Ottawa 
Weekend Events & Festivals in Ottawa – Aug 21 to 23, 2026
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.
Before You Travel:
- Weather:
- Ottawa Road Conditions/Traffic/Road Closures: Details
Submit the event online (free) to add to the Ottawa Events Calendar.
Events & Festivals: Things to Do in August
I. Family & Kids Activities
The Capital Fair
August 14 to 23, 2026
Albion Road and Rideau Road, Ottawa
$5 to $15+fees
Stittsville Sweet Corn Festival
Join us and 35 local vendors in our 5th Annual Sweet Corn Festival. Door prizes, Music, special draws and just great folks and yes……Corn! Fresh Corn from Manotick/Richmond will be available for purchase or to eat fresh-cooked! A special “Laughter Yoga” class will be available as well. Details
Saturday, August 22, 2026 | 10-2:30 PM
Village Square Park, 6000 Abbott Street East, Ottawa
Free
Tanger Ottawa’s Back To School Bash
Get ready for the ultimate Back to School Bash! Enjoy an 18-ft inflatable slide, lawn games, a photobooth and back-to-school photomoment, giveaways, prizes a scavenger hunt and more. Plus, from 12 PM – 5 PM, don’t miss our featured programming: – Live DJ & music – Keychain charm station – Face painting & glitter artists – Balloon Flower Market – TangerKids Tent – Food sampling and even more prizes and fun. Details
Saturday, August 22, 2026 | 11 AM – 7 PM
Tanger Outlets Ottawa, The Yard, 8555 Campeau Drive, Ottawa
Free
Secondhand Stories Chicken Sanctuary Open House
Secondhand Stories non-profit Chicken Sanctuary will host their 3rd Annual Open House, welcoming the public to the sanctuary grounds! This event invites families to meet their flock, explore humane education, and enjoy hands-on workshops and activities designed to spark compassion for chickens. Details
Saturday August 22, 2026 | 9:00am – 4:00pm
Secondhand Stories, 21 Pegg Road, Lombardy
$10
Festival of the Wild Child
Our annual Nature themed day is filled with a variety of activities, including scavenger hunts, nature walks and workshops that offer families the chance to share creative outdoor discovery and play. It is an affordable day of woodland fun. Details
Saturday, August 22 from 10:00 AM to 4:00 PM.
High Lonesome Nature Reserve, 867 Carbine Rd, Pakenham
Free to $10
Ottawa Greek Festival
The Ottawa Greek Festival is an annual event that features live Greek music, traditional Greek dances, excellent Greek Cuisine, cooking demonstrations, Greek language lessons, craft and cultural exhibits, souvenirs, raffles, children’s activities, Church tours and ecclesiastical displays. Details
August 13 to 23, 2026
1315 Prince of Wales Drive, Ottawa
Free
The Corn Maze Festival
Get lost in our spectacular Ottawa 200 corn maze, discover fun exhibits along the way, and learn about the people, places, and agricultural roots that helped shape our city. It’s a fresh new way to experience the farm this summer – and we can’t wait for you to see it! We’re incredibly grateful for the support of Ottawa Tourism in helping bring this exciting new experience to life. Details
August 1 to 31, 2026
Saunders Farm, 7893 Bleeks Rd, Ottawa
17 to $22+fees
Letter Splash Event
This August, kids swim free at our Nepean Aquatic Centre (Hippo in the Bathtub). Come see us at 52 Antares Drive for a free swim class. All levels welcome – classes are for children ages 4 months to 14 years old. Details
August 4 to 29, 2026
Hippo in the Bathtub Aquatic Centre, 52 Antares Drive – Unit 2, Ottawa
Free
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
Thursday – Sunday | 9:00 AM – 4:00 PM
The Log Farm, 670 Cedarview Road, Nepean
$12.99
Family Hour at Escape Manor
Pay for 3, the rest play FREE with our Family Hour discounts all summer long ☀️ This offer is open to anyone to enjoy on escape rooms with 6 people or less! Play an experience that the whole family can enjoy at a discounted rate 🎉 Details
Until August 31, 2026
Manor Lounge, 292 Elgin Street, Ottawa
$30-$90
Pirate Life Ottawa
A Pirate’s Life provides an interactive ‘pirate life’ theatrical experience with a boat cruise in a look-alike pirate ship. Join the scurvy crew and live the Pirate Life: Adventure, Theatre and Cruise. An interactive adventure, become a buccaneer with costumes, face paint and a pirate alias! Details
May 16 to Oct 11, 2026
588 Hog’s Back Road, Ottawa
$14 to $44
Canada Strong Pass
Enjoy free admission to Parks Canada sites and free admission for children aged 17 and under, 50% off admission fees for youth aged 18 to 24 to provincial museums until September 7, 2026.
- Parks Canada National Parks and Historic Sites
- National Museums: Canada Agriculture and Food Museum, Canada Aviation and Space Museum, Canada Science and Technology Museum, Canadian Museum of History, Canadian Museum of Nature, Canadian War Museum and National Gallery of Canada.
- Upper Canada Village – Morrisburg
- Fort Henry – Kingston
- Fulford Place — Ontario Heritage Trust — Brockville
You may like:
At the library
Ottawa Public Library offers plenty of free activities for all ages, including toddler storytimes. Plan to attend some of the free activities during weekends:
Details and link for registration.
By City of Ottawa Recreation – Programs
Cineplex Family Favourites: Visit participating Cineplex theatres near you and watch a favourite family film each week for only $3.99 plus applicable taxes.
II. Live Music
Nostalgia Music Festival
August 19 to 23, 2026
LeBreton Flats, Ottawa
$63 to $78
The Wallflowers
The Wallflowers bring their Bringing Down the Horse 30th Anniversary Tour to HISTORY Ottawa. Led by Jakob Dylan, the Grammy-winning rock band will perform their landmark 1996 album in full, featuring “One Headlight” and “6th Avenue Heartache,” alongside Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers’ Long After Dark. Details
Thursday, August 20, 2026 | 7:00 PM
History Ottawa, 47 Rideau Street, Ottawa
$66.25 & up
Classic Albums Live: Madonna
Classic Albums Live takes the greatest albums and recreates them live on stage – note for note, cut for cut, using the best musicians. Forgoing costumes and impersonations, Classic Albums Live has found success in concentrating solely on the music. The Immaculate Collection is the first greatest hits album by American singer Madonna, released on November 12, 1990, by Sire Records. It contains fifteen of her hit singles recorded throughout the 1980s, as well as two brand new tracks, “Justify My Love” and “Rescue Me”. Details
Friday August 21, 2026 | 8:00 PM
Southam Hall, 1 Elgin St, Ottawa
$34.00+
Crooks Rapids Country Fest
Crooks Rapids Year 6 returns with two days of country music, food, and fun! Lineup: Ben Chase, The Ireland Bothers, Ty Wilson, Makinna Givens, Jane Archer, Sully Burrows, Jessie T, Tyler Lorette, Rob Donaldson, Abby Stewart, Cale Crowe Details
August 21 & 22, 2026
29 Pickens Rd, Hastings
$50 & up
Queenswood Heights Music Festival
Join us for a day of music, community, and summer fun at the Queenswood Heights Music Festival! Hosted by the Queenswood Heights Community Association, this free, family-friendly event brings together local musicians, community groups, artisans, food vendors, and residents for an unforgettable celebration of local talent and neighbourhood spirit. Details
Saturday, August 22, 2026 | 10:00 PM – 4:00 PM
Queenswood Ridge Park, 346 Kennedy Ln E, Ottawa
Free
Wanted – Hommage à Bon Jovi
“WANTED Bon Jovi Tribute” is a celebration of the iconic anthems that defined one of the greatest rock bands of all time! This live show features a powerhouse band, dynamic vocals, and electrifying performances of hits like “You Give Love a Bad Name”, “Wanted Dead or Alive”, “Livin’ on a Prayer”, “Bad Medicine” and many more classics from Bon Jovi’s legendary catalog. “WANTED Bon Jovi Tribute” promises an unforgettable evening of epic rock and a high-octane show! Details
Saturday, August 22, 2026 | 8:00 PM
Theatre du Casino du Lac-Leamy, 1 Blvd du Casino, Gatineau
$50 & up
Candlelight Concerts
Candlelight concerts bring the magic of a live, multi-sensory musical experience to awe-inspiring locations like never seen before in Ottawa. Details
The Best of Hans Zimmer – Saturday, August 22 | 6:30 p.m.
Coldplay & Imagine Dragons – Saturday, August 22 | 8:30 p.m.
The Gladstone Theatre, Ottawa
$34 & up
Music on the Canal
Hear the vibrant playing of Miguel de Armas, Roxanne Goodman, and many more as they float along the Rideau Canal on Saturdays all summer long. Let these incredible musicians provide a glimpse of joyful sounds as they float by while you run or bike! Details
Saturdays, July 4 to August 22, 2026 | 4:30 PM
Under the Rideau Street Bridge, NAC, Ottawa
Free
Live from the Booth
Kick off your Saturday nights at Drop the Beat on Sparks, a weekly outdoor DJ series bringing the best of Ottawa’s electronic music scene to The Booth on Sparks Street. Details
Saturdays, June 6 – October 10, 2026 | 8pm-10pm
The Booth on Sparks Street
(between Elgin St & Metcalfe St), Ottawa
Free
III. Live Theatre
Death of a Salesman
August 19 to September 5, 2026
Ottawa Little Theatre, 400 King Edward Ave, Ottawa
$10.00 – $32.00
Abbas Wahab – Dialed-In Tour
Abbas Wahab is a New York–based, Canadian comedian and actor. He’s been featured at the Just For Laughs and Edinburgh Fringe festivals, and is best known most recently for his role as a SWAT officer in M. Night Shyamalan’s TRAP. Wahab has appeared in hit TV shows including The Boys, What We Do in the Shadows, and Star Trek: Strange New Worlds. Abbas has opened for comedy legends Tom Green and Brian Holtzman and has built a loyal following of over 350k fans on Instagram and TikTok. Details
Saturday August 22, 2026 | 7:00 PM & 9:30 PM
Richcraft Theatre, 245 Centrum Boulevard, Ottawa
$38.99
Pride Pageant
Join us as local drag performers compete for the titles of Mr., Mx., and Ms. Capital Pride 2026. Hosted by Cyril Cinder, and judged by Yovska, Suki Doll, and Hercusleaze. Also joining us is the 2025 Royal Court, Ms. Capital Pride 2025 Portia Züm Züm, Mr. Capital Pride 2025 Zak Zinya, and Mx. Capital Pride 2025 Banshii. You don’t want to miss their step-down performances! Details
Saturday, August 22, 2026 | 8:00 PM
Southam Hall, 1 Elgin St, Ottawa
$35.00+
Oh Canada Eh? Dinner Show
Come be serenaded by our singing Mountie, hockey player, Anne of Green Gables, Klondike Kitty, and many other special guests. This high-energy, family-friendly production features over 70 songs from Canadian artists, including Paul Anka, Celine Dion, Shania Twain, the Barenaked Ladies, Avril Lavigne, Justin Bieber, and many more. Details
Various Dates
Oh Canada Eh? Dinner Theatre, 330 Kent Street, Ottawa
$27.95 to $99.95
IV. Sports/Outdoor Activities
Ottawa Titans Baseball Club
August 18 to 23, 2026
Friday, August 21 | Jamaica Trip Giveaway Night, Fireworks Show
Saturday, August 22 | Bark in the Park, Theme Jersey
Sunday, August 23rd | Team Photo Giveaway, Post-Game Autographs
300 Coventry Road, Ottawa
$15 to $24
Ottawa Rapid FC
vs. Vancouver Rise FC Details
Saturday, August 22, 2026 | 7:00 PM
The Stadium at TD Place, 1015 Bank Street, Ottawa
$25 & up
Monster Trucks All Out
Back and bigger than ever! The Monster Trucks All Out Tour is on a collision course for the Carp, Ontario! Experience all the high-flying, ground-pounding action as iconic Canadian Monster Trucks battle it out in nonstop competition. ROBOSHARK, BUCKING BRONCO, OUTFOXED, and the Canadian debut of T-REX! Meet the drivers for photos & autographs, and get up close with the HUGE Monsters at the Pre-show Pit Party. Details
Saturday, August 22, 2026 | 11:00 am & 4:30 pm
3629 Carp Road, Carp
$20 to $35 + fees
Light at Night Kayaking
Join us for an enchanting “Light at Night” kayaking experience in downtown Ottawa. This 2.5 hour, 5.5km paddle along the Rideau Canal offers a perfect blend of history, scenic beauty, and camaraderie. Whether you’re a beginner or an advanced paddler, this leisurely-paced tour is an excellent opportunity to meet other paddling enthusiasts while exploring one of Ottawa’s most iconic waterways. Details
August 12th – August 27th | 6:30 PM
Rideau Canal, 524 O’Connor St, Ottawa
$99 – $198
NCC Weekend Bikedays
Every weekend from May to October, the NCC opens parkways in Ottawa exclusively for active use, morning and afternoon. Whether you’re biking, walking, running or skating, this program is for you! These car-free roads are a great way to experience the beauty of Canada’s Capital Region in a fun, safe and environmentally friendly way. Details
Weekends and Holiday Mondays, May 9 to October 12, 2026
Various Venues, Ottawa
Free
General Activities
- Scenic Lookouts: 15 Scenic Lookouts In and Around Ottawa
- Waterfalls: 15+ Waterfalls to Visit in and Around Ottawa
- Hikes: 25 of the Best Hikes in and Around Ottawa
- Family Hikes: 20 Family Hikes and Walks in and Around Ottawa
- Nature Areas: 25 Must-Visit Nature Attractions and Nature Hotspots in and Around Ottawa
V. Festivals & Other Events
Indian Food Festival of Ottawa
August 21 to 23, 2026
Clarke Fields Park, 93 Houlahan Street, Nepean
Free
Yowfest
This two-day event, held in August, serves as a platform for Canadian artists, including those from both English- and French-speaking backgrounds, as well as international artists from diverse backgrounds. Details
August 21 & 22, 2026 | 4 – 11pm
The Urban Centre, 70 Bongard Avenue, Ottawa
$38.61 & up
Ottawa Jollof Festival
Join thousands of food lovers, families, and culture enthusiasts at the 2026 Ottawa Jollof Festival—Canada’s premier celebration of Jollof rice and one of the National Capital Region’s most exciting multicultural festivals. Details
August 22 & 23, 2026
Jacques-Cartier Park, Rue Laurier, Gatineau
Free
North Lanark (Almonte) Highland Games
Celebrate the Scottish culture and heritage of the Ottawa Valley at the 41st annual North Lanark Highland Games. The Games offer a traditional format and size attracting about 3,000 visitors, with numerous pipe bands, dancers and champion heavyweight athletes combining to present what is recognized as one of the Ottawa Valley’s premier summer events. Details
Saturday August 22, 2026 | 8:00 am – 6:00 pm
Almonte Fairgrounds, 195 Water St, Almonte
$15-$20
Capital Pride
Capital Pride celebrates the rich and diverse 2SLGBTQ+ community in the National Capital Region. “Together, We Shine” celebrates the power of visibility, connection, and community. Inspired by the symbol of the spotlight, this year’s theme recognizes the people, stories, and voices that make Ottawa–Gatineau’s 2SLGBTQIA+ community vibrant, resilient, and proud. Details
August 22–30, 2026
Various Venues, Ottawa
Free & Ticketed
Meat and Grease Ottawa Car Show
Bring your car, truck, motorcycle, or just come out and enjoy an afternoon filled with amazing vehicles, great food, music, and family-friendly fun—all while supporting a fantastic cause. Details
Saturday, August 23, 2026 | 12:00 PM – 4:00 PM
Derand Motorsport, 1231 Newmarket Street, Ottawa
Free
Pups and Pinot at the Vineyard
We are hosting a dog-friendly market at our vineyard
All dogs are welcome. All local market vendors offer dog-related items. 10$ admission includes a glass of wine or a non-alcoholic beverage. Details
Sunday August 23, 2026 | 1:00 PM – 5:00 PM
Green Gables Vines Winery, 1600 Porter Road, Oxford Station
$10
Pop Up Cinema
Capital Pop-Up Cinema has been bringing the magic of movies to unexpected places across the Ottawa region for over a decade—and this summer. Gather your friends, grab a blanket, and settle in for a sunset screening in one of the city’s most scenic waterfront spots. Details
movie: Turner & Hooch
August 21 | Sundown
Churchill Seniors Community Centre – 345 Richmond Rd, Ottawa – Westboro Village
Free
Farm-to-Table Dinner
Join us for our 12th annual modern-day farm-to-table dinner, the cherished Pig & Corn Roast 2026! This special event commemorates the very first workday and the ensuing celebratory feast that took place after Bill and Anne Saunders purchased the farm in 1976. It’s a tradition that honours our roots, brings the community together, and showcases the bounty of our land. Prepare for a truly delightful culinary experience that celebrates the best of local flavours and farm-fresh ingredients. Details
August 23, 2026
Saunders Farm, 7893 Bleeks Rd, Ottawa
$39 to $64 & up
U-Pick Flowers
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
July 12 to September 18, 2026
Green Corners, 1259 York’s Corners Road, Ottawa
$7 to $25
High Tea on the Veranda
Parks Canada invites you to enjoy High Tea on the historic veranda at Laurier House National Historic Site. Wear your best tea attire and join us for scrumptious treats and delicious teas, as the breeze floats over the historic setting on the veranda. Details
June 4 to September 25, 2026
Laurier House National Historic Site, 335 Laurier Ave. East, Ottawa
$68+fees
Le Petit Chef
In “The Beginning,” the world’s smallest chef takes you on his very first culinary adventure. Watch as your tabletop transforms into a fascinating 3D landscape, and cheer him on as he battles oversized ingredients with humor and passion to prepare an exquisite multi-course meal. A charming, nostalgic, and captivating dining experience. Details
Various Dates Through September
Tulip Restaurant and Bar, 361 Queen Street, Ottawa
$129 & up
Ottawa City Rafting – Guided River Tour
From the sweep of the river, the Ottawa looks as majestic as when Champlain rediscovered it four centuries ago. This one-of-a-kind trip has everything, right in Canada’s capital – fun, education and just enough excitement to be thrilled at the end of the run. It’s perfect for adventure seekers, families, schools and corporate groups. Details
June 6 – Mid-September
Britannia Beach, 102 Greenview Ave, Ottawa
$94 to $109
Beekeeping Experience
Come visit Gibbs Honey for an immersive tour of our home apiary, hives, honey house and wildflower meadows. This experience includes opening a hive. This hands-on experience is the perfect event for friends weekends, team building, or as a part of your visit to the beautiful Vankleek Hill area. Details
Various Weekends
Gibbs Honey, 501 Mac Callum’s Lane, Vankleek Hill
$60
Humanics Sanctuary and Sculpture Park
Come and experience this hidden jewel just outside Cumberland Village in Ottawa. Discover sculptures carefully placed in a natural setting at this nine-acre wooded ravine with walking trails and quaint bridges over a meandering creek. The Humanics sanctuary and sculpture park is a unique multi-cultural, multi-religious and multi-generational Canadian Institution focused on promoting principles of non-violence, human development, justice and peace. Details
May 16 to October 31, 2026
Humanics Sanctuary and Sculpture Park , 3468 Ch. Old Montreal Rd, Ottawa
$7-$10
Nepean Night Market
Nepean Night Market brings amazing vendors, fantastic live music, fabulous food trucks, and the most awesome fun luvin’ summer nights!! Details
Sundays, May 17 to October 18, 2026 | 5:00 pm – 9:00 pm
Mr.Lube parking lot, 1442 Baseline Road, Ottawa
Free
Discover the Capital – Historical Highlights Tour
Various Dates
89 Sparks Street, Ottawa
Pay What You Want Public Tour
Whitewater Rafting with OWL Rafting
Experience the great Canadian river trip – this is a travel-path forged by First Nations, traversed by fur traders since the 1600’s and fostered by foresters at the turn of the last century. An introduction to whitewater is a full day natural roller coaster where you’ll paddle as a team – your experienced guide steers from the stern – all you have to do is listen for directions, join in and have fun. Details
May 16 – September 7 | various start times
40 Owl Lane, Foresters Falls
$85 & up
Faith Fyles: In Full Bloom
This exhibition explores the intersection of art and science through the life and work of Faith Fyles (1875 – 1961), the first woman to be appointed as a botanist with Canada’s Department of Agriculture. The exhibition traces her distinctive dual careers at Ottawa’s Central Experimental Farm (CEF): first as a botanist and then as an artist, with both roles often merging in one project. Details
March 7 to September 27, 2026
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.
To add events to this list – Submit Event.
What about events geared to young adults with autism
Hi, just drove out to Petrie Island and the Carivibe fest was only yesterday and not today as you have written.
@Various Venues — https://www.todocanada.ca/city/ottawa/event/carivibe-beach-food-festival/
me and my buddy are going next weekend. I cant wait for updated list. lots of fun items to do in Ottawa
Great resource. Thanks a lot!
Thank you
Hello
Does subscribe work?
tried twice, always an error (nothing in my inbox or spam)
thank you
Does subscribing still work? I have checked my spam folders and nothing.
Great site, I look at it almost every week to get ideas on what to do with the kids.
Just to note, there’s a fair with carnival rides this weekend (Aug. 20-22) at the Earl Armstrong Arena. You can see it from the costco parking lot.
Here’s the address for those interested:
Earl Armstrong Arena
2020 Ogilvie Rd, Gloucester, ON K1J 7N8
To allay any confusion–when you click on “details” under “Shakespeare in the Park–A Midsummer Night’s Dream” there is an error suggesting that the play is “Cymbeline.” That was last year’s Bear production! This year’s show is, indeed “A Midsummer Night’s Dream.” Join us for one of our final three performances, Aug 2, 3, & 4!
Wow wish I had found this site much sooner. So many great events happening in Ottawa this weekend. Thanks for providing this list.
Thanks for the list!!! It really helps me plan my activities with my kids on the weekend.
Great listings! Thanks!
Thanks for including the Ottawa Canadian Film Festival http://ocanfilmfest.ca/ocanfilmfest2018
Useful. Thanks for sharing.
Why is it that the “Subscribe to our newsletter” – on the right hand side of this newsletter/webpage…
https://www.todocanada.ca/things-ottawa-weekend/
… does not include Ottawa in the “Select City News letter list”?
Boom