Ongoing

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 […]

CA$17

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 […]

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 and radical joy. It is on view at the National Gallery of Canada, 380 Sussex Drive, through September 20. Related programming includes free family workshops […]

Ottawa Jazz Festival

1 Elgin Street, Ottawa, ON K1P 5W1 Ottawa

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

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 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

Ottawa Jazz Festival

100 Elgin Street, Ottawa, ON K1P 5K8 Ottawa

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)

RCMP Musical Ride Sunset Ceremonies

1 Sandridge Road, Ottawa, ON K1A 0R2 Ottawa

The RCMP hosts four free family-friendly Canadian Sunset Ceremonies at their Ottawa stables on June 25, 26, 27, and 28, each starting at 7:00 PM with the world-famous Musical Ride performing thrilling cavalry drills choreographed to music. Each show features the combined pipe bands of the RCMP and Ottawa Police Service, the Capital Cowgirls, the […]

Free

Bud Light Escapade Music Festival

2451 Riverside Drive, Ottawa, ON K1H 7X7 Ottawa

Ottawa's largest EDM festival returns for its 16th anniversary with a 70-plus artist lineup headlined by Tiesto, Skrillex, Illenium, GRiZ, FISHER, and SLANDER across multiple stages over three full days […]

From ~$ per day (varies by tier)60