It’s the long weekend of Canada Day! If you haven’t decided what to do yet, here’s your roundup of weekend events. There is a bunch of events and celebrations across Ottawa, so no excuse for being bored!
1. Canada Day
The best Canada Day celebration in the country is here in the national capital! There will be concerts and presentations during a daytime ceremony (11:45am-1:30pm) while the highly anticipated evening show (7:15pm-10pm) will close with awesome fireworks. FREE. LRT and OC Transpo will take passengers for free all day long.
When: Saturday July 1 from 11:45am.
Where: Lebreton Flats
Details: https://www.canada.ca/en/canadian-heritage/campaigns/canada-day.html
2. Rideau Carleton Casino Fireworks
People of all ages are invited to take part in Canada Day festivities outdoors at the Rideau Carleton Casino with a live DJ, and food and drinks. There will be a fireworks display at 10pm. FREE entry and free parking. While inside the casino Canadian singer and songwriter Lee Aaron will perform at The Joint. (Must be +19 to enter the casino).
When: Saturday July 1 from 8pm.
Where: 4837 Albion Road S.
Details: rideaucarletoncasino.com
3. Canada Day in Old Hull
Enjoy outdoor shows by Canadian artists and participate in family activities including a professional wrestling match. Grab a bite to eat and refreshments on one of the many terraces.
When: Saturday July 1 from 11am to 8pm.
Where: Old Hull, Gatineau.
Details: https://www.canada.ca/en/canadian-heritage/campaigns/canada-day/capital-region/event.html?id=63
4. The BBQ Ooh
The Ooh Music, Arts & Street Food Festival brings you the grill, beats, fresh vintage vendors, local designers, hype performers and DJs to the heart of Ottawa.
When: Friday June 30 from 12pm to 8pm.
Where: York St, (Ottawa sign) Byward Market
Details: @ottawamarkets
5. Canada Day Concert 2023
The National Arts Centre Orchestra shares the stage with a stellar lineup of homegrown artists performing music by great Canadian composers like Iman Habibi, Rita Ueda, and Ana Sokolović. FREE.
When: Saturday July 1 at 2:30pm
Where: Southam Hall, NAC. 1 Elgin St
Details: nac-cna.ca
6. Canada On the March
A long-held tradition is returning to Ottawa this summer. The Canadian Guard’s Band and the Ceremonial Guards will march from Cartier Drill Hall to Parliament Hill to offer a 30 minute concert starting at 10am. This ceremony replaces the Changing of the Guard. FREE.
When: Everyday from Jun 28 to Aug 25.
Where: Cartier Drill Hall, 1 Cartier Square. Ottawa
7. 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
8. Strawberry Social
Celebrate the long weekend with a bounty of fresh strawberries from your local farmers! This is an annual event hosted by the Ottawa Farmers’ Market: Lansdowne. Activities include a food demo with Chef Jesse Bell, strawberry sundae fundraiser, balloons, henna, and more fun! FREE.
When: July 2 from 9am to 3pm.
Where: Aberdeen Square at Lansdowne Park, 1000 Exhibition Way, Ottawa
Details: http://ottawafarmersmarket.ca
9. Shakespeare in the Park
A Company of Fools is opening its 2023 season with Hamlet, bigger and better than ever. They will be touring over 40 parks in Ottawa and beyond. Shows last 90 minutes. Monday July 3 at 7pm at Strathcona Park, Sandy Hill. Pay what you can. Suggested donation $20. Details: fools ca
10. Ottawa Blackjacks vs Saskatchewan Rattlers
Cheer on Ottawa’s professional basketball team in this home game against Saskatchewan Rattlers. Thursday June 29 at 7:30pm. At TD Place, 1015 Bank St.
11. Ottawa Blackjacks vs Winnipeg Sea Bears
Sunday July 2 at 2pm at TD Place Arena.
12. Corteo. Cirque du Soleil
Corteo, which means cortege in Italian, is a joyous procession, a festive parade imagined by a clown. Acrobatic feats, comedy and acting, the show plunges spectators into a theatrical world of fun and spontaneity. June 28 to July 2 at Canadian Tire Centre, 1000 Palladium Drive, Kanata.
13. Below The Dirt Art Market
Showcasing chronically ill and queer creatives. All ages. Friday June 30 from 11am to 4pm at Club Saw, 67 Nicholas St. Details: @belowthedirtartmarket on Instagram.
14. Basketmouth Unprovoked Ottawa
The biggest African comedy show in Canada’s capital. Monday July 3 from 5pm to 9:30pm at Preston Event Centre, 523 Saint Anthony St. Details: At eventbrite. Tel: 6138696851.
15. The Bluesfest Pre. Festival Shopping Party
Vintage clothing, tattoos, festival braids. Get ready for the Bluesfest festival. Wednesday July 5 from 5pm to 9pm. At 475 Sommerset St W.
16. O’ Canada Orleans
Canada Day on Petrie Island is one of the largest Canada Day celebrations in Ottawa. Beachside BBQ, Beer zone, non-stop free activities, kids zone with bouncy castles, slides and all sorts of activities, live music and beachfront fireworks. Saturday July 1, from 11am to 11pm. At Petrie Island, Trim Road. Details: ocanadaorleans ca
17. Barrhaven Canada Day
Kidz Zone Activity Area, Live Music, Food Vendors, and more on Canada Day. Admission is free.
June 29-July 2 at Clarke Fields Park, 93 Houlahan St, Nepean.
18. Stittsville Canada Day
Lots of activities to enjoy: Canadian Heritage Canada stage, bouncy houses, zip line, wagon rides, reptile shows, face painting, aerial performances, food truck court and more! Fireworks finale at 9:45pm at the Cardelrec Centre. FREE Field of Sacred Heart High School, 5870 Abbott St E, Stittsville.
19. Pre Canada Day Party and Pig Roast
That’s right, a party the day before Canada Day. Come stop by to sip some drinks on the patio and enjoy a good ol’ pig roast! June 30 at 4pm, at Moose McGuire’s Huntclub, 3320 McCarthy Rd.
20. Riverside South Canada Day
Enjoy inflatables, miniature train ride, rock climbing wall, laser tag, mini golf, obstacle course, a dunk tank, shows by Reptiles Rock and Junkyard Symphony, toddler zone, live DJ, face painting, balloon clowns, BBQ, and more! FREE admission. Access to the rides and entertainment: $14 online ($18 at the event, cash only) for ages 3+. July 1, 10am-2pm at Claudette Cain Park, 660 River Rd, Gloucester. Fireworks and music from 8pm-10pm.
21. Osgoode Canada Day Festival
A lively parade will be taking place through the streets, completed with marching bands and colourful floats. Afterwards, enjoy live music from talented local artists while the kids have a blast with face painting, petting zoo, inflatables, and other fun activities. Fireworks at 10pm. July 1, 1pm-10pm. Osgoode Community Centre, 5660 Osgoode Main St. Details: osgoodevillage org
22. July 1st at the Byward Market
Live entertainment from 8:30am to 10pm including highland dancers, circle show performers and folcloric mariachi acts. At George St Plaza. Details: @ottawamarkets on Instagram
23. Ocean Wise Sea Dome
Immerse yourself in a 360-degree 4K cinematic experience with incredible footage of ocean ecosystems around the world. See a range of aquatic animals, including fur seals from British Columbia and reef animals from Indonesia. June 30 to July 4. (Included with museum admission). Free admission on July 1st. At the Canadian Museum of Nature, 240 McLeod St. Details: nature ca
24. Canadian Museum of History
The Museum will be open on Saturday, July 1 from 9 am to 7pm. and admission is free. Tickets required. A limited number of tickets for Canada Day will be available as of June 27. Additional tickets will be made available on June 30.
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