Looking forward to the weekend? Not only does the renowned Ottawa’s Tulip Festival kick off this weekend, but it’s also Mother’s Day. Here is your weekly roundup of weekend events in Ottawa!
1. Canadian Tulip Festival
The most important and known worldwide festival in Ottawa. There will be paid walking tours, tulip boutiques, mini-markets, outdoor movie screenings, sound and light shows, and food trucks. FREE.
When: May 12-22 from 10am to 10pm.
Where: Commissioners Park, between Preston St and Queen Elizabeth Driveway.
Details: tulipfestival.ca
2. Ottawa Children’s Festival
This festival prides itself on offering international live performing arts for families and kids, as well as a variety of free educational workshops and activities.
When: May 11-14
Where: Lebreton Flats, Canadian War Museum and Arts Court,
Details: ottawachildrensfestival.ca
3. Mamma Mia. It’s a craft market!
Find the perfect gift for Mother`s Day. Over 40 vendors, free workshop. FREE admission.
When: May 13 from 10:30am to 3pm.
Where: Glebe Community Centre, 175 Third Avenue.
Details: @squarelemon
4. Spring Art Festival
Over 30 artists showcasing their latest creations. Art activities for kids, food trucks. FREE entrance, free parking. Dogs on-leash welcome.
When: May 13 from 10am to 4pm.
Where: Jim Tubman Chevrolet Rink, Canterbury Complex, 2185 Arch Street.
Details: artintheneighborhood.gallery
5. NCC Weekend Bike days
Nearly 50 kilometres of parkways on both sides of the Ottawa river will be reserved for active use (walking, rolling, biking) on weekends and holiday Mondays.
When: From May 13 to Oct 9
Where: Sir John A Macdonald Parkway from 8am to noon: George-Etienne Cartier Parkway from 8am to 4pm and Queen Elizabeth Driveway from 8am to 8pm.
Details: https://ncc-ccn.gc.ca/news/ncc-2023-active-use-program-announcement
6. 613 Flea Market
150 vendors featuring eclectic goods, handmade products, antiques, vintage clothing, great food and more. FREE. Saturday May 13 from 10am to 4pm at Aberdeen Pavilion, Lansdowne Park, 1000 Exhibition Way.
7. Mother`s Day Flower Fun Run
A very scenic run through beds of 300,000 tulips! In support of the Canadian Tulip Legacy. Sunday May 14 at 12pm and 12:20pm. At Dows Lake Pavillion: 1001 Queen Elizabeth Driveway.
8. Preston Street Market
Explore the Preston Street shops and restaurants and shop the market. Live music. FREE to attend. Saturday May 13 and Sunday May 14 from 10am to 5pm.
9. Ottawa Titans vs Empire State Greys
Cheer Ottawa’s baseball team in the home opener game against Empire State Greys. First 500 fans in attendance will receive an Ottawa Titans Hat. There will be post-game fireworks! Friday May 12 at 6:30pm. At Ottawa Stadium, 302 Coventry Road.
10. Tom Thompson & the Colours of Canada: Love, gossip and murder in Algonquin Park (Matinee)
Ragtime musical showcasing the life of the famous Canadian painter, Tom Thompson, his mysterious death and the woman who loved him. This play is produced by Stone Fence Theatre, a non-profit charity organization that aims to raise money for local hospitals. Tickets: $15, $40. Saturday May 13 at 2pm at Ottawa Ukrainian Banquet Hall, 1000 Byron Avenue, Ottawa.
11. Evergreen Wedding & Event Centre – Open House
Meet professional wedding vendors and visit this outdoor wedding venue located less than 30 minutes from downtown Ottawa. FREE but registration is required at eventbrite. May 12-14 from 3pm to 8pm at Evergreen Wedding & Event Centre, 2343 John Quinn Road Ottawa.
12. Friends of the Farm Plant Sale
Everything you need for your garden with many of the region’s top specialty growers and nursery vendors assembled in one location. Master Gardeners of Ottawa-Carleton will be on hand with free advice. Refreshments available. Free admission but donations are accepted. Sunday May 14 from 8am to 1pm. Parking lot beside K.W. Neatby Building, 960 Carling & Maple Drive (look for the signs).
13. Eurovision Party
It`s a song contest organized by the Alliance Francaise, Maison de la Francophonie d`Ottawa, Embassy of Finland and Embassy of Slovenia. There will be a trivia contest and karaoke with the chance to win prizes. May 13 from 2:30 to 6:30pm. Tickets $10, $5 for members. At Maison de la Francophonie d`Ottawa, 2720 Richmond Road.
14. Gloucester Horticultural Society Annual Fundraising Plant Sale
Plant and perennials sale, master gardeners offering advice on gardening, children’s activities. FREE entry and parking. Saturday May 13 from 9am to noon. At Orleans Fruit Barn, 1399 Orleans Boulevard
15. Nepean Night Market
Good food, different musicians playing every week, and local amazing vendors! Sundays May 14 to Oct 15 from 5pm to 9pm at Mr. Lube Baseline, 1442 Baseline Road, Nepean.
16. Seedling Saturday
Seed vendors, seeding exchange table, expert organic gardeners offering advice, food vendors, information tables, live music. FREE admission. Saturday May 13 from 10am to 1:30pm. At Just Food Community Farm, 2391 Pépin Court, Ottawa.
17. Fish Ontario License Free
Opportunity for Canadian residents to fish in Ontario waters without a licence. Participants fishing without a license must fish under the Conservation fishing license limits which are set out in the current Ontario Recreational Fishing Regulations Summary. Details on ontariofamilyfishing May 13-14.
18. Musical Evenings at Casino Lac Leamy
Bar 7 offers musical evenings with a multimedia screen, and live performances, from Thursdays to Saturdays at 9:30pm. Thursday: Latin Fiesta with Cuban Martinez Show. FREE.
Where: 1, Boulevard du Casino, Gatineau, QC J8Y 6W3.
19. Arboretum Hill Club Workout
Join the AHC for a workout at the Arboretum. All ages, all levels. Fridays 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.
20. Outdoor Market Season 2023
Sundays from May 9 until October 29. At Aberdeen Square, Lansdowne Park. From 9am to 3pm.
21. Carp Market
The largest producer-based Farmers’ Market in Eastern Ontario runs every Saturday from 8am to 1pm until the end of October.
22. 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
23. 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.
Enjoy!!