Ottawa Events Calendar

Ottawa Guitar Show
2026-04-26
Variety of musical gear from different exhibitors, selection of used, newer and vintage guitars, vintage and boutique amps, pedals, cases and guitar parts.
Musical instruments for the beginner to the professionals and collectors. Buy, sell and trade.

Spring Craft Market - Mother’s Day edition
2026-04-26 | 1 Elgin Street, Ottawa, K1P 5W1, 1 Elgin Street, Ottawa, K1P 5W1
Head to the NAC for another edition of the Spring Craft Market, a vibrant showcase of local creative culture. Shop from a curated selection of handmade goods, makers, producers and artists, all while supporting small businesses in our community. It’s the perfect opportunity to buy your Mother’s Day gifts!

The Shop List at St. Laurent Centre
2026-04-26 11:00 - 16:00, 2026-04-27 11:00 - 16:00, 2026-04-28 11:00 - 16:00, 2026-04-29 11:00 - 16:00, 2026-04-30 11:00 - 16:00, 2026-05-01 11:00 - 16:00, 2026-05-02 11:00 - 16:00, 2026-05-03 11:00 - 16:00 UTC | The Shop List at St. Laurent Centre, 1200 St Laurent Boulevard, Ottawa, ON, Canada, Ontario
The Shop List at St. Laurent Centre
Discover your fall style with The Shop List, running September 16–30 alongside our Share It to Win It Contest for a chance to win a $1,000 shopping spree! ✨Visit the Rules and Regulations for more information about the contest.
📅 Event Hours
Saturday, September 20 & Sunday, September 21 | 11 AM – 4 PM
Saturday, September 27 & Sunday, September 28 | 11 AM – 4 PM
🎁 What’s happening during event hours:
Free limited-edition tote bags (while supplies last)
On-site brand styling ambassadors to guide you through The Shop List and curated fall capsule collections from St. Laurent retailers
Step into the season with style inspiration, shopping perks, and your chance at an unforgettable shopping spree.

Steven Ho Not Your Hero Comedy Tour
2026-04-26 19:00 - 23:00
Comedian and content creator Steven Ho brings his unique perspective on healthcare and everyday life to the stage. Known for his viral “Tips from the ER” series, Ho blends storytelling with real-life hospital experiences and audience-inspired anecdotes. The performance offers a humorous look at the unpredictable moments that arise in the world of medicine.

LABOUR – PARTS+LABOUR
2026-04-29 - 2026-04-30 | 1 Elgin Street, Ottawa, K1P 5W1, 1 Elgin Street, Ottawa, K1P 5W1
Co-choreographers Emily Gualtieri and David Albert-Toth have built PARTS+LABOUR into a bold and rising voice in contemporary dance. Drawing inspiration from literature, mythology, and philosophy, they value friction and multiplicity rather than resolution and unison in their artistic approach, engaging audiences in narratives that evoke memory, solitude, and community.
With a cast of five performers, their new work LABOUR delves into the often-overlooked labour of care that womxn have carried throughout history, bringing it to the forefront through the body, highly physical choreography, and visual storytelling.

Free Thursday Nights presented by BMO at the National Gallery of Canada
2026-04-30 | 380 Sussex Drive, Ottawa, K1N 9N4, 380 Sussex Drive, Ottawa, K1N 9N4
From 5 to 8 p.m. on Thursday nights, experience the National Gallery of Canada with music and an artful atmosphere. Take part in free art-making activities and themed tours, and finish the evening with seasonal snacks and refreshments, available for purchase.
Admission is free!
Free Thursday Nights presented by BMO.

Mountains on Stage
2026-04-30
Mountains on Stage is a film festival that aims to bring the mountains into cities with a selection of the world’s best films related to mountain sports such as skiing, mountaineering, climbing and paragliding.

Empowering Women in the Music Industry
2026-04-30 - 2026-05-02
Axé WorldFest’s annual conference brings three days of panels, workshops, mentorship, performances, and networking to venues across Ottawa. Focused on inclusion and equity in the creative industries, this dynamic event highlights the voices of women while welcoming everyone. It is presented in partnership with the National Arts Centre and supported by arts and cultural funders.

Ottawa Clay Festival
2026-05-01 - 2026-05-03
Discover the art of clay at the Ottawa Clay Festival. Explore stunning handcrafted ceramics, shop for unique pottery, and meet local artisans. Enjoy live demonstrations, a pottery throwdown, a juried exhibition, and a fun clay area for kids. This spring celebration is for all to enjoy. Admission is free.

Ottawa PoutineFest and Mac My Cheese
2026-05-01 - 2026-05-03 | 2451 Riverside Drive, Ottawa, K1H 7X7, 2451 Riverside Drive, Ottawa, K1H 7X7
More than 30 poutine vendors take over Ottawa and offer up their take on Canada’s dish. Get your curd on!

Ottawa International Writers Festival
2026-05-01 - 2026-05-04 | 550 de la Cité, Gatineau, J8T 0A7, 550 de la Cité, Gatineau, J8T 0A7
Attend the celebration of the finest new and established writing from across Canada and around the world with a fall and a spring edition.

Move for Youth 2026
2026-05-01 00:00 - 2026-05-15 23:59 | Move for Youth 2026, NA
Get active and support youth in your community
May 1–15, 2026
Move for Youth is a free activity challenge with a goal to reach 1,500 participants, 75,000 kilometers, 150 million total steps, and $150,000 dollars! Every step you take creates opportunities for local kids to thrive.
By participating, you’ll make sure more kids have safe spaces to play, learn, and grow. From homework clubs to mental health services, you can help children in your community get what they need to succeed.
Get ready to move with us in May. Plus, if you or your team climb to the top of our fundraising and step leaderboards, you can win great prizes!

Hintonburg Fabric Flea Market
2026-05-02
Don’t miss out on bargain prices on all things sewing-related: quilting cotton, notions, buttons, wool, patterns, tools and so much more.

Wanderlust: Improvised Tales of Travel, Love & Longing
2026-05-02
Wanderlust is a fully improvised theatre experience following two friends on an unpredictable road trip across Canada. Guided by audience suggestions, each performance creates a new journey filled with unexpected destinations, memorable characters, and evolving relationships. Through physical theatre, vocal creativity, and spontaneous storytelling, the ensemble transforms the stage into highways, towns, and landscapes across the country.

Anyone can sculpt ice
2026-05-02
Discover the fundamentals of ice sculpting in a guided, hands on workshop experience. Participants are introduced to essential techniques for carving small scale ice sculptures, including safety practices, proper tool handling, and foundational artistic methods.
Led in an indoor setting, this interactive workshop offers insight into the craftsmanship behind ice art and provides participants with the opportunity to shape their own creation while learning about this distinctive winter tradition.

Grande Première
2026-05-02 | 380 Sussex Drive, Ottawa, K1N 9N4, 380 Sussex Drive, Ottawa, K1N 9N4
Experience Grande Première, an exciting fashion show showcasing emerging designers from the Richard Robinson Fashion Design Academy. Enjoy stunning haute couture and unique collections, all inspired by the theme of surrealism. Dress creatively and be part of this extraordinary celebration.

Jane’s Walk Ottawa
2026-05-02 - 2026-05-03
A coordinated series of free neighbourhood walking tours given by locals who care passionately about where they live, work, and play.

Orchidophilia - Ottawa Orchid Show
2026-05-02 - 2026-05-03
Whether you’re new to orchids or are already an orchid fanatic, you’ll love learning more at Orchidophilia.

ORAPEX
2026-05-02 - 2026-05-03 | 1701 Woodroffe Ave, Ottawa, K2G 1W2, 1701 Woodroffe Ave, Ottawa, K2G 1W2
Ottawa’s national stamp show, with 40 stamp dealers and many philatelic exhibits.

Orchidophilia
2026-05-02 12:00 - 2026-05-03 16:00 | Orchidophilia, Algonquin College, Building D, 1385 Woodroffe Ave
Need a spring pickup? You are invited to the Ottawa Orchid Society’s 42nd annual orchid show
on May 2-3, 2026, featuring many blooming orchids in stunning, colourful orchid displays, a
photographic exhibition, and orchid vendors selling outstanding orchid plants and orchid
supplies. Society members will provide growing tips and educational displays for visitors.
For avid shoppers or those who want a little space an exclusive premium ticket costing $30 is
available at Eventbrite for entry to the vending area one hour before the show opens 11-12 only
on Saturday. Only 100 tickets will be sold and are not valid for any other time. Entry to the show
displays is not permitted before 12 p.m.
Photographers with tripods welcome Sunday 9-11am.

Cinco de Mayo Fiesta
2026-05-03 | 55 ByWard Market, Ottawa, K1N 9C3, 55 ByWard Market, Ottawa, K1N 9C3
Celebrate Mexican heritage at the Cinco de Mayo Fiesta in ByWard Market! Dance to live music, savor mouthwatering cuisine, and admire vibrant folkloric art beneath dazzling “papel picado.” A fiesta full of color, culture, and fun awaits—don’t miss it!

CN Cycle for CHEO
2026-05-03
Cycle along fully supported, traffic-free urban routes (15K, 35K and 70K) and enjoy Ottawa’s scenic beauty and top landmarks while raising money for the Children’s Hospital of Eastern Ontario.

Parkdale Public Market
2026-05-04 - 2026-10-31
Join for a day filled with festivities suitable for all ages. From live entertainment to delicious treats, there’s something for everyone to enjoy. Come be a part of this historic milestone as we commemorate a century of community and tradition at Parkdale Market. This is a free outdoor event.
