Events in Downtown
View on MapDiscover 55 events in Downtown, Ottawa. Festivals, concerts, sports, food markets, and community events.
Butterflies in Flight
Over 100 live butterflies from 20+ species flutter in the museum solarium. New pupae arrive weekly from Costa Rica and Philippines. Included with museum admission.
Ottawa Symphony Orchestra: Machines & Myths
The season launches with a powerful program featuring the full symphonic orchestra in its largest performance of the year, exploring themes of heroism, technology, and the human condition.
Black History in Ottawa Streets
Historic bus tour uncovering the vibrant tapestry of Black history in Ottawa and across Canada, sharing stories of resilience, culture, and community.
Free Thursday Nights at National Gallery
Free Thursday evening admission with seasonal refreshments, live music, and art-making activities. Presented by BMO at the Scotiabank Great Hall.
Dreamcatcher Workshop with Bougie Birch
Craft your own dreamcatcher with Indigenous artist Ashley Clark. Learn about Indigenous artistry and resilience in this 1.5-2 hour hands-on workshop. All materials supplied.
ArohaFest Diwali Dhamaka: Dance from Coast to Coast
Free pop-up performances showcasing classical Indian dances (Bharatanatyam, Mohiniyattam) at the National Arts Centre, celebrating Diwali - the vibrant festival of lights.
Magic At The Manor
Intimate 90-minute interactive magic and mentalism show with magician Michael Bourada. Mind-blowing mental feats, amazing visuals, and non-stop audience participation!
The Original Haunted Walk of Ottawa
Experience Ottawa's most iconic ghost tour! This 75-minute outdoor walking tour visits haunted locations including Grant House, Château Laurier, and the city's infamous haunted high school.
Ghosts of the Bytown Museum
Join us on an unforgettable journey into the heart of Ottawa's supernatural past as we explore the Bytown Museum.
Antiquarian Book Fair Ottawa
Peruse and purchase antique and rare books, maps, and paper ephemera from 20+ dealers. Live presentations on historic bookbinding and book collecting history.
Trick or Treat with the Mayor
Come trick or treat with Mayor Mark Sutcliffe at Ottawa City Hall! Witches and reapers guard the entrance as visitors explore the shadowy halls and courtyard pumpkin patch.
LEGO Halloween Witch Make & Take
Free LEGO Witch building event for kids! Build and take home your own LEGO Halloween creation while supplies last.
Toddler Tuesdays at National Arts Centre
Interactive performing arts program for children aged 18 months - 5 years. Singing, dancing, games, story time and creative play with instructor Jesse Kahat.
Monster Mixtape - Halloween Concert with the NAC Orchestra
The NAC Orchestra turns Southam Hall into a playground of sound and suspense with eerie, epic, and haunted music straight out of your favourite Halloween playlist.
National Remembrance Day Ceremony
The National Remembrance Day Ceremony honouring Canadian veterans and fallen soldiers, featuring dignitaries, two minutes of silence at 11 a.m., wreath-laying, and military flypast.
Crave Food & Wine Festival
Ottawa's premier food and wine festival featuring local restaurants, breweries, distilleries, provincial wineries, and international brands with demonstrations, masterclasses, and live entertainment.
Ottawa Outdoor Film Festival
First Ottawa Outdoor Film Festival celebrating adventure, conservation, and diversity through powerful Canadian short films exploring wild spaces and stories.
Christmas with the OSO
Join the Ottawa Symphony for a festive holiday performance featuring heartwarming seasonal favourites and a special audience carol sing-along.
Rideau Canal Skateway
Skate on the world's largest skating rink – a 7.8 km stretch of the Rideau Canal, a UNESCO World Heritage Site in the heart of Ottawa.
Rideau Hall Historic Skating Rink
Free public skating at Rideau Hall's refrigerated historic rink, established 1872. Restored heritage Winter Pavilion. Weather dependent, open through March 29.
613 Flea Market at Aberdeen Pavilion
Ottawa's largest indoor vintage and artisan market featuring 150 vendors offering antiques, vintage clothing, handmade goods, and one-of-a-kind finds.
Art n Tell – Monthly Artist Showcase
Monthly open mic for visual and performing artists of all disciplines and skill levels to showcase their work in a supportive community setting.
Crystal Garden at Confederation Park
Experience ice sculptures, ice carving competitions, sound and light shows, fitness classes, and more at this official Winterlude site in downtown Ottawa.
DJs Live from the Booth: Winterlude Edition
Local and diverse DJs perform vibrant sets on Sparks Street during Winterlude. Pause, warm up, and dance along on festive Sparks Street!
Undercurrents – Contemporary Theatre Festival
Ottawa's innovative contemporary theatre festival showcasing thought-provoking works from local and national artists over 11 days.
Dean Lewis – The Epilogue World Tour
Australian singer-songwriter Dean Lewis brings The Epilogue World Tour to Ottawa, featuring Matt Hansen as special guest.
Barbegazi – Freestyle Snowmobile Show
Watch world-class freestyle snowmobilers soar up to 40 feet in the air during this Winterlude weekend event in the heart of ByWard Market.
Heritage Day 2026 – Voices of a City
Celebrate Ottawa's 200th anniversary with the theme 'Voices of a City,' featuring over 50 historical societies, museums, and heritage organizations at City Hall.
Troupe Vertigo: Cirque Magique with the NAC Orchestra
A spellbinding visual spectacular fusing cirque acrobatics, classical dance, and contemporary theatre with the NAC Orchestra playing music from Wicked, Harry Potter, and more.
Bank of Canada Museum - March Break Activities
Free family activities and crafts about counterfeiting and bank note design during both Quebec and Ontario March Breaks. Interactive exhibits about money and economy.
Canadian War Museum - Free Thursday Evenings
Free museum admission every Thursday evening with special exhibitions on Canadian military history. Reservations required.
Faith Fyles: In Full Bloom
Faith Fyles’s pioneering career as both a botanist and artist is brought into conversation with contemporary women artists, revealing how her legacy continues through themes of land, labour, and care for the natural world.
Ottawa St. Patrick's Day Parade
Ottawa's St. Patrick's Day Parade returns to celebrate the Bicentennial of Bytown with a new route that frames the city's skyline.
The Beauty in Breaking: Love Is Never Wasted
A multidisciplinary art exhibition exploring heartbreak and grief through paintings, dance, music, poetry, and interactive elements featuring 10+ local Ottawa artists.
Alan Doyle with The East Pointers
Newfoundland folk-rock legend Alan Doyle, former frontman of Great Big Sea, performs with JUNO Award-winning special guests The East Pointers.
Nate Haller – Country Rising National Tour
Nate Haller brings his first headlining Country Rising National Tour to Ottawa, featuring Mac Rumbolt as opening act.
William Prince – Further From the Country Tour
Two-time JUNO Award-winning Indigenous singer-songwriter William Prince performs with special guest Boy Golden on his Further From the Country Tour.
Taste of Little Italy Ottawa 2026
Third annual tasting event featuring 15 Little Italy restaurants and cafes offering unlimited sample bites, plus DJ entertainment and cash bar.
& Juliet - Broadway Musical
Hit Broadway musical reimagining Juliet's story with iconic pop hits from Max Martin. Created by the Emmy-winning writer of Schitt's Creek. Ages 8+.
Rose - World Premiere Musical
NAC Indigenous Theatre presents the world premiere of Tomson Highway's deeply moving and fiercely funny musical about three Roses on a fictional reserve. Ages 16+.
Ottawa Black Film Festival 2026
6th edition showcasing unique voices in cinema and amplifying Black stories. Features online and in-theater screenings at Library and Archives Canada.
A Day at the Farm
An original Canadian production perfect for children aged four to fifteen, featuring the orchestra with a special spotlight on the percussion section and vivid farmyard narration.
University of Ottawa Earth Week 2026
Week-long celebration featuring environmental events and activities designed to bring people together and take action for the planet. Offered in English and French.
CN Cycle for CHEO
A community event where participants cycle, walk, or roll to support oncology care and research at CHEO.
Evening in the Maritimes
Ottawa's premier East Coast kitchen party celebrates its 30th anniversary. A unique event bringing together hundreds of guests from business, political, community, and media sectors, where Good Food meets a Good Time for a Great Cause.
Tamarack Ottawa Race Weekend 2026
Canada's largest running festival featuring marathon, half-marathon, 10K, 5K, and 2K races on an ultra-flat, ultra-fast course through downtown Ottawa.
Ottawa Chinatown Night Market 2026
Annual night market in Ottawa Chinatown featuring Asian street food, live performances, and artisanal goods over three days.
Sacred & Profane — The Stairwell Carollers Spring Concert
The Stairwell Carollers celebrate their 48th Spring Concert with a diverse evening of religious and secular a cappella songs spanning centuries.
Festival Franco-Ontarien 2026
The Festival Franco-Ontarien celebrates its 50th anniversary with three days of francophone music, street art, food, and family-friendly activities at Major's Hill Park.
Ottawa Jazz Festival 2026
The 46th annual Ottawa Jazz Festival featuring world-class jazz artists across multiple venues in downtown Ottawa over 10 days.
Canada Day Ottawa 2026
Canada's national birthday celebration featuring live music, cultural performances, family activities, and spectacular fireworks across multiple downtown locations including Parliament Hill and LeBreton Flats.
RBC Ottawa Bluesfest 2026
One of North America's premier outdoor music festivals featuring 11 days of performances by over 200 acts across multiple stages, ranked among the world's top-10 by Billboard Magazine.
Ottawa Chamberfest 2026
The world's largest chamber music festival returns for two weeks of 120+ concerts featuring leading international ensemble and solo artists in Ottawa's most beautiful churches, museums, and heritage sites.
The Big Bounce Canada - Ottawa
The world's largest touring inflatable park featuring a massive bouncy castle, obstacle courses, slides, and more. Multiple age-specific sessions available over three days.
Celtic Cross Ceremonies
Annual ceremony at the Celtic Cross monument honouring Irish immigrants who helped build the Rideau Canal, hosted by the Irish Society of the National Capital Region.