistry. Come in costume and learn about dental tools in a fun way.
Annual family-friendly Halloween neighbourhood event with music, kids activities, free yoga class, and pumpkin giveaway at Princess Margriet Park.
Free live music with Ambush at Hard Rock Cafe. Doors open 7PM, show starts approximately 8PM. DJ until 1AM after show.
Free pop-up performances showcasing classical Indian dances (Bharatanatyam, Mohiniyattam) at the National Arts Centre, celebrating Diwali - the vibrant festival of lights.
Third annual Day of the Dead celebration with authentic Mexican cuisine, Mariachi band Los Paisanos, local vendors, free hot chocolate, and Day of the Dead vibes! Come dressed as your best Sugar Skull.
Fun for the whole family at historic Watson's Mill! Tours, scavenger hunt, games, crafts, horse & wagon rides, and final flour grind of the year.
Free live Chicks tribute performance at Hard Rock Cafe. Doors open 7PM, show starts approximately 8PM. DJ until 1AM after show.
Free live Paul McCartney tribute performance at Hard Rock Cafe. Doors open 7PM, show starts approximately 8PM. DJ until 1AM after show.
Find five spooky buds hidden in Westboro Village business windows from October 10-31 for a chance to win one of ten ghoulish goodie bags valued over $100 each!
Free Thursday evening admission with seasonal refreshments, live music, and art-making activities. Presented by BMO at the Scotiabank Great Hall.
Interactive map showing the best Halloween decorations and haunted houses across Ottawa and Gatineau. Add your own decorated home to the map!
A heritage barn packed with beautiful handmade goods from around the world. Features live music, delicious food, lawn games, and meaningful cultural exchange supporting 2500+ artisans worldwide.
Ottawa's new central library, a joint facility with Library and Archives Canada. Expected to open in late 2026. The name means "to tell a story" in Anishinaabemowin.
A waterfront park on the Ottawa River in Nepean, featuring a splash pad with pirate ship play structure, bandshell for summer concerts, scenic ponds with fountains, and a direct connection to the Ottawa River cycling pathway. Free admission and parking.
A free, interactive museum exploring economics and monetary history. Home to the National Currency Collection with over 110,000 artifacts, plus hands-on exhibits including a rocket ship inflation simulator and a design-your-own banknote station.
One of Canada's oldest and largest public markets, established in 1826. Home to over 600 businesses including restaurants, boutiques, and a year-round indoor market with seasonal outdoor vendors.
A 427-hectare National Historic Site in the heart of Ottawa, home to ornamental gardens, a free tropical greenhouse, the Fletcher Wildlife Garden, and the Canada Agriculture and Food Museum. Active agricultural research farm since 1886 with year-round free access to grounds.
The home of the Canadian Tulip Festival, with over 300,000 tulips across 26 flower beds along the shore of Dow's Lake. Free to visit year-round.
A 2.6-hectare downtown park adjacent to the Rideau Canal, home to Winterlude's Crystal Garden with ice sculptures and winter activities. In summer, it hosts the Ottawa Jazz Festival. Features a historic fountain from London's Trafalgar Square and a 20-metre Kwakiutl totem pole.
A 26-hectare arboretum on the Central Experimental Farm, home to over 1,700 species of trees and shrubs. Free to visit, with scenic lookouts over Dow's Lake and the Rideau Canal. Connected to the canal pathway network.
A 361-square-kilometre conservation park just 15 minutes from downtown Ottawa. Home to over 165 km of hiking trails, beaches, lakes, and the Mackenzie King Estate. Free to enter; parking fees apply at some lots in summer.
A series of 18-metre waterfalls on the Rideau River, created during the construction of the Rideau Canal in the 1830s. Part of the UNESCO World Heritage Rideau Canal system, with locks, walking trails, and picnic areas. Spectacular frozen ice formations in winter.
A 22-hectare waterfront park in Gatineau across the river from Parliament Hill, home to Winterlude's Snowflake Kingdom — North America's largest snow playground. A major venue for Canada Day celebrations with views of the Ottawa skyline and fireworks.
A downtown park overlooking the Ottawa River, Parliament Hill, and the Rideau Canal locks. One of Ottawa's best spots for spring tulips, summer festivals, and views of the city's landmarks. Free and open daily.
A 3,500-hectare conservation area in Ottawa's Greenbelt featuring a boreal bog ecosystem normally found much farther north. The 1.2 km boardwalk trail crosses a Ramsar Wetland of International Importance, home to carnivorous plants, orchids, and spotted turtles. Free admission and parking.
Ottawa's municipal art gallery, always free to visit. Features rotating exhibitions of Canadian, local, and international contemporary art. Open late Wednesday through Saturday until 9 PM. Located downtown near the Rideau Centre.
Ottawa's municipal government headquarters featuring impressive architecture, public art, and the scenic Jean Pigott Place public square.
Canada's seat of federal government and a National Historic Site, featuring the iconic Peace Tower, the Centennial Flame, and free guided tours of the West Block and Senate. Centre Block is closed for renovation until the early 2030s.
A UNESCO World Heritage Site and the world's largest naturally frozen skating rink in winter. Perfect for walks, cycling, and boating in summer.
The official residence of the Governor General of Canada, set on 32 hectares of gardens, forests, and grounds in Rockcliffe. Free guided tours of the state rooms are available, and the grounds are open daily from 8 AM to sunset. Features a greenhouse, picnic area, playground, and winter skating rink.
The most ecologically diverse sector of Ottawa's NCC Greenbelt, with over 40 km of trails through wetlands, forests, beaver ponds, and an abandoned quarry. Features the popular Jack Pine Trail with boardwalks and the off-leash Bruce Pit dog area. Free admission and parking.
A guide to the best hiking trails in and around Ottawa, from Gatineau Park's escarpment lookouts to a boardwalk through a boreal bog. Includes distances, difficulty, and seasonal tips.
A guide to the best spots for fall foliage in Ottawa, from Gatineau Park's iconic lookouts to a boreal bog that turns deep red. Plus pumpkin patches, apple picking, and autumn events.
A complete guide to Winterlude, Ottawa's signature winter festival. Covers the Rideau Canal Skateway, Crystal Garden ice sculptures, Snowflake Kingdom snow playground, and practical tips for staying warm.
A guide to the best cycling trails and pathways in Ottawa, from the Rideau Canal corridor to car-free parkways in Gatineau Park. Includes distances, difficulty, and rental info.
A guide to the best parks and outdoor spaces in Ottawa, from a 361 km² conservation park to downtown green spaces with Parliament Hill views. All free to visit.
A guide to the best farmers' markets in Ottawa, from the year-round Lansdowne market to neighbourhood markets across the city. Includes locations, days, hours, and what to expect.
A guide to the best indoor activities in Ottawa for rainy days, from world-class museums and a free art gallery to a Cold War bunker and indoor markets. No weather required.
A month-by-month guide to the best spring activities in Ottawa, from maple sugar season and cherry blossoms to the Canadian Tulip Festival. Covers March through May.
A guide to the best kid-friendly activities in Ottawa, from dinosaur museums and working farms to hands-on science exhibits and free outdoor spaces. Includes ages, prices, and tips for families.
A guide to the best museums in Ottawa, from national institutions with world-class collections to hidden gems like a Cold War bunker and a working farm. Includes admission prices, free hours, and tips for visiting.
A guide to the best free things to do in Ottawa, from national museums with free admission windows to parks, markets, and landmarks that cost nothing to visit.
A guide to family-friendly March Break activities in Ottawa, from free museums and interactive exhibits to sugar shacks and live shows.
Everything you need to know about the Canadian Tulip Festival — from the best spots to see tulips to the history behind one of Ottawa's most iconic spring traditions.
From family-friendly farms to a free urban sugar shack, here are the best sugar bushes around Ottawa to visit during the 2026 maple season.
Explore Ottawa's most iconic landmarks on foot. From the historic Rideau Canal to world-class museums, this walking tour covers the best of downtown Ottawa.