Things to do in Ottawa this weekend
It's a big weekend in Ottawa. Experience Cars & Coffee Ottawa Friday 6:00 PM - 10:00 PM at Lansdowne, while Club SAW has shows running back to back. The Capital Fair returns this Friday. Also on: PANDA FEST V, Aug 14-Aug 16. For those after free things to do in Ottawa this weekend, Geek Hoard Haul runs until 10:00 AM - 5:00 PM Saturday. Here's everything worth doing in Ottawa this weekend, sorted by vibe. Updated Thursday (August 13, 2026).
Handpicked events in Ottawa this weekend
All things to do in Ottawa this weekend
Under The Stars
Spectrasonic presents Under The Stars, a two day local music festival in the SAW courtyard featuring single and album release shows. The…
RBC Ottawa International CSI4* CSI2*
The RBC Ottawa International brings world class show jumping riders to Wesley Clover Parks for a weekend of international competition. Friday's card…
Gloucester Night Market
Outdoor evening market every Mid Friday (May to October 2026) celebrating local artisans, makers, and small businesses. August 14, 2026 (5 pm…
Cars & Coffee Ottawa
Cars & Coffee Ottawa gathers classic, exotic, luxury and performance vehicles for a lively car culture meetup at Lansdowne Park. The event…
PANDA FEST V
PANDA FEST V packs 22 bands across three days into the Dominion Tavern on York Street, right in the ByWard Market. 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,…
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…
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…
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Free events
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Can’t make it? Here are things to do in Ottawa next weekend
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…
While you’re out doing things in Ottawa this weekend
Best brunch spots in
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Things to do in Ottawa (by budget, season, situation)
Free things to do in Ottawa
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Frequently asked questions
What are the best 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.
What’s happening in Ottawa this Saturday?
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.
What to do in Ottawa this weekend with family?
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.
Are there free things to do in Ottawa this weekend?
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.
What are the top things to do in Ottawa this weekend for adults?
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.
Are there any festivals in Ottawa this weekend?
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.
What are some indoor kid activities in Ottawa this weekend?
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.
What outdoor events are happening in Ottawa this weekend?
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.