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Things to do in Ottawa this weekend
It's a big weekend in Ottawa. Experience Rhino Friday-Saturday 7:30 PM at National Arts Centre, while Bronson Centre Music Theatre has shows running back to back. Homes for the Holidays Les Maisons des Fetes 2026 returns this Friday. Also on: Home Barista Starter Workshop, Nov 14. For those after free things to do in Ottawa this weekend, Holiday Market at Robert Plante Greenhouses runs Saturday to Sunday. Here's everything worth doing in Ottawa this weekend, sorted by vibe. Updated Thursday (November 12, 2026).
Handpicked events in Ottawa this weekend
All things to do in Ottawa this weekend
Festivals
European Union Film Festival
The European Union Film Festival returns to Ottawa with independent cinema from across Europe at the Ottawa Art Gallery's Alma Duncan Salon.…
Concerts & Live music
Gipsy Kings
The Gipsy Kings bring their signature blend of flamenco, Latin and Cuban rhythms, reggae and jazz guitar to Hard Rock Live Ottawa.…
Featured
Seasonal
Homes for the Holidays Les Maisons des Fetes 2026
Homes for the Holidays is a three day tour of Ottawa area homes dressed in seasonal decor by local designers and florists,…
Workshops & Classes
Flanders’ Poppies Watercolour Workshop with Yulia Lisitsyna
Paint watercolour poppies in a reflective remembrance workshop led by Ottawa School of Art instructor Yulia Lisitsyna at Wallack's on Bank Street.…
Concerts & Live music
Wheeler Walker Jr. Pullin’ Out: The Farewell Tour with Channing Wilson
Country provocateur Wheeler Walker Jr. brings Pullin' Out: The Farewell Tour to HISTORY in downtown Ottawa. Special guest Channing Wilson joins the…
Concerts & Live music
The Record Company: Give It Back To You 10th Anniversary Tour
Los Angeles blues-rock trio The Record Company celebrates 10 years of Give It Back To You with a Friday night show at…
Theatre
Foutue Fin de Semaine
Foutue fin de semaine is a fast paced French language comedy about two strangers forced to share a dream Caribbean getaway after…
Featured
Arts & Culture
Rhino
Vancouver's Out Innerspace stages Rhino, a surreal Lynchian dance work where a skeleton, rhino and matador fight to stay relevant. Seven performers…
Concerts & Live music
Kelly Bado
Francophone singer-songwriter Kelly Bado brings her pop and soul sound to the National Arts Centre on Friday night. The concert is part…
Nightlife
Ladies Night at the Show
Ladies Night at The Show Ottawa offers free admission and a welcome gift for ladies who arrive before 11 PM at this…
Sports
Northern Super League Final
Ottawa hosts the 2026 Northern Super League Final, a winner take all women's pro soccer championship for the Diana B. Matheson Cup…
Food & Drink
Harvest Harmonies featuring Rebecca Noelle
Harvest Harmonies pairs soulful live music from Rebecca Noelle and her band with a specially curated autumn inspired dinner at Marshes Golf…
Featured
Markets
Holiday Market at Robert Plante Greenhouses
Shop more than 275 local vendors and artisans inside the lush, plant filled greenhouses at Robert Plante for a festive holiday market.…
Workshops & Classes
Home Barista Starter Workshop
Learn to pull your first espresso shot and steam silky milk in a hands-on 1.5 hour home barista workshop for complete beginners.…
Workshops & Classes
Intro to Woodworking: Make a Keepsake Box
Learn basic woodworking skills while building your own keepsake box in this three hour Saturday workshop at the Ottawa Tool Library. The…
Workshops & Classes
November Repair Café
November Repair Café is a free community drop-in at the University of Ottawa where volunteers help fix broken household items. The session…
Family
A March Family Christmas
A March Family Christmas is a Little Women-inspired holiday fundraiser for Ottawa School of Theatre at Shenkman Arts Centre. Drop in for…
Concerts & Live music
Matt Hansen: The Orchid Tour
Singer-songwriter Matt Hansen brings The Orchid Tour to the Bronson Centre on Saturday night. The Ottawa stop sits between tour dates in…
Comedy
Comedy Night at the Vineyard
Comedian Jordan Angus brings his headlining stand up set to Domaine Perrault winery, fresh off a sold out show at the Port…
Comedy
Bak To The Future Rogier Bak in Ottawa
Amsterdam comedian Rogier Bak returns to Ottawa with Bak To The Future, a new hour of high energy stand up tackling big…
Arts & Culture
Joyce Carol Oates
Celebrated American author Joyce Carol Oates takes the NAC stage for an evening with the writer behind them, Blonde and We Were…
Concerts & Live music
Barenaked Ladies
Canadian pop-rock favourites Barenaked Ladies play Hard Rock Hotel and Casino Ottawa, their first Ottawa show since 2022. The Scarborough-formed band is…
Nightlife
Asian Club Night
Asian Club Night brings an Asian nightlife inspired party to HuBar in the ByWard Market with DJs spinning K-Pop, EDM, hip-hop, R&B,…
Explore by vibe
Free events
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Ottawa date ideas
Ottawa events this week
Ottawa events this month
What to do in Ottawa this weekend with family
Can’t make it? Here are things to do in Ottawa next weekend
Theatre
BenDeLaCreme Presents The Jinkx and DeLa Holiday Show
Drag icons BenDeLaCreme and Jinkx Monsoon bring their festive holiday spectacular to Hard Rock Live Ottawa. The show blends comedy, storytelling, music,…
Workshops & Classes
Arts and Darts Pub Night
Studio Space Ottawa takes over Brigid's Well Pub for a night of paint-filled darts and hands-on art with resident artists. Activities include…
Concerts & Live music
Maritza: ¿Quién eres?
Dominican-born, Quebec-raised singer-songwriter Maritza performs ¿Quién eres?, a musical journey about resilience sung in Spanish and French. Expect folk, soul, indie and…
While you’re out doing things in Ottawa this weekend
Best brunch spots in
Ottawa
Things to do in Ottawa (by budget, season, situation)
Free things to do in Ottawa
this weekend
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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.