Downtown Ottawa
Events
Calendar of Events
|
Monday
|
Tuesday
|
Wednesday
|
Thursday
|
Friday
|
Saturday
|
Sunday
|
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
4 events,
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 in Chicago and enhanced with Canadian specimens, this exhibition explores how animals, plants and minerals use colour to communicate, attract mates, and survive. Museum admission […]
CA$17
Frame of Mind is the 9th exhibition in the Creative Space program, a partnership between the Royal Ottawa Mental Health Centre and the Ottawa Art Gallery celebrating its 10th year of using artmaking as a tool for wellness and community connection. The exhibition features work created across fall and winter sessions using acrylic painting and […] 
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 works. The show features multiple artists working across a range of disciplines and takes up space across the OAG's five-floor programming venue at 10 Daly […]
-
A free, family-friendly drop-in fitness session led by Indigenous instructor Amanda Fox that incorporates Powwow-style movement and dance into an accessible workout format open to all ages and fitness levels. […] |
5 events,
-
Le R Premier, a Canada-Benin artist, launches his EP TROY at Club SAW Ottawa in a concert blending poetic rap and afro-futurism, with limited tickets available for this intimate venue. Club SAW is a well-respected arts venue in the ByWard Market area known for supporting emerging and experimental artists across genres. The show runs from […] 
The Ottawa BlackJacks host the Vancouver Bandits in a Canadian Elite Basketball League regular season game at the Arena at TD Place. The BlackJacks are Ottawa's professional basketball franchise competing in the CEBL, and home games at TD Place draw strong local crowds. Tickets are available on Ticketmaster and parking add-ons can be purchased at […] |
4 events,
-
The Prime Rib Big Band performs a full evening of classic big band swing and jazz at Irene's Pub, one of Ottawa's most beloved and longest-running live music venues in the Glebe neighbourhood. The ensemble is described as spectacular and energetic, specializing in soulful big band performances that fill a room. Tickets are available through […] |
6 events,
A stunning Maori cirque theatre work performed in Te Reo Maori, telling the allegorical story of Aotahi and her son Piri as they navigate powerful supernatural beings representing the colonial forces that displaced their people. The production is a collaboration between Te Rehia Theatre and The Dust Palace circus company, combining aerial acrobatics, physical theatre, […] 
The Ottawa BlackJacks host the Winnipeg Sea Bears in another Canadian Elite Basketball League home game at the Arena at TD Place, just two days after the Vancouver Bandits matchup. Tickets and parking add-ons are available through Ticketmaster. The Arena at TD Place seats thousands and provides an electric live sports atmosphere in the heart […] 
The Listros bring their Into The Otherside Tour to the 27 Club in the ByWard Market for a rock show with doors opening at 7 PM. The 27 Club is a well-regarded intimate live music venue in Ottawa's ByWard Market neighbourhood, known for hosting a mix of emerging and established Canadian acts. Tickets are available […] |
8 events,
Robert Lepage reimagines Shakespeare's Macbeth by transplanting the medieval Scottish tragedy into the world of 1990s Quebec biker gangs, with Cawdor Castle becoming a rural motel and Birnam Wood a cannabis field, while leaving the original story of murderous ambition and paranoia intact. Presented in French by NAC French Theatre, this Francophone production is performed […] 
Ukrainian heavy metal powerhouse JINJER brings their Duel North America 2026 tour to the Bronson Centre Theatre with support from Entheos in what is expected to be a high-energy performance from one of the most technically accomplished metal bands on the international scene. JINJER is known for vocalist Tatiana Shmayluk's extraordinary vocal range and the […] 
Family Man and Neon Ghosthouse perform a punk and indie double bill at the 27 Club in the ByWard Market, with doors opening at 7 PM. The 27 Club is one of Ottawa's most active small-capacity live music venues and consistently hosts touring punk and indie acts alongside local support. Tickets are available through Ticketmaster […]
-
Nature Nocturne returns to the Canadian Museum of Nature for its first event of the 2026-27 season, themed around Wild Colour in partnership with the museum's new special exhibition of […] |
8 events,
Doors Open Ottawa returns for its 24th anniversary with the theme Doors to the Past: Bytown's Bicentennial Journey, giving free access to 90-plus historic and modern Ottawa buildings that are normally closed to the public or charge admission, including embassies, breweries, churches, heritage buildings, and government sites. Notable 2026 participants include the Diefenbunker Cold War […] 
House of Kink presents an adults-only themed dance party at the 27 Club with a kinky cowboy-couture dress code, DJ sets, and live performers on stage, running from 10 PM until last call in the ByWard Market's most active music venue. Kinky and fetish attire is mandatory and casual dress is not permitted; attendees unsure […]
CA$33.28
Canada's highest distinction in the performing arts is celebrated at a gala evening at the NAC's Southam Hall, honouring the 2026 GGPAA laureates including set and costume designer Susan Benson, […] |
9 events,
-
Step inside the 1896 Gothic Revival mansion known as Birkett's Castle, now the Residence of the Hungarian Ambassador and open to the public on Sunday only. Built by architect Thomas […]
Free
The NAC Indigenous Theatre hosts the annual Summer Indigenous Art Market in the Gail and David O'Brien Atrium at the National Arts Centre, bringing together Metis, Inuit, and First Nations makers to sell and showcase their work directly to the Ottawa community. Vendors offer jewelry, beadwork, paintings, sculptures, moccasins, leatherwork, clothing, and more, with a […] |
10 events,
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 haunted high school. The 75-minute tour departs from the ticket office at 46 1/2 Sparks Street, steps from Parliament Hill, and runs in all weather […]
CA$24.99
Featured
-
Featured
Go behind the scenes of Ottawa's most iconic castle hotel in this fascinating 75-minute guided tour with a Monday discount. Knowledgeable guides reveal concealed passageways, political rendezvous rooms, luxurious ballrooms, […]
From $27.99
Free French storytelling for toddlers with Luana at the NAC — a beloved Monday morning ritual for Ottawa families. Luana guides young children through engaging French-language stories at Peter A. Herrndorf Place in a warm and welcoming atmosphere. No registration is required and the event is completely free. This program is recommended for young children […]
Free
-
Ottawa's funniest and most surprising walking tour — discover the bizarre, hidden side of Canada's capital with a $5 Monday discount per person. Created by the makers of the Haunted […]
From $27.99
-
Uncover the haunted history of Ottawa's oldest building - the Bytown Museum - in this unique ghost tour with a Monday discount. Guides lead guests through the story of the […]
From $27.99
-
A free, family-friendly drop-in fitness session led by Indigenous instructor Amanda Fox that incorporates Powwow-style movement and dance into an accessible workout format open to all ages and fitness levels. […] |
6 events,
-
Capture the dynamic beauty of powwow dances and their regalia in this free two-hour life-drawing session hosted by NAC Indigenous Theatre with art facilitators on hand to guide participants. Participants bring their own supplies though basic materials are available on site for those who arrive without. The session is best suited to intermediate to advanced […]
Free
|
6 events,
The Men's Volleyball Nations League returns to Ottawa for five days of elite international competition featuring Canada, France, Italy, Germany, Turkey, and the USA at The Arena at TD Place. Paris 2024 Olympic gold medalists France and bronze medalists USA join world number 2 Italy in what Volleyball Canada calls one of the strongest pools […] |
10 events,
The Festival Franco-Ontarien marks its 50th anniversary with three days of outdoor Francophone concerts, street art, food, and community programming at Major's Hill Park steps from Parliament Hill. The 2026 lineup features Bleu Jeans Bleu on June 11, Jupiter and Okwess plus LGS on June 12, and Jay Scott on June 13, alongside free family […]
CA$14 – CA$30
Featured
-
Featured
Explore four floors of world-class natural history at the Canadian Museum of Nature for free during Thursday evening hours, including the new Wild Colour special exhibition running through January 10, 2027. Wild Colour dives into the role of colour in nature through 200 specimens, audio stories, and colour-saturated gallery zones. The museum is at 240 […]
Free
-
Ottawa's premier entrepreneurship summit brings together founders, investors, and builders for a full day of keynotes, panels, and the live Startup World Cup Ottawa Regional Competition where startups pitch for $50,000 in non-dilutive funding and a shot at $1 million USD at the global finale in San Francisco. Complimentary catering is included for all registered […]
-
Ottawa folk-rock duo Satellite Birdhouse, a 2026 Capital Music Awards Group of the Year nominee, performs a free 40-minute outdoor lunchtime concert at the NAC as part of the Jukebox Lunch Concert series. Stacy DuBois and Troy Huizinga bring story-driven, harmonically rich songs inspired by Joni Mitchell and the Indigo Girls to one of Ottawa's […]
Free
|
10 events,
Step inside one of Ontario's most haunted buildings for a 3.5-hour ghost hunting experience at the historic Carleton County Jail, built in 1833 and the site of executions, suicides, and murders over nearly 170 years. Participants receive a full briefing on the jail's haunted history and paranormal investigation equipment before venturing inside in the dark […]
CA$76.99
Daily Show correspondent Josh Johnson blends stand-up comedy and live music into a summer camp-themed show at Southam Hall that promises nostalgia, laughs, and live band energy all in one night. With over 10 million social media followers and praised by WIRED as the funniest person on the internet, Johnson performs Friday at 7 PM […]
From $66.25
-
Illscarlett marks the 20th anniversary of their debut album EPdemic with a hometown concert at the Bronson Centre, supported by Zoo Legacy and The Divetones in an all-ages licensed show presented by Spectrasonic and Live 88.5. The Ottawa ska-rock band built their reputation in the mid-2000s with EPdemic and this anniversary show is a celebration […]
CA$37
|
10 events,
-
Daily Show correspondent Josh Johnson blends stand-up comedy and live music into a summer camp-themed show at Southam Hall that promises nostalgia, laughs, and live band energy all in one night. With over 10 million social media followers and praised by WIRED as the funniest person on the internet, Johnson performs Friday at 7 PM […]
From $66.25
-
Ottawa Goes Latin is a 19-plus Latin dance night at the Bronson Centre featuring salsa, bachata, merengue, and reggaeton in one of Ottawa's most popular live events venues. Doors open […] |
5 events,
-
The Cappies Gala celebrates outstanding high school theatre students from over 20 Ottawa-area schools on the grand Southam Hall stage, with awards spanning performance, critique, costumes, lighting, and choreography in […]
CA$35
|
4 events,
-
A free, family-friendly drop-in fitness session led by Indigenous instructor Amanda Fox that incorporates Powwow-style movement and dance into an accessible workout format open to all ages and fitness levels. The session takes place in the Peter A. Herrndorf Place at the National Arts Centre, one of Ottawa's most prominent cultural venues on Elgin Street. […] |
4 events,
-
Free outdoor mat Pilates sessions return to Parliament Hill this summer, offering a welcoming fitness class against one of Canada's most iconic backdrops. Classes are designed to be accessible to all levels with an emphasis on movement, stretching, and recharging in an open-air community setting on the Hill lawn. Participants should bring their own mat […]
Free
|
4 events,
Conductor Alexander Shelley leads his final season with the NAC Orchestra in a stunning double-bill pairing Gershwin's jazz-infused piano concerto with Stravinsky's cinematic ballet score The Firebird. Celebrated pianist Helene Grimaud joins the orchestra alongside emerging musicians from the NACO Mentorship Program, making this a landmark evening of orchestral music in Ottawa. Tickets are available […] |
6 events,
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
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
|
6 events,
-
Canadian television personality Jessi Cruickshank trades the mic for the decks and brings her DJ dance party Evening Club to Ottawa's Bronson Centre with special guest DJ Xav Trudeau. Promoted by MODO-LIVE, this is a full-energy 19+ dance party featuring nostalgic hits and high-energy dance floor programming rather than a traditional comedy performance. Advance tickets […]
From $40.21
|
||
9 events,
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 including farms, specialty food makers, and artisans in a relaxed open-air corner setting at Elgin and Waverley. The market is accessible by foot, transit, and […]
Free
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 from Patterson Creek, winding past Parliament Hill, the Chateau Laurier, and the Rideau Canal Locks as the city skyline lights up around you. All experience […]
CA$99 – CA$198
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 on June 28 featuring Ibrahim Maalouf, Alanna Sterling, and Steve Berndt. This year the festival introduced a redesigned musical campus, a new Confederation Park stage, […]
Free (park access) to Varies (ticketed)
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
|
||||||
5 events,
-
A free, family-friendly drop-in fitness session led by Indigenous instructor Amanda Fox that incorporates Powwow-style movement and dance into an accessible workout format open to all ages and fitness levels. […] |