What to do this weekend in Ottawa, ON (18-19 July 2026)
Ottawa's downtown core turns into one giant playground this weekend, and honestly, the city feels more alive outdoors than indoors right now. Forget waiting for fall festival season — July 18-19 is shaping up to be one of those rare stretches where the capital's history, food scene, and love of the outdoors all collide at once. Ottawa, ON in summer is a different animal, and this weekend proves it.
Start with your stomach: the ByWard Market Food Tour kicks off right in front of the Ottawa School of Art and it's the kind of experience that turns tourists into locals for an afternoon — stalls, bakeries, hidden gems, all walkable. If baseball's more your speed, the Down East Bird Dawgs take on the Ottawa Titans at Ottawa Stadium, and there's nothing quite like a summer night under the lights with a hot dog in hand. History buffs, meanwhile, should carve out real time for the Canadian War Museum — skip the line if you're smart about it, because this is one of those must-sees that locals keep meaning to do and visitors always regret rushing.
And if you'd rather move than sit, Ottawa-Gatineau's cycling scene is having a moment too. Between the 2-Hour Ottawa Express City Bike Tour, self-guided rides through The Famous Five, and open-air pedaling along Sparks St., this is prime two-wheel territory — the kind of weekend where the city basically begs you to explore it slowly, on your own schedule. Add in a deep dive through Ottawa Landmarks and you've got a full 48 hours that mixes culture, sport, and pure summer energy without missing a beat.
Tickets and time slots move fast on weekends like this one — scroll down and lock in your plans before they're gone.
Immersive courtroom drama at the Kailash Mital Theatre on Carleton University's campus, Ottawa. The audience becomes the jury: watch the case unfold, hear witnesses and lawyers, weigh the…
A Candlelight concert at Knox Church on Lisgar in Ottawa. A string quartet reworks Phil Collins's catalogue by candlelight: In the Air Tonight, Against All Odds, Easy Lover, alongside…
Candlelight concert lit by thousands of candles in the historic sanctuary of Knox Presbyterian Church, 120 Lisgar Street, Ottawa. A string quartet reworks Taylor Swift's biggest hits, from…
Candlelight concert at Knox Church on Lisgar Street, downtown Ottawa. A string quartet performs Pink Floyd's signature works by candlelight, including selections from The Dark Side of the…
A dance night dedicated to emo, pop-punk, screamo and alternative rock at The 27 Club in Ottawa. Presented by Beyond The Pale, this recurring 19+ party spins the genre's classics and the…
2026 edition of RBC Ottawa Bluesfest at LeBreton Flats Park — one of Canada's biggest summer festivals (10 days, multiple open-air stages). Rock, pop, hip-hop and blues programming —…
ABBA Celebration dinner show at Théâtre du Casino du Lac-Leamy in Gatineau. Hits Dancing Queen, Mamma Mia, The Winner Takes It All — sequined costumes, disco choreography and a three-course…
Canadian Football League (CFL) game: the Ottawa REDBLACKS host the Winnipeg Blue Bombers at TD Place. East-vs-West cross-over, CFL rules — three downs, wider field. R-Nation energy at…
Frontier League matchup at Ottawa Stadium: the Ottawa Titans host the Down East Bird Dawgs. Indy-ball baseball in a compact park, family-friendly vibe and wallet-friendly prices — a good…
Independent Frontier League baseball: the Ottawa Titans host the Down East Bird Dawgs at RCGT Park. Classic ballpark feel, affordable tickets, a solid summer-evening outing in east Ottawa.
Explore Ottawa at your own pace on this self-guided cycling experience. Your ticket includes a full-day bike rental, picked up in the morning and returned in the evening. Ride along the…
Guided walking food tour through ByWard Market, Ottawa's historic market district dating to 1826. ~2.5 hours with a passionate local guide: 5-6 tastings at handpicked spots — Canadian…
Skip-the-line admission to the Canadian War Museum at 1 Vimy Place, Ottawa. The striking LeBreton Flats building houses the Canadian Experience Galleries (from earliest conflicts to today),…
National museum dedicated to Canada's military history, located at 1 Vimy Place in Ottawa. Four permanent galleries trace conflicts from pre-contact times to the present, including First…
Self-guided hybrid bike rental for 2 to 4 hours, from 65 Sparks St in Ottawa. Helmet, lock and a customizable map included, with suggested routes to Parliament Hill, the Rideau Canal, the…
Two-hour city bike tour through downtown Ottawa, starting on Sparks Street. You’ll ride along the Rideau Canal, up to Parliament Hill, through the ByWard Market and past the city’s main…
