Best Things to Do in Ottawa During March Break 2026
A guide to family-friendly March Break activities in Ottawa, from free museums and interactive exhibits to sugar shacks and live shows.
What Is March Break?
March Break is a week-long school holiday in Ontario, typically falling in mid-March. Quebec has a similar break (called "Relâche") that often falls a week or two earlier. In 2026, Ontario's March Break runs from March 16–20, while Quebec's runs from March 2–6.
For families in Ottawa-Gatineau, this means two separate weeks of programming at many museums and attractions — a perk of living on the Ontario-Quebec border.
Also worth noting: Daylight Saving Time starts on March 8, 2026 (clocks spring forward one hour), so the evenings suddenly get brighter. It's a small thing, but it makes after-school and after-museum outings feel a lot more doable.
March Break in Ottawa doesn't have to mean expensive day trips or screen-heavy days at home. The city has a surprising number of free and affordable activities for families — especially if you know where to look.
Free Museums and Exhibits
Ottawa is home to several national museums that offer free or discounted admission, making March Break an ideal time to explore them.
Bank of Canada Museum
The Bank of Canada Museum is completely free, year-round. It's one of the most underrated family destinations in Ottawa — far more interactive than you'd expect from a museum about money.
Kids can design their own banknotes, fly a rocket ship to learn about inflation, and use an interactive wristband that personalizes their visit. During March Break, the museum runs extra family activities focused on counterfeiting and banknote design.
See March Break activities and dates →
Canadian War Museum — Free Thursday Evenings
The Canadian War Museum offers free admission every Thursday from 5–7 PM. The LeBreton Gallery alone is worth the visit — a massive hall filled with tanks, armoured vehicles, and a fighter jet suspended from the ceiling. Kids tend to love it.
Regular admission is 22, but the free Thursday window is a smart way to visit during the break.
See Thursday evening details →
Canadian Museum of Nature
The Canadian Museum of Nature has dinosaur skeletons, a full blue whale skeleton hanging from the ceiling, and over 450 Canadian bird species on display. Kids can easily spend half a day here.
Regular admission is 24 depending on age. But Thursday evenings (5–8 PM) are free for everyone, and the museum sometimes runs discounted or free admission for youth during March Break — check nature.ca for current promotions.
Canada Aviation and Space Museum
The Canada Aviation and Space Museum offers free admission every day from 4–5 PM. The rest of the day, youth tickets are $11.50.
With over 130 aircraft, the original Canadarm, and the nose section of the Avro Arrow, it's a hands-on destination for kids interested in planes and space. The museum is in Rockcliffe, about 15 minutes from downtown.
Parliament Hill Tours
Parliament Hill runs free guided tours of the West Block (House of Commons) and the Senate of Canada Building year-round. It's a chance for kids to see where laws are made — and the buildings themselves are impressive.
Book ahead at visit.parl.ca. Government-issued photo ID is required for adults, and you should arrive 25–30 minutes early for security.
The grounds are always open. The Centennial Flame and the views of the Ottawa River and Gatineau Hills are free to enjoy anytime.
Sugar Season
March Break overlaps with maple sugar season. The Vanier Sugar Festival (March 28–29) is Ottawa's only urban sugar shack — free admission, maple taffy, live music, a mini-farm, and lumberjack competitions, all less than 5 km from downtown.
See Vanier Sugar Festival details →
For more sugar bush options further afield, see our guide to sugar bushes around Ottawa →.
Live Shows for Kids
A Day at the Farm (March 29) is an Ottawa Symphony Orchestra production designed for kids aged 4–15. It introduces children to the instruments of the orchestra through a farmyard-themed story with narration and percussion. Held at the Carleton Dominion-Chalmers Centre downtown.
Tips for March Break
- Book museum visits on Thursday evenings — War Museum (5–7 PM free) and Museum of Nature (5–8 PM free) overlap, so pick one per Thursday
- Arrive at Aviation Museum around 3:30 PM — browse the gift shop first, then enter the galleries at 4 PM for free
- Pack lunches — most museums have seating areas but food can be pricey. The Bank of Canada Museum is near the Sparks Street Mall if you want to eat out
- Check weather — Ottawa in March can swing from -10°C to +5°C. Layer up for anything involving outdoor time
- Quebec vs Ontario breaks — If you're on the Quebec schedule (early March), some special programming starts sooner. Check individual museum websites for exact dates
Featured Places
Bank of Canada Museum
A free, interactive museum exploring economics and monetary history. Home to the National Currency Collection with over 110,000 artifacts, plus hands-on exhibits including a rocket ship inflation simulator and a design-your-own banknote station.
Canadian War Museum
Canada's national museum of military history, featuring four chronological galleries, a massive vehicle hall, and the architecturally striking Memorial Hall. Free admission every Thursday 5-7 PM.
Canadian Museum of Nature
Canada's national natural history museum, housed in a landmark Victorian sandstone building. Features dinosaur fossils, a blue whale skeleton, the world's largest display of Canadian birds, and an Arctic gallery. Free Thursday evenings 5-8 PM for all.
Canada Aviation and Space Museum
Canada's largest aviation collection with over 130 aircraft, the original Canadarm from Space Shuttle Endeavour, and the largest surviving piece of the Avro Arrow. Free admission daily from 4-5 PM.
Related Events
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.
Vanier Sugar Festival
Celebrate the 41st year of Ottawa's beloved sugar festival at Canada's only urban sugar shack, featuring maple taffy, live music, mini-farm, and lumberjack competitions.
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.