April flew by! What are you planning to do during the last weekend of April? Here are some ideas from food festivals, sport events, markets, shows, concerts and more! If you want to share your event, feel free to do it in comments.
1. Ottawa PoutineFest & Potato Palooza
The best of poutine: traditional, exotic and extreme! 125 choices to try. There will an exotic poutine competition, live music, and a beer garden. FREE admission.
When: Thu Apr 27 to Sat Apr 29, 11am-9pm; Sunday Apr 30, 11am-6pm.
Where: City Hall, 110 Laurier Ave W.
Details: ottawapoutinefest.ca

2. Atletico Ottawa vs York United FC
Cheer Ottawa’s soccer team in this home game against York United FC.
When: Saturday Apr 29, 5pm.
Where: TD Place, 1015 Bank St.

3. Stars on Ice
Featuring three of the greatest Canada male figure skaters: Patrick Chan, Kurt Browning and Elvis Stokjo for a memorable night for skating fans. Tickets from $15 (no tax included)
When: Sunday Apr 30 at 4pm.
Where: Canadian Tire Centre, 1000 Palladium Drive.

4. 613 Flea Market
150 vendors featuring eclectic goods, handmade, antiques, vintage clothing, great food and more. FREE.
When: Saturday Apr 29 from 10am to 4pm
Where: Aberdeen Pavilion, Lansdowne Park, 1000 Exhibition Way.

5. Ottawa Children Business Fair
Come out and support 50 youth-run businesses. Children create a product or service, develop a brand, build a marketing strategy, and then open for customers at this one-day marketplace. FREE. Saturday Apr 30 from 10am to 1pm at the Lansdowne Horticulture Building, 1525 Princess Patricia Way.
6. Mix and Mingle: Building Connections

An event for newcomers trying to build connections to have more options in the job market. It has been designed as a workshop and a night out at the same time. Tickets: $15. All proceeds will go to GenNext`s Equitable Employment Cause, which provides training and mentorship opportunities for newcomers, youth and people with disabilities. Snacks are included, drinks available for purchase.
Thursday Apr 27 from 5:30pm to 9pm at Impact Hub Ottawa, 123 Slater St. Floor 6.
Get 10% off at checkout with the code NOTBORING https://bit.ly/GNEOMixnMingle
7. Let`s Dance
An interactive multi-disciplinary experience with some of the world’s best dance music including ballet, hip-hop, Irish step dance, Latin and Chinese dance, and much more. Tickets $15. Saturday Apr 29 at 3:30pm. At the National Arts Centre, 1 Elgin St.
8. Fifty Five Plus Lifestyle Show
Entertainment, samples, contests and other perks at this inspiring event that celebrates the best of life in your later years. FREE. Friday Apr 28 and Saturday Apr 29 from 10am to 4pm. At EY Centre, 4899 Uplands Drive.
9. Orchidophilia. Annual Orchid Show
There will be 15 international and national orchid vendors. Educational displays and workshops on Sunday. Tickets: $17.31, $14.11. Dates: Apr 29 and 30 at Algonquin College, Building D – Ancillary Services, 1385 Woodroffe Avenue. Free parking. Details at eventbrite.
10. Black Business Expo
An event to support and showcase black-owned businesses, organizations and service providers. Tickets: $17.31, $6.66. Apr 30 from 10 am to 6pm at EY Centre, 4899 Uplands Drive.
11. Thank you for standing with Ukraine Borshch Fest
The Ukrainian community invites people in Ottawa to join them and enjoy free borshch from all regions of Ukraine. Sunday Apr 30 at noon at the Ukrainian Orthodox Church, 1000 Byron Ave.
12. Art Battle Ottawa
Watch 12 artists compete in creating stunning crafted masterpieces in just 20 minutes per round. All ages. Tickets: $29.67, $23.73 Thursday Apr 27 from 7pm to 10 pm. At Overflow Brewing Company, 2477 Kaladar Avenue.
13. The Artisans & Small business Expo
Meet local service and product providers for your small business. Tickets: $11.13. Youth 15 and under free. Apr 30 from 10 am to 4pm at Bell Sensplex, 1565 Maple Grove Road, Kanata.
14. Bytown Antique and Vintage Show
Organized by the Bytown Antique and Bottle Club. This is their 48th annual show. Sunday Apr 30 from 9am to 3pm. Tickets $5. At Nepean Sportsplex, 1701 Woodroffe Avenue.
15. Shapes in between: Norman Takeuchi
This exhibition showcases the work of Ottawa-based artist Norman Takeuchi among drawings, paintings and prints from 1961 to 2022. His work is influenced by his personal engagement with the impact of the Japanese-Canadian internment and forced dispersal during World War II. FREE. From Apr 1 to Aug 27 at the Ottawa Art Gallery, OAG. 50 Mackenzie King Bridge.
16. The Mousetrap
Agatha Christie`s murder mystery play, the longest running play ever, is presented from Tuesday April 24 to Saturday Apr 29 at The Gladstone Theatre, 910 Gladstone Avenue. Tickets: $27 and $24.
17. Miss Emily in concert
Canadian blues singer and songwriter Miss Emily will perform at The Joint at the Rideau Carleton Casino, on Saturday Apr 29 at 8pm. 4837 Albion Road, Ottawa. Tickets: $31.59. Must be 19+
18. Musical Evenings at Casino Lac Leamy
Bar 7 at Casino Lac Leamy offers its musical evenings with a multimedia screen, and live performances, from Thursdays to Saturdays. FREE.
When: Thursday April 27 (Latin Fiesta) ‘Groove Town Latinband’ at 9:30pm. Friday Apr 28 and Saturday Apr 29 ‘Pokers of aces” at 9:30pm.
Where: 1, Boulevard du Casino, Gatineau, QC J8Y 6W3.
19. Arboretum Hill Club Workout
Join the AHC for a “Super Hero” workout at the Arboretum. All ages, all levels. Friday April 28 at 6:29 am. FREE. Dogs welcome. Lots of free parking. Take the Prince of Wales roundabout to the Friends of the Farm parking lot. Join them after the workout at Bridgehead Coffee, 130 Anderson at Preston for hydration and laughter.
20. Farmers’ Winter Market
The Farmers’ market is back for the winter season every Sunday until April 30. Fresh vegetables and fruit, meat, baked goods, spirits, crafts and more. FREE.
When: Sundays from 10am to 3pm.
Where: Aberdeen Pavilion, Lansdowne Park. 1000 Exhibition Way.
21. Wolves!: Shapeshifters in a changing world
Learn about the evolution of these fascinating animals through videos, museum specimens, cultural stories, and vivid photographs by Canadian photographer Michelle Valberg, a recent recipient of the Order of Canada. Activities for kids. March 3 to March 2024. At the Canadian Museum of Nature
22. Owl Rendez-Vous
Watch live owls in a special outdoor exhibition. At the Canadian Museum of Nature, 240 McLeod St, from Dec 14 to April 3, 2024.
23. Exhibition: Uramado AR, the awakening of the Tanukis
Uramado is a treasure hunt route in augmented reality. It tells the story of Tanukis which are spirits of the forest from Japanese mythology. The participants are invited to download the free app Uramado AR, Tanukis awake ( on IOS and Android ) to start this treasure hunt. FREE.
When: Mon to Fri from 9am to 12pm; and 2pm-4pm until April 30.
Where: Alliance Française Ottawa, 352 MacLaren St.
Enjoy!!