First weekend of summer! How are you planning to welcome the best season of the year?? You have a lot of choices in this list! But that’s not all. There are even more in my Premium Newsletter. Subscribe at the end of this article to be always in the loop!
1. Dragon Boat Festival
One of the most well-known dragon boat festivals in North America. Hundreds of athletes compete in rowing races every 10 minutes. There are also free all-ages concerts, food and amenities. The lineup of concerts includes Dear Rouge, Tum Baker, and Bedouin Soundclash, Rebelle, The New Hires and more! FREE.
When: Jun 22-25
Where: Mooney`s Bay,
Details: dragonboat.net
2. Summer Solstice Indigenous Festival
Celebrate the arrival of summer at this traditional festival which offers free family fun and non-stop entertainment. There will be a marketplace, cooking classes, creative workshops, an indigenous picnic and pow wow competition. FREE admission.
When: Jun 21, and Jun 24-25.
Where: Madahoki Farm, 4420 West Hunt Club Road
Details: summersolsticefestivals.ca
3. Ottawa Jazz Festival
This 40-year-old festival is one of the most anticipated musical showcases of the summer in Ottawa. It highlights around 300 talented Canadian artists in the lineup each year.
When: Jun 23-30 from 12pm to 1am.
Where: Confederation Park and other venues.
Details: ottawajazzfestival.com
4. Escapade Music Festival
This is an annual electronic dance music festival which features some of the top musicians in the electronic dance music industry. – Sold out –
When: Jun 23-25
Where: Lansdowne Park, 1525 Princess Patricia Way
Details: escapademf.com
5. Ottawa Fringe
This 26-year-old festival promotes independent theatre and artists. From hilarious comedies to thought-provoking dramas, there’s a show for every taste! Tickets from $14.
When: June 15-25
Where: Arts Court Theatre (2 Daly Ave) and other venues.
Details: ottawafringe.com
6. Latin American Film Festival
Last weekend! An extraordinary selection of film productions from 17 countries. Subtitles in English. FREE admission but booking is required.
When: May 30 to Jun 24
Where: Saint Paul University, 110 Hazel St.
Details: ottawafestivals.ca
7. Summer Solstice Fashion Show
Featuring clothing and accessories from indigenous-owned brands. There will be cultural performances. When: Wednesday Jun 21 from 12pm to 2:30pm
Where: William St, Byward Market.
Details: @ottawamarkets
8. The Lost Kingdoms
Featuring over 50 life-size animated dinosaurs and Ice Age beasts with roaring, snarling, and hissing sound effects and robotic moving body parts! Tickets: $20, $24. Jun 23 to July 9 at Clover Wesley Parks, 411 Corkstown Road.
9. Celebrating our diversity
Join the YMCA for a multicultural day with cultural displays, performances, food stalls and more. Saturday June 24 from 10am to 3:30pm at Taggart Family Y RBC Community Room, 180 Argyle Ave, 2nd floor.
10. Voices from the South Festival
Multicultural Music Festival to celebrate Canada’s diversity. Cultural performances from Algeria, Morocco, Thailand, Syria, South America, and Mexico. Free admission. Jun 23-25 from 5pm to 10pm. At 1980 Ogilvie Road.
11. Multiculturalism Festival Picnic
The African Canadian Association Ottawa invites you for a free community BBQ & Games. Saturday Jun 24 from 12am to 7pm at Vincent Massey Park, section H. Heron Road.
12. Ukraine Heritage, Spirit and Future
Special gala to showcase fabulous performing arts award winners and to raise funds to rebuild a Ukrainian cultural facility. Sunday June 25 at 6pm at the Centre Carleton Dominion Chalmers. Tickets are “pay what you can”. To enter the reception after the concert, a minimum of $25 donation is requested. Details: www rjhfgala com
13. Byward Market Night
Local treats, drinks, live music, and the city’s hottest artists. William Street will be lined with vendors and public seating. Saturday June 24 from 5pm to 9pm.
14. Summer Night Market – The Original Navan Market
Over 190 vendors, live music, cocktails, family fun zone, and more. FREE admission. Saturday Jun 24 from 4pm to 9pm. Navan Fairgrounds, 1279 Colonial Road. Navan
15. Big Soul Project
Live concert with the Big Soul Project and Deep Groove Band in support of Ancoura, an organization that creates homes and a community for mental health since 2007. Saturday June 24 at 7:30pm. At Centretown United Church, 507 Bank Street. Tel 613-233-8130.
16. Jigsaw Puzzle Swap
Want to buy or sell your puzzles? Come to this swap on Saturday 24 from 1pm to 3pm at the RA Centre. Tickets are $5 for anyone bringing puzzles to trade and/or sell, and free for anyone who just wants to buy puzzles. Free parking and easily accessible by transit. Address: 2451 Riverside Drive Ottawa, ON K1H 7X7. Details on Facebook, Ottawa Puzzle Swap/Sell
Upcoming event
17. Ko Shin Moon Concert
Immerse yourself in the psychedelic world of French band Ko Shin Moon to celebrate the Fête de la musique and the beginning of summer! Dance to the rhythm of its otherworldly hybrid melodies where psychodelia meets space disco. Opening the show is Jessy Lindsay, the Franco-Ontarian singer-songwriter who’s been making waves in Ottawa.
Tuesday June 27 at 8pm at Club SAW, 67 Nicholas St, Ottawa, ON K1N 7B9.
Price: $15. $10 for Alliance Francaise members and students. https://www.eventbrite.ca/e/billets-fete-de-la-musique-ko-shin-moons-concert-639578836517?aff=oddtdtcreator
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. FREE.
Thursday 22: Latin Fiesta with Son Candela
Friday 23 and Saturday 24: Glo
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. Meet them at the Arboretum hill summit.
20. Lansdowne Farmers’ Market
Sundays from May 7 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.
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