Ottawa
Events & Activities in Ottawa: Friday, August 25 – Sunday, August 27, 2017
A weekly digest of What’s On in and around Ottawa this weekend including free, fun family & kids’ activities, live music, theatre & performing arts, sports and exhibitions: Friday, August 25 – Sunday, August 27, 2017
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I. Family & Kids Activities this Weekend in Ottawa
1. The Capital Fair
Annual Fair featuring plenty of rides, fun family entertainment, fair food, and more! Details
August 18 to 27, 2017
Rideau Carleton Entertainment Centre, 4837 Albion Road, Ottawa
Free Admission
2. The Lumière Festival
The Lumière Festival will enthral you! From the lanterns on display to the labyrinth, performers and music – all illuminated by only lantern and lamplight, Lumière will hold you in its spell. Come re-discover the night and the magic of light! Through lantern-making workshops and community outreach initiatives, Lumière encourages people to come together and share their own creations and view the creations of others in a celebration of light and community. Details
Saturday, August 26, 2017 | 05:00 PM to 10:00 PM
Village Green and Jubilee Garden, Rockcliffe Park,
NE corner of Springfield Road and Mariposa Avenue.
Free
3. The Changing of the Guard Ceremony
The Changing of the Guard is a parade representing the changing of the guards posted at Rideau Hall, the official residence the Governor General. A full company of two platoons is employed in daily public duties, with both divisions of one platoon parading as the ‘new guard’ – those to take over duties at Rideau Hall – and the other platoon of the company split, one division parading as ‘old guard’, and the other performing sentry duties at Rideau Hall for the day. Details
July 10 to August 25, 2017 | 10:00 AM
Parliament Hill, Ottawa
Free
4. Sound and Light Show
Combining bold digital technology with the architectural splendour of the Parliament Buildings, Northern Lights illuminates Canadian stories of nation-building, partnership, discovery, valour, pride and vision at the heart of our country. Details
July 11 to September 16, 2017
Parliament Hill – 111 Wellingston St., Ottawa
Free
5. Voyageur Canoe Experiences
Join Parks Canada on the historic Rideau Canal this summer for a uniquely Canadian experience exploring a part of Ottawa’s natural and cultural heritage by voyageur canoe. Whether it is your first time in Ottawa, or you are looking for a different way to experience the city, the Voyageur Canoe ! Details
June 1, 2017 – September 1, 2017
Hartwell’s Lockstation, Ottawa
$7.30 to $14.60
6. 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
See Family Favourites for $2.99 on Saturdays @ 11:00 AM
CINÉ+ – Movies at Canadian Museum of History, Gatineau
4. Inspiration Village
A core site for Ottawa 2017 programming, this edgy-looking entertainment locale on York Street will be the site of a succession of special exhibits and performing arts events, each one showcasing Canada’s provinces and territories. May 20 – September 4, 2017 | 12:00 PM to 8:00 PM @ ByWard Market, Ottawa
5. Storytime at Rideau Hall!
Frontier College volunteers invite the general public, families and youth groups to settle in under the Reading Tent to read books and to participate in fun literacy activities. Every Friday and Saturday, from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m., until August 26
6. Saturday Explorers: Transportation in the Past
Drop by with your family and build a car at the museum! Explore different methods of power and transportation from the past. Activities created for children ages 3 to 10 and accompanying adults, but all are welcome.
Saturday, August 27, from 1pm to 4pm @ Nepean Museum
More To Do
II. Live Music
1. The Great Trail Celebration
Trans Canada Trail is thrilled to announce a celebration of the country-wide connection of The Great Trail. This year, building on the momentum of celebrations for the 150th anniversary of Confederation, and to thank our generous, devoted and fun-loving volunteers, partners and donors for all their hard work in helping connect the Trail across the country. We are hosting The Great Trail Cross-Canada Connection Celebration with headliner Steven Page! Join us for awesome entertainment, food trucks and a lot of fanfare. Details
Major’s Hill Park, Ottawa
Guns N’ Roses: Not In This Lifetime Tour on August 21, 2017
2. Hopped and Confused
Beer Music & Food Festival:
Enjoy music from the eight great Canadian bands on the line-up, and discover over 15 Mill Street beers, including unique casks and a brand new Hopped and Confused brew. Be sure to experience the wide variety of food offerings! Details
555 Wellington St, Ottawa
3. House of PainT Festival
House of PainT Festival celebrates and elevates the culture that connects and nurtures the roots of the community. Each year the festival offers concerts, competitions, workshops and academic talks around the four pillars of Hip-hop… DJing, MCing, graffiti art and dance. Details
Dunbar Bridge, Brewer Park, 100 Brewer Way, Ottawa
4. Double Trouble
Undoubtedly one of our most dynamic shows this year. New for 2017, this show features two of the worlds’ most accomplished Elvis Tribute Artists at their very best, Pete Paquette from Canada and Dean Z from the USA, accompanied by our very own Rockin’ Royals Showband and the Tonettes. Energized by friendly competitiveness, both Pete and Dean will go head to head as Elvis, taking you back in time to relive the various eras of the King’s colourful music career in this fun, authentic and interactive concert. Details
August 25 & 26, 2017 | 7:00 PM
Harold Shenkman Hall, Shenkman Arts Centre
245 Centrum Blvd, Orléans
$49
III. Live Theatre & Related Events
1. Cirque Du Soleil: VOLTA
VOLTA tells a spellbinding story about the freedom to choose and the thrill of blazing your own trail. Inspired by the adventurous spirit that fuels action sports, the show weaves the adrenaline rush of acrobatics into a visually striking performance. International artist M83 will be adding his epic space-age pop sound to the VOLTA stage. Details
August 3 to 27, 2017
Under the Big Top, Zibi Site, Gatineau
$39 & up
III. Sports
1. World Vintage Rugby Carnival
Vintage Rugby is a fresh, friendly style of veteran rugby, dedicated to preserving the spirit and tradition of Rugby for mature players, supporters and referees. It provides the chance for those over the age of 35 (two men’s sections Over 35 and Over 46) who still hanker to scrum, ruck and maul with their mates against rivals from around the world. Details
August 20 to 27, 2017
Various Venues, Ottawa
Free
2. Canadian Pacific Women’s Open
The world’s best golfers are expected to be in attendance to compete for the $2.25 million USD purse – one of the highest on the LPGA Tour. Details
August 21 to 27, 2017
Hunt Club Golf Course, 1 Hunt Club Rd, Ottawa
$11.30 to $90.40
3. Ottawa Fury FC
vs New York Red Bulls II
Sunday, August 27, 2017 | 2:00 PM
Stadium at TD Place, Ottawa
4. Ottawa REDBLACKS
vs BC Lions
Saturday, August 26, 2017 | 3:30 PM
Stadium – TD Place, Ottawa
IV. Exhibitions, Festivals & Other Events
More To Do
1. Indonesian Festival
The Indonesian Embassy in Ottawa welcomes you to discover and sample Indonesian food, culture, products and tourism destinations at the “Indonesian Festival 2017: Indonesia in Ottawa”! We are proud to announce that this year we will be part of the “Ottawa Welcomes the World 2017” celebrating the 150th Canadian Confederation. This year will be our 12th festival and the first being held at the Aberdeen Pavillion. Details
August 25 to 27, 2017 | 10:00 AM to 06:00 PM
Aberdeen Pavilion, 1000 Exhibition Way
Ottawa
Free
2.Canada’s Table
Top chefs from across the country will pair-up with top local chefs to offer unique dining experiences! Details
August 25 & 28, 2017
Various locations, Ottawa
$90 & up
3. Baconpalooza
Celebrate all things bacon at the Canada Agriculture and Food Museum’s Baconpalooza – a sizzling bacon festival with fun for the whole family! This event celebrates the best of what bacon has to offer and features some of the city’s hottest food trucks as well as local beer and cocktails, cooking with bacon demonstrations, children’s activities, and live entertainment! The popular Bacon Bash will be back on the Friday evening and will feature Chef Lynn Crawford from the Food Network Canada! Details
August 25 to 27, 2017
Canada Agriculture and Food Museum, 901 Prince of Wales Drive
Ottawa
$7 to $75
4. Kontinuum
This immersive multimedia production, created by Ottawa 2017 and Moment Factory, unfolds in Ottawa’s future Lyon Light Rail Transit (LRT) station. Visitors descend deep underground into an anomaly in the fabric of reality where invisible frequencies take on physical dimension. Elevate your senses and awaken your imagination in this journey where two realms collide. Which path will you choose? Details
July 16 to September 14 | 10:00 AM to 10:00 PM
Place de Ville Theatre, 300 Sparks St, Ottawa
Free
5. 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
6. MOSAÏCANADA 150
Mosaiculture is a most spectacular horticultural technique that combines the following different art forms: sculpture for the structure, paint for the palette of colours, and horticulture as the means of creating living and changing artworks with plants. The theme of the Gatineau exhibit will reflect 150 years of history, values, culture and arts in Canada, represented by some 40 different arrangements.
Details
June 30 – October 15, 2017 | 10:00 AM to 07:00 PM
Parc Jacques-Cartier, 350 Rue Laurier
Gatineau
Free
7. Pride and Prejudice Garden Party
Does the thought of Mr. Darcy make you blush? Then this tea is for you! Enjoy the beautiful gardens of Billings Estate while interacting with some of your favourite Jane Austen characters. Play traditional Edwardian lawn games and try English Country Dancing, and work up an appetite fit for a traditional three-tier tea service! Details
Sunday, August 27 | 10:30 AM to 4:00 PM
Billings Estate National Historic Site, 2100 Cabot Street
Ottawa
$22.60 per person
8. Ottawa’s Rooftop BEACH PARTY
Join hundreds of party goers from across Canada as we transform the Kavali Rooftop into a Beach Theme! Details
Saturday, August 26 | 3 PM – 9 PM
Kavali Nightclub
34 Clarence Street, Ottawa
$5 to $15 + charges
9. Outaouais Gourmet Festival
Come and enjoy the culinary expertise of producers and food processors of the Outaouais region . It’s the perfect occasion to discover new products and to meet with the people behind these delight.
Details
Sunday, August 27 | 10 AM to 5 PM
Hendrick Farm, 3 ch. Chelbrook, Chelsea
free
We do try to make the listings as accurate as possible, but mistakes may happen/Events may be cancelled or postponed without any notice. Verify all details from concerned Event Websites/officials.