Events for May 16, 2026
Helen McNicoll: An Impressionist Journey
This exhibition traces Impressionist painter Helen McNicoll's career through more than 80 paintings, sketches and works on paper. It also features work by her close painting companion Dorothea Sharp and […]
270 West Consulting Presents the Tulip Trail
A NEW immersive 40-minute experience tracing 4,000 years of tulip history across 12,000 km. The journey covers: wild tulips in the Central Asian Mountains (2000 BCE) → Silk Road and Ottoman Empire tulip gardens → Dutch Tulipmania financial bubble → Canada's WWII legacy and the Royal Gift of Tulips → a photo op in the […]
Arteast Pavilion – Ottawa Tulip Festival
Local Ottawa art showcase at the festival. A downloadable Activity Calendar PDF with full programming details is available directly from the Arteast Pavilion page. The PDF link on the page is: https://tulipfestival.ca/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/2026-Tulip-festival-boutique-and-activity-description-V1-1-1.pdf-1.pdf
Korean Pavilion – Ottawa Tulip Festival
Honours the shared history of Canada and the Netherlands during the Korean War and the lasting friendship forged between the nations. Features a Korean cultural experience zone with interactive activities. No separate page beyond the main festival site.
Dutch Pavilion – Ottawa Tulip Festival
Hosted in partnership with the Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands. A cultural experience celebrating the historic gift of tulips from the Dutch royal family to Canada following World […]
Tulip Market – Handcrafted Treasures
A curated artisan market featuring local makers who have created tulip-inspired pieces for the festival. Items include home décor, artwork, handmade gifts, and one-of-a-kind keepsakes. Confirmed 2026 vendors: Arteast, Chayana'k, Doozy Candles, La Vie A I'en Verre, Little Creek, Ricovjewlery, Shiloh, Soldar.
CF Rideau Centre Self-Guided Walking Tour
A free 7-stop self-guided walking tour through Commissioners Park using QR codes at each stop. Highlights include the Queen Juliana Gift Bed, The Man with Two Hats historic statue, and […]
Canadian Tulip Festival
World's largest tulip festival. 300,000+ tulips across 26 gardens. Free admission to grounds. Paid activities include the Tulip Trail ($5) and CIBC Tulip Trek ($5). Dutch Pavilion, Korean Pavilion, Tulip Market, Tulip Taxi cart rides, self-guided legacy tour, blacklight boardwalk after dark, Tulip Town activity area for kids. Flower Fun Run on May 9. Site […]
CIBC Tulip Trek: self-guided scavenger hunt through the gardens
A family scavenger hunt through Commissioners Park. Start at Dow's Lake Pavilion to pick up your first clue and explorer tools. Crack 6 clues hidden throughout the park while learning […]
Polestar Ottawa Tulip Taxi
Hop-on, hop-off golf cart service covering the full 1.2 km length of the festival. Three stops: South End Hub (near Carleton University parking and south Info Centre) → Mid-Festival Stop […]
Neo Financial Play Zone featuring Velocity Games
A drop-in family activity hub. Features oversized yard games, creative building stations, and hands-on activities for all ages. Every weekend the zone transforms into an adventure hub with obstacle courses and Nerf battles — designed by Velocity Games, a youth entrepreneur-founded business. No registration required.
Opening Ceremony – Tulip Festival
Remembrance Ceremony honouring veterans from World War II to today. Includes a Cannon Salute and CF-18 Fly Over. No tickets required.
Tulipfest at Saunders Farm
Brand-new spring festival for Saunders Farm's 50th anniversary. Nearly 500,000 tulips in 100+ varieties set within a 6-acre apple orchard. Features a Dutch windmill, artistic installations, strolling musicians, and interactive […]
Moulin Rouge! The Musical
10-time Tony Award winner including Best Musical. Based on the Baz Luhrmann film. A theatrical celebration of Truth, Beauty, Freedom, and Love — featuring a score of 70+ pop hits. […]
GoodLife HYROX Ottawa
First-ever HYROX event in Canada's capital — a major milestone for the global fitness racing community. Thousands of athletes competing across singles, doubles, mixed doubles, relay, pro, and adaptive divisions. The standardized HYROX format: 8 x 1 km run alternated with 8 functional workout stations (SkiErg, Sled Push, Sled Pull, Burpee Broad Jumps, Rowing, Farmers […]
Latin American Film Festival Ottawa 2026 (Final screening)
29th edition of the LAFF presented by GRULA (Group of Embassies of Latin American Countries) in collaboration with Saint Paul University. Films from 14 countries: Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Costa […]
CanGames Tabletop Game Convention
Canada's longest-running volunteer-led gaming convention, held annually on the Victoria Day long weekend since 1977. 300+ games across 8 time slots including board games, miniature games, and roleplaying games. Vendor […]
Wild Colour
Step into a vibrant, photo-worthy world of science at the Canadian Museum of Nature - Wild Colour is Ottawa's most colourful museum experience of 2026. Created by the Field Museum […]
Barrhaven Ribfest and Poutine
Four-day outdoor food festival featuring top ribbers, BBQ chicken, pulled pork, and a wide range of poutine — classic, gourmet, and extreme. Also on site: Mini Donuts Express, Loaded Funnel Cakes, Deep Fried Cheesecake, Ice Cream, Churros. NEW in 2026: Kid Zone and more live music stages. Free admission — pay for food only. Event […]
Alone in the Dark – Cumberland Heritage Village Museum
This immersive guided paranormal investigation invites participants to explore a series of historic buildings after dark, including a church, schoolhouse, train station and family home. Led by experienced hosts, the experience incorporates both traditional and modern investigative techniques, encouraging observation and personal interpretation. Designed for curious participants, this small-group experience offers a quiet, atmospheric alternative […]
Oniro – Magical Forrest Walk (Night)
Experience a magical forest walk at Parc Oméga as the story of wolf cub Oniro unfolds through light, sound, and immersive storytelling. Created by artist Michel Lemieux, ONIRO features 17 illuminated scenes along a 60-minute trail. First departures begin at sunset. The ONIRO night walk: a magical immersion experience As night falls, the trees of […]
Main Street Farmers’ Market
Weekly Saturday market running May through October. Producer-only market with all vendors making, baking, or growing within 100 km of Ottawa. Fresh produce, baked goods, pantry staples, crafts, hot meals, and more. Live music and special programming on-site. Event details can change, so verify with the organizer before attending.
Ottawa Farmers’ Market – Westboro (Opening Weekend)
Outdoor producer-only market opening for the 2026 season. 60+ local vendors selling fresh seasonal produce, meat, dairy, baked goods, prepared foods, crafts, and more — all within 100 km of Ottawa. Live market music on site. Food court with lunch options. Free street parking nearby. Pets allowed. Event details can change, so verify with the […]
613 flea market
Monthly not-for-profit flea market. 150 vendors: makers, bakers, artists, artisans, vintage clothing, records, comics, food vendors. Free admission. Dogs welcome. Note: Aberdeen Pavilion closed for renovations as of Q2 2026. Verify current location on their website before going.
Anyone Can Sculpt Ice: Ottawa’s Hands-On Ice Sculpting Workshop
Discover the fundamentals of ice sculpting in a guided, hands on workshop experience. Participants are introduced to essential techniques for carving small scale ice sculptures, including safety practices, proper tool handling, and foundational artistic methods. Led in an indoor setting, this interactive workshop offers insight into the craftsmanship behind ice art and provides participants with […]
Th’owxiya: The Hungry Feast Dish
A Kwantlen First Nations family theatre production by playwright Joseph A. Dandurand, presented by Axis Theatre. The tale of an ogress spirit who inhabits a feast dish — told through masks, songs, and dance. Teaches the lesson: when you take something from the earth, you must give something back. The May 16 performance will be […]