Family-friendly
Events for July 4, 2026
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 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 […]
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 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 […]
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 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 […]
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 settlement and historical fashion trends. It is located in the Canadian History Hall and included with regular museum admission at 100 Laurier Street in Gatineau. […]
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 […]
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, and more. Live music and special programming on-site. Event details can change, so verify with the organizer before attending.
Ottawa Farmers’ Market – Westboro
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 […]
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. Verify current location on their website before going.