Ottawa
Weekend Events & Activities in Ottawa
Things to do this weekend in Ottawa including free fun family & kids’ activities, live music, theatre & performing arts, sports and exhibitions. — Friday, October 20 – Sunday, October 22, 2017
Halloween Events this Week
- Haunting Season @ Saunders Farm, 7893 Bleeks Road, Munster
- Pumpkinferno @ Upper Canada Village
- Pumpkinfest @ Proulx Maple & Berry Farm
- Skreamers @ Proulx Maple & Berry Farm
- Acres of Terror @ Cannamore Orchard
- Incident at the Bunker @ Diefenbunker: Canada’s Cold War Museum
- Fright Fest @ Saunders Farm
- Haunted Historic Village @ Cumberland Heritage Village Museum
- Haunt Nights @ Watson’s Mill
and more!
I. Family & Kids Activities this Weekend
1.World Famous Popovich PET Theatre
The most beloved family show in the world, featuring European-style circus extravaganza including physical comedy, juggling, acrobats from the Moscow Circus, highly intelligent dogs and even house cats!!Popovich, a fifth generation circus performer who learned early on how to develop strong bonds with animals, has rescued a majority of his performers from shelters all over the country, and has transformed them into Las Vegas stars. Details
Saturday, October 21, 2017 | Shows at 3 & 6 PM
Kailash Mital Theatre / Carleton Hall
1125 Colonel By Dr, Ottawa
$40 to $50
2. Bytown Birthday Bash
The Bytown Museum turns 100! Help us celebrate this momentous occasion in style as we remember the last century and look forward to the future. Join us at the Museum for refreshments, live music – here’s to a hundred more. Details
Saturday, October 21, 2017
Bytown Museum, Ottawa
Regular Admission
3. Mìwàte
An ambient lighting display will illuminate the Chaudière Falls. Accompanied by a rich soundscape, the experience will evoke the culture of Indigenous people and in particular highlight the Algonquin heritage of the region. Details
October 6 – November 5, 2017
3 Booth St, Chaudière Falls, Ottawa
Free
4. General Activities
At the library
Ottawa Public library offers plenty of free activities to choose from for all ages including toddler story times. Plan ahead to attend some of the free activities in the following weekends:
Details and link for registration.
2.By Ottawa Recreation – Drop in Programs
3. Cineplex
Cineplex Family Favourites: Watch a family favourite film each week for only $2.99 – Saturdays at 11:00 AM, Cost: $2.99
4. Visit A Corn Maze
Take a break from life in the city and prepare for an adventure in the maze! Details
More To Do
II. Live Music
1.Weekday Events
- Sarah Slean on October 17 & 18, 2017 @ NAC
- Graeme Weeks, with Love on October 17, 2017 | 08:30 PM @ NAC
- Dallas Smith 2017 “Side Effects Tour” @ Arena at TD Place, 1015 Bank Street, Ottawa on October 18, 2017 | 07:00 PM
- Le Wild West Show de Gabriel Dumont @ @ NAC on October 18, 2017 | 07:30 PM
- Kyrie Kristmanson on Thursday, October 19, 2017 | 8:30 PM @ NAC Fourth Stage, Ottawa
- Current Swell with Lost Cousins on Thursday, October 19, 2017 | 8:00 PM @ Azrieli Studio 1 Elgin Street, Ottawa
2. Luke Nicholson
Born into a large, creative family in Lakefield, Ontario (one of his brothers is singer/songwriter Royal Wood), Luke Nicholson had his first major breakthrough in 2007 when the track “Breathe” from the film Poor Boys Game earned a Genie nomination for Best Original Song. Nicholson’s debut album Mad Love came out in 2012, spawning four CBC Radio 2 Top 20 singles and earning glowing reviews in Europe, most notably from Rolling Stone Magazine (Germany) which named Nicholson “One To Watch” after he performed at Berlin’s prestigious IFA gala. Details
Friday, October 20, 2017 | 8:30 PM
Fourth Stage 1 Elgin Street, Ottawa
$15
3. Nordic Favourites
In a Salute to Finland’s 100th Anniversary, the Canadian Friends of Finland in Ottawa together with the Canadian Nordic Society are pleased to present a fall concert of Nordic music. Performances by a variety of artists representing primarily popular and folk genres will provide an enjoyable evening for all. The evening is a Nordic salute to Finland’s 100th anniversary of independence. Details
Saturday, October 21, 2017 | 7:30 PM
First Unitarian Church
30 Cleary Avenue, Ottawa
$20.00
4. This is Our Music
We celebrate 150 years of Canada’s Confederation with the music of our most beloved composers: Willan, Patriquin, Sirett, Halley, Glick and many more distinctive Canadian voices! Special guests – Robert Filion and Ensemble vocal sénior De La Salle. Details
Saturday, October 21, 2017 | 7:30 PM
Dominion-Chalmers United Church
355 Cooper Street, Ottawa
$10 – $30; 12 years and under free.
5. All-Canadian Jazz
Celebrate Canada’s 150th through music! Compositions by jazz musicians across our country, and even in our own backyard! Betty Ann Bryanton – vocals and percussion; David Miller – keyboard and vocals; Howard Tweddle – acoustic and electric basses. Details
Saturday, October 21, 2017 | 7:30 PM – 10 PM
Pressed, 750 Gladstone Avenue, Ottawa
$15
6. David Myles
Like his trademark suit, David Myles’ music is timeless. Regardless of quickly passing trends and fads, it will persevere. From soulful, contemporary pop crooners to delicate, jazzy folk ditties, and down-home, back porch roots tunes to infectious hip-hop earworms, David’s only artistic constants are his always growing, shape shifting songwriting, and his exceptional ability to entertain. Details
Saturday, October 21, 2017 | 8:00 PM
Azrieli Studio 1 Elgin Street, Ottawa
$40.50
7. Steve Boudreau Trio
The evening will feature two sets of jazz music from local pianist Steve Boudreau and his trio with John Geggie on bass and Michel Delage on drums. Details
Sunday, October 22, 2017 | 8:30 PM
NAC Fourth Stage
National Arts Centre, Ottawa
$25
III. Live Theatre & Related Events
1. The Phantom of the Opera
Cameron Mackintosh’s spectacular new production of Andrew Lloyd Webber’s phenomenal musical success, THE PHANTOM OF THE OPERA, will come to Ottawa as part of a brand new North American Tour. Critics are raving that this breathtaking production is bigger and better than ever before. This PHANTOM features a brilliant new scenic design by Paul Brown, Tony Award-winning original costume design by Maria Bjornson, lighting design by Tony Award winner Paule Constable, new choreography by Scott Ambler, and a new staging by director Laurence Connor. Details
October 18 to 22 & 24 to 29, 2017
National Arts Centre – 1 Elgin, Ottawa
$59.5 – $144.5 +charges
2. Bent
Martin Sherman’s Bent is the harrowing tale of the persecution of homosexuals in Nazi Germany, and a true examination of the human struggle and realities of navigating forbidden love. This Tony-nominated show was a trailblazer for iconic queer theatre, and among the ten most influential postwar British plays. As such, it has risen to worldwide acclaim for its breathtaking revelation of the seldom-told story of gays and the Holocaust. Details
October 12 – 21, 2017
The Gladstone Theatre – 910 Gladstone Avenue, Ottawa
$23 to $39
3. Wreck-on Silly Nation with Ryan McMahon
Immerse yourself in an entertaining and thought-provoking evening with edgy Anishinaabe comedian, writer, digital-media artist, and community activist Ryan McMahon, who uses comedy to delve into the dark history of Indigenous people and colonialism. In Wreck-on Silly Nation, McMahon uses his fast-paced, irreverent style of storytelling comedy to explore whether Canada is really ready for reconciliation, or if there is still some work to do before we get there. Details
Friday, October 20, 2017 | 7:00 PM to 9:00 PM
Canadian Museum of History
100 Laurier Street, Gatineau
$20
4. Culture Shock Canada
This exciting weekend of hip hop dance will welcome dancers from all Culture Shock Troupes (San Diego, Los Angeles, Oakland, Las Vegas, Chicago, Washington D.C., Toronto and of course Ottawa) along with guest troupes from Montreal, Toronto, Ottawa, Switzerland and more. Details
Friday, October 20, 2017 | 7:00 PM
Saturday October 21, 2017 | 7:00 PM
Centrepointe Theatre, Ottawa
$22.50 to $35.75
5. Fresh Meat 6
Dubbed “Ottawa’s freshest theatre festival,” the 6th edition of Fresh Meat will showcase 10 independent theatre makers debuting original 20-minute pieces. Details
October 12 – 22, 2017
Arts Court Studio
2 Daly Ave, 2nd Floor
$10 to $20
III. Sports & Related Events
1. Ottawa Senators
vs.Vancouver Canucks on Tuesday, October 17, 2017 | 7:30 PM
vs. New Jersey Devils on Thursday, October 19, 2017 | 7:30 PM
vs. Toronto Maple Leafs on Saturday, October 21, 2017 | 7:00 PM
Canadian Tire Centre, Kanata
2. Ottawa 67’s
vs. Oshawa Generals
Friday, October 20, 2017 | 7:00 PM
The Arena at TD Place, Ottawa
3. Light the Night Walk
Join us for an evening filled with inspiration and hope, and help make a difference in the lives of more than 110,000 Canadians affected by blood cancer. Hold your illuminated lanterns high; red for supporters, white for patients and survivors and gold for loved ones lost. Details
October 21, 2017 | 5:00 PM to 8:30 PM
Lansdowne Park – Aberdeen Pavillion
1000 Exhibition Way, Ottawa
Free
IV. Exhibitions, Festivals & Other Events
More To Do
1. Startup Canada Day on the Hill 2017
Celebrate Small Business Week at Startup Canada Day on the Hill with more than 1,000 leading entrepreneurs, innovators, investors, industry executives, government representatives, and media personalities! Details
Thursday, October 19th, 2017 | 8:30 AM – 9:00 PM
Shaw Centre, 55 Colonel By Drive, Ottawa
$10 to $95
2. Welcome to StoryTelling
If you want to get people’s attention, tell them a story. A well-told story will draw listeners to you, whether your purpose is to entertain, educate, inform or sell a product or idea. The secret to telling a good story is to learn some of the basics and practice them. You can gain knowledge and confidence in our two-day workshop, “Welcome to Storytelling: 10 Things You Need to Know.” Details
Saturday, October 21, 2017 | 9:30 AM to 4:00 PM
Ottawa Bahá’í Centre, 211 McArthur Ave, Vanier
$100 to $115
3. Turkey Dinner
You and your friends and family are invited to Carleton Memorial United Church for a turkey dinner with all the trimmings. Musical entertainment will follow the dinner. Proceeds from the evening will benefit the goals of our church through our Carleton Memorial United Church General Fund. Please invite all who would like to attend for a fun evening. Details
Saturday October 21st | 6:00 PM- 9:00PM
Carleton Memorial United Church, 740 Melfa Crescent Ottawa
Adults: $17.00
Kids 8 to 12: $10.00
4. Junkyard Symphony’s 25th Anniversary
To celebrate our 25th Anniversary, Junkyard Symphony has collaborated with the Earl of March Music Program for a Giants of Junk Theatre show. The event will also be used to promote and fundraise for the Earl of March Arts Program.Junkyard Symphony’s Giants of Junk is a gigantically fabulous show that will dazzle people with big props, big tricks, big smiles, big laughs and teach them all about the big benefits of recycling. Details
Friday, October 21, 2017 | 6:00 PM – 9:30 PM
Earl of March Secondary School, 4 The Parkway, Ottawa
$10.00
5.Re[Place] Re[collect} Book Launch
Re[place] Re[collect] is a collection of stories and phtographs from seniors in Ottawa’s rural neighbourhoods. Thanks to the Neighbourhood Arts 150 program by AOE council, we are giving away FR copies at the launch! Music, snacks, books and stories, all as a gift to you.
Details
Sunday, October 22, 2017 | 3:00 PM – 6:00 PM
Orleans Legion, Branch 632, 800 Taylor Creek Drive Ottawa
Free
6. Ski, Snowboard & Travel Show
Over 10,000 square feet Of Retail Space with 50-70% off Apparel, Alpine, Cross Country and Snowboard Equipment, and Accessories..
Over 100 local and destination Ski and Travel Resorts promoting Ski Show Specials.
Details
Saturday October 21, 2017 | 9:00 AM – 6:00 PM
Sunday October 22, 2017 | 9:00 AM – 6:00 PM
EY Centre Hall4, 4899 Uplands Drive Ottawa
Free
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
Until November 30, 2017 | Tuesday-Sunday – 12:00 PM – 7:00 PM
Victoria Island, 2 Timberslide, Ottawa
Free
8. The National Women’s Show
It’s the ultimate girl’s day out! Shop ‘til you drop at over 200 exhibits and find everything from food and wine sampling, fashion shows, celebrity guests, free makeovers, health, wellness & beauty secrets, home renovation advice and travel ideas! Bring your friends, sister, daughter or mom and be entertained doing everything you love. Enjoy great deals and show specials, shop for well-known brands or find a unique piece of clothing or jewellery at one of the many boutique exhibits. Experiment with a new look, ask the experts for advice about hairstyles, make-up and fitness and see fashion shows for the latest style trends for night, day, work or play! Experience all the fun. Details
Saturday, October 21, 2017 | 10:00 AM – 6:00 PM
Sunday, October 22, 2017 | 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM
EY Centre, 4899 Uplands Drive Ottawa
$12. Children 12 & under are free.
9. Ottawa Wedding Show
Whether you’re looking for inspiration or for the experts that can assist in planning the event of your life, our varied exhibitors are interested in every aspect of your wedding. ! Details
Saturday, October 21, 2017 | 11:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Sunday, October 22, 2017 | 11:00 AM – 5:00 PM
EY Centre, 4899 Uplands Drive Ottawa
$15
10. The Ottawa International Writers Festival
An international celebration of ideas to recharge our imaginations. From politics to poetry, science to music, history to thrillers, we celebrate the full diversity of the word and the gifted writers who guide us in our exploration of the world. We are dedicated to providing a welcoming, respectful and comfortable space to create an environment that activates creativity and encourages the love of reading, learning and self-expression. Details
October 19 to 24, 2017
Christ Church Cathedral, 414 Sparks St, Ottawa
$10 to $15
11. The 37th Ottawa Antiquarian Book Fair
Canada’s longest running Antiquarian Book Fair is recognized as one of the finest book fairs in the country, and features rare, unusual and collectible books! Details
Sunday, October 22, 2017 | 10:30 AM to 5:00 PM
Tudor Hall
3750 North Bowesville Road, Ottawa
$5
12. Savour the Moment
An upbeat, trendy cocktail party with an urban vibe, Savour the Moment promises to be a night full of the best food and drink samplings the city has to offer. Food and drink from local restaurants, bakeries, breweries, and wineries. Ticket provides one free sample from every vendor at the event. Proceeds raised will go directly to Children’s Wish Foundation of Canada. Local musicians and bands, a silent auction, and a few local VIPs will also add to the excitement of the evening. Details
Saturday, October 21, 2017 | 06:00 PM – 10:00 PM
Cartier Square Drill Hall, 2 Queen Elizabeth Drive, Ottawa
$80
13. Masquerade Ball
Please Join Us As We Celebrate Canada’s 150th Anniversary! Hors-d’oeuvre, three-course meal, cocktails of your choice and a variety of white and red wine. Live orchestra! Classical and Modern Music, and a DJ.
Details
Saturday, October 21, 2017 | 06:00 PM – 12:00 AM
Fairmont Château Laurier, Ottawa, 1 Rideau Street, Ottawa
$125
We do try to make the listings as accurate as possible, but there might be oversight errors/Events may be cancelled or postponed without any notice. Verify all details from concerned Event Websites/officials.
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