Things to do in Ottawa this month
Ottawa in August 2026: Oniro - Magical Forrest Walk (Night) takes over Parc Omega Aug 13-Aug 17. Ottawa Greek Fest Grounds has shows running back to back. Also happening: Under The Stars, Aug 14-Aug 15. Plus Cars & Coffee Ottawa, Aug 14. If you're after something free, there are food & drink, markets, and plenty more events to explore. For family-friendly fun, check out The Capital Fair on Aug 14. Here's everything worth doing in Ottawa this month. Updated weekly as new events are confirmed.
🔥Handpicked events in Ottawa this month
⚡Best things to do in Ottawa this month
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,…
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…
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…
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…
Geek Hoard Haul
Geek Hoard Haul packs more than 100 vendors selling comics, video games, trading cards, Pokemon and toys into the Sensplex in Kanata.…
Ottawa Kosher BBQ Cook-off & Festival
The Ottawa Kosher BBQ Cook-off & Festival is Canada's premier kosher barbecue competition and family celebration. Competing teams grill championship kosher barbecue…
Bistrofest 2026
Bistrofest brings free local live music to the patio of the Hog's Back Grill & Bistro overlooking Hog's Back Park. The August…
Live from the Booth
Live from the Booth turns Sparks Street into a free outdoor DJ party every Saturday night through the summer. The weekly series…
Hard Rock Cafe Ottawa Live Performances
Hard Rock Cafe Ottawa hosts free live music every Friday and Saturday night, with high energy rock bands and soulful acoustic sets…
Ottawa Farmers’ Market – Lansdowne (Outdoor Season)
Weekly outdoor farmers' market at Lansdowne Park running every Sunday May 3 – Oct 25, 2026. 85+ local vendors within 100 km…
Nepean Night Market
Ottawa's beloved weekly outdoor night market tales place every Sunday evening with local vendors, food trucks, live music, and a welcoming community…
La Famille Leblanc
La Famille Leblanc brings Acadian and Celtic roots music to the NAC's Wood Terrace for a free open air concert overlooking the…
Songs from the Shed
Songs from the Shed turns lunchtime on Sparks Street into a free concert with local singer-songwriters performing outdoors. The series runs every…
Nostalgia Music Festival
Nostalgia Music Festival fills LeBreton Flats with tribute band performances celebrating the hits of the 70s, 80s, and 90s. Acts pay homage…
Growth Hack Ottawa Small Business Networking – May 21st
Monthly small business trade show and networking event. 30+ local vendors in a trade-show-style setup. Open to entrepreneurs and business owners. Food…
🧠 Editor’s picks
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⚡All things to do in Ottawa this month
Dance at Zibi – Tango with Siempre Tango Ottawa
Dance at Zibi invites beginners to take their first steps in Argentine tango with instructors from Siempre Tango Ottawa. The free outdoor…
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.…
Th3rd Fridays – All-Styles Dance Battle
Th3rd Fridays turns ByWard Market Square into an open air dance battle featuring local street dancers competing across all styles. The free…
AWS Community Day Ottawa
AWS Community Day Ottawa brings cloud computing professionals together for talks and networking at Invest Ottawa. The event is co-located with the…
DevOps for GenAI Hackathon – Ottawa 2026
Teams gather at Invest Ottawa to build hands on projects at the intersection of DevOps and AI at this hackathon. The lineup…
Indian Food Festival of Ottawa
The Indian Food Festival of Ottawa is the city's biggest celebration of Indian food, culture and entertainment at Clarke Fields Park. Free…
Yowfest
Yowfest is a two day multicultural music festival celebrating Ottawa's bilingual identity at The Urban Centre in Nepean. Day one spotlights Anglophone…
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,…
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…
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…
Monster Trucks All Out
The Monster Trucks All Out Tour returns to Carp with a high energy show featuring iconic Canadian monster trucks. The event includes…
North Lanark Highland Games
The North Lanark Highland Games celebrate Scottish culture and heritage at the Almonte Fairgrounds for its 41st annual edition. The one day…
Queenswood Heights Music Festival
The Queenswood Heights Music Festival brings live local music, an artisan market, and family activities to the Orléans neighbourhood for a day.…
Pride Night Market
The Pride Night Market returns to Parkdale Public Market to celebrate the creativity and vibrancy of Ottawa's 2SLGBTQIA+ community. The free outdoor…
Ottawa Farmers’ Market – Lansdowne (Outdoor Season)
Weekly outdoor farmers' market at Lansdowne Park running every Sunday May 3 – Oct 25, 2026. 85+ local vendors within 100 km…
Ottawa Titans Family Fun Day
The Ottawa Titans close out their last Family Fun Day of the season with a home baseball game at Ottawa Stadium. Fans…
Nepean Night Market
Ottawa's beloved weekly outdoor night market tales place every Sunday evening with local vendors, food trucks, live music, and a welcoming community…
City Hall Salsa
City Hall Salsa gathers dancers at Ottawa City Hall for an evening of salsa lessons followed by open social dancing. The event…
Lansdowne Park Movie Nights
Lansdowne Park Movie Nights invites families to relax on the Great Lawn for an outdoor screening under the stars. The August lineup…
Cheese and Chocolate Pairing Experience
The Cheese and Chocolate Pairing Experience brings together artisanal cheeses and handcrafted chocolates for a guided tasting in Almonte. Hosted by Grace…
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.…
Ottawa African Festival
The Ottawa African Festival brings a celebration of African and African Canadian artistry to Britannia Beach for its latest edition. The event…
Orléans Unplugged
Orléans Unplugged is a free outdoor concert series bringing a different local performer to the east end of Ottawa each week. Guests…
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,…
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…
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…
HOTT DECK – Ottawa Pride Boat Party
HOTT DECK celebrates Ottawa Capital Pride Weekend aboard a two level paddle boat transformed into an open air dance venue on the…
The Red Jumpsuit Apparatus
The Red Jumpsuit Apparatus brings its 20th anniversary Don't You Fake It tour to Overflow Brewing Co. Special guest bands Calling All…
Taste of Ottawa – Festival of Flavours
Taste of Ottawa is a first time multicultural food and culture festival celebrating the diverse traditions that make the city unique. The…
Ottawa Farmers’ Market – Lansdowne (Outdoor Season)
Weekly outdoor farmers' market at Lansdowne Park running every Sunday May 3 – Oct 25, 2026. 85+ local vendors within 100 km…
Manotick Soapbox Derby
The Allan Haan Manotick Soapbox Derby brings homemade soapbox carts racing down Beaverwood Road next to Centennial Park. Participants build and race…
Capital Pride Parade
The Capital Pride Parade celebrates Ottawa's 2SLGBTQIA+ community with colourful floats and spirited performances through the downtown core. A Grand Marshal and…
1930s Fair Day
1930s Fair Day turns back the clock at Cumberland Heritage Village Museum with music, games, and community spirit inspired by rural fairs…
Nepean Night Market
Ottawa's beloved weekly outdoor night market tales place every Sunday evening with local vendors, food trucks, live music, and a welcoming community…
Upcoming in Ottawa next month
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.…
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,…
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…
While you’re out this month
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Frequently asked questions
What events are happening in Ottawa this month?
Ottawa has a full calendar of events every month including seasonal festivals, food and drink events, markets, live performances, sporting events, and community gatherings. This page is updated at the start of each month and refreshed weekly as new events are confirmed.
What are the best things to do in Ottawa in June 2026?
Some of the best things to do in Ottawa this month include the 10th annual Capital Ribfest, a stunning Maori cirque theatre work spanning 4 evenings, Doors Open Ottawa tour, Summer Indigenous Art Market 2026, and Expo Mexico Mujer 2026, among others. Summer brings outdoor festivals, patios, and canal activities. This guide covers the top picks for the current month.
Are there any festivals or major events in Ottawa this month?
Ottawa hosts festivals and major events throughout the year. This page lists all confirmed festivals, large-scale events, and seasonal highlights happening this month, updated at the start of each month and as new events are announced.
What free events are happening in Ottawa this month?
Free monthly events in Ottawa include the weekly Lansdowne Farmers’ Market, free museum days, seasonal outdoor festivals, and neighbourhood community events. The free section of this monthly guide is updated regularly as events are confirmed.