I. Family & Kids Activities
1. La Machine
Astonishing creatures will be invading the nation’s capital! A North American first, La Machine will captivate audiences with its ambulatory urban theatre on the streets of downtown Ottawa. Wandering around in public spaces, the protagonists will invade the heart of the capital in a show entitled “The Spirit of the Dragon-Horse, With Stolen Wings”. They will live among us for 24 hours a day over the course of four days as they pursue their quest and fulfill their destiny. Details
July 27 to 30, 2017
Streets of Downtown Ottawa & Byward Market
Free
2. Brittania Woods Community Arts Festival
This Britannia Woods Community House x House of PainT – UrbanArtFest community arts event will engage families in local arts programming available to youth in the community via live performances, youth workshops and access to local resources.Join us for an afternoon of music, hip hop, DJ workshops, poetry workshop with Missing Linx, dance, graffiti and mural art with Mique Michelle and Alexandre Aimee, and FREE BBQ! Details
Saturday, July 29, 2017 | 4:00 PM to 08:00 PM
Britannia Woods Community House
115 Unit 9 Ritchie Street, Ottawa
Free
3. The Changing of the Guard Ceremony
The Changing of the Guard is a parade representing the changing of the guards posted at Rideau Hall, the official residence the Governor General. A full company of two platoons is employed in daily public duties, with both divisions of one platoon parading as the ‘new guard’ – those to take over duties at Rideau Hall – and the other platoon of the company split, one division parading as ‘old guard’, and the other performing sentry duties at Rideau Hall for the day. Details
July 10 to August 25, 2017 | 10:00 AM
Parliament Hill, Ottawa
Free
4. Sound and Light Show
Combining bold digital technology with the architectural splendour of the Parliament Buildings, Northern Lights illuminates Canadian stories of nation-building, partnership, discovery, valour, pride and vision at the heart of our country. Details
July 11 to September 16, 2017
Parliament Hill – 111 Wellingston St., Ottawa
Free
More To Do
II. Live Music
1. Chamberfest
The largest chamber music festival in the world, Ottawa Chamberfest presents more than 100 performances from renowned artists at incredible venues across downtown Ottawa. The festival endeavours to satiate fans of this form of classical music, as well as create inclusive atmospheres to introduce the style to new listeners during its two weeks. The festival’s all-encompassing approach is uncommon, making Chamberfest a welcomed rarity. Details
Various Venues, Ottawa
2. Festival Country du Grand
Country music festival. Details
Casino du Lac-Leamy Parking Lot
1 Casino Boulevard, Gatineau
3. Canadian Guitar Festival
Three days of performances by masters of fingerstyle guitar from across the globe, the Canadian Fingerstyle Guitar Competition, open mic, workshops, camping, legendary campfire jams and more! Details
Loughborough Lake Holiday Park, Kingston
III. Theatre & Performing Arts
1. A Midsummer Night’s Dream
Celebrate with Ottawa’s award winning original professional Shakespeare company, a Company of Fools on their 15th anniversary of Torchlight Shakespeare with one of the Bard’s most beloved and whimsical comedies, A Midsummer Night’s Dream!
Helena loves Demetrius. Demetrius loves Hermia. Hermia loves Lysander. Throw into this mix an enchanted forest, a mischievous fairy, a feuding king and queen and a troupe of terrible wannabe actors and you have a recipe for a hilarious, magical, love-filled summer night. Details
July 25, 2017 – Clare Gardens, Westboro
July 26, 2017 – Fairbairn House, Wakefield Q.C.
July 27, 2017 – Trend-Arlington Park, Merivale
July 28, 2017 – Walter Baker, Kanata
July 29, 2017 – Centrepointe Park, Centrepointe
2. Pardon Me, Prime Minister
The Prime Minister and Chancellor are preparing a puritanical budget taxing amusements such as bingo, gambling and night-clubs out of existence. On the afternoon before its presentation, however, each in turn appears to be the father of the pretty Shirley, the result of a post-party conference night many years ago. Many cover-ups (and uncoverings!) ensue. Details
You may like: Upcoming Ottawa Little Theatre Events
3. Motown the Musical
MOTOWN THE MUSICAL is the true American dream story of Motown founder Berry Gordy’s journey from featherweight boxer to the heavyweight music mogul who launched the careers of Diana Ross, Michael Jackson, Smokey Robinson and many more. Details
4. Romeo & Juliet
Passions soar and hearts break in this 90-minute version of Shakespeare’s love story for all time. Here is love as obsession–love in a time of darkness. Here is craziness in the face of a culture where honour killings are rampant, and death is a better option than marriage to a chosen suitor.
Join us outdoors to celebrate the long evenings and warm weather and enjoy theatre that stands the test of time. Details
July 27 @ Clare Gardens Park–Westboro
July 28 @ Overbrook Park–Overbrook
July 29 @ Hintonburg Park–Hintonburg (behind the community centre)
July 30 @ Lansdowne Park–The Glebe (at the cattle castle)C
5. The Amorous Servant
The Amorous Servant is about a clever young maid, bound in dedication and honour to her disinherited master. With a love that knows no bounds, this servant expertly schemes to break through the greed and treachery that has corrupted her master’s house. She’s determined to bring peace to his wealthy but dysfunctional family. Love and honour meet the physicality and hilarity of Commedia dell’Arte in this rarely seen jewel by Carlo Goldoni. Details
Ottawa
IV. Sports, & Related events
2017 Can-Am and American Association All-Star Game on July 25
V. Exhibitions, Festivals & Other Events
1. Chinatown Night Market
With the beautfiul Chinatown Royal Arch as the backdrop, all of our best food vendors from across Ontario will be back including Night Market favorites such as Hong Kong Bubble Waffles, Twisted Potato chips, Squid on a stick and CHATIME Bubble Tea! Details
July 28 to 30, 2017
2. Agwata
Multimedia Water Show. “Like a kaleidoscope of images and colours, AGWÀTÀ, which means “to emerge from the water” in Algonquin, amazes us by troubling events of our past. The history emerges from the creek, like a trickle of time that we pluck from the water moment by moment: a ballet of fish, a log drive opera, a callous industry and a rain of ashes.”. Details
La Filature, 82 rue Hanson, Gatineau
3. Educate and Feed Communities Foundation BBQ
In collaboration with community members, EFC Foundation plans to help by building a school and providing education programs. This is a long-term solution for the citizens of Canaan, strengthening their ability to gain livelihoods and become self-sufficient. But to do this we need your help. All proceeds from the BBQ will go directly to our project. Details
Vincent Massey Park Ottawa
4. Cruise The Capital
Celebrating Harley-Davidson™ 100th Anniversary in Canada and Canada’s 150 Anniversary. Events include rally, bike games, show and shine, and more! Details
Various Locations, Ottawa
5. Somali Cultural Festival
Join us for food, dance and entertainment at this years Somali Cultural Festival. Details
Ottawa City Hall
110 Laurier Avenue West, Ottawa
6. Kontinuum
This immersive multimedia production, created by Ottawa 2017 and Moment Factory, unfolds in Ottawa’s future Lyon Light Rail Transit (LRT) station. Visitors descend deep underground into an anomaly in the fabric of reality where invisible frequencies take on physical dimension. Elevate your senses and awaken your imagination in this journey where two realms collide. Which path will you choose? Details
Place de Ville Theatre, 103 Sparks St, Ottawa
7. Kabeshinan Minitig Pavilion
The Pavilion exhibit will involve both archaeological artifacts that underscore this area, the National Capital Region, as an original and central trading place for numerous Indigenous people over the centuries. The Kabeshinàn Minitig Pavilion will host many of the Algonquins of Pikwakanagan First Nation artists/crafts people along with featured Indigenous Artists in both visual arts and fine crafts from across turtle island throughout the summer months. Details
Victoria Island, 2 Timberslide, Ottawa
8. MOSAÏCANADA 150
Mosaiculture is a most spectacular horticultural technique that combines the following different art forms: sculpture for the structure, paint for the palette of colours, and horticulture as the means of creating living and changing artworks with plants. The theme of the Gatineau exhibit will reflect 150 years of history, values, culture and arts in Canada, represented by some 40 different arrangements.
Details
Parc Jacques-Cartier, 350 Rue Laurier
Gatineau
9. Ottawa Welcomes the World
The Royal Thai Embassy: In celebrating Canada’s 150th anniversary of Confederation, the Royal Thai Embassy in Ottawa would like to invite everyone to the “Amazing Thailand” festival at Lansdowne Park on 28th July 2017 to seek a chance to experience at first-hand various aspects of Thai culture, featuring authentic THAI CUISINE, exhilarating MUAY THAI demonstrations, captivating THAI DANCES, TRADITIONAL THAI MASSAGE, and unique THAI HANDICRAFTS. Details
Embassy of the Republic of Lithuania: Folk dancing, choral singing, original gastronomy, folk art how-to demonstrations, a painting exhibition, and other activities await you. This extraordinary day of celebration will be presented by over 250 dancers, singers, and artists of Lithuanian origin from all four corners of Canada and will conclude with a festive soirée where music and dance will be an integral part of the festivities. Details
Horticulture Building, 1525 Princess Patricia Way
Ottawa
Verify all information before travelling.