Ottawa starts 2026 with an incredible lineup of events, making it a must-visit destination this winter. Music lovers can enjoy concerts like Michael Bublé, and The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers – In Concert, while festival highlights include Winterlude and Igloofest. From comedy and theatre to family-friendly winter carnivals and major touring acts, the capital offers nonstop entertainment from January through March for all ages and interests.
Bundle up for an evening stroll through this picture-perfect postcard setting. Over one million lights illuminate Upper Canada Village, creating a one-of-a-kind magical backdrop – a true winter wonderland! ... More Details
When:
November 28, 2025 to January 15, 2026
Where:
Upper Canada Village , 13740 County Rd. 2, Morrisburg
Canadian multi GRAMMY award-winning singer and songwriter Michael Bublé announces he’ll make his way to the nation’s capital for a headline show this winter. The icon is set to play the Canadian Tire Centre in Ottawa on January 16, as the venue celebrates its 30 year anniversary since first opening ... More Details
When:
Friday, January 16, 2026 | 8:00 PM
Where:
Canadian Tire Centre, 1000 Palladium Drive, Ottawa
The FILMharmonique Orchestra returns to the Arena at TD Place to perform the second installment of The Lord of the Rings trilogy, The Two Towers. With over 250 musicians of the FILMharmonique Orchestra and Choir and the Petits Chanteurs du Mont-Royal, audiences will journey back to Middle-earth and experience ACADEMY ... More Details
Boasting dozens of appearances on TV, radio and comedy festivals worldwide (and one working laptop between them), Toronto’s best standup comedians bring their A game to Ottawa for an unforgettable evening of comedy. Celebrate our 11th season at the NAC with killer comedians seen on Crave, CBC, SiriusXM, AppleTV+ & ... More Details
Join us for a brilliant Burns celebration including a traditional Burns Supper, traditional toasts and speeches (expect some great entertainment value here!), and of course whisky and haggis ... More Details
When:
Saturday, January 24, 2026 | 5:30 PM to 1:00 AM
Where:
National Defence Headquarters Warrant Officers’ & Sergeants’ Mess, 4 Queen Elizabeth Drive, Ottawa
The Best Of is a touring selection of prizewinners and highlights from the Banff Mountain Film Festival, an annual event that showcases short films on mountain sports, adventure and the environment. Many of the top award winners are featured in the show, which offers plenty of enlightenment and entertainment for ... More Details
Canada’s premier culinary showdown returns to Ottawa on January 30- 31, 2026, where 10 gold medal-winning chefs from across the country will compete for the title of Canadian Culinary Champion. The event features three signature competitions: Mystery Wine Pairing, Black Box Challenge, and the Grand Finale. Food lovers can enjoy ... More Details
The Assembly of Seven Generations proudly presents Pibòn Fest during the first weekend of Winterlude at the ByWard Market! “Pibòn” means winter in Algonquin Anishinaabemowin. Indigenous culture takes centre stage with vibrant vendors, traditional hide tanning, and live performances. Who is it for? All ages HOW MUCH Tickets : Free ... More Details
When:
January 30 to February 1, 2026
Where:
Public plaza, George Street and ByWard Market Square, Ottawa
Winterlude transforms Canada’s Capital Region into the ideal destination to celebrate Canadian traditions in wintertime.With three weekends full of discoveries and traditions, there is something for everyone. Prepare to be astonished by stunning ice sculptures, immerse yourself in the heritage of Canada’s diversity through shows, exhibitions and play around in ... More Details
Taste Ottawa: Capital City Bites is a city-wide culinary celebration inviting locals and visitors to experience the best of Ottawa’s food scene during Winterlude. Taste Ottawa: Capital City Bites features a curated lineup of Ottawa restaurants, cafés, and culinary businesses offering exclusive menus, special features, and limited-time bites created specifically ... More Details
100 Years of Thrills. 100 Years of Laughs. 100 Years of Joy. This is a once-in-a-century celebration of 100 Years of Jaw-Dropping No Way! moves, 100 Years of Wow! and 100 Years of Heart-Pounding Thrills! The Harlem Globetrotters are coming to your city with their most LEGENDARY TOUR EVER. From ... More Details
When:
Sunday, February 01, 2026 | 3:00 PM
Where:
Canadian Tire Centre, 1000 Palladium Drive, Ottawa
What would you do if you lost the life you knew? Erin, a renowned classical pianist, experiences a devastating family tragedy. Because of this she finds herself unable to play music or even touch a piano. As she navigates the loss of the life she knew, she begins taking in-home ... More Details
When:
February 3 to 15, 2026
Where:
Great Canadian Theatre Company, 1233 Wellington St. West, Ottawa
Produced by Ottawa Fringe. Our winter festival shows the best original, contemporary theatre being created by Ottawa performers and visiting artists. There will be French language productions and some French late-night programming, with opportunities to catch select French performances with English captioning. The lineup at undercurrents explores a vast landscape ... More Details
Annual Greely Winter Carnival with many events. Join us for a weekend full of fun: Join us for a weekend full of fun: Bingo on Thursday evening Kids’ Dance Friday night Pancake Breakfast Saturday morning Magic Show Saturday at 11 am Dinner & Comedy Show Saturday evening Sleigh rides Dr ... More Details
When:
February 5 to 8, 2026
Where:
Greely Community Center, 1448 Meadow Drive, Greely
BARBEGAZI brings its high-octane winter action sports to the nation’s capital with free stunt shows all weekend long. From freestyle tricks to high-speed performances, our athletes will turn Ottawa’s winter playground into a show of speed, style, and snow ... More Details
Join in for the annual winter carnival, Shiverfest. A lot of the favourite activities including free public skate, magic show, pancake breakfast, sleigh rides, bingo, curling demos and Trivia Night and more! ... More Details
Join us for Rideau Hall’s Winter Celebration! Enjoy an afternoon of free outdoor activities, skating on the Rideau Hall Rink, stellar performances and more with your loved ones! ... More Details
Igloofest Gatineau promises to be a highlight of the winter season for electronic music enthusiasts in the region. Local and international artists will perform over the three-day festival, entertaining the audience amidst Winterlude festivities. Over three nights, February 12 to 14, Place des festivals Zibi will blaze with electrifying sets, turning the ... More Details
When:
February 12 to 14, 2026
Where:
Place des Festivals Zibi, 60 Jos-Montferrand St, Gatineau
Hit the road to adventure when Disney On Ice presents Road Trip Adventures skates into your hometown! Exciting twists and turns await as Mickey Mouse and his Disney friends embark on a wild ride to your favorite Disney destinations. Travel with Moana to the sun soaked Motunui, set off on ... More Details
When:
February 12 to 15, 2026
Where:
Canadian Tire Centre, 1000 Palladium Drive, Ottawa
Frost & Fire Winter Festival is back! Enjoy a jam-packed day in Perth this Family Day weekend, with a mix of indoor and outdoor activities for people of all ages ... More Details
When:
Saturday, February 14, 2026 10:00 a.m. - 10.00 p.m.
The Vanier Museopark is pleased to bring back the traditions of maple syrup production in its urban sugar shack, located less than 5 minutes away from downtown Ottawa! Every year, the Vanier Museopark seeks the help of the community to take part in an essential step in the production of ... More Details
There's nothing like BIG BANG for family fun! This joyous musical festival is back at the NAC for its 8th edition, and there are plenty of surprises in store for young and old alike. Bouncing rhythms and colorful scores will echo through the building, thanks to a merry mix of ... More Details
Sherlock Holmes and Dr. Watson find themselves locked in a room with their greatest adversary, Professor Moriarty! The great detective Sherlock Holmes and his friend Dr. Watson wake up to find themselves locked in a strange room, but not alone. Lying alongside them is Holmes's greatest adversary, the Napoleon of ... More Details
When:
February 18 to 28, 2026
Where:
The Gladstone Theatre, 910 Gladstone Avenue, Ottawa
The tour celebrates an incredible couple years for The Offspring as they released their latest SUPERCHARGED album, reached historic milestones (with multiple songs joining the coveted Spotify Billions Chart), touring around the globe (joined by some pretty famous special guests) and their song “Make It All Right” hit #1 on ... More Details
When:
Thursday, February 19, 2026 | 7:30 PM
Where:
Canadian Tire Centre, 1000 Palladium Drive, Ottawa
Eastern Ontario’s newest and largest whisky event will bring 500 whisky lovers from all over the country to enjoy vendors, speakers, classes, activities, live music, and so much more. Here’s a taste of what awaits: 40+ premium whisky vendors to explore Exclusive food pairings and must-attend whisky dinners Delectable wine, ... More Details
The competition will see the Senators roster split into two squads to compete head-to-head in various skill events including the puck control relay, fastest skater, hardest shot, accuracy shooting, skills challenge and the 3-on-3 competition ... More Details
When:
Sunday, February 22, 2026 | 1:00 PM
Where:
Canadian Tire Centre, 1000 Palladium Drive, Ottawa
Join us for an unforgettable day or night session featuring craft beer, cider, and spirits sampling, beer hall style seating area and a massive silent disco powered by three incredible local DJs. Get ready for the ultimate winter festival experience! ... More Details
Megadeth is an American thrash metal band founded in 1983 by guitarist Dave Mustaine. Known for technical precision, aggressive riffs, and politically charged lyrics, the band helped define the genre’s sound. With multiple Grammy wins and classic albums like Rust in Peace, Megadeth remains a cornerstone of heavy metal history ... More Details
When:
Sunday, March 01, 2026 | 7:00 PM
Where:
Canadian Tire Centre, 1000 Palladium Drive, Ottawa
With Big Wreck, Econoline Crush. In celebration of the 35th anniversary of the album Mental Jewelry, iconic multi-platinum rock band +LIVE+ will be making their grand return to the Great White North. The legendary band fronted by Ed Kowalczyk will be headlining their first cross country tour of Canada in ... More Details
When:
Friday, March 06, 2026 | 7:00 PM
Where:
Canadian Tire Centre, 1000 Palladium Drive, Ottawa
Jesus Christ Superstar tells the story of biblical Jesus in the final days leading up to his crucifixion. A rock opera, the musical has no spoken dialogue. Superstar focuses on the personal conflicts between Jesus, his disciples, the people of Israel, and the leadership of Rome. Special attention is played ... More Details
When:
March 6 to 15, 2026
Where:
Meridian Theatres @ Centrepointe, 101 Centrepointe Drive, Ottawa
Join us at Lowertown Brewery, located in the vibrant ByWard Market, for a night of beer-filled fun and excitement. Get ready to indulge in a variety of craft beers, delicious food, and live entertainment! Each ticket includes four 5oz samples of our Rotating Taps! We'll kick off the festivities and celebrate the ... More Details
After more than five decades of electrifying performances, chart-topping hits, and timeless anthems, the iconic rock band JOURNEY is saying goodbye the only way they know how — with a thunderous, full-throttle FINAL FRONTIER TOUR 2026 spanning cities across North America. The Rock & Roll Hall of Famers will be ... More Details
When:
Saturday, March 07, 2026 | 7:30 PM
Where:
Canadian Tire Centre, 1000 Palladium Drive, Ottawa
Organised by Irish Society of the National Capital Region. The Parade will leave the Supreme Court of Canada and proceed eastward on Wellington Street passing in front of the Parliament Building over the Rideau Canal to Sussex Drive. Then turning Northward on Sussex Drive to York Street before turning Eastward ... More Details
Sponsored by the Ottawa Valley Seed Growers, the 92nd edition of the Ottawa Valley Farm Show will be held at the EY Centre! Of particular interest to farm families and other rural residents, the show displays everything from machinery, seed, and equipment, to agricultural associations and financial services. We also ... More Details
The International Film Festival of Ottawa (IFFO) brings an eclectic mix of shorts and features from around the globe to Canada’s capital. Held annually in March by the Canadian Film Institute, IFFO is hosted at the Ottawa Art Gallery, the ByTowne Cinema and other venues all within the Ottawa downtown ... More Details
Some of Ottawa's best potters have teamed up with some of Ottawa's favourite restaurants and bakeries to bring you "Great Bowls of Fire 2026" - a fundraiser for the Ottawa Food Bank. Patrons choose one of the beautiful hand-crafted pottery bowls donated by our members, then select soup and bread ... More Details
The Ottawa Black Film Festival (OBFF) is about discovery and Inclusion. A not-for-profit organization created by the Fabienne Colas Foundation, OBFF wants to amplify more Black voices and showcase the most relevant Black films from here and abroad while creating a space to debate major cultural, social, and socio-economic issues ... More Details
Dylan Scott, known for his blend of modern edge and timeless country twang, is an artist with a roughneck image and a romantic heart. He achieved triple-Platinum status with his 2016 hit, "My Girl," and has continued to build a successful career with scrappy, under-the-radar consistency. Despite accumulating nearly 5 ... More Details
When:
Saturday, March 21, 2026 | 7:00 PM
Where:
Hard Rock Hotel and Casino, 4837 Albion Road, Ottawa
Bert Kreischer is returning to The Arena at TD Place with a stop on his Permission to Party World Tour. HOW MUCH Tickets : $58.02 & up How to get tickets? Buy Online Phone: 1-855-985-5500 WHEN & WHERE Date & Time: Sunday, March 22, 2026 | 7:00 PM Venue & ... More Details
When:
Sunday, March 22, 2026 | 7:00 PM
Where:
The Arena at TD Place, 1015 Bank St., Ottawa
How much:
$58.02 & up
Outdoor Winter Fun
1. Go Ice Skating
Located in neighbourhoods throughout Ottawa are outdoor skating rinks. So get your skates and go skating!
Tobogganing is hands down the favourite winter activity for many, especially the young ones. So why not grab your favourite sled and get ready to slide? The snowy hills at Gatineau Park offer some of the region’s best sledding experiences. List of sledding hills in Ottawa.
Enjoy the winter snow, spectacular views, and great outdoor activities at the Greenbelt! Activities in winterinclude sledding at Green’s Creek Hill, snowshoeing, cross-country skiing, and ice-fishing, in addition to winter hiking.
Located near Gatineau Park (45 minutes from Ottawa), Skating in the Forest offers the unique experience of skating on a 3 km nature trail. This enchanting site is also a great place to enjoy a winter walk or go snowshoeing.
8. See Birds at Mud Lake
Mud Lake, located within Lac Deschênes, is a major migratory corridor and is a popular site for bird watching.
9. See animals at Parc Omega
Breathe in the fresh air at the Parc Omega. Drive through the nature park and observe wild animals from the northern hemisphere, like wolves, elks, and deer – all from the comfort of your vehicle. The snowshoe trail at the park is now accessible at zone 11. Book an overnight stay at the cozy Wolf Cabin. Located one hour from Ottawa.
Discover stunning landscapes, spectacular trails, and winter adventure at the park. This all-season park is now a winter wonderland, where you can enjoy cross-country skiing, snow biking. snowshoeing, hiking, as well as overnight camping. Plan to visit on weekdays to avoid the crowds.
There are many art installations, murals, and graffitilocated throughout the city. House of PainT has created a map you can use to tour the murals and graffiti.
12. Go Snowshoeing
Strap on a pair of snowshoes and explore the many trails within the city. Not only is this a great exercise, but also a great way to stop and appreciate the season. You can also explore Ottawa’s Greenbelt on a snowshoe. Gatineau Park also has dedicated snowshoe trailsthat can be accessed using a trail pass. Other places you can enjoy snowshoeing are Parc Omega and Arbraska Laflèche. Meandering through Wesley Clover Parks are snowshoe trails maintained by the Kanata Nordic Club that can be accessed with a day pass.
13. Go Cross-country Skiing
There are hundreds of kilometres of groomed, scenic trails to enjoy in Ottawa, including:
Explore the many geocaches located throughout the city. If you though geocaching is challenging, try geocaching in winter! This family-friendly activity uses a mobile app or a GPS device. Check out the trails where you can enjoy Geocaching Trails.
Hike through the city parks looking for winter birds.
16. Winter Fun at RiverOak Estate
With trails that pass through orchards, forests, and meadows, it is no surprise that the winter trails at RiverOak Estates are so popular. Grab your skates or snowshoes, hockey or ringette sticks, and enjoy your time outdoors. Located 30 minutes from downtown Ottawa.
Experience winter with Countryside Adventures. Located 45 minutes east of Ottawa is a place where families, couples, or groups can enjoy a day out in the open. You can enjoy skating, snowshoeing, and cross-country skiing.
18. Enjoy Night Skiing
Head over to Camp Fortune with 12 lit runs to enjoy night skiing and boarding. Night skiing can also be enjoyed at Mont Cascades.
Embrace winter and the great outdoors at the Mill of Kintail Conservation Area. The beautiful trails here are perfect for a family getaway. Located 45 minutes from Ottawa.
A picnic in winter may sound unusual, but it’s a really fun way to enjoy winter. Dress warmly, pack hot food and drinks, and head to your favourite picnic spot.
23. Enjoy a Snowman Adventure
Enjoy snowshoe trails, tours of the Laflèche Cave, and more at Arbraska Laflèche.
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