Ottawa 
Weekend Activities and Events in Ottawa
A weekly digest of What’s On in Ottawa including free, fun family & kids’ activities, live music, theatre & performing arts, and fun activities: Few weekday events are also listed.
- What is Open & Closed in Ottawa
- List of Enhanced (New) Stay-at-Home Measures in Ontario Effective April 17th
Contents:
- In-Person Events
- Outdoor Activities
- Virtual Events and festivals
Mother’s Day
- With stay-at-home orders still in place, Ottawa’s many restaurants are offering takeout and pickup options, some specifically crafting a Mother’s Day menu for the special day. Choose from a selection of restaurants ranging from classic Italian, casual fine dining, Greek, healthy cuisine, and neighbourhood brunch spots that have menus sure to create the perfect Mother’s Day celebration in the comfort of your own home.
- From classic flower arrangements, delicious cheese and wine baskets, sweet treats, and more, below is a list of flowers, gift baskets, and food baskets delivery options that can be accessed online or at a brick-and-mortar store for pickup in Ottawa. 25 Mother’s Day Flower & Gift Delivery/Pickup Options in Ottawa
Various Ontario Waterbodies
May 8, 2021 To May 9, 2021
FREE
Introduce a friend to fishing or go out on your own of join an event. OFFE is a province-wide opportunity for Canadian residents to fish Ontario licence-free. ... »
Green Corners, 1259 York's Corners Road, Ottawa
May 4, 2021 To May 10, 2021
$5 to $17
Green Corners is a u-pick Tulip farm in Ottawa where you can bring your family and friends to enjoy the sights and aromas of over 100,000 tulips. Pick ... »
Various Venues, Ottawa
May 1, 2021 To October 11, 2021
Free
In 2021, the Nokia Sunday Bikedays program is expanding to NCC Weekend Bikedays, presented by Nokia! Starting this weekend, and running until October 11, the NCC will offer car-free ... »
Participating Restaurants
May 1, 2021 To May 7, 2021
Varies
La Pizza Week is a week-long festival that celebrates the best pizza in Canada. Restaurants across the country are asked to create a special pizza at a ... »
Baskin-Robbins Locations
April 30, 2021 To May 9, 2021
$25 to $40
Skip the flower store and head straight to dessert with the new Floral Cone Bouquet Cake. Customize with mom's favourite cake and ice cream flavour topped with ... »
Parkways for People
Queen Elizabeth Driveway (2.4 kilometres): To create more space in this densely populated core area, both lanes of the Queen Elizabeth Driveway, located on the west side of the Rideau Canal, from Fifth Avenue to Somerset Street, will be open exclusively to active users.
When: 9 am to 5 pm on May 1 & 2, moving to 8 am to 8 pm, seven days a week, from May 3 to June 30.
Go for a walk
Spring has sprung. It’s time to go out and enjoy the great outdoors. And lucky for us, Ottawa has a lot to offer in that department. There are hiking and biking trails, picnic spots, off-leash dog parks, birding areas, and much more.
Do not travel to other regions and only visit if the place listed is near to your home due to COVID-19 Stay-at-home order:
- 25 of the Best Hikes in and Around Ottawa
- 20 Family Hikes and Walks in and Around Ottawa
- 15 Scenic Lookouts In and Around Ottawa
Explore some waterfalls
Warm spring temperature means, melting ice and thunderous waterfalls. Spend a sunny spring day outdoors and use the opportunity to see some of the most stunning melting waterfalls in and around Ottawa. Remember to wear reliable hiking shoes when you go. Do not travel to other regions and only visit if the place listed is near to your home due to COVID-19 Stay-at-home order
See some public art
Do not travel to other regions and only visit if the place listed is near to your home due to COVID-19 Stay-at-home order:
Looking for something new to do in Ottawa area while keeping the recommended physical distance? Check out some of Ottawa’s Public art features! You can see many of them from your car or on a walk around the city.
House of PainT has created a map you can use to tour the murals and graffiti.
Go Birding
Do not travel to other regions and only visit if the place listed is near to your home due to COVID-19 Stay-at-home order:
With spring setting in, see whether you can spot baby birds on your day out! This is also an awesome way to get to know your city and find some new parks in Ottawa.
Book Your COVID-19 Vaccine
Ottawa Public Health is currently vaccinating (as of May 2nd):
- Adults 55 years of age and older (as of 8 a.m. on April 30, 2021)
- Adults 18 years of age and older living in “hot spots” including postal codes starting with K1T, K1V and K2V and (Ledbury-Heron Gate-Ridgemont Emerald Woods – Sawmill Creek Hunt Club East-Western Community Greenboro East,Bayshore-Belltown Britannia Village Carleton Heights – Rideauview Carlington Carson Groves-Carson Meadows Hawthorne Meadows – Sheffield Glen Hunt Club Park Lowertown (Lowertown East) Manor Park Overbrook-McArthur Parkwood Hills – Stewart Farm Riverview Sandy Hill Vanier North Vanier South West Centretown Whitehaven – Queensway Terrace North)
- Adults 40 years of age or older – AstraZeneca vaccine in select pharmacies
- Staff, caregivers and residents in all retirement homes
- Staff, caregivers and residents in all long-term care homes
- Priority health care workers identified in the Ministry of Health’s guidance on Health Care Worker Prioritization, including hospital employees, staff who work or study in hospitals and health care personnel
- Non-front-line moderate priority health care workers such as those working remotely or those not requiring personal protective equipment at work
- Faith leaders
- Adults in First Nations, Métis and Inuit populations
- Adults receiving chronic home health care atPop-up clinics in high risk communities
- Residents staying in Ottawa shelters
- Special Education workers
- Clients who are pregnant or with highest risk health conditions and their caregivers
Online By Bata Shoe Museum
May 9, 2021
Free
Pour yourself a cup of tea and join us for an exclusive Mother’s Day tour of the Bata Shoe Museum with Director & Senior Curator Elizabeth ... »
Online
May 8, 2021
$20
Since their debut in 2011, Toronto’s Whitehorse has evolved from magnetic folk duo to full-blown rock band. In truth, Whitehorse is never fully either one or the ... »
Online
May 8, 2021
Free
Science Rendezvous will STEAM Green and you are invited to the first ever virtual Science Chase. Race between event sites across the country, answer STEAM challenges, learn ... »
Online
May 7, 2021
$15
Girls Nite Out is an all funny, all female troupe featuring stand-up comedy and improv from some of Canada’s top performers. Led by the fearless Elvira ... »
Online
May 7, 2021 To May 14, 2021
3435497715
$12 to $80
“This is Cristina”: is the story, told in black-and-white, of two best friends in their 30s whose lives spiral right after a big fight that separates them. ... »
Online
May 7, 2021
4036182504
$0
Blue Light Studio has stepped up the online concert experience for 2021 with the purchase of a 360-degree camera that allows the viewer to immerse themselves into the ... »
Online by Cultch
May 6, 2021 To May 8, 2021
6042511363
Tickets from $29
Based on Canadian journalist Ian Brown’s memoir of life with his son, The Boy in the Moon tells a deeply moving story about a family’s ... »
Online
May 1, 2021 To May 16, 2021
(416) 656-2445
PWYC
Storytelling Toronto presents the 43rd annual Toronto Storytelling Festival! This is one of the world’s largest and oldest urban storytelling celebrations, and has been a major ... »
Online
May 1, 2021 To May 16, 2021
Free admission
Watch world-famous operas from the comfort of your home! Saturday, May 1 | Cilea’s Adriana Lecouvreur (From January 12, 2019) Sunday, May 2 | Puccini’s La Rondine (From January 10, 2009) Monday, ... »
Online, Across Canada
April 29, 2021 To May 9, 2021
$13
Hot Docs will present its 28th annual edition online from April 29-May 9, 2021, during which a full roster of industry conference sessions, market programs and networking events will ... »
Online
April 12, 2021 To August 31, 2021
Free
Family Feud Canada is back for Season 3 at CBC (with host Gerry Dee), and we are looking for diverse and dynamic families from all across Canada to ... »
Online
April 10, 2021 To May 9, 2021
$27
Stephen Sitarski, Conductor Beethoven: Sonata in F major Op. 10, No. 2 (arr. Sitarski) Richardson-Schulte: Emerge for Woodwind Quintet Grieg: String Quartet No. 2 in F Major Thea Musgrave: Orfeo ... »
Online
March 26, 2021 To May 21, 2021
416-907-4334
Free
A one of a kind program illuminating the legacy of one of the most influential choreographers of the 20th century: Merce Cunningham. Catch on demand performances from ... »
Online
February 9, 2021 To August 24, 2021
PWYC
Girls Night In is the ultimate in virtual interactive comedy. This hilarious, internationally acclaimed, virtual comedy show is coming live into your living rooms every Tuesday Night! ... »
Online
November 25, 2020 To July 1, 2021
613-716-3638
$100.00
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30 Things to Do Outdoors During Spring in Ottawa
Read More
Other Activities
Safari at Home
Try out the Safari at Home activities to entertain the Little Ones.Details
Fun with OPL
Get a OPL card online and use these Free Ottawa Public Library Services. Details
Visit Zoo Animals Online
Zoos across Canada have decided to bring their inhabitants to your home. Here is a list of places where you can watch wildlife online.
Science Experiments to Do at Home with Kids
Here are a few easy fun science activities/experimentsthat are easy and super fun in addition to being educational.
25 Fun Things to Do with Kids Inside Your Home
Things to Do With Teens During COVID-19 Days
Tour International Space Station
Ever dreamed of going to the ISS? Tour the International Space Station virtually. Details
Canadian Museums & Museums Across the World Online
With the advent of technology and widespread availability of the internet, the world is now at your fingertips. You can travel to distant lands, tour famous museums, all from the comfort of your home.
Explore Canada From Home: From Toronto to the Arctic
Explore the World From Home: Take train trips or visit International Space Station
Free & Paid Online Music Classes and Resources for Kids
Music Concerts to Watch Online
Watch a few of the 50+ online concerts scheduled this weekend.
Theatre Performances From Across the World
Various, time limits for watching, varies from 24 hours to a week.
Help Local Businesses
The shutdown of businesses except essential services is hurting local businesses. Check out the ways in which you can help them. Details
See Free Movies
As Canada’s public producer and distributor, NFB’s website features award-winning movies, documentary and animated films, pioneering interactive works, and more.
We do try to make the listings as accurate as possible, but there might be errors/Events may be cancelled or postponed without any notice. Verify all details from concerned Event Websites/officials.
You may like:
Bookmark this page and check back next week for more activities.
To add events to this list –Submit Event.
Boom
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”?
Useful. Thanks for sharing.
Thanks for including the Ottawa Canadian Film Festival http://ocanfilmfest.ca/ocanfilmfest2018
Great listings! Thanks!
Thanks for the list!!! It really helps me plan my activities with my kids on the weekend.
Wow wish I had found this site much sooner. So many great events happening in Ottawa this weekend. Thanks for providing this list.
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!