Home Ottawa’s Calendar of Events

Ottawa’s Calendar of Events

by Jake McGrail
Ottawa Festivals and Events

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!

 

To jump to a specific month, click on any of the following:

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

 

  • New Year’s Day (Stat Holiday) – January 1, 2022.
  • Christmas Lights Across Canada – installed in tandem with various other places across Canada, hundreds of thousands of lights decorate the downtown area every winter (2022/23 dates TBC).
  • 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. (2023 dates TBC.)
  • 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 4 to 21, 2022).
  • Asinabka Film and Media Arts Festival – an indigenous film festival that gives a platform for often-marginalized people to tell their stories (February 4 to 6, 2022).
  • Gatineau Beerfest – the winter version of this beer festival welcomes thousands of guests with hundreds of beers on tap. (2023 dates TBC.)
  • 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 19 and 20, 2022.)
  • Ontario Family Day (Stat Holiday) – February 21, 2022.
  • Heritage Day – a celebration of Ottawa’s history with various activities including trivia games (February 22, 2022).
  • 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 4 to 21, 2022.)
  • 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).
  • Stew Cook-Off – a cooking and food event in ByWard Market in early February most years. Proceeds from the sale of the all-you-can-eat stew benefits a local charity. (Status for 2023 TBD.)

 

 

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.)
  • Ottawa Winter Brewfest – along with over a hundred craft beers on tap, Lansdowne Park is set to host food, maple taffy and live music (March 3 and 4, 2022).
  • 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 15 to 17, 2022.)
  • International Film Festival of Ottawa – an event that looks to bring top international cinema to audiences here in Ottawa. (March 9 to 20, 2022.)
  • Undercurrents – backed by the Ottawa Fringe, this smaller theatre festival showcases original, “less mainstream” theatre. (March 10 to 20, 2022.)
  • Ottawa Black Film Festival – this festival promotes and gives a platform for black artists both in Ontario and internationally. (March 24 to 27, 2022.)

 

 

April Festivals & Events

 

(Note: Dates and other details are subject to change. See official event websites for exact information.)

  • Crave Food and Wine Festival – a new festival that’s all about high quality food and drink, with an interactive aspect to it (April 1 to 3, 2022).
  • 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 8 to 14, 2022.)
  • Good Friday (Stat Holiday) – April 15, 2022.
  • Easter Monday (Stat Holiday) – April 18, 2022.
  • PoutineFest – a fries and cheese curd-lover’s dream, Sparks Street is home to a four-day poutine extravaganza every spring. (2022 dates TBC.)
  • Ottawa Grassroots Festival – an event for all-ages with performances from artists of all different backgrounds, cultures and languages. (April 21 to 24, 2022.)

 

 

May Festivals & Events

 

(Note: Dates and other details are subject to change. See official event websites for exact information.)

  • Stars on Ice – a dynamic, theatrical figure skating show starring some of the country’s top skaters like Kurt Browning, Elvis Stojko, Kaetlyn Osmond and many more (on May 1, 2022).
  • 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 13 to 23, 2022).
  • Victoria Day (Stat Holiday) – May 23, 2022.
  • Inside Out Film and Video Festival – the biggest LGBTQ film festival in the country, with well over a hundred movies on offer (May 26 to June 5, 2022).
  • Ottawa International Children’s Festival – a collection of shows and activities for young ones and their families (May 19 to 23, and 26 to 29, 2022).
  • 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 28 and 29, 2022.)
  • Monster Spectacular – a monster truck show featuring half a dozen of the massive vehicles, along with motocross and ATV stunts as well (May 28, 2022).

 

 

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 2022 TBD.)
  • Inside Out Film and Video Festival – the biggest LGBTQ film festival in the country, with well over a hundred movies on offer (May 26 to June 5, 2022).
  • 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 (June 1 to 5, 2022).
  • City of Om – a yoga festival in Lansdowne Park. It features around three dozen workshops and classes for people of all experience levels (June 4, 2022).
  • Latin Sparks Festival – a Latin dance party that takes place one night each year (in early June).
  • Ottawa Fringe Festival – the largest theatre festival in the city, with multiple venues and a wide range of both local and international artists (June 16 to 26, 2022).
  • Glowfair Festival – a large block party, this outdoor late-night festival includes music, lights and fun (with its status for 2022 TBD).
  • 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 (in mid-June).
  • Ottawa Jazz Festival – running for over four decades, the jazz festival takes place downtown and has stellar headlining artists. (June 24 to July 3, 2022.)
  • Ottawa Dragon Boat Festival – a family-friendly festival that’s free to attend and features races and live music (June 23 to 26).
  • 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 24 to 26, 2022).
  • Canadian Stone Carving Festival – an event with carvers from multiple countries. The artists have a set amount of time to create their works (June 24 to 26, 2022).
  • 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 (in late June).

 

 

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, 2022.
  • Sound and Light Show on Parliament Hill – for around half an hour every night during the summer the Parliament Buildings are the site of impressive light displays. (It usually takes place from July until early September.)
  • Changing of the Guard – a daily ceremony during the summer, it features a procession of the Ceremonial Guard (status for 2022 TBD).
  • Ottawa Jazz Festival – running for over four decades, the jazz festival takes place downtown and has stellar headlining artists. (June 24 to July 3, 2022.)
  • Canada Dance Festival – a contemporary dance festival that focuses on Canadian talent at a range of venues (in early July).
  • Ottawa Bluesfest – an outdoor music festival that has games, circus acts and even spa treatments on offer (July 7 to 17, 2022).
  • Fortissimo Sunset Ceremony – a free event where the Ceremonial Guard and military bands perform at Parliament Hill for a few summer evenings (status for 2022 TBD).
  • Carivibe Ottawa Caribbean Festival – a massive outdoor party on the beach with great food and entertainment (from July 22 to 24, 2022).
  • Gatineau Beerfest – the summer version of this beer festival welcomes thousands of guests with hundreds of beers on tap (July 20 to 30, 2022).
  • Capital Ukrainian Festival – a celebration put on by Ottawa’s Ukrainian community with live music, dance, art and food. (2022 status TBD.)
  • Ottawa Chamberfest – a chamber music festival that attracts performers from across the globe (dates for 2022 are TBD).
  • Ottawa Kosher BBQ Festival – a food festival put on by the Ottawa Jewish community, the event hoped to have its second edition sometime in 2021 (doesn’t seem like it happened, 2022 status is TBD).
  • 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 (on July 16, 2022).

 

Ottawa's Changing of the Guards

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 1, 2022.
  • Ottawa Chamberfest – a chamber music festival that attracts performers from all across the globe. (July 21 to August 4, 2022.)
  • 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 2022 TBD).
  • Festival Country du Grand Gatineau – a country music festival with dozens of performers (from August 4 to 7, 2022).
  • Casino Lac-Leamy Sound of Light – a multi-night fireworks festival that includes food trucks and cocktails. The 2021 edition had ten shows over the course of two weeks, with each show a smaller-scale than usual (the 2022 event is from August 6 to 20).
  • Ottawa International Buskerfest – head down to Sparks Street for a few days each August to watch magicians, musicians, contortionists and other performers (in early August, but with its status for 2022 TBC).
  • 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 11 to 14, 2022).
  • St. Lawrence Shakespeare Festival – an outdoor Shakespearean festival held next to the St. Lawrence River (2022 dates TBD).
  • Sound and Light Show on Parliament Hill – for around half an hour every night during the summer the Parliament Buildings are the site of an impressive lights show that is free to watch. (It usually takes place from early July to early September.)
  • Festival de la Curd – if you’re a cheese fan then this is the event for you. Enjoy chowing down with the accompaniment of live music and some other activities in mid-August usually, but TBC in 2022.
  • The Russell Fair – an agricultural festival with events like tractor pulls, a demolition derby and amusement rides (from August 11 to 14, 2022).
  • Capital Pride – Ottawa’s annual pride festival, with a large parade and plenty of other events and activities. (August 21 to 28, 2022.)
  • 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 24 to 28, 2022).

 

 

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 (2022 dates TBD).
  • 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 (on September 1 to 5, 2022).
  • WestFest – a completely free and all-Canadian arts festival at Tom Brown Arena and Park, with pieces from a variety of mediums (on September 2 to 4, 2022).
  • 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 (August 27, 2022).
  • Labour Day (Stat Holiday) – September 5, 2022.
  • Ottawa Comiccon – an event for all fans of comics, video games, superheroes and other forms of entertainment held at the EY Centre (on September 9 to 11, 2022).
  • Canada Army Run – a pretty unique set of races with a distinct military feel to them. The 2022 event is a hybrid and so the runs can be completed individually or in the main in-person race (September 9 to 16, 2022).
  • 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 8 to 10 and 15 to 17 in 2022).
  • Festival Franco-Ontarien – an event with a focus on French-Canadian culture, it’s open to all comers and hosts a variety of performances (September 23 to 25, 2022).
  • Ottawa International Animation Festival – the oldest big animated film festival in North America, with a wide variety of screenings. (September 21 to 25, 2022.)
  • Sound and Light Show on Parliament Hill – for around half an hour every night during the summer the Parliament Buildings are the site of an impressive lights show that is free to watch. (It usually takes place from early July to early September.)
  • Beau’s Oktoberfest – with plenty of beer, food and activities for people young and old, this German-inspired festival is a party for all who want to come (September 23 and 24, 2022).
  • National Truth & Reconciliation Day – September 30, 2022. This is a new Canada-wide holiday, as of 2021, 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 30 to October 30, 2022.)

 

 

October Festivals & Events

 

(Note: Dates and other details are subject to change. See official event websites for exact information.)

  • Thanksgiving (Stat Holiday) – October 10, 2022.
  • Metcalfe Fair – an agricultural fair at 2821 8th Line Road in Metcalfe. (September 29 to October 2, 2022)
  • Pumpkin Fest – pumpkins and autumn-themed activities at Proulx Maple & Berry Farm at 1865 O’Toole Road in  Ottawa. (2022 dates to be confirmed.)
  • Acres of Terror – a haunted Halloween attraction at Cannamore Orchard at 1480 County Road in Crysler. (2022 dates to be confirmed.)
  • Pumpkinferno – a Halloween attraction at Upper Canada Village at 13740 County Road in Morrisburg. (September 30 to October 30, 2022.)
  • Day of the Dead Festival – a Halloween-related cultural festival at Byward Market. (2022 dates to be confirmed.)

 

 

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, 2021. The National Remembrance Day Ceremony takes place at the National War Memorial.
  • Capital City Ink Fest – a big tattooing convention that brings in artists from all around the world (TBD in 2022).
  • Ottawa Canadian Film Festival – a somewhat smaller film festival with a focus on Canadian artists and movies. (Its dates in 2022 are to be confirmed).
  • Ottawa Children’s Storytelling Festival – a free event aimed at entertaining children with fun stories told by a range of artists (2022 dates TBD).
  • Ottawa Christmas Market – held in Casino Lac-Leamy Plaza, this temporary shopping centre is surrounded by lights, live entertainment and holiday cheer (2022 dates are TBD).

 

 

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 (2022 dates are TBD).
  • Ottawa Christmas Market – held in Casino Lac-Leamy Plaza, this temporary shopping centre is surrounded by lights, live entertainment and holiday cheer (2022 dates are TBD).
  • Christmas Lights Across Canada – installed in tandem with various other places across Canada, hundreds of thousands of lights decorate the downtown area every winter (dates for 2022/23 are TBD).
  • Christmas Day (Stat Holiday) – December 25, 2022.
  • Boxing Day (Stat Holiday) – December 26, 2022.
  • New Year’s Eve (Not a Stat Holiday) – December 31, 2022.

 

 

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: