Ottawa
Weekend Events & Festivals in Ottawa: June 21 to 23, 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
Summer Solstice Indigenous Festival & Competition Pow Wow
Experience the rich Indigenous culture of the National Capital Region and celebrate National Indigenous Peoples Day! Enjoy stage performances, live music, theatre and dance; interactive arts and crafts; indigenous culinary experiences; Pow Wow; cultural workshops; Indigenous art, food & fashion marketplace; community celebrations and unlimited FREE family fun.
June 20 to 23, 2019
Vincent Massey Park, Heron Rd, Ottawa
Free
The 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. The Changing of the Guard is a parade representing the changing of the guards posted at Rideau Hall, the official residence the Governor General.
June 23 to 24 and July 3 to August 24, 2019 | 10:00 AM
Parliament East Lawn
Free & Ticketed Events
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
WATER FUN in the City – Details
- Beaches: East Ottawa: Petrie Island Beach, 727 Trim Road, 613-824-5704
West Ottawa: Britannia Beach, 805 Carling Avenue, 613-820-1211
South Ottawa: Mooney’s Bay Beach, 2926 Riverside Drive, 613-248-0863
Central Ottawa: Westboro Beach, 745 Sir John A. MacDonald Parkway, 613-792-3875
Lifeguards are on duty from June 15 to August 25, 2019, every day from noon to 7 pm. - 20 indoor pools, nine outdoor pools and three wave pools
- 56 wading pools and 127 splash pads
3. Movies
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.
Landmark Theatres — Every Sunday, kids can get out of the house, a movie ticket and Snack Pack (popcorn, drink, choice of candy treat).
More To Do
II. Live Music
EDM/ Concert Tours/Week day Concerts this Week
- Half Moon Run, Jacquie Neville, Vile Bodies on Thursday, June 20 | 06:30 PM @ Mooney’s Bay Park on Riverside Drive
- Joey Landreth on Thursday, June 20, 2019 | 8:00 PM @ National Arts Centre
- Alan Doyle, Jane’s Party, Basic White on Friday, June 21 | 06:30 PM @ Mooney’s Bay Park on Riverside Drive
- Nick Maclean Quartet on June 21 & 22, 2019 | 08:00 PM @ Options Jazz Lounge, 525 Legget Dr
- Jess Moskaluke, Sacha, The Dill on Saturday, June 22 | 06:30 PM @ Mooney’s Bay Park on Riverside Drive
- Skye Wallace on Saturday, June 22 | 08:00 PM @ LIVE! on Elgin
- Solstice Soul Jam + Dance Party on Saturday, June 22 | 08:00 PM @ The Lone Star Loft
- Trails, Dubé, USS on Sunday, June 23 | 05:30 PM @ Mooney’s Bay Park on Riverside Drive
TD Ottawa Jazz Festival
An astounding array of superlative artists from around the world will perform at this year’s Festival. Lineup includes: Judith Hill, Gordon Grdina Quartet, Rommel Ribeiro, Julie Corrigan, Norah Jones, Dirty Catfish Brass Band, Dominique Fils-aimé, Laila Biali, Alison Young Quintet, Terri Lyne Carrington And Social Science, Dakhabrakha and many many more!
June 21 to July 1, 2019
Various Venues, Ottawa
Free & Ticketed events
Escapade Music Festival
Ottawa’s epic EDM music festival! Lineup includes: DJ SNake, Kayzo, Tiga, Zeds Dead and many more!
June 22 & 23, 2019
Lansdowne park, Ottawa
$110 & up
III. Live Theatre & Related Events
- The Sunday Funnies on Every Sunday | 08:00 PM @ Lieutenants Pump, 361 Elgin St. Ottawa
- Cum Town Live – Podcast on Friday, June 21, 2019 at 7:30 PM @ Meridian Theatres at Centrepointe, Ottawa
Avenue Q – The Musical
Winner of the Tony “Triple Crown” for Best Musical, Best Score and Best Book, Avenue Q is part flesh, part felt and packed with heart. The laugh-out-loud musical tells the timeless story of a recent college grad named Princeton, who moves into a shabby New York apartment all the way out on Avenue Q. He soon discovers that, although the residents seem nice, it’s clear that this is not your ordinary neighborhood.
June 19-29, 2019
The Gladstone Theatre – 910 Gladstone Avenue, Ottawa
$23 to $39
Cirque Goes Broadway
“There’s no business like show business” and the greatest show on earth involves aerial flyers, acrobats, contortionists, dancers, jugglers, balancers and strongmen. Cirque Goes Broadway is an exceptional combination of cirque performances lauded by audiences worldwide tailored for Broadway’s massive hits with superb singers.
June 20 to 22, 2019
National Arts Centre, 1 Elgin Street, Ottawa
$35.25 to $75.25 + charges
Ottawa Fringe Festival
54 shows, over 10 days, in 9 venues in Downtown Ottawa.
This year’s programming includes performances of every genre, featuring artists from around the world: clown from London, storytelling from Finchampstead, dance from Toronto, and even a strip-tease from Portland; you never know what you’re going to get at the Fringe!
June 13 to 23, 2019
Various Venues in Ottawa’s Downtown Rideau neighbourhood.
Free & Ticketed events.
Culture Shock Canada Showcase
This exciting evening of urban dance will welcome performers from a variety of cities including Montreal, Toronto, Washington DC and of course our hometown Ottawa to name a few. Join us for this amazing showcase which will feature performances by Future Shocks, Culture Shocks and Culture Shock Youth Programs as well as other incredible youth and professional crews.
Saturday, June 22, 2019 | 7:00 PM
Meridian Theatres @ Centrepointe, Ottawa
$23.50 to $35.75
Propeller Dance – Frame of Mind
Propeller Dance once again breaks barriers with FRAME OF MIND. Featuring the premiere of an evocative new work, A Look Inside, the theme of mental health gets a breath of fresh air under the direction of Shara Weaver who aims to “open windows of truth, reject assumptions and re-imagine a world of inter-connectedness and understanding”. The show opener, Picture This, explores Mad Dance Aesthetic through a storytelling view and was created collaboratively with members of Psychiatric Survivors of Ottawa and The Royal.
June 19 to 21, 2019
GCTC, 1233 Wellington Street West, Ottawa
$23.50 to $35.75
III. Sports & Related Events
- Home Opener — Ottawa REDBLACKS vs. Saskatchewan Roughriders + concert at halftime on Thursday, June 20, 2019 at 7:30 PM – 10:30 PM @ TD Place
The Tim Hortons Ottawa Dragon Boat Festival
The Tim Hortons Ottawa Dragon Boat Festival is North America’s largest dragon boat festival. The Festival, currently boasts 200 teams in competitive, corporate and community categories, and is one of the hottest sporting and entertainment events in the Nation’s Capital. The four day celebration offers free admission to concerts, amusement attractions, sports demonstrations, a variety of artisans, exhibitors, delicious culinary treats, children’s area and non-stop racing.
Headliners for the four-day festival are Half Moon Run (20th), Alan Doyle (21st), Jess Moskaluke (22nd), and USS (23rd). Details
June 20th to 23rd, 2019
Mooney’s Bay Park on Riverside Drive, Ottawa
FREE
Ottawa Outlaws
vs Toronto Rush – Professional Ultimate Frisbee Game
Sunday, June 23, 2019 | 2:00 PM – 4:30 PM
MNP Park, 1125 Colonel By Dr, Ottawa
Push for your Tush
Colorectal Cancer Canada Fundraiser. 5km walk and 10km run.
Sunday, June 23 2019 | 09:00 AM
Horticulture Building, Ottawa
Ottawa Welcome Horse Show
Ottawa Equestrian Tournament – Show Jumping.
June 19 to 23, 2019
Wesley Clover Parks, Ottawa
NOKIA Sunday Bikedays
Enjoy summer Sundays cycling along car-free roads, and experience the beauty of Canada’s Capital Region in a fun and environmentally friendly way. Outdoor enthusiasts can take advantage of more than 50 kilometres of scenic parkways in the heart of the Capital Region. Parkways in Ottawa and Gatineau Park are car-free and open exclusively to cyclists, in-line skaters, runners, walkers and people with mobility aids.
Sundays | 9:00 am to 1:00 pm
Various Parkways, Ottawa
FREE
IV. Exhibitions, Festivals & Other Events
More To Do
- Yoga on Parliament Hill on Wednesdays | May 15 to August 28 | 12:00 PM to 1:00 PM
- Broadway Workout through June 23, 2019 @ Various Venues, Ottawa
Ottawa Ribfest
Be a part of Ottawa RibFest on Sparks Street and leave no finger un-licked!
There’ll be trucks from across North America serving up 5 city blocks of saucy awesomeness! And don’t miss great performances on the big stage between Elgin and Metcalfe.
June 19 to 23, 2019
Sparks Street, Ottawa
Free
Robbie Craig & Adam Young Art Show and Sale
Join Canadian Artists Robbie Craig and Adam Young as they host their annual Ottawa art show and sale. There will be a variety of beautiful and unique art prints, canvas, scarves, jewelry, ornaments and more! Free gift to each family in attendance.
June 22 & 23, 2019 | 10AM to 6 PM
Holiday Inn Ottawa East
1199 Joseph Cyr St.
Free
Fasci-NATION With Humanity
Its an epic tea party with bite-size sandwiches, scones or biscuits, and sweets (along with a good pot of tea, of course!) Here’s your chance to wear your fancy or most unusual hat (fascinator) and to mix and mingle with some of Ottawa’s most influential female leaders! Details
June 23, 2019 | 2:00 PM – 4:00PM
Billings Estate National Historic Site, 2100 Cabot St, Ottawa
$39-$49
Nandos Dash
You’ll be able to grab a free ¼ Chicken and PERi-PERi fries at Nando’s locations. It’s first-come-first-serve, and you’ll need to dine-in so make sure you dash there quick. While quantities last. Details
Sunday, June 23 | 11 AM – 1 PM
Nandos, Ottawa
1 non-perishable food item to donate .
Ottawa Garden Days
Explore Ottawa-Gatineau’s Garden Promenade during Ottawa Garden Days. This ten-day program of activities and events is for gardening enthusiasts, families, schools and tourists alike.
June 15 – 23, 2019
Various Venues, Ottawa
Free
Art in the Alley
Come celebrate the 10th anniversary of Art in the Alley! Opening night is not to be missed. The show starts at 7pm and goes into the evening under the stars along with lively music, refreshments and the twinkle of lights..everything you’d expect in a great outdoor art opening. The rest of the weekend is the perfect opportunity to peruse the art in a casual and relaxed environment, and a wonderful time to chat with the all artists.
June 21 | 7 PM -11 PM
June 22nd 11 AM-5 PM
June 23rd 12PM -4 PM
AliCat Art Studio, 1395b Wellington Street West, Ottawa
Free
Market In The Park
Vintage pop up 613 is teaming up with Ottawa Jazz Festival to bring you our FIRST EVER outdoor market! Hear live music & shop over 50 of Ottawa’s local vintage curators and handcrafters in beautiful Confederation Park.
Saturday, June 22, 2019 | 1 PM – 9 PM
Confederation Park, 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.
Thanks for the list!!! It really helps me plan my activities with my kids on the weekend.