31 fun things to do in Ottawa this weekend | May 9-11

With the Canadian Tulip Festival kicking off this weekend, festival season is officially open in Ottawa! Here’s a roundup of events and things to do in Ottawa this weekend. Check out the post and share it with your friends!

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15 events you won’t want to miss this weekend in Ottawa

1. Canadian Tulip Festival

The largest and most well known Canadian Tulip Festival starts this weekend! Enjoy the beautiful sight of hundreds of thousands of tulips all over Ottawa. There will be daily outdoor movie screenings during the festival as well as interactive art installations, guided tulip tours, a tulip boutique, food vendors, a show of drones and fireworks (May 18, 9:20pm-10pm) and more! FREE. When: May 9-19. Where: Commissioners Park, Queen Elizabeth Drive with Preston St. Details: tulipfestival.ca

2. Ottawa Children’s Festival

This festival is celebrating 40 years of offering world-class theatre, music, and dance to over 1 million children, educators, and families, fostering creativity and imagination in young minds. Shows are paid. Tickets are $17 or $52 for a family pass (4 people). With a purchased ticket there is free entry to Imagineland, where children will find a variety of fun and interactive extra features that will let them unleash their creative side! When: May 8-13. Where: Lansdowne Park, Horticulture Building, 1525 Princess Patricia Way; and Arts Court Theatre, 2 Daly Ave. Details: ottawachildrensfestival.ca

3. Atletico Ottawa vs Valour FC

Cheer on Ottawa’s professional soccer team, Atlético Ottawa, as they face Valour FC in a high-stakes Canadian Premier League showdown at TD Place. Tickets from $20. When: Saturday May 10 at 2pm. Where: TD Place, 1015 Bank St.

4. NCC Weekend Bikedays

As of May 10 three Ottawa parkways will be closed to vehicular circulation so you can use them whether you’re biking, walking, in-line skating, using a wheelchair, or pushing a stroller. FREE. When: May 10 to October 13. Where: Kichi Zibi Mikan: 8am-noon. George-Etienne Cartier Parkway: 8am-4pm. Queen Elizabeth Driveway: 8am-8pm.

5. 613 Flea

Browse a wide range of unique gifts, tasty treats and handmade treasures from 150 local vendors and artisans at 613flea. Plus, soak up some sun as you shop – the popular marketplace is moving outdoors (Weather permitting) for the Mother’s Day edition. When: Saturday May 10, 10am-4pm. Where: Lansdowne Park, 1525 Princess Patricia Way. Details: IG @613flea

6. Mother’s Day Flower Fun Run

Run through the tulips! Enjoy the stunning colors around you on a closed-loop course, suitable for everyone from beginners: 1K Run (kids), 5K Run and 5K Run/Walk/Stroll. When: Sunday May 11 starting at noon. Where:1001 Queen Elizabeth Driveway. Details: https://www.somersault.ca/s/mothers-day-flower-fun-run

7. SeedLing Saturday

Explore local seedlings, swap seeds, enjoy live music, and meet expert gardeners. FREE.
When: Saturday May 10, 10am. Where: Just Food Community Farm, 2391 Pepin Court, Ottawa . Details: https://justfood.ca/community-gardening-network/seedlingsaturday/

8. Live Chess on Parliament

Be a Chess piece! Don’t miss this theatrical chess match with costumed players on Parliament Hill. All ages. Rain or shine. This is an annual event in support of the Alzheimer Society of Canada and the Alzheimer Society of Leeds Lanark Grenville. FREE. When: Sunday May 11, 2pm. Where: Parliament Hill, Ottawa. Details: https://livechessonparliament.com/

9. Bouge Bouge Outaouais Festival

Celebrate Mother’s Day with runs, dance shows, foam zones, and family fun. Tickets from $1.
When: Sunday May 11, 7am-2:30pm. Where: Centre Asticou, 241, Boulevard de la Cité-des-Jeunes, Gatineau
Details: https://www.bougebouge.com/en/shop/events/bougebouge-outaouais-festival-and-world-culture-2025/

10. Fish Ontario License Free

Enjoy licence-free fishing across Ontario. Perfect for families and beginners to explore nature. FREE
When: May 10-11. Where: Various locations across Ontario
Details: https://www.ontario.ca/page/free-family-fishing

11. Pow Wow Workout

Experience an energizing 45-minute workout blending powwow dance, music, and cultural storytelling. FREE
When: Wednesday May 7, 12pm. Where: Canal Lobby Stage, National Arts Centre, 1 Elgin Street, Ottawa
Details: https://nac-cna.ca/en/event/38555

12. Jukebox Lunch Concerts

Drop by the NAC this spring for the Jukebox Lunch Concerts, Season 3! Savour live tunes from top Canadian artists during your midday break in the vibrant Peter A. Herrndorf Place. Free Admission. Thursday, May 8 at 12:10pm. At National Arts Centre, 1 Elgin Street, Ottawa.

13. York Street Market

Explore the York Street Market’s biweekly artisan fair! Find handmade gems, from decor to cider, at 30+ vibrant vendors. Free Admission. Sunday, May 11 at 11am. At York Street, ByWard Market, Ottawa.

14. Metcalfe Farmers’ Market

Enjoy the Metcalfe Farmers’ Market! With over 45 friendly vendors to explore, you’ll find something special every time. Plus, there’s free parking and you can bring your furry friend along for the fun! Free Admission. Saturday, May 10, from 9am to 1pm. At 2821 8th Line Rd, Metcalfe.

15. Carp’s Farmers Market

Discover Eastern Ontario’s biggest producer-run farmers’ market, featuring 100+ vendors with farm-fresh produce, artisan crafts, and homemade baked goods. Free Admission. Saturday, May 10, from 8am to 1pm. At 790 Carp Rd, Ottawa.

More things to do in Ottawa this weekend

Wednesday

16. Bingo & Bangerz

18. Abra Cadabra: A Tribute to Abba

Featuring a captivating live band, powerful vocals, dancers, dazzling costumes and engaging multimedia, this interactive stage show will have you smiling, moving and singing along to your favourite ABBA hits! Admission: $64.75-69.25. When: Wednesday, May 7 at 7:30pm. Where: Meridian Theatres @ Centrepointe, 101 Centrepointe Dr, Ottawa.

Thursday and Friday

19. Urban Collective: Hintonburg Night Market

Explore the Hintonburg Night Market for delicious local bites, artisan crafts, and lively entertainment! Discover fresh vendors weekly in Wellington West’s vibrant hub. Free Admission. Thursday, May 8, from 4pm to 9pm. At Urban Art Collective, 1088 Somerset Street West, Ottawa.

20. Alice

A magical show where Alice is thrown into a universe where the usual laws of space, time and language are subtly transformed through increasingly madcap imagery. Admission: $31-95. When: Friday, May 9-10 at 8pm. Where: National Arts Centre (Southam Hall), 1 Elgin Street, Ottawa.

21. Interactive: The Twilight Saga Breaking Dawn Part 1

Come and celebrate the happy couple and their soon-to-be creepy little bundle of joy with themed props and a prompt sheet that will have you hissing in the aisles. Admission: $21.50. Where: Friday, May 9 at 9:30pm. Where: Bytowne Cinema, 325 Rideau Street, Ottawa.

Saturday

23. Canadian Tulip Festival: Opening Ceremony

Join the opening ceremony of the 73rd Canadian Tulip Festival alongside the Canadian Army. Guests are invited to pay tribute to the honoured Veterans of the Year with a ceremonial Central Band Parade and the lighting of the Canadian Remembrance Torch. A special guest this year will be Her Royal Highness Princess Margriet of the Netherlands, born in Ottawa during Word War II. When: Saturday May 10, 10:30am-12pm. Where: Commissioners Park, where the movie screens are.

24. Grande Premiere

Experience a dreamscape at Grande Première 2025, where student designers transform fashion with surreal haute couture and striking graduate collections. Tickets are $54.58. Saturday, May 10, from 8pm to 10:30pm. At National Gallery of Canada, 380 Sussex Drive, Ottawa.

25. Almonte Art in the Attic

Art In The Attic is an annual Mother’s Day weekend art show and sale where local artists of all ages and experiences celebrate their creativity. Admission: FREE. When: Saturday, May 10-11 at 10am-5pm and 10-4pm. Where: Almonte Old Town Hall, 14 Bridge St, Almonte.

Sunday

26. Mother’s Day Train Rides at RMEO

Enjoy a scenic train ride in our vintage caboose, explore fascinating museum exhibits, and take part in fun family photo opportunities and kids’ crafts. Admission: $19.56. When: Sunday, May 11 from 10am-4pm. Where: Railway Museum of Eastern Ontario, 90 William St W, Smiths Falls.

Next week

27. Weekend at Brigid’s

A fun-filled evening of live music and dancing featuring two of Ottawa’s most talented local bands: The Manhattans and ELK Trio in a unique setting.

Saint Brigid’s Centre for the Arts is proud to reopen its beautifully restored historic church hall — a cultural landmark in the heart of Lowertown and a place deeply rooted in Ottawa’s Irish heritage. Originally built in 1889 to serve Ottawa’s Irish Catholic community, Saint Brigid’s remains a treasured piece of the city’s architectural and cultural fabric. The soaring ceilings, stained glass, and unmatched acoustics of the church hall make it an unforgettable space. 19+. Tickets: $20. When: May 16 & 17 (Victoria holiday weekend). Where: 310 Saint Patrick Street Ottawa, ON K1N 5K4. Tickets available now on Eventbrite.

Other recurring events in Ottawa