The first weekend of fall is shaping up nicely in the 613. The leaves are turning, the apples are ripe, and things are starting to get spooky! Take in some cool walking tours, a cozy movie, some great shopping, or a soccer game and see where the city takes you.
All Weekend
Canadian Film Institute’s Ottawa International Animation Festival (OIAF), begins on Wednesday and runs to Sunday evening at several downtown locations — mainly at the Ottawa Art Gallery and the ByTowne Cinema. Read our in-house expert’s primer on the can’t-miss event here.
Ottawa Architecture Week has started, and you can take in the events all over town, and learn more about our built environment and history. This weekend you can take in a building tour of the War Museum, a Reconciling History walking tour, a Janes Walk and an Urban Sketching tour — not to mention a free screening of Amélie on Monday at the ByTowne Cinema.
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We are deep in Fall Fair season, and this weekend head to Carp for the Carp Fair for your fix. Check out the goat show, rodeo, heavy horse pull, the midway, demolition derby and so much more from Thursday to Sunday. Tickets are $20 for adults, and available online.
Ottawa Little Theatre just opened their newest show Jonas and Barry in the Home by Norm Foster, and it is running all weekend. The buddy comedy set in a nursing home runs each evening at 7:30, with a matinée on Sunday at 2:30. Get your tickets online.
The circus is in town this weekend, and you can catch all the excitement at Europa Super Circus on Carling. With two shows a day all weekend, there are still general admission and ringside tickets available for all ages.
Spooky Season has arrived! Saunders Farm FrightFest opened last weekend, and this is the first weekend for Cannamore Orchard’s Acres of Terror. sKreamers, run by the Kiwanis Club of Orleans is also opening this weekend, and while they are working out some website kinks, get your tickets in person for the wagon ride and two scary houses.
One World Bazaar is still going strong outside of Manotick all weekend for your interesting shopping pleasure. This weekend is also Indian Cultural Weekend on site with special performances and treats to enjoy.
Our friends at Ottawa Gigs have got us more than covered for cool music around town too, of course. Check out the website for comprehensive gig listings.
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Thursday
As part of the Chamberfest Concert Series, the Canadian debut of CelloFellos will be taking place at Carleton Dominion-Chalmers on Thursday evening. Bryan Cheng and Leonard Disselhorst will take audiences on a genre-defying journey spanning centuries and styles, from Piazzolla and Duke Ellington to Tigran Hamasyan and beyond. Tickets are still available online for this special event.
Urban Art Collective has a vernissage on for Do It For the Grain‘s new exhibition, Camera-derie, from 5-8pm. The exhibit features ten Ottawa-area collectives and is up until Oct. 18.
Friday
Friday night, support the Rapid FC women in their game against AFC Toronto at TD Place. We are chasing Toronto for first place in the league, so this one should be a nail biter. Wear your bright blue and let the ladies know we’re behind them! Tickets are still available online.
Saturday
Artwalk Ottawa 2025 is a a one-of-a-kind afternoon of art, conversation, and community hosted by the leading galleries in Ottawa on Saturday from 2-6pm. The afternoon begins with a conversation in the National Gallery of Canada outdoor amphitheatre with Sobey Art Award finalist Tania Willard followed by a self guided tour of the market’s many galleries, and wrapping up with curator conversations at the Ottawa Art Gallery. Tickets are available online for $28.
The Ottawa Family Cinema is screening How To Train your Dragon 3D on Saturday afternoon at 2pm. Tickets are cheaper for members in advance, and it’s definitely worth getting a membership to support the not-for-profit cinema.
Saturday and Sunday get to know some local artists in their spaces with the West End Studio Tour from 11am-5pm. From Wellington West to Civic Hospital, to Britannia walk, bike or drive your way to studios that catch your fancy.
Atlético Ottawa continues their dominance on the pitch with a game against Cavalry FC on Saturday at 1pm in a game presented in support of local Odawa Native Friendship Centre. The boys have already qualified for the 2025 playoffs, so the pressure if off, but the energy should be high.
Pique fall edition, a building-wide party like no other is happening Saturday at Arts Court. Across 10 stages and spaces, Pique’s programming has something for everyone: from thought-provoking dialogues to ethereal electronic performances to multi-arts convergences, and even puppet dance parties. Pique offers an immersive multidisciplinary experience that transforms the Arts Court into a playground for the avant-garde. Tickets are all Pay-What-You-Can. Read more about it in our preview.
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If vintage shopping is your style, Saturday and Sunday you can check out Vpop & Flock Boutique Market and Trunk Sale at Next Door on Gladstone. A combination of vintage resellers and trunk sale, there should be something for everyone.
For one night only, you can take in Songs From a Drunken Piano at the Gladstone Theatre. A re-imagining of the songs of Tom Waits, this musical revue featuring three vocalists is sure to please the Waits fans among us. Limited tickets are still available for $40.
Sunday
The Ottawa Humane Society Wiggle Waggle walk and run is taking place Sunday afternoon beginning on the Lansdowne Park Great lawn. Bring your furry friend to participate in the run, or just to take in the events and marketplace, beginning at 8am.
Explore the world of coffee at the Chinatown Coffee Expo under the Chinatown Arch from 10:30am-4pm. Some of your favourite coffee experts like Artery Community Roasters and Ministry of Coffee will be there for a day of coffee roasting, latte art, sweet treats and a DJ. The event is free to attend.
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FemmeVox 8 is taking over the Great Canadian Theatre Company on Sunday evening at 8pm. The concert series features established and emerging local female artists, who premiere original songs they have co-created for the event. Expect to be floored by the work of Amanda Lowe Warnakulasuriya, Hanorah, Larissa Desrosiers, and Yolande Laroche. Tickets are on a Pay-What-You-Can sliding scale.
It’s Free Play Sunday After Dark at House of Targ Sunday evening starting at 8pm. Get yourself some perogies, a bevvy, and go to town!
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