Colonel By Day Long Weekend Events & Activities in Ottawa: Friday, August 4 to Monday, August 7, 2023
Visiting Ottawa this August long weekend? Here is a list of events taking place in the Capital city this weekend, including free, fun family & kids’ activities, live music, theatre & performing arts, sports and exhibitions.
More To Do
I. Family & Kids Activities
Ottawa International Buskerfest
The annual Ottawa International Buskerfest will play host to the biggest lineup of international street performers! World-class performers from all over the world will grace and amazing downtown Ottawa with award-winning shows. Prepare to be enthralled by fire-breathers, contortionists, acrobats and more. Get ready for stomach clenching comedy too, these performers all know how to make an audience laugh, and you’ll get to participate too! Details
August 4 to 7, 2023
Sparks Street, Ottawa
Free
Grands Feux du Casino Lac-Lemay
Enjoy 4 hours of fire-themed entertainment including world-class pyromusical shows, fiery culinary experiences, prodigious artistic performances, striking digital and multimedia art installations and more! Les Grands Feux is also an opportunity to leave everyday life at the door and immerse yourself in a magical universe that will awaken your curiosity and all your senses in the space of a single evening. Details
Saturday, August 5: Italy | 6 PM to 10 PM
Canadian Museum of History, 100 Rue Laurier, Gatineau
$14.50 & up
Open Doors at Rideau Hall
Visitors can discover the State rooms of Rideau Hall at their own pace. Open doors weekends at Rideau Hall will also provide the public with an opportunity to visit both greenhouses and private gardens, which are not open to the public during regular tours. Guides will be on-hand to answer any questions about the history and the role of Canada’s governor-general. Details
August 5 to 7, 2023 | 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Rideau Hall, 1 Sussex Dr,, Ottawa
Free
U-Pick Flowers & Sunflowers
Green Corners has planted snapdragons, cosmos, calendula, and sunflowers for you to pick this summer season. Pick your own flowers to make a bouquet of seasonal blooms! Varieties of flowers change through the season, but there will always be a variety of colours and flowers in bloom. Details
August 3 to 7, 2023
Green Corners, 1259 York’s Corners Road, Ottawa
$3.00 – $20.00
Fields of Gold – Sunflower Farm
Come enjoy the sunshine! Ever dreamt of walking in literal fields of gold? Now you can! Our expansive sunflower fields offer a break from the city, remarkable view, and selfie opportunities aplenty. What’s better than fresh cut flowers? You got it — fresh cut sunflowers. If you’re looking for a fun day trip, or just something pretty to display on your kitchen island, come on down, and select your very own blooms. Details
July 26 to August 24, 2023
Fields of Gold, 17650 Strathmore Road, Monkland, North Stormont
$10 to $15
Omega By Night
Discover the beauty of nature by night with our sound and light experience, on a 1.5km walking trail. The activity takes place in the Land of the Pioneers, at night fall. Discover our illuminated walking trail again this year! After crossing the cedar forest to the swamp, you will hear the croaking of frogs and the chirping of crickets. A little further on, you can admire a huge sculpture of the king of the forest, the moose. You’ll get chills! Details
Saturdays, July 15, 22, 29, August 5, 12, September 2, 2023
Parc Omega, Québec 323, Montebello
$15 to $25
Relief of the Sentries
During this ceremonial event, four sentries are led by a bagpiper and two escorts to their posts at Sussex Gate and in front of the residence. They are dressed in full scarlet tunics and bearskin caps, and stand guard for the hour. Additionally this year, every Saturday at 10:30 a.m., the Ceremonial Guard will conduct a more comprehensive Changing of the Guard ceremony with a bugler, bagpiper and 30 sentries. Details
June 28 to August 25 – Daily, on the hour, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Rideau Hall, 1 Sussex Dr, Ottawa
Free
Canada on the March
Joined by the Canadian Guard’s band, the Ceremonial Guards will march from Cartier Drill Hall to Parliament Hill. Canada on March will be a music-only version of the Changing of the Guard ceremony. Previously known as Changing of the Guard Ceremony, the ceremony is among Ottawa’s most recognized military traditions, and is a summer attraction which has welcomed thousands of visitors to Parliament Hill for more than 55 years. Details
June 28 to August 25, 2023 | 10 a.m. to 10:30 a.m.
Cartier Drill Hall to Parliament Hill, Ottawa
Free
Sound and Light Show on Parliament Hill
Join us for the presentation of the sound and light show this season! Northern Lights is a free and bilingual 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. Key figures, events and achievements from Canadian history are brought to life using five distinct artistic styles. Details
July 7 to September 4, 2023
Parliament Hill, 111 Wellington St., Ottawa
Free
Maze Days
Visit Saunders Farm during Maze Days. Explore amazing mazes and labyrinths. The hedge and puzzle Mazes are largest collection in the World! Each maze is designed to test your perseverance and problem solving skills…sometimes a little luck goes a long way. Details
June 3 to September 4, 2023
Saunders Farm, 7893 Bleeks Rd, Ottawa
$15 to $25
Down On the Farm
Lots of animals to see, feed and touch. Hay play structures to climb and explore. The kid’s barn has some fun play areas and the famous corn sensory table. Bring some snacks and enjoy the picnic and play area. Relax and enjoy the fresh farm air while you explore and play down on the farm. Details
Saturdays & Sundays | 9:00 AM – 4:00 PM
The Log Farm, 670 Cedarview Road, Nepean
$12.50
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Fun at Little Animal Farm
Visitors can interact with furry friends and enjoy farm-related play structures and activities like the trike corral, corn maze, and basketball wagon. Puppet shows featuring animatronic characters entertain every half hour in the Century Old Barn. The Country Walk showcases llamas, donkeys, ponies, horses, sheep, and a duck pond. For history enthusiasts, Bill’s Old Farm Museum exhibits a private collection of century-old farm treasures, appealing to farmers, agriculturalists, historians, and vintage engine enthusiasts. A leisurely stroll around the farm offers a glimpse of farm life’s sights and sounds. Details
Monday, August 7, 2023 | 9:30 AM – 3:00 PM
Daily | Morning visits: 9:30 AM – 12:30 PM
Afternoon visits: 1:00 PM – 4:00 PM
Valleyview Little Animal Farm
4750 Fallowfield Road, Nepean
$12.00 (plus tax) for everyone age 2 and older.
II. Live Music
Festival Country du Grand Gatineau
August 2 to 6, 2023
Cégep de l’Outaouais, 333 Bd de la Cité-des-Jeunes, Gatineau
$26.85 & up
Under The Stars
under the stars in the SAW courtyard. Preloved
Bonobo Backlash
Sleep Late – EP release
Everett Rama Details
Saturdday, August 5, 2023 | 7:30 PM
Club SAW
67 Nicholas Street Ottawa
$15-40 (plus fees)
Ongoing:
- Music in the Park: Fridays, May 19 to August 25, 2023 | 6:30 PM to 8:00 PM @ Dundonald Park, 516 Somerset St W, Ottawa
III. Live Theatre & Related Events
Clémentine
En route to her family vacation, Clémentine suddenly learns that her parents are no longer in love. The word “divorce” hurts to hear. She promises herself to do everything she can to prevent it. But does a little girl really get to decide her parents’story? Navigating episodes of her everyday life throughout the seasons, with the help of her little sister Laura, Clémentine tames her sadness and finds the strength to mourn the image she had of the “fairy tale” family. Details
August 1 to 6, 2023
Fourth Stage, 1 Elgin, Ottawa
$8 – $16+fees
Kristina Kuzmic
Kristina Kuzmic’s Hope & Humor show is more than a comedy special. It’s an hour that will leave every viewer feeling less alone and more empowered to face whatever chaos life throws their way. Kristina, in her undeniably authentic way, takes us on a peaks and valley journey full of laughter and even a few tears, with a through-line of four things she’s done wearing: other people’s judgements, guilt, the pressure to be perfect, and the unrealistic fantasy of what life should look like. Details
Friday August 4, 2023 | 8:00 PM
Bronson Centre, 211 Bronson Avenue, Ottawa
$44.66-$165.08
Oh Canada Eh? Dinner Show
Join us for our second season here in the Nation’s Capital! This two-hour show features all-Canadian music: from maritime folk songs to modern pop. Come meet our singing Mountie, Hockey Player, Anne of Green Gables, Klondike Kitty and more. This high-energy production features over 70 songs from all-Canadian artists including music from Paul Anka, Celine Dion, Shania Twain, the Bare Naked Ladies, Avril Lavigne, Justin Bieber and many, MANY more. Details
Thursdays to Sundays
Oh Canada Eh? Dinner Theatre, 330 Kent Street, Ottawa
$20 to $94.95
Hamlet
Returning home to attend her father’s funeral, Hamlet discovers that another ceremony has already taken place: the marriage of her mother to her uncle. That’s right, her dead father’s brother. When Hamlet is visited by her father’s ghost demanding that she avenge his murder, Hamlet begins to wonder – is it she who has gone mad or everyone around her? Details
July 3 to August 26, 2023
Various Venues, Ottawa
By Donation
St. Lawrence Shakespeare Festival
Enjoy a unique summer theatre experience.
A Midsummer Night’s Dream Directed by Richard Sheridan Willis
Oscar Wilde’s The Importance of Being Earnest Directed by Kerry Ann Doherty
Guild Festival Theatre’s award-winning production of Alice in Wonderland directed by Tyler J. Seguin
July 8 to August 16, 2023
Kinsmen Amphitheatre, 101 Water St W, Prescott
$15 to $38
III. Sports & Related Events
Ottawa Titans Baseball Club
Join fellow sports fans and catch professional baseball games from May to September in Canada’s capital at Ottawa Stadium. Details
vs. New York Boulders August 1 – 6, 2023
300 Coventry Road, Ottawa
$11 to $15
Kaleidoscope Kayaking
Introducing Kaleidoscope Kayaking: an unforgettable night-time kayaking experience that takes you on a mesmerizing paddle down the historic Rideau Canal in Ottawa. As you glide through the serene waters, surround yourself with the enchanting glow of LED lights adorning your kayak, creating a dazzling spectacle of colours that dance along the canal’s surface. Your hour-long adventure culminates in a breathtaking view of the spectacular Les Grands Feux du Casino Lac-Leamy fireworks show. With the shimmering skyline as your backdrop, the vibrant bursts of light and colour will captivate your senses and make this a truly unforgettable experience. Details
August 5, 2023, | 8:00 PM – 10:00 PM
Rideau Canal, Queen Elizabeth Driveway & Waverly Street, Ottawa
$89
Atlético Ottawa vs. York United FC
Atlético Ottawa Canadian Premier League Home Game Details
Saturday, August 05, 2023 | 7:00 PM
TD Place Stadium, 1015 Bank Street, Ottawa
$11.9 – $54.35+fees
IV. Exhibitions, Festivals & Other Events
Capital Ribfest Ottawa
A fun, family-friendly celebration of delicious BBQ and Smokehouse experience at Ottawa City Hall in the heart of Canada’s Capital. There will live entertainment, vendors selling clothing, ribfest swag, pop up retailers, and street performers! Some vendors offer salads, vegetarian pizza, and corn-on-the-corn. Gluten free sauces available. Details
August 4 to 7, 2023
110 Laurier Avenue West, Ottawa
Free
Glengarry Highland Games – Maxville
August 4 & 5, 2023
34 Fair St, Maxville
$30
Ottawa Psychic & Crystal Fair
Some of Canada’s Top Psychics, Mediums, Astrologers, New Frequency Healing, Aura Photography, Rune Reading, Healers. Tea Leaf and Palm Readers. Lots of beautiful crystals and hand made jewelry. Details
August 3 to 6, 2023
Nepean Sportsplex , 1701 Woodroffe Avenue, Nepean
$10
Capital Pop Up Cinema Summer Series
The Capital Pop Up Cinema summer series is back. Grab a folding chair, maybe a blanket and your favourite treats and enjoy free movies under the stars. Free Admission Bring a picnic, chairs, and blankets to snuggle up and enjoy a great night with an amazing film. Details
August 4 — The Neverending Story
Beechwood Cemetery, 280 Beechwood Ave., Vanier
Free
Casino Lac-Leamy Fireworks Boat Party Ottawa 2023
Experience the breathtaking Les Grands Feux du Casino Lac-Leamy Fireworks Shows from the best vantage point – our boat! Join us for the 26th edition of this spectacular event, where dazzling fireworks light up the Ottawa River to thrilling musical scores. Don’t miss out on this unforgettable experience at the magnificent Canadian Museum of History site. Mark your calendar and get ready to be mesmerized! Party on Ottawa’s Floating Night Club and join the biggest boat party in the capital! Details
Saturday, August 5, 2023 | 7:30 PM – 11:00 PM
Ottawa River Queen , 799 Rue Jacques-Cartier, Gatineau
$25 – $55
Amy Shackleton | Imagined Futures
Wall Space Gallery is proud to present Amy Shackleton’s newest body of innovative drip paintings depicting hybrid spaces from locations around Toronto, Lake Louise, Colorado, Arizona, California, Chicago and Hawaii. Shackleton’s landscapes exist between dystopias and utopias, with natural overgrowth and waterways combining with or overtaking human-made architecture. Shackleton’s compositions and colour palettes create simultaneously unsettling and picturesque atmospheres. Details
July 15 to August 5, 2023
Wall Space Gallery , 358 Richmond Rd., Ottawa
Free
83 ’til infinity
The Ottawa Art Gallery (OAG) and SHIFTER are thrilled to announce the opening of 83 ’til infinity: 40 years of hip-hop in the Ottawa-Gatineau region, an exhibition exploring the stories, legacy, and experiences of hip-hop in the Ottawa–Gatineau region. Through a collection of art, borrowed materials, including photographs, posters, clothing, vinyl records, turntables and more, the public will embark on a journey that reveals how hip-hop’s values are deeply rooted in culture and community. Details
Saturday July 8, 2023 to Sunday February 18, 2024
Ottawa Art Gallery, 50 Mackenzie King Bridge, Ottawa
Free
Escape The Ghost Ship
Tonight’s the night you and your crew plan to steal an abandoned ship in the harbour—but no one expects it to be the cursed ghost ship of Barnacle Beth! Join pirate Captain Kelly in this unique escape game on the high seas! In order to secure the ship (and your mortal souls), you’ll need to plunder the lost treasure Beth has left behind. Can you escape before the curse claims its next victims? Details
Select Dates, June 2 to July 30, 2023
Pirate Life, 588 Hog’s Back Road, Ottawa
$44 & up
Nepean Night Market
Join for the night market in town thatis great place to shop, and support local! Live Music, Good Food, and a whole lotta fun! Different Magical Musicians playing every week, JJ’s Wings food Truck, and Loads of Local Amazing Vendors! Details
Sundays, May 14 to October 15 | 5:00 PM – 9:00 PM
Mr.Lube parking lot, 1442 Baseline Road, Ottawa
Free
Shapes in Between: Norman Takeuchi – A Retrospective
This retrospective exhibition highlights the work of Ottawa-based artist Norman Takeuchi. Together, this array of drawings, paintings, and prints spanning the years 1961 to 2022 demonstrate the continuity of his artistic rigour. These works also make known the artist’s personal engagement with the impact of the Japanese Canadian internment and forced dispersal during World War II, and ultimate acceptance of his cultural heritage. Details
April 1 to August 27, 2023
Ottawa Art Gallery, 50 Mackenzie King Bridge, Ottawa
Free
We do try to make the listings as accurate as possible, but there might be oversight errors/Events might be cancelled or postponed without any notice. Verify all details from concerned Event Websites/officials.
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