Looking for things to do in Ottawa this weekend? June 12 to 14 is packed with festivals, international sports, outdoor markets, live music, comedy, wellness events, and Father’s Day activities across the city. Whether you’re visiting Ottawa for the first time or hosting friends from out of town, this weekend offers plenty of reasons to explore neighbourhoods like the Glebe, Little Italy, Downtown Ottawa, and Lansdowne Park.
This guide focuses on the best things to do Ottawa visitors should prioritize this weekend. We selected 15 standout events that showcase the city right now, including unique things to do Ottawa visitors often miss, fun activities in Ottawa for adults, and several free things to do in Ottawa this weekend. If you’re searching for things to do for Ottawa visitors today, planning ahead for Saturday, or looking for memorable experiences around Parliament Hill and the Rideau Canal, this guide has you covered.
Quick answer: Things to do in Ottawa for visitors this weekend
Visitors looking for the best things to do in Ottawa this weekend should start with Art in the Park, Volleyball Nations League Ottawa, Festival Franco-Ontarien, City of Om, and Italian Week Ottawa. These events combine culture, live entertainment, outdoor experiences, food, sports, and local neighbourhood experiences across Downtown Ottawa, the Glebe, and Little Italy.
Top things to do in Ottawa for visitors this weekend
These are the events we’d recommend first if you only have one weekend in the city.
1. Art in the Park
More than 150 artists fill Central Park in the Glebe with original paintings, photography, sculpture, pottery, jewellery, and textiles. For visitors looking for unique things to do in Ottawa, this is one of the easiest ways to experience Ottawa’s local arts community while exploring one of the city’s most popular neighbourhoods. The park sits close to Lansdowne Park and the Rideau Canal pathway, making it easy to combine with a full afternoon of sightseeing.
Good to Know
âš½ Where: The Glebe, 19 Clemow Avenue, Ottawa, ON
📣 When: Saturday and Sunday, 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM
💵 Cost: Free
2. Volleyball Nations League Men’s Pool Ottawa
Olympic gold medalists France, bronze medalists USA, Canada, Italy, Germany, and Turkey compete at TD Place in Lansdowne Park. The tournament brings some of the world’s best volleyball players to Ottawa and gives visitors a chance to experience one of the city’s busiest entertainment districts while attending elite international competition.
Good to Know
âš½ Where: The Glebe, 1015 Bank Street, Ottawa, ON
📣 When: Friday and Saturday from 4:00 PM, Sunday from 11:00 AM
💵 Cost: Ticketed
3. Festival Franco-Ontarien 50th Anniversary
Major’s Hill Park hosts three days of Francophone music, food vendors, community programming, and family activities during the festival’s 50th anniversary celebration. The location places visitors steps from Parliament Hill, the Ottawa River pathway, and some of the city’s most recognizable landmarks. For many visitors, this is one of the best opportunities all year to experience Ottawa’s French-speaking culture.
Good to Know
âš½ Where: Downtown, 555 Mackenzie Avenue, Ottawa, ON
📣 When: Friday and Saturday
💵 Cost: $17 to $30
4. City of Om Movement and Wellness Festival
Canada’s largest movement and wellness festival brings yoga, Pilates, workshops, recovery experiences, and wellness vendors together across nine dedicated spaces at the RA Centre. It stands out as one of the most active and immersive experiences happening in Ottawa this weekend.
Good to Know
âš½ Where: Alta Vista, 2451 Riverside Drive, Ottawa, ON
📣 When: Friday to Sunday
💵 Cost: Ticketed
All things to do Ottawa visitors should check out this weekend (June 12 to 14)
From festivals and markets to nightlife and live entertainment, these are the strongest events happening across Ottawa this weekend.
1. Festival Franco-Ontarien 50th Anniversary
Celebrate 50 years of Francophone culture with concerts, food vendors, street art, and family programming in Major’s Hill Park beside Parliament Hill.
Good to Know
âš½ Where: Downtown, 555 Mackenzie Avenue, Ottawa, ON
📣 When: Friday and Saturday
💵 Cost: $17 to $30
2. Art in the Park
Browse original artwork from more than 150 artists while enjoying food vendors and live entertainment in one of Ottawa’s best-known outdoor art events.
Good to Know
âš½ Where: The Glebe, 19 Clemow Avenue, Ottawa, ON
📣 When: Saturday and Sunday
💵 Cost: Free
3. Volleyball Nations League Men’s Pool Ottawa
Watch six elite national teams compete at TD Place in Lansdowne Park during five days of international volleyball action.
Good to Know
âš½ Where: The Glebe, 1015 Bank Street, Ottawa, ON
📣 When: Friday to Sunday
💵 Cost: Ticketed
4. City of Om Movement and Wellness Festival
Three days of movement, wellness, fitness, recovery experiences, and workshops attract attendees from across Canada.
Good to Know
âš½ Where: Alta Vista, 2451 Riverside Drive, Ottawa, ON
📣 When: Friday to Sunday
💵 Cost: Ticketed
5. Italian Week Ottawa
Little Italy begins an 11-day celebration of Italian culture, cuisine, music, art, film, and community events along Preston Street.
Good to Know
âš½ Where: Little Italy, Preston Street, Ottawa, ON
📣 When: Throughout the weekend
💵 Cost: Mostly free
6. Great Ottawa Markets Collective Destash
Craft enthusiasts can browse discounted fabric, Cricut supplies, tools, beads, jewellery materials, and food vendors at this free community market.
Good to Know
âš½ Where: Kanata, 1565 Maple Grove Road, Ottawa, ON
📣 When: Saturday, 11:00 AM to 4:00 PM
💵 Cost: Free
7. Josh Johnson’s Comedy Band Camp
The Daily Show correspondent combines stand-up comedy and live music in a summer camp-inspired show at the National Arts Centre.
Good to Know
âš½ Where: Downtown, 1 Elgin Street, Ottawa, ON
📣 When: Friday and Saturday
💵 Cost: From $66.25
Halfway through the list and the remaining events offer some of the strongest nightlife, music, and entertainment options available this weekend.
8. Illscarlett: Celebrating 20 Years of EPdemic
The Ottawa ska-rock band celebrates the 20th anniversary of its debut album with a hometown performance at the Bronson Centre.
Good to Know
âš½ Where: Centretown, 211 Bronson Avenue, Ottawa, ON
📣 When: Friday, 7:00 PM
💵 Cost: $37
9. Ottawa Jail Paranormal Investigation
Explore one of Ontario’s most haunted buildings during a guided 3.5-hour ghost-hunting experience inside the historic former Carleton County Jail.
Good to Know
âš½ Where: Centretown, 75 Nicholas Street, Ottawa, ON
📣 When: Friday and Saturday
💵 Cost: $76.99
10. Afro Jazz (Vol. 3) with the John Dapaah Quintet
Afrobeats, highlife, compa, and jazz come together in an intimate concert setting in Ottawa’s west end.
Good to Know
âš½ Where: Ottawa West End, 30 Cleary Avenue, Ottawa, ON
📣 When: Saturday, 7:00 PM to 9:00 PM
💵 Cost: Ticketed
11. Eadsé
The Wendat singer-songwriter brings her debut album Healer to the NAC Fourth Stage in a trilingual performance.
Good to Know
âš½ Where: Downtown, 1 Elgin Street, Ottawa, ON
📣 When: Saturday, 8:00 PM
💵 Cost: From $20
12. The Fab Four: The Ultimate Tribute
Experience a Beatles tribute production featuring multiple costume changes and music spanning every era of the band’s career.
Good to Know
âš½ Where: Gloucester, 4837 Albion Road, Ottawa, ON
📣 When: Saturday, 7:00 PM
💵 Cost: From $55.25
13. Ottawa Goes Latin
Salsa, bachata, merengue, and reggaeton keep the dance floor moving during this popular Saturday night event.
Good to Know
âš½ Where: Centretown, 211 Bronson Avenue, Ottawa, ON
📣 When: Saturday, 9:00 PM
💵 Cost: Ticketed
14. Preston Street Bicycle Races
Ottawa’s longest-running bike race transforms Preston Street into a criterium racecourse and street festival atmosphere for Father’s Day Sunday.
Good to Know
âš½ Where: Little Italy, Preston Street, Ottawa, ON
📣 When: Sunday, all day
💵 Cost: Free
15. Tim Hicks: Going Somewhere Tour
Canadian country star Tim Hicks brings a rare Ottawa appearance to the Bronson Centre during his national tour.
Good to Know
âš½ Where: Centretown, 211 Bronson Avenue, Ottawa, ON
📣 When: Sunday, 7:00 PM
💵 Cost: Ticketed
Frequently asked questions about things to do in Ottawa for visitors
What are the best things to do Ottawa visitors should prioritize this weekend?
Art in the Park, Volleyball Nations League Ottawa, Festival Franco-Ontarien, City of Om, and Italian Week Ottawa are the standout events. Together they offer culture, sports, outdoor experiences, and local neighbourhood experiences across the city.
What are some free things to do in Ottawa this weekend?
Art in the Park, Preston Street Bicycle Races, Italian Week programming, and the Great Ottawa Markets Collective Destash all offer free admission. These are among the strongest free things to do in Ottawa this weekend.
What are fun things to do in Ottawa for young adults?
Volleyball Nations League, Ottawa Goes Latin, Josh Johnson’s Comedy Band Camp, City of Om, and the Ottawa Jail Paranormal Investigation are among the strongest fun things to do in Ottawa for young adults this weekend. They combine nightlife, entertainment, fitness, live events, and social experiences across some of Ottawa’s most active neighbourhoods.
What can visitors do in Ottawa today?
Depending on the day, visitors can attend international sporting events, outdoor festivals, art markets, concerts, comedy shows, and cultural celebrations. Many of the events above run throughout the weekend, making them excellent options for visitors searching for things to do in Ottawa today.
Plan your Ottawa weekend right
Visitors focused on culture should combine Art in the Park with Festival Franco-Ontarien and Italian Week Ottawa. Together they provide an excellent introduction to Ottawa’s arts, culture, and community events scene.
Those looking for things to do Ottawa visitors for adults or searching for fun activities in Ottawa for adults should prioritize Josh Johnson’s Comedy Band Camp, Ottawa Goes Latin, Afro Jazz, and the Ottawa Jail Paranormal Investigation.
If you’re searching for fun things to do in Ottawa for young adults, Volleyball Nations League, City of Om, and Saturday night’s entertainment lineup provide some of the strongest options this weekend.
Before finalizing your plans, explore our complete guide to Things to Do in Ottawa for Visitors, discover additional Free Things to Do in Ottawa, find seasonal adventures in Outdoor Things to Do in Ottawa, explore rainy-day options in Indoor Things to Do in Ottawa, and browse ideas for groups in Family Things to Do in Ottawa.
This guide to things to do Ottawa visitors should see this weekend is built around verified events happening June 12 to 14. We update our Ottawa event roundups regularly as schedules change and new events are confirmed, making this a useful resource to revisit throughout the season.
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