One of our favourite parts of Ottawa, is the strong community vibe and diversity. Compared to other major Canadian cities, Ottawa is small, but that doesn’t mean we can’t play host to a variety of world-class events and spectacles. 

Of course, there are the traditional and rightfully iconic Ottawa to-do’s like Winterlude and the Tulip Festival, but that is not all there is to do in Ottawa. We have a full calendar year of events and happenings taking place all over the city. 

At any given time in Ottawa, there is a multitude of things to do, see, and eat! Here is a roundup of some of our favourite Ottawa events:

The local events aren’t the only reason to relocate to Ottawa. Check out our top 5 reasons to move to Ottawa here.

For the Music and Entertainment Lover 

Are you a fan of music? No matter what your musical tastes, there’s an Ottawa music festival for you. Bluesfest is arguably one of the biggest festivals in the city, hosting iconic artists like Bob Dylan, Lady Gaga, Tom Petty, The Foo Fighters, Backstreet Boys, and more in the past. 

Ottawa doesn’t stop there when it comes to live music, TD Ottawa Jazzfest is another popular festival for both classic jazz lovers and avant-garde artists alike. 

CityFolk is another immensely popular music festival, catering more toward folk music and the alternative scene. Past lineups have included major artists such as Lorde, David Byrne, Emmylou Harris, The National, and even iconic children’s entertainer, Fred Penner! 

Are you a Marvel fanatic? Lover of pop culture? Ottawa Comicon is for you! As one of Ontario’s fastest-growing entertainment events, Ottawa Comicon is a full weekend of panels, exhibitions, and meet and greets with your favourite creators. Spanning genres from comic books, sci-fi, horror, anime, video games, and more, you can meet your favourites and enjoy a full weekend of fun with the family!

For the Cultural Connaisseur

Ottawa is a cultural centre of Eastern Ontario. One of the most incredible things about our city is the diversity and celebration of different cultures. If you want to explore some of the sights, sounds, and tastes of another culture, Ottawa is the place to do it! 

This area is home to a large Lebanese population, and the Ottawa Lebanese Festival is always a great time. Take in the Middle Eastern dancers or enjoy a sampling of flavours including shawarma, tabbouleh, falafel, and more. There’s even a midway with rides, so it’s fun for all ages! 

Ottawa’s Greek community comes together to give the city a taste of Greece. Ottawa Greek Fest provides the opportunity to taste authentic spanakopita, kebab and more Greek delicacies. There are also performances to keep you entertained as you enjoy your meal.

Another excellent cultural festival is centred around Preston Street. Can you guess what it is? Ottawa Italian Week is highly anticipated by everyone in the community. Attend events such as Italian film screenings, focaccia and wine masterclasses, scavenger hunts, and more. Don’t forget to head down to Little Italy on the grand finale weekend to see a procession of Ferraris roll down to the Italian embassy! 

Learn more about Ottawa’s iconic Little Italy in our neighbourhood spotlight here.

In addition to celebrating different cultures, Ottawa also aims to create an inclusive and supportive community for everyone. Capital Pride is a huge event each year that draws hundreds of thousands of people all with the intention of celebrating, advocating, educating, and connecting others while respecting the full spectrum of diversity of the 2SLGBTQ+ community. You can attend workshops, watch exciting drag performances, and take in educational panels. 

For the Athletic Types 

As a typical Canadian city, we Ottawa residents know that summer is fleeting. That’s why we make the most of it while it’s here! We love spending time outside and if that involves doing some type of activity–even better! 

Probably the most recognizable Ottawa event is the Tamarack Race Weekend. As one of the biggest marathon weekends in Canada and one of the only Boston Marathon qualifiers in the country, Tamarack Race Weekend attracts tens of thousands of participants each year. Running for 42km not your style? No problem, the entire city gets in on the fun, gathering along the course to cheer on the runners as they pass by! 

The Ottawa Dragonboat Festival is another unique festival and fundraising event in Ottawa. Held in partnership with the Hong Kong Canada Business Association, the event typically sees over 200 teams compete in North America’s largest dragonboat festival celebrating Chinese tradition and raising money for worthy causes. 

The city’s largest health and wellness festival is City of Om. Consisting of a full day of over 45 yoga, pilates, and wellness classes, a marketplace with over 60 wellness vendors, and more, this is the premier event to be active in the city’s wellness community. 

Hope Volleyball Summerfest happens every July at Mooney’s Bay Beach and is a fun, competitive way to raise money for local charities. People of all ages and skill levels register teams and spend the day in the sun playing in Ottawa’s largest volleyball tournament.

For the Foodies

We can’t talk about great events in Ottawa without talking about the food! Taste of Wellington is a tasty event in Ottawa’s trendy Wellington West neighbourhood. In support of the Parkdale Food Centre, local businesses and personalities get together to celebrate the local food scene. You can attend cooking classes, enjoy special menus at your favourite restaurants, and even participate in a cookoff! 

Hintonburg and Wellington Village are among the trendiest Ottawa neighbourhoods to know. Learn more about Hintonburg in our neighbourhood spotlight right here.

For the carnivore in your family, nothing can top Ottawa Ribfest. Taking place on Sparks Street, walk through the vendors to find the booth that speaks to you. Enjoy incredible barbecue fare including ribs, pulled pork, BBQ chicken, grilled corn on the cob, and more! You won’t leave with an empty stomach. 

Ottawa residents are proud of the local craft beer scene and one of our favourite and most successful craft breweries also happens to put on a fantastic event every fall! Beau’s Oktoberfest is a must-attend for beer fans. Although located at their brewery in Vankleek Hill, Beau’s offers shuttle service to and from the event so you can sample as much beer and cider as you please! Oktoberfest also features live music, contests, and more, all in support of local community groups. 

If you’re considering a move to the National Capital Region, you can check out our latest Ottawa real estate listings here or simply contact us today to learn everything you need to know about the Ottawa housing market!