It’s a jam packed weekend with tulips, festivals, markets, and more!
All Weekend
The Canadian Tulip Festival runs May 9-19. Over the course of the festival, programming includes movies in the park, walking tours, art shows, markets, a fireworks and drone show, and more!
The Ottawa Children’s Festival de la jeunesse celebrates their 40th year with a new location added! Find them from May 8-13 at Lansdowne Park and at Arts Court. Check out the schedule of performances online. Learn more in our article here.
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Axé Worldfest’s Empowing Women in the Music Industry Conference takes place May 8-10 at the National Arts Centre.
Check out what’s playing at Ottawa’s independent cinemas in the first half of May.
NCC Weekend Bikedays kick off May 10 and continue through to October. Enjoy access to the Kichi Zībī Mīkan Parkway, Sir George-Étienne Cartier Parkway, and Queen Elizabeth Driveway on Saturday, Sundays, and holiday Mondays. For all the details, including hours and street closures, check out the NCC’s website.
Outdoor market season has started up with many local favourites back for the summer season.
TACTICS Theatre Company performs their final Sunset Season from May 9-10. Learn more here.
Thursday
Thirteen Strings Orchestra presents Forces of Nature on Thursday at 7:30pm at Carleton Dominion-Chalmers Centre. The program will celebrate the power and the beauty of nature. Tickets are available online.
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The Ottawa Charge are in the playoffs! While the first home game isn’t until May 13, you can head over to Charge Avenue (aka Bank Street between Sunnyside and First) to show your support as they play their first game against the Montreal Victoire on Thursday night.
Urban Art Collective’s Hintonburg Night markets are back for the summer. Shop local vendors every Thursday evening.
Friday
ByTowne Cinema is holding an interactive screening of Breaking Dawn: Part 1. There will be themed props and prompt sheets to encourage you to chime in with your favourite lines.
Enjoy a tribute to the music of Bruce Springsteen and Bob Seger at Overflow Brewing Company.
Saturday
613flea is back this weekend with free admission and 150 vendors at Lansdowne.
Atlético Ottawa play Saturday at 2pm. Get a preview of this season (including Apt613’s predictions!) here.
Grande Première 2025, the annual fashion show of the Richard Robinson Academy of Fashion Design, takes place on Saturday evening at the National Gallery of Canada.
Bird Friendly Ottawa is celebrating World Migratory Bird Day 2025 with an event at the Ron Kolbus Lakeside Centre at Britannia Park. Register online for a free birdwatching tour.
Ottawa Tool Library is hosting a Repair Café at the RA Centre from 10am-2pm.
Sunday
Friends of the Central Experimental Farm are hosting their 2025 Friends of the Farm Plant Sale. More than 25 different vendors will be there, including Master Gardeners of Ottawa-Carleton for advice on all your gardening questions!
The NCC River House is hosting a Mother’s Day brunch.
Check out the Mother’s Day Market by Minerva Ottawa at the York Street Plaza in the ByWard Market on Sunday.
House of TARG has free play Sunday with unlimited arcade and pinball games. Learn more about their free play times here.
For more of what’s happening in Ottawa, stay tuned to @apt613 on social media. Out snapping photos? Tag us on Instagram @apt613 for a chance to be featured on our feed. Be sure to use the hashtag #Apt613 so we can share your photos!
