2026 Rockstar Music Spring Showcase
2026-05-10 11:30 - 13:30 UTC | Downtown Ottawa · Arts Court, 2 Daly Ave, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
Student music showcase open to all ages and levels. Great music, gifts, and family fun. Performers enter free. Tickets $25 in advance or $30 at the door.

Flower Fun Run (Mother's Day)
2026-05-10 12:00 | Dow’s Lake · Commissioners Park, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
An official Canadian Tulip Festival event run by Somersault Events. Takes place along a closed scenic course through the festival grounds at Dow’s Lake. Limited to 600 participants — sells out early. Distances: 1K Kids Run (12 and under, includes medal) and 5K Run or Walk/Stroll. All ages and abilities welcome. Included with registration: race bib, professional timing, on-course nutrition, race photography, podium prizes for top 3 male/female/non-binary in the 5K, post-race snacks. Bib pickup: May 9 (3–6 PM) at Full Cycle Hintonburg, 7 Hamilton Ave N; or May 10 starting 11:30 AM at the festival near Preston and Queen Elizabeth Dr. Online registration deadline: May 5 at 6 PM.

Guided Family Paint Party
2026-05-10 18:30 - 20:30 | Centretown · Dosa Spot, 895 Bank St, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
Guided paint night led by experienced artist Timka. Participants paint “Moonlight Owls” – an owl scene in a moonlit sky using black, blue, orange, pink, and white. All painting supplies included. Designed for teens and up. Group discount: bring 3 friends to save 15%. Free cancellation up to 24 hours before event. Event details can change, so verify with the organizer before attending.

Toddler Tuesdays - NAC
2026-05-12 10:00 - 10:50, 2026-05-19 10:00 - 10:50, 2026-05-26 10:00 - 10:50, 2026-06-02 10:00 - 10:50, 2026-06-09 10:00 - 10:50, 2026-06-16 10:00 - 10:50, 2026-06-23 10:00 - 10:50 | Peter A. Herrndorf Place, National Arts Centre, 1 Elgin St, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
Free weekly drop-in program for children aged 18 months to 5 years and their parents/caregivers. Singing, dancing, games, and story time led by instructor Jesse Kahat. Fully interactive exploration of the performing arts through creative play. No ticket required.

Beaded Vamp and Moccasin Workshop (Part 2: Making the moccasin)
2026-05-12 17:30 - 20:30 | Atelier Shenkman Smith, NAC, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
The Vamp and Moccasin Workshop with Colleen Nolan offers a unique opportunity for individuals to learn the art of crafting moccasins with a beaded vamp. This workshop provides participants with hands-on experience in crafting and constructing their own pair of moccasins.
Participants leave with not only a beautiful pair of handmade moccasins but also pride. Whether you’re a beginner or an experienced crafter, this workshop is open to all. It will be a fun and welcoming environment, where stories will be told, and laughter will be shared.
Join us for an interactive and engaging session, connecting with others and leaving with a sense of fulfilment and gratitude.
Workshop schedule (three evenings, 5:30pm-8:30pm):
Tuesday May 5 – Beading the Vamp: Participants will have the opportunity to bead moccasin vamps—the beautifully decorated top part of a moccasin—while learning about their cultural significance in Indigenous traditions
Tuesday May 12: Making the moccasin
Tuesday May 19: Final assembly
Participants should be committed to attending all three sessions.
This workshop takes place at 1 Elgin Street, in the National Arts Centre’s Atelier Shenkman Smith which is located across from the Box Office.
Event details can change, so verify with the organizer before attending.

GoodLife HYROX Ottawa
2026-05-14 08:00 - 2026-05-17 20:30 | South Ottawa · EY Centre, 4899 Uplands Dr, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
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 Carry, Sandbag Lunges, Wall Balls). EY Centre is 3 km from Ottawa airport (YOW). Spectators welcome. Athletes must bring ID; check-in only on race day. Event details can change, so verify with the organizer before attending.

CanGames Tabletop Game Convention
2026-05-15 09:00 - 2026-05-17 23:00 | Centretown · Rideau Curling Club, 715 Cooper St, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
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 marketplace open Sat 10 AM–3 PM. Full bar and meal service on site. Badges required — online pre-registration recommended. Partially wheelchair accessible (main floor and rink). Event details can change, so verify with the organizer before attending.

Oniro - Magical Forrest Walk (Night)
2026-05-15 21:00 - 2026-05-16 22:00, 2026-05-22 21:00 - 2026-05-23 22:00, 2026-05-29 21:00 - 2026-05-30 22:00, 2026-06-05 21:00 - 2026-06-06 22:00, 2026-06-12 21:00 - 2026-06-13 22:00, 2026-06-19 21:00 - 2026-06-20 22:00, 2026-06-26 21:00 - 2026-06-27 22:00 | Parc Omega, 399, route 323 North, Montebello, Quebec, Canada
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 Parc Oméga come to life and tell the story of the wolf cub Oniro. Immerse yourself in a unique sensory adventure, where animals, light and poetry meet.
Discover an immersive journey combining spectacular projections, enchanting scenery, spellbinding music and human voices. A magical experience in the heart of nature!
The Oniro trail is a night-time forest walk lasting around 60 minutes and comprising 17 tableaux. The first visits take place at sunset.

Anyone Can Sculpt Ice: Ottawa’s Hands-On Ice Sculpting Workshop
2026-05-16 10:30 - 12:00, 2026-05-30 10:30 - 12:00 | Canadian Ice Carver’s Clubhouse, 42 Antares Drive, Unit 110, Nepean, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
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 the opportunity to shape their own creation while learning about this distinctive winter tradition.
Agenda
Introduction (5min) and Instructor Demo (10 min)
Welcome & safety briefing + Ice basics: how ice is made, properties, and why clarity matters + Demonstration of tools used in. Live carving of a simple design (e.g., flower, star) + Explain tool technique, texture, and control, Q&A session
Hands-On Session (45min to 1 hour)
Participants carve pre-prepared ice blocks + Instructors provide guidance + Emphasis on techniques, basic shapes, symmetry, and light interaction
Showcase & Photo Session (5 min) and Cleanup (5min)
Display of finished sculptures + Lighting setup to highlight clarity and refraction

Th'owxiya: The Hungry Feast Dish
2026-05-16 14:00 | Azrieli Studio, NAC, 1 Elgin St, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
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 interpreted in American Sign Language (ASL). Recommended for families and young children. Approx. 1 hour. Event details can change, so verify with the organizer before attending.

Ottawa BlackJacks vs. Niagara River Lions
2026-05-18 19:00 | Glebe · The Arena at TD Place, 1000 Palladium Dr, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
CEBL professional basketball. Ottawa BlackJacks vs. the back-to-back CEBL champion Niagara River Lions — a marquee Victoria Day matchup. Highlighted in the BlackJacks’ schedule announcement as a key home game. The Arena at TD Place, capacity 5,500–8,585. Event details can change, so verify with the organizer before attending.

Beaded Vamp and Moccasin Workshop (Part 3: Final assembly)
2026-05-19 17:30 - 20:30 | Atelier Shenkman Smith, NAC, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada

Glengarry Renaissance Festival
2026-05-30 10:30 - 2026-05-31 17:30 | Glengarry County Fairgrounds, 35 Fair Street, Maxville, Ontario, Canada
The Glengarry Renaissance Festival is an annual two-day immersive festival transporting attendees to a medieval Scottish village of the 1500s, held in Maxville approximately one hour from Ottawa. The festival features live jousting with knights on horseback, falconry demonstrations, sword demonstrations, bardic entertainment, stage shows, interactive Renaissance characters, and vendors selling period-appropriate goods and food including turkey legs. Admission pricing is available through the festival website and the event is held outdoors at the fairgrounds; Maxville is accessible by car via Highway 417. The festival is explicitly family-friendly and suitable for all ages, with programming designed to entertain children and adults equally. This is one of the most unique and immersive seasonal events in the Ottawa region, offering an experience that is genuinely unlike any standard festival.
Event details can change, so verify with the organizer before attending.

Free Fishing Weekend (Ontario)
2026-06-20 - 2026-06-21 | Various Ottawa-area waterbodies, Ontario, Ontario, Canada
Ontario Free Fishing Weekend runs June 20-21, 2026. Canadian residents can fish in Ontario without a licence province-wide. Open to all — great for families, beginners, or anyone introducing a friend to fishing. Check local Ottawa-area waterbodies and provincial parks for access points.
Introduce a friend to fishing, go out on your own or join an event.
OFFE is a province-wide opportunity for Canadian residents to fish in Ontario licence-free. There are four periods throughout the year: the 3-day Family Day weekend in February, Mother’s Day and Father’s Day weekends and a full 9 days in July, which coincides with National Fishing Week.
Participants fishing without a license must fish under the Conservation fishing license limits which are set out in the current Ontario Recreational Fishing Regulations Summary. With the exception of the licensing requirement, Ontario fishing regulations, fees and limits continue to apply during license-free days.
Who is it for?
All ages – Family
FREE
Event details can change, so verify with the organizer before attending.
Follow fishing rules
Free fishing periods remind us of the value of Ontario’s recreational fishery, and the importance of keeping it healthy for future generations. While fishing for free during a free fishing period you must:
follow conservation licence catch limits
obey size limits and sanctuaries
follow the fishing regulations
carry a permit or identification card issued by the provincial or federal government, showing your name and date of birth

Free Family Fishing Week (Ontario)
2026-06-27 - 2026-07-05 | Various Ottawa-area waterbodies, Ontario, Ontario, Canada
Ontario Free Fishing Weekend runs June 27 – July 5, 2026. Canadian residents can fish in Ontario without a licence province-wide. Open to all — great for families, beginners, or anyone introducing a friend to fishing. Check local Ottawa-area waterbodies and provincial parks for access points.
Introduce a friend to fishing, go out on your own or join an event.
OFFE is a province-wide opportunity for Canadian residents to fish in Ontario licence-free. There are four periods throughout the year: the 3-day Family Day weekend in February, Mother’s Day and Father’s Day weekends and a full 9 days in July, which coincides with National Fishing Week.
Participants fishing without a license must fish under the Conservation fishing license limits which are set out in the current Ontario Recreational Fishing Regulations Summary. With the exception of the licensing requirement, Ontario fishing regulations, fees and limits continue to apply during license-free days.
Who is it for?
All ages – Family
FREE
Event details can change, so verify with the organizer before attending.
Follow fishing rules
Free fishing periods remind us of the value of Ontario’s recreational fishery, and the importance of keeping it healthy for future generations. While fishing for free during a free fishing period you must:
follow conservation licence catch limits
obey size limits and sanctuaries
follow the fishing regulations
carry a permit or identification card issued by the provincial or federal government, showing your name and date of birth
