Things to do in Ottawa this weekend

It depends on your vibe, but the handpicked events at the top of this page are always a solid starting point. We update them weekly based on what’s actually worth showing up for, from ticketed shows to free neighbourhood events. Scroll through the full list above to see everything happening across the city. Ottawa has something happening every weekend, from farmers markets and live music to food festivals, outdoor activities, and free community events. This page is updated every Thursday with handpicked highlights and a full list of events across the city.

Saturday events in Ottawa are listed and updated every Thursday on this page, covering live music, markets, festivals, sports, family activities, and nightlife across the city. Highlights are handpicked at the top, with a full event list below.

From outdoor festivals and splash pads to weekend markets and drop-in programs, Ottawa has family-friendly options running most weekends year-round. Filter by the “family” tag on our events hub page for a dedicated look at what’s on.

Yes, Ottawa consistently has free events running every weekend, from outdoor events, markets and community festivals to live music and cultural programming. Check our Free Events in Ottawa page for a dedicated list, or look for the “free” tag on event cards throughout our main events page. Some of the free events in Ottawa this weekend typically include the Lansdowne Farmers’ Market on Sundays, free admission days at select museums, seasonal outdoor festivals, and community events in neighbourhoods like Westboro, Glebe, and ByWard Market. This page is updated every Thursday.

Plenty. Think live music, comedy shows, rooftop bars, cocktail events, night markets, and ticketed experiences across downtown, ByWard Market, Glebe, and other neighbourhoods. If you’re planning a date night, our Ottawa Date Ideas page has curated picks worth bookmarking too. Our main events hub lists all the things to do in Ottawa this weekend with tags like free, festivals, family, nightlife, date, singles, networking, markets, live entertainment, food & drinks, workshops, and more.

Ottawa’s festival event calendar runs hard from spring through fall. Check the events listed on this page for what’s on this specific weekend, we tag festivals and outdoor events so they’re easy to spot. For a broader look at what’s coming up, visit our Events Hub.

Ottawa has solid options for families when the weather doesn’t cooperate. Think science centres, trampoline parks, ceramic studios, and family-friendly shows. Browse Family Events in Ottawa for a filtered view, or look for the “family” tag on the events hub page.

Ottawa’s outdoor scene runs strong from late spring through fall. Expect festivals, markets, waterfront events, live music in parks, and community gatherings most weekends. For a broader look at what’s coming up across the city, visit our Events Hub.