Festival
| Date
| Comments |
Ottawa International Hockey Festival |
Early January |
Annual tournament of Atom level hickey teams. Various area arenas and Corel Centre. |
|
Early-mid February |
National Capital Commission presents a celebration of Ottawa’s winter. Concerts, fireworks, snow and ice sculpture competitions, skating and sporting events at various venues throughout the National Capital Region. 613-239-5000 1-800-465-1867 |
Canadian Ski Marathon |
mid February |
World’s longest cross-country ski marathon for beginners and veterans of all ages. Lachute to Gatineau Park 819-770-6556 |
Keskinada Loppet |
Late Feburary |
Canada’s most prestigious cross-country skiing event with more than 2000 skiers from around the world. Gatineau Park. 819-595-0014 |
Rideau Speedos |
February |
mid-winter swimming competition for gay athletes |
|
mid May |
Millions of tulips bloom alongside the rivers and canals around Ottawa, a legacy of gifts 50 years ago by the Dutch royal family in appreciation of safe haven given by Canadians during the Second World War. 613-567-5757 or 1-800-66-TULIP. |
National Capital Race Weekend |
mid-May |
This is the weekend for participating in a\or watching a variety of races, including a marathon, half-0marathon, 10K, 5K and 2K runs, with something for every family member. Starts at Festival Plaza (at the new city hall) 613-234-2221 |
Sheep Shearing Festival |
Late May |
Annual sheep extravaganza, including sheep shearing, border collie demonstrations, rare sheep breeds, wool crafts and children’s activities |
Strings of the Future |
Late May (biennial) |
This biennial festival celebrates international string quartets and chamber music. Next event in 2003. At the National Gallery of Canada 613-225-3329. |
Odawa Spring Pow Wow |
Late May |
This festival provides a dazzling display of native culture, for natives and non-natives alike. At the Nepean Tent & Trailer Park 613-722-3811 |
Canada Dance Festival |
Early June (biennial) |
This festival celebrates the wide variety of folk and other dance styles in Canada. Next festival held in 2002, at the national arts Centre. 613-996-5051 |
Italian Week |
mid June |
Ottawa’s Italian community celebrates its vibrant culture and history with stage entertainment, music and lot so food. On and around Preston Street (by Dow’s Lake) 613-726-0920. |
Ottawa Fringe Festival |
Late June |
Talented artists provide exciting and unique theatre and dance performances including Shakespeare, youth theatre, comedy. At the Arts Court 613-2326162 |
Changing of the Guard |
Late June to late August |
The Ceremonial Guard parades daily from the Cartier Square Drill hall to Parliament Hill (starts at 9:30) and performs the Changing of the Guard ceremony daily at 10, weather permitting. Parliament Hill 613-239-8000 1-800-465-1867 |
Ottawa National Dragon Boat Race Festival |
Late June |
Dragon boat races, multicultural performances, exhibits and children’s activities. At Rideau Canoe Club at Mooney’s Bay 613-2387-7711. |
|
July 1 |
A variety of activities in the downtown core of Ottawa and Hull to celebrate Canada’s Birthday. Most of downtown is closed to vehicles for this pedestrian festival, with performances at Major’s Hill Park, Festival Plaze (New City Hall), Jacques Cartier Park in Hull, and of course Parliament Hill.. 613-239-5000, 1-800-465-1867 |
Ottawa Bluesfest |
Early July |
North America’s second largest blue and gospel festival, with big name performers. At LeBreton Flats (just west of downtown) 613-233-8798 |
H.O.P.E. Beach Volleyball Tournament |
mid July |
World’s largest beach volleyball tournament with 1000 teams on 79 courts for a day of fun & sun, in support of this local charity. Mooney’s Bay Beach. 613-237-1433. |
International Jazz Festival |
mid July |
A non-stop festival with jazz artists from around the world, now over 20 years old. At Confederation Park. 613-241-2633. |
Ottawa Chamber Music Festival |
Late July-mid August |
North America’s largest chamber music festival presents concerts in beautiful downtown Ottawa churches.. 613-234-8008 |
Casino Sound of Light |
Late July-mid August |
International fireworks competition with international teams competing for top honours. Leamy lake, Casino de Hull. 819-771-3389 and 1-888-429-338 |
Lumberjack & Strong Man Festival of La Pêche |
Early August |
Only profesional lumberjack competition in the eastern Ontario & western
Quebec, with a strong man competition and a 4X4 truck pull. 819-456-3616
|
PRIDE Week Festival |
mid August |
This 10 day festival attracts gays, lesbians, bisexuals, and transgendered from all over the country. Activities including the Annual Pride Parade, at various venues around town. 613-421-5387 |
Central Canada Exhibition |
Late August |
Annual exhibition with midway, entertainment, outdoor shows, theme pavilions and agricultural programs Lansdowne Park 613-237-7222 |
Ottawa Folk Festival |
Late August |
Annual festival celebrating Canada’s rich traditions with music, dance, storytelling and crafts. Brittania Park 613-230-8234 |
Gatineau Hot Air Balloon Festival |
End August |
Canada’s largest balloon festival, with over 150 balloons, 200 shows and fairground rides, plus firework. La Baie Parc, Gatineau. 819-423-2330 1-800-668-8383 |
Making Scenes Film Festival |
mid September |
Gay film festival featuring entertaining and thought provoking films from around the world. Bytowne Cinema 819-556-2113 |
Historic Bytown days |
mid Sept |
Celebration of history in Bytown market area. 613-562-3325 |
Fall Rhapsody |
Sept-Oct |
Enjoy the fall colours of the trees in Gatineau Park. Fun events for the whole family. 819-827-2020 1-800-465-1867 |
Heritage Day |
mid September |
The French Embassy opens its doors to the public, to showcase its art deco décor and art. 42 Sussex Drive 613-789-1795. |
International Ploughing Match |
Late September |
The International ploughing Match and Farm machinery Show is held in Navan ( 5 km east of Ottawa) 613-835-7569 |
Byward Great Pumpkin Weighoff |
First Saturday in October |
Competition for biggest pumpkin in the Ottawa Valley. 613-562-3325 |
International Student Animation Festival of Ottawa |
Late September |
The Ottawa International Animation Festival is the largest event of its kind in North America, offering the latest in animated films, panels, parties and free workshops for kids and teens. At the National Archives 613-232-8769 |
Ottawa International Animation Festival |
September 2002 |
North America’s largest animation festival showcases the finest new producers from round the world. National Arts Centre. 613-232-8769 |
Haunting Season |
October |
Eerie-sistable festival of haunted houses, hayrides and stage shows. Fun for the whole family. Saunders Farm, Munster ON. 613-838-5440 |
Remebrance Day |
November 11 |
Annual memorial service for those who served and died in Canada’s military service. Televised nationally. |
Lebanorama |
mid November |
Celebration of Lebanese culture with visual and performing arts. Festival Plaza. 613-742-6952 |
Welton Beauchamp Curling Championships |
mid November |
World’s largest cash curling bonspiel with top teams from around the world.. Various curling clubs around Ottawa. 613-234-4119 |
Christmas in the Country |
December |
Enjoy an old-fashioned country Christmas, complete with wagon ride, cut your own tree, and visit Santa in historic lag barns. . Fun for the whole family. Saunders Farm, Munster ON. 613-838-5440 |
Christmas Lights Across Canada |
Early Dec – mid January |
National museums, institutions, monuments, embassies and landmarks are covered in 250,000 Christmas bulbs to brighten Confederation Boulevard, Parliament Hill. 613-239-5000 1-800-465-1867 |
