This long October weekend is about fall, feasts, family, and friends. When you aren’t stuffing yourself with turkey and pumpkin pie, there are plenty of things to do – both seasonal and otherwise.
All Weekend
The Insect Festival lands in Gatineau this Saturday and Sunday. You can hold some exotic bugs, find out what barbecued grasshoppers taste like, and learn an awful lot about insects at the various kiosks and interactive workshops.
Why not follow up a visit to the Insect Festival with a trip to the Museum of Nature for their Bug Adventure? In its final weekend, this exhibit offers you an opportunity to immerse yourself in a bug’s world, by entering into life-size depictions of their various habitats. You can also check out a variety of live insects in their natural habitats.
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Robert Plante Greenhouses is hosting a Harvest Market, their first annual Thanksgiving market, this Saturday and Sunday. There will be over 130 vendors selling all kinds of wonderful handmade goods. Spend some time perusing the market while enjoying some delicious coffee and exploring their lush greenhouses.
Take advantage of the nice weather this weekend and enjoy the last of the NCC Weekend Bikedays. The Kichi Zībī Mīkan and the Sir George-Étienne Cartier Parkway are closed to vehicular traffic from 8am to 4pm and the Queen Elizabeth Driveway is closed to vehicular traffic from 8am to 8pm, from Saturday right through the holiday Monday.
The fall colours are ablaze in Gatineau Park. Avoid the insanity of parking in Gatineau Park and hop on the free shuttle, which runs from downtown every 20 minutes, starting at 9:10am. This hop-on-hop-off bus has many stops along its route; including Pink Lake, Mackenzie King Estate, Champlain Lookout, and King Mountain. If you want to check out the fall colours, but would rather somewhere a little less busy, there are plenty of beautiful NCC trails around Ottawa that you can visit. My personal recommendation is Mer Bleue.
Apple season may be over, but pumpkin season is in full swing. You can pick your own pumpkin at Miller’s Farm, or visit Saunders Farm for Pumpkinfest during the day, and Frightfest at night. Stroll along a magical pathway of over ten thousand carved pumpkins and pumpkin sculptures at Pumpkins After Dark, which opens this weekend at Wesley Clover Park.
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Thursday
Stop by Art House this Thursday night for the vernissage of this month’s artist’s work. “Finding my Voice”, a special Exhibition by Gwen Copain, opens at 7pm.
Friday
This Friday marks the opening of Give Me Shelter, SAW’s inaugural triennial exhibition of art and activism. “The exhibition Give Me Shelter presents 12 artistic responses to the issue of housing insecurity and homelessness over the last few decades”. The opening will feature a panel discussion, a performance by Aymara Alvarado Lang, as well as music by DJ Geronimo Inutiq.
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What better way to celebrate the start of a long weekend than a little Friday Night Free Play with DJ B-Rad at House of Targ? From 8pm until late all machines will be set to free play, so come on down and enjoy a little pinball and perogies.
Looking to witness a beautiful musical performance this weekend? Look no further than Bel and Quinn, who play the NAC’s Fourth Stage this Friday night. “The two sisters of Haitian origin sing in French, Creole, and English, bringing to life electrifying music that fuses Haitian rhythms with jazz and soul.”
Saturday
It is the perfect weekend for a drive to Merrickville. Fall for Merrickville, their annual Thanksgiving fair and market, returns for a seventh year this Saturday. There will be a pancake breakfast, hay rides, a petting zoo, food trucks, and a market of over 100 vendors. Tickets to the event can be purchased online.
The long weekend installment of 613Flea takes place this Saturday at Lansdowne. As always, this market promises a ton of incredible vendors with all kinds of goodies, including pumpkin spiced chocolate chip cookies from Yummy Cookies, which are the perfect addition to any family dinner.
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Looking for something different this weekend? Colour analysis, first popularized in the ‘80s, has seen a huge resurgence. You can try it yourself this Saturday, at Colours and Cocktails at vintage store Bee You Creative Styles in Sandy Hill. Tickets sell out fast – if you miss it this time, you can catch it in November, December, and into 2025.
Sunday
Those who love an ama-zine will want to head to the Glebe Community Centre this Sunday. HallowZine, which takes place from 10am to 2pm, promises a spooktacular assortment of zines and art.
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Monday
Holiday Mondays are a great occasion to fit in a little R & R. Stay in your jammies and enjoy some trash TV while snacking on delicious leftovers. Or, if you are so inclined, get out there and enjoy any of the all-weekend events around town.
