Ongoing

Helen McNicoll: An Impressionist Journey

380 Sussex Drive, Ottawa, ON K1N 9N4 Ottawa

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 […]

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 […]

CA$17

Intertwined – A concurrent exhibition

Intertwined is a concurrent exhibition at the Ottawa Art Gallery running through August 2, 2026, bringing together artists to explore humanity's increasingly complex relationship to the natural world through their […]

Original Haunted Walk of Ottawa (All-year round)

Ottawa's award-winning lantern-lit ghost tour runs nightly through downtown streets with cloaked storytellers sharing the city's haunted history at the Fairmont Chateau Laurier, the Bytown Museum, and Ottawa's most infamous […]

CA$24.99

Qillaniq

380 Sussex Drive, Ottawa, ON K1N 9N4 Ottawa

Qillaniq is billed as the world's largest exhibition of contemporary Indigenous circumpolar Arctic art. The show highlights work from artists across the Arctic region with a focus on shimmering light […]

Ottawa Jazz Festival

The 46th Ottawa Jazz Festival opens on June 18 with 11 days of world-class jazz, soul, blues, and experimental music across multiple outdoor and indoor stages in the heart of downtown Ottawa. The 2026 lineup features headline acts including St. Vincent with the NAC Orchestra, Wyclef Jean, Jeff Goldblum and the Mildred Snitzer Orchestra, WILLOW, […]

Free - Ticketed

Metcalfe Plaza

Metcalfe St, Ottawa, ON, Canada Ottawa

Metcalfe Plaza is downtown Ottawa's summer hangout, transformed by the Downtown BIA into a hub of live music, art and culture. The plaza hosts live performances, DJ sets, fitness classes, […]

Ottawa Fringe Festival

The 29th Ottawa Fringe Festival kicks off under the theme "Fringe Out Loud," presenting 50+ companies and over 300 performances across multiple venues through June 28. Every show is selected by lottery and no production is curated or juried, giving artists from all backgrounds full creative freedom to take risks and push boundaries. A Fringe […]

CA$5 – CA$14

Elgin Street Market

Ottawa's only Centretown farmers' market returns every Sunday at Boushey Square with fresh produce, baked goods, prepared foods, and artisan crafts from local vendors. Shoppers can browse dozens of stalls […]

Free

Light at Night Kayaking

Paddle downtown Ottawa's Rideau Canal at dusk in a glowing LED kayak for one of the city's most romantic and visually stunning evening experiences. The 2.5-hour, 5.5-kilometre guided tour launches […]

CA$99 – CA$198

Ottawa Jazz Festival

The 46th Ottawa Jazz Festival closes its final week at Confederation Park with headline acts including St. Vincent with the NAC Orchestra on June 27 and a closing day lineup […]

Free (park access) to Varies (ticketed)

Ottawa Fringe Festival

Ottawa's biggest theatre festival wraps its 29th edition with 62 productions across 10 downtown venues through June 28, covering stand-up comedy, gothic horror, dance, musical theatre, immersive magic, and bilingual shows. The main hub is Arts Court at 2 Daly Avenue, with additional shows at La Nouvelle Scène Gilles Desjardins (333 King Edward Ave.), Knox […]

CA$5 – CA$14

RCMP Musical Ride Sunset Ceremonies

The RCMP hosts four free family-friendly Canadian Sunset Ceremonies at their Ottawa stables on June 25, 26, 27, and 28, each starting at 7:00 PM with the world-famous Musical Ride […]

Free

Beaver Tales

Beaver Tales celebrates the beaver's role in Canadian history through an interactive exhibit at the Canadian Museum of History. The exhibition explores the beaver's part in the fur trade, early […]

Bud Light Escapade Music Festival

Ottawa's largest EDM festival returns for its 16th anniversary with a 70-plus artist lineup headlined by Tiesto, Skrillex, Illenium, GRiZ, FISHER, and SLANDER across multiple stages over three full days […]

From ~$ per day (varies by tier)60

Vegans Who Snack Food and Art Festival

366 Parkdale Avenue, Ottawa, ON K1Y 1G8 Ottawa

A free evening outdoor festival at Parkdale Market featuring over 65 vegan small businesses selling ready-to-eat food, baked treats, ice cream, art, flowers, and self-care products in a welcoming accessible […]

Free

Reverend Horton Heat & The Surfrajettes

2477 Kaladar Ave, Ottawa, ON K1V 8B9 Ottawa

Psychobilly legends Reverend Horton Heat, widely considered the greatest act in the genre, perform with surf rock opener The Surfrajettes at Overflow Brewery for a high-energy night of rockabilly and surf-infused music. This is an intimate indoor show at one of Ottawa's best independent music venues, presented by Chord Productions and running from 7:00 PM […]

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 […]