The Ottawa Region is known for its spectacular nature and outdoor charm, as well as the magic of Canada’s capital.
Day of the Dead Festival
The museums, artistic events, restaurants, nightlife, and classic fall staples make the arrival of Fall more exciting as Ottawa locals and visitors look for ways to experience the beauty of the season. Here are 25+ fun things to do this fall season in the Ottawa region.
25 Fall Day Trips From Ottawa
1. Autumn Tree Tour
Fall brings a new dimension to the trees at the Dominion Arboretum. Reds, yellows, purples and browns emerge as the green fades away and other pigments take over. Enjoy a Fall walk as some of these colours become more spectacular as the weather gets colder and stresses the trees until frost comes and the wind takes the leaves away.
2. See a few chart-topping artists
Summer may well be over, but concerts and live comedy shows will fill your entertainment schedule. Here is a list of who is coming to Ottawa this fall.
- Keith Urban: High and Alive World Tour – September 21
- Bryan Adams: Roll With The Punches w/guest The Sheepdogs – October 4
- Warren Zeiders: Relapse, Lies, and Betrayal Tour – October 5
- Darius Rucker – October 26
- Sarah McLachlan: Fumbling Towards Ecstasy 30th Anniversary Tour – October 28
- Trans-Siberian Orchestra – The Ghosts Of Christmas Eve – November 26
- Brad Paisley: Truck Still Works World Tour – December 13
3. Ottawa Senators Fan Fest
Ottawa Senators take to the ice for another season, and this free marquee event will feature an exciting day of games and activities for the whole family. September 21, 2025
4. Taste of Wellington West
Discover the delights of the neighbourhoods of Hintonburg and Wellington West. TASTE of Wellington West showcases the best flavours and features of the area and includes foodie features, art night, cooking demonstrations and more!
For more things to do every week, see Things to do this week in Ottawa
5. Phố Lồng Đèn – Ottawa’s First Viet Moon Festival
Phố Lồng Đèn brings the Vietnamese Moon Festival to Ottawa with lantern wonderlands, áo dài fashion, and cultural showcases. Families can enjoy street food, mooncake demos, storytelling, games, art, and a lively market. Under glowing lanterns, the event celebrates heritage, community, and shared joy through music, dance, and a magical lantern parade. (September 26 & 27)
6. Go Apple Picking
Credit: Mountain Orchards
Go apple picking at the stunning Ottawa area Orchards, and choose from several varieties such as the Cortland Apple, McIntosh, Ambrosia, Golden Delicious and more, and complement your visit with a wagon ride, a walk through the corn maze, or a stroll on a forest trail.
7. Attend the Ottawa International Animation Festival
View some of the world’s most unique, cutting-edge, and quirky animation pieces at the Ottawa International Animation Festival.
OIAF is an annual five-day event bringing art and industry together in a vibrant hub, attracting artists, producers, students, and animation fans from around the world.
8. Fall Fairs
Ride the midway, see demolition derby and more at Carp Fair and Metcalfe Fair.
9. Day of the Dead
Immerse yourself in Mexican culture in the midst of the historic ByWard Market neighbourhood as the community gathers to celebrate the lives of the deceased with food, drink, parties, festivals, and activities the dead enjoyed in their lifetime. With special programming including Mariachi performances, authentic Mexican cuisine, artisan market, folkloric dancers and much more, the Dead of the Dead Festival is an unforgettable experience.
10. Enjoy the Cranberry at Upper Canada Cranberries
Pick some juicy, nutritious cranberries at the only commercial cranberry grower in Eastern Ontario – Upper Canada Cranberries. This vitamin C-loaded fruit is used to make amazing frozen sliced cranberries, jams, and sauces, available on the farm. The farm is open most days during harvest time from mid-September to mid-November.
11. Hike to a Scenic Lookout
Pink Lake Lookout; National Capital Commission
What better time to hike to a lookout than visiting a scenic lookout from where you can enjoy fabulous fall colours? Visit some of the lookouts in and around the Ottawa and Gatineau area where you can enjoy panoramic views and both hidden gems and well-known spots in the outdoors.
12. Pumpkin Fest
Bring a picnic and come join for a ghostly gathering in a country setting at Proulx Maple & Berry Farm, just a few minutes from Orleans and 30 minutes east of downtown Ottawa.
13. Behind The Screams: Studio B Horror haunted house
From 1D Studios comes Ottawa’s most immersive haunt. Step onto real sets inside a working film studio and into the twisted world of cult horror creator Andi Cryst, where B-movie nightmares come alive. With limited entry, every scream, scare, and shadow feels personal—an unforgettable horror experience beyond the haunted house norm.
14. Carleton University Butterfly Show
Every year the Carleton University Biology Department hosts its annual Butterfly Show. During the days leading into the Thanksgiving weekend, over 1300 live exotic butterflies are released into the Nesbitt Biology building greenhouses. Visit the greenhouse to enjoy a world of butterflies.
15. Oktoberfest at the Tavern
Two of the most scenic restaurants will host Oktoberfests this year. Enoy two fun-filled weekends of German-inspired food, biers and live music by the seven-piece Bavarian-style polka band, The Polka Brats!
16. Zipline through Camp Fortune
Credit: Camp Fortune
Head to Camp Fortune and challenge your strength and endurance on the aerial courses and zip lines.
17. Fall Rhapsody
Credit: cjuneau/Flickr
View the stunning change of fall colours through Gatineau Park. Pack for a picnic, take a walk through the woods, or enjoy a breezy bike ride along the beautiful landscape.
18. Celebrate the Halloween season at Saunders’ Farm
A family tradition for a million guests, join the regulars at Saunders’ Farm and enjoy food, fun, and amazing memories whilst celebrating the haunting season in the day and fright fest at night.
19. Go on an Ottawa Haunted Walk
Celebrating 20 years of haunted storytelling adventures in Ottawa, as well as Toronto and Kingston, the Haunted Walk tours guests around some of the most haunted spots around the city.
20. Relax at the Nordik Spa-Nature
Take some time for self-care at the Nordik Spa-Nature – a place “where everything can wait”, and relaxation is your primary purpose. Details
21. Flyover Gatineau Park with Ottawa Biplane Adventures
Take a seat in an open cockpit Biplane and fly across Ottawa to see fall colours from up above.
22. Performing Arts at NAC
From Mrs. Doubtfire (Broadway) to Dvořák’s New World Symphony, there are various concerts and live performances at Canada’s famous performing arts centre.
23. Go on a Haunted Hay Ride
sKreamers is a fundraising project of the Kiwanis Club of Orleans. This year, Skreamers feature a Haunted Hayride, a Trail and a Corn Maze.
Details
24. Go Pumpkin Picking
Enjoy fall at Cannamore Orchards. Family Activity Weekends begin on the labour day weekend and continue until Thanksgiving weekend in early October. Activities include apple/pumpkin picking, family activities, and the famous Acres of Terror Halloween Haunts!
25. Bushels of Fun Down on the Farm
Visit Ottawa’s historic farm that was originally settled in 1854. You can walk through the original home of the Bradleys and take in how they lived right here over 150 years ago! Additionally, the corn maze will be open for those who want to test their skills at navigating their way through it. There will be wagon rides, lots of friendly animals to see, feed and touch and the kids’ barn, three different hay play structures to climb and explore and more for a fun day with the kids at the farm.
26. Shop at One World Bazaar
Packed to the rafters with goods from all areas of the globe, it truly is a feast for the senses, and is unlike anything you’ve ever experienced. Come out for a fall afternoon and experience the beauty and uniqueness of handmade goods.
27. Mac My Cheese Fest
Ottawa’s cheesiest festival is planning a return in 2025, featuring the best in Mac and Cheese, live entertainment, a craft beer garden and more. (October 3 to 5)
28. Vegans Who Snack Food and Art Festival
Discover a lively marketplace featuring 50+ local vendors with delicious vegan snacks, treats, ice cream, groceries, art, self-care products, flowers, and more. Enjoy an uplifting atmosphere with two live DJs, curated by Homo Phono, creating the perfect soundtrack for an unforgettable night of food, shopping, and community vibes. (October 25)
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