Family-friendly
Events for August 8, 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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
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 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 […]
Ottawa International Busker Festival
Downtown Ottawa fills with acrobats, magicians, musicians and dancers for the Ottawa International Buskerfest on Sparks Street. The free outdoor festival brings together street performers from around the world for three days of live entertainment. It runs from 11 AM to 5 PM daily from August 7 to 9, right in the heart of the […]
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
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 on site. Food court with lunch options. Free street parking nearby. Pets allowed. Event details can change, so verify with the organizer before attending.
Puppets Up! International Puppet Festival
Puppets Up! takes over downtown Almonte with more than 70 puppet performances from 13 international troupes across 7 theatres. The festival includes daily free parades and street entertainment plus a marketplace and kids' craft tent by donation. It runs from 9 AM to 6 PM on August 8 and 9, about a 45 minute drive […]