The following calendar lists the biggest events and festivals in Ottawa. There’s plenty to go see and do in the city, and here’s some of the top attractions!
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January | February | March | April | May | June | July | August | September | October | November | December
Festivals and Events in Ottawa
The best and most important festivals and events each month in Ottawa and the surrounding region are listed below. (Note: Dates and other details are subject to change. See official event websites for exact information.)
January Festivals & Events
(Note: Dates and other details are subject to change. See official event websites for exact information.)
- New Year’s Day (Stat Holiday) – January 1, 2024.
- Christmas Lights Across Canada – installed in tandem with various other places across Canada, hundreds of thousands of lights decorate the downtown area every winter. (Until January 7 in 2024.)
- Bicycle Film Festival Ottawa – as the name implies, this festival shares only films about bicycles. Based in New York, cities around the world have screening events for the submissions. (Takes place in a virtual format until February 29 in 2024.)
- Rideau Canal Skateway– a unique outdoor skating experience, here you can take to the canal for kilometres of ice to enjoy (usually open from around January to early March).
February Festivals & Events
(Note: Dates and other details are subject to change. See official event websites for exact information.)
- Winterlude – one of the biggest events of the year, Winterlude is a three-week festival with skating, races, art and other events that are fun for people of all ages (February 2 to 19, 2024).
- Asinabka Film and Media Arts Festival – an indigenous film festival that gives a platform for often-marginalized people to tell their stories (February 2 and 3, 2024).
- BIG BANG Festival – a unique event that focuses on sound and, more specifically, unique and interesting sound design. A fun time for all ages. (February 17 and 18, 2024.)
- Ontario Family Day (Stat Holiday) – February 19, 2024.
- Heritage Day – a celebration of Ottawa’s history with various activities including trivia games (February 20, 2024).
- BeaverTails Ottawa Ice Dragon Boat Festival – the biggest event of its kind in the world, watch teams take to the Rideau Canal Skateway in some fun races. (February 2 to 19, 2024.)
- Rideau Canal Skateway– a very unique outdoor skating experience, where you can take to the canal for kilometres of ice to enjoy. (Usually open from around January to early March.)
- Undercurrents – backed by the Ottawa Fringe, this smaller theatre festival showcases original, “less mainstream” theatre. (February 7 to 17, 2024.)
- Gatineau Beerfest – the winter version of this beer festival welcomes thousands of guests with hundreds of beers on tap. (February 29 to March 2, 2024.)
March Festivals & Events
(Note: Dates and other details are subject to change. See official event websites for exact information.)
- Rideau Canal Skateway – a very unique outdoor skating experience where you can take to the canal for kilometres of ice to enjoy. (Usually open from around January to early March.)
- Gatineau Beerfest – the winter version of this beer festival welcomes thousands of guests with hundreds of beers on tap. (February 29 to March 2, 2024.)
- Ottawa Valley Farm Show – the oldest agricultural trade show in the province, you don’t have to be a farmer to check it out (although there will be plenty of them)! (March 12 to 14, 2024.)
- International Film Festival of Ottawa – an event that looks to bring top international cinema to audiences here in Ottawa. (March 13 to 24, 2024.)
- Ottawa Black Film Festival – this festival promotes and gives a platform for black artists both in Ontario and internationally. (March 22 to 26, 2024.)
- Good Friday (Stat Holiday) – March 29, 2024.
April Festivals & Events
(Note: Dates and other details are subject to change. See official event websites for exact information.)
- Irish Film Festival Ottawa – promoting Irish culture through film, this event brings in top films from Ireland as well as some from Irish artists here in Canada. (April 12 to 14, 2024.)
- Easter Monday (Stat Holiday) – April 1, 2024.
- PoutineFest – a fries and cheese curd-lover’s dream, Sparks Street is home to a four-day poutine extravaganza every spring. (2024 dates TBC.)
- Ottawa Grassroots Festival – an event for all-ages with performances from artists of all different backgrounds, cultures and languages. (April 25 to 28, 2024.)
- Stars on Ice – a dynamic, theatrical figure skating show starring some of the country’s top skaters like Patrick Chan, Elvis Stojko, Kurt Browning and many more (on April 28 in 2024).
May Festivals & Events
(Note: Dates and other details are subject to change. See official event websites for exact information.)
- Canadian Tulip Festival – proclaiming to be the biggest tulip festival in the entire world, over a million flowers are on display in Commissioners Park (May 10 to 20, 2024).
- Victoria Day (Stat Holiday) – May 20, 2024.
- Inside Out Film and Video Festival – the biggest LGBTQ film festival in the country, with well over a hundred movies on offer (May 24 to June 1, 2024).
- Ottawa International Children’s Festival – a collection of shows and activities for young ones and their families (May 10 to 14, 2024).
- Tamarack Ottawa Race Weekend – a massive event with tens of thousands of runners taking on one or sometimes several of the six different races held. (May 25 and 26, 2024.)
- Monster Spectacular – a monster truck show featuring half a dozen of the massive vehicles, along with motocross and ATV stunts as well (May 25, 2024).
June Festivals & Events
(Note: Dates and other details are subject to change. See official event websites for exact information.)
- Changing of the Guard – a daily ceremony in the mornings during the summer. It’s a showy procession of the Ceremonial Guard and free to enjoy. (Status for 2024 TBD.)
- Inside Out Film and Video Festival – the biggest LGBTQ film festival in the country, with well over a hundred movies on offer (May 24 to June 1, 2024).
- Ottawa Ribfest – top grill-masters from across the continent descend on Ottawa for a few days each summer to see who can make the best BBQ (May 30 to June 2, 2024).
- City of Om – a yoga festival in Lansdowne Park. It features around three dozen workshops and classes for people of all experience levels (May 31 to June 1, 2024).
- Ottawa Fringe Festival – the largest theatre festival in the city, with multiple venues and a wide range of both local and international artists (June 13 to 23, 2024).
- Ottawa Summer Solstice Indigenous Festival – on the weekend closest to National Indigenous Peoples Day. It features various performances to celebrate the different First Nations cultures in the area (June 21 to 23, 2024).
- Ottawa Jazz Festival – running for over four decades, the jazz festival takes place downtown and has stellar headlining artists. (June 21 to 30, 2024.)
- Ottawa Dragon Boat Festival – a family-friendly festival that’s free to attend and features races and live music (June 21 to 23, 2024).
- Escapade Music Festival – the premier electronic music festival in the Ottawa region, this event brings in top-tier artists from around the world (on June 21 to 23, 2024).
- Ottawa Indian Film Festival Awards – on top of screenings of East Indian movies there are also panel discussions and the opportunity to interact with different artists (June 11 to 15, 2024).
July Festivals & Events
(Note: Dates and other details are subject to change. See official event websites for exact information.)
- Canada Day (Stat Holiday) – July 1, 2024.
- Changing of the Guard – a daily ceremony during the summer, it features a procession of the Ceremonial Guard (status for 2024 TBD).
- Canada Dance Festival – a contemporary dance festival that focuses on Canadian talent at a range of venues (in early July). (TBD)
- Ottawa Bluesfest – an outdoor music festival that has games, circus acts and even spa treatments on offer (July 4 to 14, 2024).
- Carivibe Ottawa Caribbean Festival – a massive outdoor party on the beach with great food and entertainment (from July 19 to 21, 2024).
- Ottawa Chamberfest – a chamber music festival that attracts performers from across the globe. (July 25 to August 8, 2024.)
- H.O.P.E Volleyball SummerFest – the biggest single-day beach volleyball tournament in the world. Thousands of players take part and proceeds from the event go to different charities. (July 13, 2024)
The Changing of the Guards
August Festivals & Events
(Note: Dates and other details are subject to change. See official event websites for exact information.)
- Civic Holiday – August 5, 2024.
- Ottawa Chamberfest – a chamber music festival that attracts performers from all across the globe. (July 25 to August 8, 2024.)
- Changing of the Guard Ceremony – a daily ceremony in the mornings during the summer, it’s a fairly showy procession of the Ceremonial Guard and is free to enjoy (status for 2024 TBD).
- Ottawa International Buskerfest – head down to Sparks Street for a few days each August to watch magicians, musicians, contortionists and other performers (from August 2 to 5, 2024).
- Twist Fibre Festival – one of the biggest textile festivals in the country, with a variety of workshops and displays of all different kinds (from August 9 to 11, 2024).
- St. Lawrence Shakespeare Festival – an outdoor Shakespearean festival held next to the St. Lawrence River (from July 13 until at least August 17 in 2024).
- Capital Ukrainian Festival – a celebration put on by Ottawa’s Ukrainian community with live music, dance, art and food. (TBD)
- Ottawa Kosher BBQ Festival – a food festival put on by the Ottawa Jewish community (on August 18, 2024).
- The Russell Fair – an agricultural festival with events like tractor pulls, a demolition derby and amusement rides (from August 15 to 18, 2024).
- Capital Pride – Ottawa’s annual pride festival, with a large parade and plenty of other events and activities. (TBD)
- Nostalgia Music Festival – not your typical music festival, this event stars top quality tribute bands playing the top hits from decades ago across multiple shows (from August 21 to 25, 2024).
September Festivals & Events
(Note: Dates and other details are subject to change. See official event websites for exact information.)
- Trillium Championships Show – an equestrian show that is the largest of its kind in the province, if you want to see horse-jumping and other similar events this is the place to go (from August 29 to September 1, 2024).
- Gatineau Hot Air Balloon Festival – while flying up in the sky in a balloon is the headliner, this event also includes live music and food along with other entertainment like fireworks and fair rides (from August 29 to September 2, 2024).
- WestFest – a completely free and all-Canadian arts festival at Tom Brown Arena and Park, with pieces from a variety of mediums (from August 30 to September 1, 2024).
- Heating Up the Capital: Ottawa Hot Sauce Expo – a new event where you can sample different kinds of sauces while enjoying the Capital Hot Sauce Awards and spicy food eating contests (September 14, 2024).
- Labour Day (Stat Holiday) – September 2, 2024.
- Latin Sparks Festival – a Latin dance party that takes place one night each year (September 7, 2024).
- Ottawa Comiccon – an event for all fans of comics, video games, superheroes and other forms of entertainment held at the EY Centre (on September 6 to 8, 2024).
- Canada Army Run – a pretty unique set of races with a distinct military feel to them. The 2024 event is a hybrid and so the runs can be completed individually or in the main in-person race on September 22.
- CityFolk Festival – a folk music festival held in Lansdowne Park, with main stage performances complemented by a kids’ zone and vendors selling craft beer and other products (September 11 to 15 in 2024).
- Ottawa International Animation Festival – the oldest big animated film festival in North America, with a wide variety of screenings. (September 25 to 29, 2024.)
- National Truth & Reconciliation Day – September 30, 2024. A Canada-wide holiday that recognizes the atrocities of the Canadian government’s policy of sending generations of Indigenous children to residential schools.
- Pumpkinferno – a Halloween Attraction at Upper Canada Village at 13740 County Road in Morrisburg. (September 27 to October 27, 2024.)
October Festivals & Events
(Note: Dates and other details are subject to change. See official event websites for exact information.)
- Thanksgiving (Stat Holiday) – October 14, 2024.
- Metcalfe Fair – an agricultural fair at 2821 8th Line Road in Metcalfe. (October 3 to 6, 2024.)
- Pumpkin Fest – pumpkins and autumn-themed activities at Proulx Maple & Berry Farm at 1865 O’Toole Road in Ottawa. (TBD)
- Acres of Terror – a haunted Halloween attraction at Cannamore Orchard at 1480 County Road in Crysler. (September 27 to October 27, 2024.)
- Pumpkinferno – a Halloween attraction at Upper Canada Village at 13740 County Road in Morrisburg. (September 27 to October 27, 2024.)
November Festivals & Events
(Note: Dates and other details are subject to change. See official event websites for exact information.)
- Remembrance Day (not a Stat Holiday) – November 11, 2024. The National Remembrance Day Ceremony usually takes place at the National War Memorial.
- Ottawa Canadian Film Festival – a somewhat smaller film festival with a focus on Canadian artists and movies. (November 7 to 9 in 2024.)
- Day of the Dead Festival – a Halloween-related cultural festival at Byward Market. (November 1 to 3, 2024.)
- Ottawa Children’s Storytelling Festival – a free event aimed at entertaining children with fun stories told by a range of artists. (TBD)
- Ottawa Christmas Market – held in Casino Lac-Leamy Plaza, this temporary shopping centre is surrounded by lights, live entertainment and holiday cheer. (From November 22 in 2024 until January 5 in 2025.)
December Festivals & Events
(Note: Dates and other details are subject to change. See official event websites for exact information.)
- Digi60 Filmmakers’ Festival – a small film festival that looks to boost new artists, where filmmakers are given the opportunity to connect with others in the industry while also getting their work screened. (December 15 to 17, 2023.)
- Ottawa Christmas Market – held in Casino Lac-Leamy Plaza, this temporary shopping centre is surrounded by lights, live entertainment and holiday cheer. (November 24 to December 23 in 2023.)
- Christmas Lights Across Canada – installed in tandem with various other places across Canada, hundreds of thousands of lights decorate the downtown area every winter. (From December 7, 2023, until January 7, 2024.)
- Christmas Day (Stat Holiday) – December 25, 2023.
- Boxing Day (Stat Holiday) – December 26, 2023.
- New Year’s Eve (Not a Stat Holiday) – December 31, 2023.
Other Information
Other articles that might be of interest include the following:
For calendars of events for a number of other Canadian cities, check out the following websites:
- TorontosBestPlaces.com
- MontrealsBestPlaces.com
- QuebecsBestPlaces.com
- VancouversBestPlaces.com
- VictoriasBestPlaces.com