Looking for fun activities in the Ottawa area? Check out these options over the next seven days, starting on Thursday, September 3. Be sure to verify details with the organizers as plans can change at any time.
LABOUR DAY WEEKEND | Latin Sparks Festival takes over LeBreton Flats on September 5! Join thousands for a massive Carnaval parade featuring 100+ dancers and performers, live DJs and music, dance classes, 20+ Latin food vendors and more.
NEW | Experience Wild Colour, a limited-time exhibition at the Canadian Museum of Nature! Explore the science of colour in nature through nearly 200 specimens, colourful spaces and hands-on fun for all ages. Kids 17 and under visit free until September 7!
NEW | Join Cirque du Soleil into the colourful and fantastical world of LUZIA, set in a make-believe Mexico, where you will be treated to stunning visual surprises and breathtaking acrobatic performances. Save 20% at this LINK.
For Labour Day weekend fun …
- Ongoing | Experience SoundScape, a month-long celebration of music, art and creativity set beneath Ottawa’s historic Plaza Bridge.
- Friday, September 4 | Enjoy a Comedy Night cruise experience on the Rideau Canal that combines scenic sightseeing with live stand-up comedy on Ottawa’s waterways with Ottawa Boat Cruise.
- Friday, September 4 to Sunday, September 6 | Celebrate the spirit of Tết Trung Thu, also known as the Mid-Autumn Festival, at a vibrant community gathering that highlights Vietnamese heritage, culture, and traditions. FREE!
- Saturday, September 5 | Experience Ottawa’s local music scene in an inviting outdoor setting at Bistrofest, a festival that celebrates original artists and community connection. Held at Hog’s Back Park. FREE!
- Saturday, September 5 |Don’t miss BlokJam, a one‑day urban arts festival celebrating youth‑led hip‑hop culture through performances, workshops, and creative expression bridging Ottawa and Gatineau. FREE!
- Saturday, September 5 to Monday, September 7 | Upper Canada Village is excited to welcome back its annual Horse Lovers’ Weekend. The event celebrates the special relationship with the noble Canadian Horse, first introduced to Canada in the 1600s.
- Saturday, September 5 to Monday, September 7 | Explore the State rooms, greenhouses, and gardens of Rideau Hall at your own pace. FREE!
- Saturday, September 5 to Monday, September 7 | The Ottawa Serbian Festival celebrates Serbian culture, music, and cuisine with a long weekend of joyful events. FREE!
- Saturday, September 5 | The Bike Show returns for a celebration of creativity, craftsmanship and cycling culture at Place Laval.
- Until Sunday, September 6 | Every year in late summer, FMG brings the Ottawa-Gatineau region to life with an electrifying music lineup, performances for all ages, fireworks, and an amusement park.
- Sunday, September 6 | Experience the vibrant sights, sounds, and flavours of Latin America at the Latin American Festival & Fair at the Horticulture Building at Lansdowne! FREE!
- Starting Wednesday, September 9 | Cranium Festival brings five days of hip hop and R&B to Ottawa, celebrating the energy, creativity and culture of the genre.
For fans of performances…
- Fridays and Saturdays | Enjoy live entertainment at Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Ottawa. FREE!
- Thursdays | Feel the rhythm of Latin music every Thursday at an energetic dance night filled with vibrant beats and a lively atmosphere at Casino du Lac-Leamy.
- Saturday, September 5 | Aakash Gupta, one of India’s most acclaimed contemporary comedians, brings his signature storytelling and relatable humour to Ottawa at Algonquin Commons Theatre.
For marketgoers…
- Various dates throughout the week | Find the best fresh produce, baked goods, crafts, hot meals and more from friendly producers in different neighbourhoods at the Ottawa Farmers’ Market at Lansdowne, Main Street, Westboro, Barrhaven and Orléans! FREE!
- Various dates throughout the week | Discover local produce, artisanal products and more at Beechwood Market, Elgin Market, Metcalfe, and Nepean. FREE!
- Saturday, September 5 | 613flea is an ever-evolving marketplace that brings together Ottawa’s creative and sustainable communities. Held in the historic Aberdeen Pavilion at Lansdowne Park. FREE!
- Wednesday, September 9 | The Parkdale Night Market welcomes new producers and growers offering unique products, creating an opportunity to connect with the community into the evening. FREE!
For arts, culture and a good time…
- Thursday, September 3 | See Ottawa from the water with a collection of specialty cruises that pair scenic views with festive and memorable experiences with Ottawa Boat Cruise.
- Thursday, September 3 | Savour an extraordinary culinary experience at Nordik Spa Village Chelsea’s Chef’s Table, an intimate evening that brings together exceptional cuisine, local ingredients and warm hospitality in a stunning natural setting.
- Thursdays through Saturdays | Experience the energy of summer at Metcalfe Plaza, a vibrant downtown gathering place filled with art, music, and cultural programming. FREE!
- Saturday, September 5; Wednesday, September 9| Hop on a historic bus tour through the streets of Ottawa and uncover the vibrant tapestry of Black history in the capital and across Canada. Starting at the YMCA.
- Saturday, September 5 |Catch the action at TD Place with Atletico Ottawa, where the crowd roars and every goal fuels the city’s soccer fever.
- Sunday, September 6 |Catch Ottawa Rapid FC, Ottawa’s women’s soccer team, at TD Place.
- Tuesday, September 8 | Enjoy a refreshing outdoor fitness experience with a series of mat Pilates sessions set against the iconic backdrop of Parliament Hill. FREE!
- Ongoing | Catch professional baseball games with the Ottawa Titans at Ottawa Stadium, just east of downtown.
