Events for August 1, 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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
Qillaniq
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 […]
Metcalfe Plaza
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, […]
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 […]
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 […]
A Midsummer Night’s Dream – Shakespeare in the Park Tour
Shakespeare's beloved tale of love, magic, and mischief in an enchanted forest launches its Ottawa touring run on June 29 with the 2026 outdoor production of A Midsummer Night's Dream traveling to parks and outdoor venues across the city through August 15. The production follows four young lovers who flee into the woods and encounter […]
A Midsummer Night’s Dream 2026 Shakespeare in the Park Tour
A Company of Fools tours Ottawa parks with an outdoor staging of A Midsummer Night's Dream set against a Greek island backdrop inspired by 70s disco. The comedy follows four young lovers, a feuding fairy king and queen, and a group of amateur actors through a night of love potions and mistaken identities. Performances run […]
Drawing in the Galleries
Visitors of all ages can pick up a pencil and sketch artworks on view during this drop in drawing session at the National Gallery. The activity is set up in […]
Akoustik
Akoustik is a free summer concert series presented by the Vanier BIA at St. Charles Market, featuring a different folk, soul, indie, or acoustic artist each week. Evenings run from […]
Mirandolina – Theatre Under the Stars
Odyssey Theatre's outdoor summer production, an adaptation of Goldoni's Commedia classic "The Mistress of the Inn," full of flirtation, disguise and physical comedy. Sunday matinees are pay-what-you-wish. Event details can […]
Mirandolina
Odyssey Theatre marks its 40th anniversary with Mirandolina, an outdoor comedy about a sharp witted innkeeper who refuses to bow to her suitors. The show blends masks, movement and physical […]
Night Waves
Night Waves turns Calypso Waterpark in Limoges into an evening destination with a drone light show lighting up the sky over the park. The event runs from July 24 through […]
Urban Art Collective Summer Night Market
The Urban Art Collective Summer Night Market sets up at Head Street Square with local vendors, handmade goods, and seasonal treats. Admission is free and the market runs monthly through […]
Madahoki Summer Camp
Madahoki Farm's Summer Camp offers a week of hands on learning and outdoor fun for kids at the Indigenous owned farm on West Hunt Club Road. The session beginning July […]
Les Grands Feux du Casino Lac-Leamy
International pyromusical fireworks competition with six shows on Wednesdays and Saturdays (July 29, Aug 1, 5, 8, 12, 15) launched from the Casino Lac-Leamy and viewable from the Canadian Museum […]
Kaleidoscope Kayaking – Fireworks Show
Kaleidoscope Kayaking is a nighttime paddling experience down the Rideau Canal, timed to coincide with a fireworks display for a mesmerizing on-water view. Now in its fourth year, the tour […]
Les Grands Feux du Casino Lac-Leamy
Les Grands Feux du Casino Lac-Leamy lights up the sky over the Canadian Museum of History with pyromusical fireworks shows. The 29th edition features international teams from Canada, France, Brazil […]
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 […]
Galaxy – Ottawa Psychic & Crystal Fair
Fair featuring top psychics, mediums, astrologers, rune reading, an aura photo booth, tea leaf and palm readers, plus crystals and handmade jewelry. Tickets are valid all weekend, and kids 12 and under are free. Event details can change, so verify with the organizer before attending.
Metcalfe Farmers’ Market
Weekly Saturday farmers' market (May–October) offering farm-fresh produce, baking, flowers, bedding plants, pottery, furniture, and the Sunflower Café. Event details can change, so verify with the organizer before attending.
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, […]
Ottawa Farmers’ Market – Westboro
Weekly, outdoor producer-only market with 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 […]
Ottawa Miniature Gallery
The Ottawa Miniature Gallery brings a mobile showcase of small scale art to the NAC's Atrium O'Brien for a Pride themed exhibition. The show features miniature works created by 2SLGBTQIA+ […]
613flea
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. […]
Corn Maze Festival
Saunders Farm transforms a cornfield into the Ottawa 200 Corn Maze, an immersive outdoor art installation marking the city's 200th anniversary. Visitors wander winding pathways past storytelling installations, Indigenous history […]