Festival season is well and truly upon us friends! Ottawa is coming alive, now that summer is really getting going, and the city is going to be full of music, theatre, dancing, eating and playing all weekend. Whether you are celebrating the solstice, getting into a dragon boat, taking in a Fringe show (or three) or getting out that lawn chair for some live outdoor music, we’ve got your big weekend plans here. Stay safe, stay hydrated, and stay kind to one another!
All Weekend
Ottawa Fringe continues to take over venues across downtown, and our Fringe reviewers have been doing double duty to review over 50 of the shows playing this year. The festival wraps up this weekend, so you still have time to catch a wild array of performances. Check out our reviews here.
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Ottawa Jazz Festival opens this weekend, and runs from June 20-29. The full line up is incredible, and this weekend you can see vocalist legend Mavis Staples, Canadian/Columbian group La Pambelé, local art-pop superstars Pony Girl, and Roots just to name a few. There are jam sessions, student concerts and even free shows scattered around the venues, if you’re looking to just get a taste! Check out the full line for day pass and ticket information.
Ottawa Little Theatre are right in the middle of their current run of 37 Postcards, a hilarious farce about how weird family can be. Shows take place every evening at 7:30pm with a Sunday matinee. To add spice to the weekend, there is an *adult content* warning for the play, which only make it more tantalizing, of course.
If you, or someone you know is new to Ottawa, check out Welcoming Ottawa Week, running from June 16-30
Escapade, Ottawa’s wildest music festival goes live this weekend from Friday to Sunday. Passes are already 80 percent sold out, so if you’re on the fence, get on it! The festival is happening at the RA Centre grounds near Billings Bridge this year, and there is still an impressive lineup of after parties in local venues as well.
Saturday and Sunday you can experience the Summer Solstice Indigenous Festival at Wesley Clover Parks. The new location this year means the event is closer to town, and there is much more parking to accomodate the crowds. You can still expect music, dancing, artisans, traditional foods, the Ojibwe Spirit Horses, a drone show, a magician, and the glow-in-the-dark pow wow. Everyone is welcome to join in the party! Read all about the event in our interview here.
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Ottawa Dragon Boat Festival is taking over Mooney’s Bay from Friday to Sunday this weekend, if you’re looking to race! There will be vendors on site, but no live entertainment this year aside from the incredible feats of athleticism!
L’Outaouais en fête is happening all weekend, and right up to Tuesday for la Fête nationale du Québec on June 24th. Find the five day festival at parc des Cèdres à Gatineau, in Aylmer for tons of live music, vendors, dragon boating, and a celebration of Québec culture.
Thursday
The Ottawa Public Library and Library and Archives Canada are celebrating National Indigenous History month with an evening with author Phyllis Webstad. Phyllis is a founder of Orange Shirt Day, and author of six books including The Orange Shirt Story. The event is free to attend, but you do need to register in advance!
Once a month, on Thursday nights this summer you can learn to dance at Zibi, presented by the NAC and local dance partners. This week you can learn Latin folk dance from the pros at Héritage Colombien. The event is free to attend, from 7-8pm.
Friday
Suport local Indigenous artisans at the Summer Solstice Indigenous Market in the Byward Market from 12-9pm on Friday. There will be live entertainment, a fashion show, food vendors and over 60 artisans selling their unique wares.
TK TK TK! TimeKode is back and bumping, with Djs Memetic, Trevor Walker and Seiiizi. Ottawa’s coolest 20 year old dance party is back at D’Afrique Restaurant and Bar on Dalhousie for a night of deep cuts and sick beats. Early bird tickets are $15 online.
Saturday
Saturday June 21 is National Indigenous Peoples Day, and there are lots of cool events happening around town. Consider supporting local indigenous creators and businesses on Saturday (and every day) and deepen your understanding of the land we live on, the places we call home, and the history that we all share. It’s a great idea to check out the Summer Solstice Festival.
613 Flea is happening at Lansdowne Park on Saturday from 10-4pm. There will be 150 vendors on hand selling vintage clothes, original art work, crafts, food, collectibles and all manner of great gift ideas for the summer birthdays, or wedding you have coming up.
Ottawa Rapid FC takes the field at TD Place on Saturday at 2pm against the Calgary Wild FC. The two teams are currently battling it out in the middle of the standings with 11 points each, so a win by the Rapid would give us a nice bump into 3rd place. The last time we played the Wild was on May 11 in Calgary, and that game ended in a 0-0 draw. Tickets are available online starting at $25.
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The 27 Club’s Emo Night is transforming into Emo Prom this Saturday. Tickets sell out fast for this crowd pleaser event, so get yours in advance.
Sunday
On Sundays you can check out 50 local artisans at the York Street Market from 11am-5pm. Find them in front of the Ottawa sign.
If you’re an artist looking for inspiration from other creators, or just want to make friends and yap about the creative process, Artawa Artist Meetups are for you. This Sunday the gang is at the Ottawa School of Art in Orleans, in the Shenkman Arts Centre from 1 to 4pm. Bring your own supplies, and enjoying some camaraderie while you create.
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