Ottawa! There is so much happening this weekend that I almost didn’t know when to stop with this list. Whether you want to support local artists, musicians, and food vendors, or check out great social events, arts and culture, get some fitness in—there’s something for everyone! Keep an eye on the weather reports and adjust plans accordingly!
All weekend
The Learn-to-Paddle program is back this summer and available every day. You’ll be introduced to the techniques of paddling and then have the chance to paddle with a trained staff person in a canoe to test out your new skills. Free to register!
Check out what’s playing at Ottawa’s independent cinemas all weekend.
The Orleans Craft Beer Festival is back for a weekend of great craft beers, wine and spirits, food and live entertainment.
The Lebanese Film Festival takes place until June 12 with a red-carpet event and plenty of great films to check out!
The opening weekend of Italian Week festivities kicks off with live music, dancing, comedians, soccer (er, football?!) tournaments, a cannoli-eating contest, a kids’ zone and more!
Fabrications is hosting a Knit in Public Day and Alley Cat Yard Trunk Show for all you knitting/fibre craft enthusiasts. Plus, The Merry Dairy will be making an appearance!
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The Nepean Museum is hosting a MakerStudio Showcase—a chance to get hands-on with history as you enjoy STEAM-inspired activities.
The hilarious musical Something Rotten is on at Meridian Centrepointe Theatre, presented by the wonderful Orpheus Musical Theatre.
The New Art Festival takes place in Central Park in the Glebe. This is a great place to get some unique local art with a selection from nearly 200 visual artists in various mediums.
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Thursday
House of TARG is hosting a fundraiser for the Side by Side Weekend music festival. Enjoy fantastic live performances, celebrate local music and community, and help make Ottawa’s hottest independent music festival a success!
Learn more about protecting wetlands from development at this event in Stittsville with Councillor Glen Gower.
The NAC’s Indigenous Theatre presents Got Land?—a stand-up comedy variety show by First Nations, Inuit, and Métis entertainers.
The Ottawa Tool Library is hosting a Bike Maintenance Workshop to learn how to tune up and maintain your bike.
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Friday
Music in the Park | Fridays at Dundonald takes place each Friday in Dundonald Park next to Art House Café. Bring a chair or picnic blanket and enjoy a free show by local talent.
Wallack Galleries is hosting Jinx!: Vernissage and Publication Release Party celebrating exhibiting artists and its third publication with Nosy Mag.
Grab your roller skates (or rent some) and enjoy some great tunes while you skate around at Social Rollerskating’s recreational Ottawa Quad Session.
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Saturday
Arts Court, in partnership with Debaser’s summer edition of Pique, is hosting a building-wide open house party on June 10 from 2pm to 2am. The day will also celebrate resident art company SAW’s 50th anniversary. Check out our preview post here.
Garage sale season is in full swing and your best bets for the biggest bang for your buck are community and street sales. South Keys/Greenboro is having one, as are Barrhaven and Alta Vista.
Queen Street Fare’s Bar Robo is hosting the Capital Beatles – Live!—a great tribute band for a fun night of familiar tunes.
Bachata on the Hill brings Latin dance to the people with an all-levels class plus social dancing —and it’s all free!
There’s a Puppuccino Photoshoot at the Starbucks on Ogilvie to capture your fur baby in all their glory!
Square Lemon Ottawa presents the Proud to be Crafters Market with free admission, a workshop, and the chance to shop more than 40 local artists and makers.
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Local party band The Wailin’ Hues are performing at the Carleton Tavern.
613flea at Lansdowne Park features over 140 booths and admission is always free.
While you’re at Lansdowne, head over to the Great Lawn for K-Fest: plenty of food, cultural activities and experiences and more from Korea!
The Atlantis Jazz Ensemble plays Irene’s Pub with its funky soulful jazz.
NU Grocery is hosting a Clothes Repair Cafe and Fabric Market to help repair and extend the life of products!
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The Water Rangers and Ottawa Riverkeeper are hosting a Canoe Scavenger Hunt on the Rideau River in honour of Ocean Week.
The Ottawa Gay Men’s Chorus is performing at the Gladstone Theatre in their Catch a Wave performance with a maritime theme!
The Freedom Dog Rescue group is hosting a Summer Craft Show with toys, treats and a variety of plants as well.
Enjoy Yoga at the Gallery with this outdoor class at Tavern at the Gallery.
If you’re in and about Riverside South, check out their Movie in the Park where they’re showing Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania for free!
Mamaliga Klezmer Band are hitting up Avant-Garde Bar with critically acclaimed tunes that meld the klezmer melodies of old-country Yiddishland with new-era sensibilities.
The Kemptville Street Piano Concert series presents Alanna Sterling, aka Twitch streamer “MermaidUnicorn”, a gender-fluid singer-songwriter and mental illness advocate. The concert begins after the North Grenville Public Library’s Pride Storytime Hour with drag queen Jordana Myles. Come early (1pm) for stories and dancing in the library, then head out to the terrace for Alanna’s show! Performance is free but donations are welcome.
Sunday
Thirteen Strings closes its season with a concert of Édith Piaf featuring Pandora Topp at allsaints event space in Sandy Hill. The concert also includes works by Elgar, Bartók, Fauré and Saint-Saëns.
You can be at one with nature and join an outdoor yoga class at Parc Lemoyne in Gatineau, Pushman Park in South Keys, or Joe Jamieson Park in Orleans.
Calling all celiacs and gluten-free folks—the Gluten-Free Exhibitor Fair is on at the Glebe Community Centre where you can sample and find new safe products for you.
The Marché Vieux-Aylmer takes place every Sunday at the Parc Commemoratif.
Zumba on the Hill returns every Sunday through September for a free dance party with certified Zumba instructors.
The European Union Cultural Fair takes place at Lansdowne Park featuring live music, folk dance performances, games and activities for children, and European traditional food and drink.
BONUS TUESDAY—613 Day!
Extend your weekend and come celebrate 613 Day with a free party! Think happy hour meets outdoor dance party with a community-building, all-are-welcome, make-new-friends-and-keep-the-old vibe. Reserve your free ticket today!
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