Ottawa
Easter Weekend Events & Festivals in Ottawa: April 19 to 21, 2019
A weekly digest of what’s on this weekend in Ottawa including free fun family & kids’ activities, live music, theatre & performing arts, sports and exhibitions.
More To Do
I. Family & Kids Activities
Kanata Central Bunny Hop
FREE scavenger Easter egg hunt with lots of treats, activities and prizes for the whole family!
Over 80 stores in the Kanata Central area will be participating in the event and scavenger hunt contest.
Saturday, April 20, 2019 | 12:00 PM to 4:00 PM
Landmark Cinema, Kanata Ave., Kanata
Food bank donation
Easter at the Farm
Spring has sprung at the Canada Agriculture and Food Museum! After a long cold winter, the barns and farm have come alive with the arrival of newborn animals. Welcome the soft, little lambs and kid goats, marvel at the rabbits’ silky fur, and observe the fluffy, newly-hatched chicks, ducklings and turkey poults. Hop on a tractor ride (weather permitting) and look for signs of spring! Children can participate in an egg roll race in the meadow — sure to bring laughter for the whole family. Bring a picnic blanket and rubber boots and enjoy what the Canada Agriculture and Food museum has to offer while Eccentric Adam entertains the crowds. Details
April 19 to 22, 2019 | 9:30 AM. – 4:00 PM
Canada Agriculture and Food Museum, Ottawa
Family: $38 | Adult: $14 | Student / Senior: $12 | Children 3 to 12: $12
Valley View Farm Easter Egg Hunt
Our Farm Easter Bunny has lost 100’s of coloured eggs, he needs your help to find them. The Egg Hunt runs daily throughout the Easter Week-end. Details
April 19 to 22, 2019 | 9:30 AM. – 4:00 PM
Valley View Farm, 4750 Fallowfield Road, Nepean
$10.00 (tax included)
for everyone age 2 and older.
Hop into Spring
Explore vintage Easter traditions from the 1920s and 1930s. Enjoy family-friendly fun with the Easter Bunny Challenge, add a colourful touch to the day with traditional egg dyeing, put your green thumb to the test planting carrot seeds, and more. The Heritage Livestock Club of Eastern Ontario will be bringing some furry, and feathery, visitors along to Hop into Spring. And, you might even catch a glimpse of the Easter Bunny himself! Details
Saturday, April 20 | 10 AM to 4 PM
Cumberland Heritage Village Museum, 2940 Old Montreal Road, Cumberland
$7.75 adults; $5.50 seniors, children and students. Children 5 and under are free.
Easter Egg-stravganza Hunt
Visit us on Easter Sunday from 11am to 4pm to participate in an egg-hunt throughout the museum. Where have we hidden the colourful Easter eggs among our three floors of exhibitions? Details
April 20 to 22, 2019 | 11 AM to 4 PM
Bytown Museum, 1 Canal Lane, Ottawa
Regular Admission
Easter at the Bunker
The secret is out… the Easter Bunny will be making a stop at the Diefenbunker Museum over Easter weekend! You’re invited to explore the Bunker with a unique twist on your typical Easter Egg Hunt. In preparation for Easter weekend at the Diefenbunker, the Easter Bunny (AKA Peter Cottontail) came for a visit underground. After taking a tour through 100,000 square foot Bunker turned museum, Mr. Cottontail decided to create a clever family-friendly scavenger hunt using camouflaged eggs. There will be three levels of difficultly to accommodate a variety of ages and abilities to guarantee that everyone in the family will have a blast! Details
Saturday, April 20 | 10:00 AM – 4:00 PM
Diefenbunker, 3929 Carp Road, Carp
$12/person (infants under 2 are free)
Sparkling Egg Hunt
The Easter Bunny has hidden 10 sparkling eggs throughout the Children’s Museum. Find them all, and claim your chocolate egg. To take part in this fun family activity, pick up your official Sparkling Egg Hunt ballot at the Travel Bureau in the Children’s Museum. Then use your sleuthing skills to track down the hidden eggs, and hop on back for a sweet reward. Details
April 12 to 20, 2019
Canadian Children’s Museum, 100 Laurier Street, Gatineau
Regular Admission
Easter at the Estate
Enjoy family-friendly fun inspired by the spring season on the Billings farm. Explore Easter traditions as well as life on the farm as you complete activities and collect tokens to redeem for a delicious treat. Visit the Big Sky Ranch petting zoo and say hello to our special animal guests. Animal feed is available for $1 per handful (Animal feed proceeds support Big Sky Ranch animal rescue programs). Details
Saturday, April 20 | 10:00 AM – 4:00 PM
Billings Estate National Historic Site, 2100 Cabot Street, Ottawa
$17.50 per family (2 adults + children) or $6.75 per person
Bell’s Bunny Hop
Ever wondered what bunnies and eggs have to do with Easter? Collect all the pieces to your Fairfields puzzle as you complete family-friendly activities inspired by spring on the Bell family farm and the history behind some of the symbols connected to the season. Finish the puzzle for a delicious chocolate treat! Don’t forget to get into character by decorating your very own bunny mask. Details
Saturday, April 20 | 10:00 AM – 4:00 PM
Fairfields Heritage Property
3080 Richmond Road, Ottawa
$17.50 per family (2 adults + children) or $6.75 per person
Olde Maple Lane Sugarbush
Join us for a sleigh ride, visit the sugar shack, and watch the sap to syrup process unfold while enjoying taffy on the snow and a pancake brunch at the Pancake House or join us for our Easter Egg Hunt.
Stanley’s Annual Easter Egg Hunt: Children and adults alike delight in meeting the Easter Bunny’s Helpers and helping them find their lost eggs! Pile aboard the wagon for a ride out to the Sugarbush. Hunt through the bush in search of the Easter bunny’s lost eggs, and add them to your basket.
February 23 through April 21, 2019
Stanley’s Olde Maple Lane Farm
2452 Yorks Corners Rd
FREE
Maple Fest
Come for a fun day in the country… just minutes from the city!!
Go on guided tour on the collection and production of maple syrup, Enjoy Play parks, giant slide, double slide, and play structures, Petting farm, touch, feed, learn, Sugar bush, Maple production shack, Farm boutique (maple, honey, and homemade jams).
Sunday, February 24th to Easter Monday, April 22nd, 2019
Proulx Maple & Berry Farm – 1865 O’Toole Rd, Ottawa
$5.53+HST/person
Fulton’s Winter Magic & Spring Harvest
We invite you to bring your family to spend a memorable day together with us! Enjoy a hot pancake meal in our old fashioned Pancake House Restaurant. Learn the art of maple syrup making with the owners and experienced staff. Take a “Walk Though Time” in this self guided historical area and learn how those who came before us began tapping and making maple syrup.
Saturday, February 16 – Monday, April 22, 2019
Fulton’s Pancake House & Sugar Bush
399 Sugar Bush Road, Pakenham
Free Admission
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/Landmark
- Upcoming Family Friendly Movies in Theatres
- Family Favourites Cineplex: Visit participating Cineplex theatres near you and watch a family favourite film each week for only $2.99. | Saturdays at 11:00 AM
4. Family Sundays: Natural Wonders
Bring your family to create, learn and have fun. At each Family Sunday, kids ages 0–12 and their adults can experience the national collection through a different theme. Sundays | 10 am – 4 pm @ National Gallery of Canada.
5 ideas for a spontaneous/last minute day trip or a weekend getaway for this Easter Weekend in Ontario. 1. Easter Weekend Family Getaway in Kawarthas Escape the city ... »
More To Do
II. Live Music
EDM/ Concert Tours/Week day Concerts this Week
- Andrea Gibson on Monday, April 15, 2019 | 8:00 PM @ National Arts Centre
- Action Bronson on Monday, April 15, 2019 | 8:00 PM @ Algonquin Commons Theatre
- Lennie Gallant on Tuesday, April 16, 2019 | 8:00 PM @ National Arts Centre
- Beartooth: The Disease Tour Canada on Tuesday, April 16, 2019 | 6:30 PM @ Bronson Centre Theatre
- Lisiecki and Ravel on April 17 & 18 @ on National Arts Centre
- Satanic Surfers, Belvedere on Wednesday, April 17, 2019 | 7:30 PM @ The 27 Club
- Don Brownrigg & Kim Harris on Thursday, April 18, 2019| 8:30 PM @ National Arts Centre
- Tokyo Police Club on Thursday, April 18, 2019 | 8:00 PM @ Bronson Centre Theatre
- Hotel California – The Original Tribute To The Eagles on April 19 & 20, 2019 | 8:00 PM @ Theatre du Casino
- May Have on April 19 | 9:00 PM @ Live on Elgin
- Paper Shakers, the Blooms, Lost At Sea on Friday, April 19, 2019 | 9:00 PM @ Rainbow Bistro
- Cancer Bats on Saturday, April 20, 2019 | 8:30 PM @ The 27 Club
- Kyle Ivan on Saturday, April 20, 2019 | 8:30 PM @ Live on Elgin
- Neko Case on Saturday, April 20, 2019 | 7:00 PM @ Bronson Centre Theatre
- Naza on Sunday, April 21, 2019 | 8:00 PM @ Bronson Centre Theatre
Seven Last Words
Concert by 13 Strings. The Seven Last Words of Our Saviour on the Cross, Opus 51, with reading of poems in English and French.
April 19 | 7:30 PM
Dominion-Chalmers United Church, Ottawa
$10.00–$45.00
FAURÉ’S REQUIEM
Featuring Carmen Harris Soprano, Ryan Hofman Baritone
Jason Biel Organ, With Chamber Orchestra, Directed by Roland Graham
With Works for Holy Week by Brahms, Fauré, Gardiner, Gjeilo,graham, Mendelssohn, Palestrina and Stainer, Sung by the Southminster Church Choir
Friday, April 19, 2019 | 7:30 PM – 9:00 PM
Southminster United Church, 15 Aylmer Avenue , Ottawa
$12 – $35
III. Live Theatre & Related Events
Dief The Chief
October 1962. Soviet ships are charging the American blockade around Cuba. The world is on the brink of thermonuclear war. Meanwhile, in Canada, Prime Minister, John Diefenbaker, is enjoying a majority government, popularity and a lovely fall day picking flowers with his wife. All that changes with the arrival of a personal letter from J.F. Kennedy.
April 16 – 20, 2019
The Gladstone Theatre – 910 Gladstone Avenue, Ottawa
$23 to $39
Toronto Comedy All Stars
The Toronto Comedy All Stars return to Ottawa with a brand new lineup featuring some of the best comedians working today! That may sound like hyperbole but trust us, we checked with our moms and they said we’re really really good!
Saturday, April 20, 2019| 8:30 PM
National Arts Centre, Ottawa
$20
IV. Exhibitions, Festivals & Other Events
More To Do
Ottawa Humane Society’s Hoppy Easter Open House
The OHS Auxiliary will be selling home made treats and crafts at the Ottawa Humane Society’s Hoppy Easter Open House. Details
Saturday April 20th | 11 AM – 1:00 PM
Ottawa Humane Society, 245 West Hunt Club Rd, Ottawa
FREE
Way of the Cross
Led by Most. Rev. Terrence Prendergast, S.J., Archbishop of Ottawa. Details
April 19 | 09:30 AM to 12:00 PM
Departure from St Patrick’s Basilica, corner Nepean and Kent at 9:30 am and arrival at Notre Dame Cathedral around 12 Noon.
Free
Easter Markets
The Metcalfe Farmers’ Market: Saturday, April 20, 2019 | 9:00 AM – 2:00 PM @ Greely Community Center, 1448 meadow drive, Greely – Ottawa
North Gower Easter Market: Saturday, April 20 | 9:00 AM – 2:00 PM @ Alfred Taylor Community Centre2300 Community Way, Ottawa
Carp Farmers’ Easter Market: Saturday, April 20 | 8:00 AM to 2:00 [email protected] 3790 Carp Road, Carp
Ottawa Farmers’ Market – Winter Market – Sunday | 10:00 AM to 03:00 PM @ Aberdeen Pavilion, Lansdowne Park
Murder Mystery Ottawa
Join the Delivista “Family” as they mourn the passing of Eddy “The Shark” Delivista, in “The CodFather”, a gut-bustingly funny tribute to disorganized crime. Eddy’s right-hand man, Sammy “The Squid” Bonetti will be happy to see you at the Don’s memorial, as will Eddy’s son Angel and renowned artist Patricia DuPoisson. Don’t forget to meet The Family’s private physician Dr. Sands and Father Vigoda. Keeping the peace will be Special Officer Peter Pants.
Saturday | 8:00 PM – 10:00 PM
The Prescott, 379 Preston Street , Ottawa
$24.50 – $99
Ukrainian Easter Egg – Wax Batik
A pysanka is a Ukrainian Easter egg, decorated with traditional Ukrainian folk designs using a wax-resist method. The word pysanka comes from the verb pysaty, “to write” or “to in scribe”, as the designs are not painted on, but written with beeswax. The Batik technique uses hot wax and batik paint.
Saturday, April 20 | 6:00 PM – 8:30 PM
Flapjack’s Canadian Diner, 354a Preston Street, Ottawa
$25 – $35
Hummingbird Chocolate Factory Tour
Learn how chocolate is made from the cacao bean to the bar! Visit our factory and we’ll walk you through the process of craft chocolate making – sorting, roasting, cracking, winnowing, grinding, conching, aging, tempering and wrapping. And most importantly, TASTING! Note: we make single origin craft chocolate, almost all dark.
Saturdays | 10:30 AM – 11:15 AM
Hummingbird Chocolate, 9 Houston Drive, Mississippi Mills
$5
Murder Mystery Ottawa
Join the Delivista “Family” as they mourn the passing of Eddy “The Shark” Delivista, in “The CodFather”, a gut-bustingly funny tribute to disorganized crime. Eddy’s right-hand man, Sammy “The Squid” Bonetti will be happy to see you at the Don’s memorial, as will Eddy’s son Angel and renowned artist Patricia DuPoisson. Don’t forget to meet The Family’s private physician Dr. Sands and Father Vigoda. Keeping the peace will be Special Officer Peter Pants.
Saturday, April 20 | 8:00 PM – 10:00 PM
The Prescott, 379 Preston Street , Ottawa
$24.50 – $99
Easter Service
If you are visiting Ottawa and want to attend Easter Service, here is a list of 8 historic churches:
- Notre-Dame Cathedral Basilica
- Christ Church Cathedral
- Saint Patrick’s Basilica
- First Baptist Church
- St. Andrew’s Presbyterian Church
- St. Bartholomew’s Anglican Church
- Ste-Anne Catholic Church
- Saint Joseph Parish
VI. Easter Brunch in Ottawa
A list of few places to enjoy Easter Brunch in Ottawa.
Easter Specials
- Easter Brunch @ NAC on Sunday,April 21, 2019 | 11:00 AM – 2:00 PM – $48 / person
- Wilfrid’s Easter Brunch @ Chateau Laurier on Sunday, April 21 | 11:30 AM. – 2:30 PM. $88 adult, $44 children, not including tax and gratuities
- Easter Brunch @ Muse at Wakefield Mill on Sunday, April 21, 2019 | $50 adult, $25 children
- Easter WEEKEND Brunch Table d’hote menu @ Social, 537 Sussex Drive Ottawa, on Saturday and Sunday from 11:00 am – 3:00 PM
- Annual Mini Egg Pancake Breakfast @ Feast + Revel, 325 Dalhousie St Ottawa on Friday, April 19 through Sunday, April 21.
- Easter Brunch @ NeXt, 6400 Hazeldean Rd Stittsville on Easter Sunday | 10:30 to 1:30 pm
- Easter Brunch @ Restaurant e18hteen on April 21 | 10:30 AM to 2:30 PM
- Easter Sunday Brunch @ Courtyard, 21 George St, Ottawa on Sunday, April 21 | 10:00 AM to 2:00 PM – $33 adults/$16 child
- Easter Brunch @ Perspectives – Brookfield on Sunday, April 21 | | 10:00 AM to 2.30 PM for Adults: $43.95 Children aged 5 & up: $24.95; Children aged 4 & under: Complimentary
- Brunch @ Arôme – Casino du Lac-Leamy | $34.00 – Kids 6 to 12 years old $17.00
- Easter Brunch @ IRONSTONE GRILL – The Marshes Golf Club – Sunday, April 21 | 10:00 AM to 2:00 PM ; Adults: $39.95; Children aged 6-12: $19.95; Children aged 5 & under: Free!
- Easter Brunch @ Canadian Museum of Nature | Adult: $34.00; Senior (65+): $27.50, Student (13+): $27.50, Child (3–12): $15.00 Child (0–2): $5
- Easter Brunch @ Rideau Carleton Casino on | on Sunday, April 21 | 9AM – 4PM | 24.99
Sugar Shack Buffet/Brunch
- Brunch @ The Sugar Bush at Proulx Farm, Cumberland – Brunch 9:00 AM – 3:00 PM, last seating 2:00 PM.
- Maple Farm Buffet @ Sand Road, Moose Creek | 10:00 AM. to 2:00 PM — Adults: $18.95 | 6-12 yrs: $11.95 | Children under 5 yrs: $7.95
The Latin American Film Festival
The Latin American Film Festival (LAFF) returns in 2019 for its 23nd edition, showcasing features, documentaries, and short films from south of the Rio Grande. Presented by the Canadian Film Institute (CFI), the event features only contemporary Ottawa premieres, gleaned from the screens of such festivals as Cannes, Berlin, Toronto, and Chicago to celebrate the rich and diverse cultures of Latin America.
April 12 to May 1, 2019
Ottawa Art Gallery 50 Mackenzie King Bridge , Ottawa
$10 to $14
You may like:
- Lobster Fridays: Join us every Friday night in the Clubhouse restaurant and receive one free lobster with the purchase of a regular priced buffet. Every Friday from 5 PM – 10 PM @ Rideau Carleton Raceway Casino | $29.99
- Sports N’ Wings: Kick back and watch your favourite team on the big screen in Rendez-Vous Lounge, while enjoying a pound of wings for only $9.99, and $5 Coronas/Coors Light! Sundays | 1PM – 9PM @ Rideau Carleton Raceway Casino
A Noteworthy Woman
This exhibition exploring the theme and imagery on Canada’s new $10 bank note highlights the life and work of Viola Desmond, the first Canadian woman on a regular bank note. Details
November 30 to May 12, 2019
Bank of Canada Museum, 30 Bank Street, 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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Thanks for the list!!! It really helps me plan my activities with my kids on the weekend.