The weekend is nearly here. If you are looking for things to do in Ottawa this weekend, this guide can help. The city offers a full calendar, from festivals at Lansdowne Park to neighbourhood markets and concerts at the National Arts Centre. Finding a reliable, up-to-date schedule can be difficult when you have to check multiple websites. This guide simplifies your search by rounding up the most useful online resources for planning your weekend.
This article introduces the best places to find events yourself, week after week. Whether you need official tickets for a Senators game, a last-minute spot for a family skate, or a guide to local arts events, these platforms will help. Each entry explains what the resource does best, who it is for, and how to use it. This roundup is your reference for making the most of your days off in Canada's capital. Let's get your weekend sorted.
1. Events in Ottawa
For a comprehensive resource on things to do in Ottawa this weekend, the Events in Ottawa page from local newsroom NCR Now is an excellent starting point. This platform serves as a centralized, current feed, which can eliminate the need to check multiple sources. It gathers a wide variety of events from across the National Capital Region into one user-friendly destination.
What makes this platform different is its local focus. Unlike generic event aggregators, Events in Ottawa is managed with a journalistic approach, ensuring listings are relevant, timely, and of interest to Ottawa residents and visitors. It balances professional curation with community-sourced content, allowing local organizers to submit events directly.
Key Features and Advantages
This resource is designed as a practical tool for weekend planning. Its strength is its broad scope and useful integration.
- Wide Variety of Categories: The platform covers a diverse range of interests, from major festivals and concerts to neighbourhood markets, family-friendly workshops, sports matches, and community meetings.
- Hyperlocal Curation: By focusing only on the Ottawa-Gatineau region, the content remains highly relevant. You will not find yourself sorting through events happening in other cities.
- Integrated Planning Tools: The page connects directly to NCR Now’s other resources. You can check the local weather forecast, subscribe to newsletters for event updates, or read related news stories that provide context for a festival or gathering.
- User Experience: The interface is clean and easy to navigate. Events are clearly organized, making it simple to find what you are looking for.
How to Use It Effectively
To get the most out of Events in Ottawa, use its features strategically. Start by browsing the main feed for a general overview. If you have specific interests, filter by categories or search for keywords. Since the platform links to third-party sites for ticketing, it is a good idea to click through to the official event pages to confirm details and purchase tickets. Its consistent updates make it a reliable first stop for any weekend planning.
Website: https://ncrnow.ca/events-in-ottawa/
2. Ottawa Tourism – What’s happening in the Ottawa area
For an official overview of things to do in Ottawa this weekend, the Ottawa Tourism website is an essential stop. As the city’s destination marketing organization, it curates a reliable roundup of major events and festivals. Their "What's Happening" posts are designed for weekend planning, offering a look at everything from concerts at the Canadian Tire Centre to family activities at local museums.
This platform is particularly useful for organizing information for major seasonal events like Winterlude, the Canadian Tulip Festival, and Canada Day. It is valuable for both tourists and locals. It provides direct links to official event organizers, ensuring you purchase tickets from a trusted source.
Key Features and User Experience
The website's clean interface allows users to filter activities by interest, including museums, tours, sports, and nightlife. This makes it easy to narrow your search beyond the weekend’s featured events. While it focuses heavily on major attractions, it remains a powerful tool for discovering established activities. The site’s main strength is its authority and breadth, offering a trustworthy starting point for any weekend itinerary.
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Event Listings | Weekly posts focused on the upcoming weekend and major seasonal hubs. |
| Ticket Purchases | Links directly to official event organizers; not a direct ticketing site. |
| Cost | Free to browse. Event prices vary by organizer. |
| Coverage | Broad, covering the entire National Capital Region. Strong focus on major events. |
| Unique Offering | Official, reliable source curated by the city's tourism board. |
Pros:
- Official, up-to-date information from a trusted source.
- Excellent for planning around major festivals and seasonal events.
- Direct links to official ticket sellers prevent third-party issues.
Cons:
- Less comprehensive for smaller or last-minute events.
- Acts as a portal, requiring users to navigate to other sites for purchases.
Website: https://ottawatourism.ca/en/ottawa-insider/whats-happening-ottawa-area
3. Eventbrite – Ottawa
For those looking for a diverse marketplace of things to do in Ottawa this weekend, Eventbrite is a useful resource. Unlike curated city guides, Eventbrite is a large platform where anyone, from a community organizer to a venue, can list events. This results in an eclectic mix of activities, from workshops and markets to live music and fitness classes. Its search filters make it easy to find what you are looking for on a specific day.
The platform's main advantage is its immediacy and breadth. You can discover, purchase tickets for, and receive mobile entry to an event in minutes, making it good for spontaneous plans. It is particularly good at showing smaller gatherings that may not appear on major tourism websites, offering a more local view of the city’s event scene.
Key Features and User Experience
Eventbrite’s interface is built for quick discovery, with filters for "This Weekend," "Today," and other dates. Each event listing includes details on pricing, location, and the organizer’s refund policy. The integrated checkout process is seamless, handling payment and delivering digital tickets to your email or the Eventbrite app. While this is convenient, it is important to remember that event quality can vary since the platform is open to all creators.
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Event Listings | A massive, user-generated database of events of all categories and sizes. |
| Ticket Purchases | Built-in, direct purchasing system with mobile ticket delivery. |
| Cost | Many free events are listed. Paid events include service and processing fees. |
| Coverage | Highly comprehensive, covering everything from small meetups to mid-size festivals. |
| Unique Offering | A one-stop-shop for discovering and instantly booking a wide variety of local events. |
Pros:
- Enormous variety of events, perfect for finding something last-minute.
- Instant and seamless ticket purchasing with mobile delivery.
- Clear display of organizer refund policies for each event.
Cons:
- Event quality can be inconsistent as listings are not centrally curated.
- Service and payment processing fees are typically added to the ticket price.
Website: https://www.eventbrite.ca/d/canada–ottawa/events/
4. National Arts Centre (NAC) – Tickets & Events
For those seeking high-calibre cultural experiences, the National Arts Centre (NAC) website is the source for Ottawa’s premier performing arts. As the city's flagship venue, it offers a direct portal to world-class orchestra performances, dance, and theatre in English, French, and Indigenous languages. The site serves as the official box office for everything from major concerts to intimate stage productions. This makes it an essential resource for finding things to do in Ottawa this weekend.
This platform provides a seamless and trustworthy ticket-buying experience. It clearly indicates which shows are sold directly by the NAC and which are routed through Ticketmaster. This transparency helps users avoid the risks and inflated prices associated with third-party resellers. Its programming is consistently exceptional, featuring national and international talent in the heart of the city.
Key Features and User Experience
The NAC website is designed for easy navigation, with filters that allow users to sort events by genre, venue, language, and accessibility features. A standout feature is the "Under30" pricing, which offers significant discounts for younger audiences. While its focus is on the performing arts, it is one of the most important cultural hubs in the city. The platform’s main strength is its role as a direct, official source for some of the best artistic events the capital has to offer.
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Event Listings | Comprehensive schedule for orchestra, theatre, dance, and concerts. |
| Ticket Purchases | Direct, official sales from NAC or clear links to Ticketmaster. |
| Cost | Free to browse. Ticket prices vary; discounts like "Under30" are available. |
| Coverage | Focused exclusively on events held at the National Arts Centre venues. |
| Unique Offering | Official source for premier performing arts with user-friendly discount programs. |
Pros:
- Trusted, official ticketing source that eliminates reseller risks.
- Exceptional, high-calibre programming across multiple artistic disciplines.
- Offers discounted tickets for specific demographics and accessible seating options.
Cons:
- Focus is limited to performing arts, excluding broader community events.
- Popular shows can sell out quickly, requiring advance planning.
Website: https://nac-cna.ca/en/tickets/events
5. Ticketmaster Canada – Discover Ottawa
For major concerts, professional sports, and large touring productions, Ticketmaster Canada is the primary hub for official tickets. If you are looking for things to do in Ottawa this weekend involving big-name artists at the Canadian Tire Centre or a Redblacks game at TD Place, this platform is your most direct source. Its "Discover Ottawa" page is tailored to showcase high-profile events in the National Capital Region.
The platform’s main advantage is its status as the authorized ticket seller for Ottawa's largest venues. This guarantees you are purchasing verified tickets, not inflated third-party resales, for everything from Ottawa Senators games to Broadway Across Canada shows. The site's filtering tools allow users to search for events happening "This Weekend," making it an efficient way to find last-minute tickets for major attractions.
Key Features and User Experience
The Ticketmaster website and mobile app provide a seamless user experience, with interactive seat maps that let you see your view before purchasing. The platform’s integration with mobile wallets makes for easy, paperless entry into venues. While it is the go-to for arena-level shows, it offers fewer listings for smaller, independent events. Its strength is being the definitive source for Ottawa’s biggest entertainment draws.
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Event Listings | Major concerts, professional sports (Senators, 67's, Redblacks), and theatre. |
| Ticket Purchases | Official verified tickets and fan-to-fan resale on the same platform. |
| Cost | Ticket prices set by promoters, plus service fees and taxes. Dynamic pricing may apply. |
| Coverage | Focused on major venues like the Canadian Tire Centre and TD Place. |
| Unique Offering | Exclusive access to primary tickets for the largest events in Ottawa. |
Pros:
- Primary outlet for large-scale events with reliable, verified inventory.
- Clear interactive seat maps and convenient mobile ticket delivery.
- Excellent for finding tickets to arena concerts and professional sports.
Cons:
- Service fees and dynamic pricing can significantly increase the total cost.
- Limited listings for smaller, independent, or community-focused events.
Website: https://www.ticketmaster.ca/discover/ottawa
6. City of Ottawa – Drop-In Recreation and Skating
For spontaneous and affordable fun, the City of Ottawa’s official recreation portal is a great resource for things to do in Ottawa this weekend. This site lists public drop-in activities at city-run facilities, from skating and swimming to gym sports. It is a good tool for last-minute planning, offering a reliable schedule of low-cost activities that do not require long-term registration.
This platform provides accessible, family-friendly options across various neighbourhoods. Whether you are looking for a family skate at a local arena or a lane swim at a community pool, the schedules are clearly posted with pay-as-you-go pricing. It’s an essential bookmark for anyone seeking active, budget-conscious weekend plans.
Key Features and User Experience
The website organizes schedules by facility, allowing you to see what is available at the community centre nearest you. Some popular sessions, like public skating, require users to reserve a spot online a few days in advance, as they can fill up quickly. The site also highlights special programs, like the youth "Play Free" initiative on Saturdays at select locations.
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Event Listings | Schedules for drop-in skating, swimming, gym sports, and fitness. |
| Ticket Purchases | Pay-as-you-go admission at the facility or online reservation for some spots. |
| Cost | Low-cost single-visit fees; some youth programs are free. |
| Coverage | City-wide, covering all municipal recreation facilities. |
| Unique Offering | Accessible, hyper-local, and affordable recreation without long commitments. |
Pros:
- Affordable, family-friendly options widely available across Ottawa.
- Ideal for same-day or last-minute weekend planning.
- Transparent and low single-visit pricing is posted directly on the site.
Cons:
- Interface is organized by facility, not by activity, which can be cumbersome.
- Popular sessions often require booking as soon as the reservation window opens.
Website: https://ottawa.ca/en/recreation-and-parks/skating/drop-skating
7. Apartment613 – Weekend Roundup and Events
For those searching for things to do in Ottawa this weekend that are less well-known, Apartment613 (or Apt613) is an important local resource. This independent arts and culture blog offers a curated "Weekend Roundup" that uncovers the city's hidden gems. It is a good platform for discovering neighbourhood pop-ups, indie band performances, and unique market events that larger websites might overlook.
Unlike broad tourism portals, Apt613 provides a local perspective. Its staff-curated picks focus on the grassroots happenings that define Ottawa's cultural fabric. The site’s rolling events calendar is another useful tool, allowing users to browse a mix of free and ticketed events across categories like music, food, film, and visual arts.
Key Features and User Experience
The website's user experience is straightforward and community-focused. The Weekend Roundup is published weekly, offering a list of handpicked suggestions with essential details and links. It is not a direct ticketing platform but provides links to organizer pages. The platform's strength is its passionate curation and connection to the local arts scene.
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Event Listings | Weekly "Weekend Roundup" plus a comprehensive, rolling events calendar. |
| Ticket Purchases | Provides links to official organizer websites for details and purchasing. |
| Cost | Free to use. Event costs are set by the individual organizers. |
| Coverage | Hyperlocal, with a strong emphasis on indie arts, culture, and community. |
| Unique Offering | Curated, editorial perspective on under-the-radar and grassroots events. |
Pros:
- Excellent source for discovering unique, lesser-known local events.
- Strong coverage of Ottawa’s independent arts and culture scene.
- Authentic, community-driven recommendations from local writers.
Cons:
- Not a direct ticketing platform, requiring navigation to other sites.
- Weekly coverage can vary in depth based on editorial focus and event submissions.
Website: https://apt613.ca/category/weekend-roundup/
7-Source Comparison: Ottawa Weekend Events
| Source | 🔄 Complexity (ease of use) | ⚡ Resource requirements (cost / time) | 📊 Expected outcomes (impact) | 💡 Ideal use cases | ⭐ Key advantages |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Events in Ottawa (NCR Now) | Low — single curated feed | Low — free to browse; may follow external links | Local, curated discovery of upcoming events | Weekend planning; neighbourhood/community finds | Editorial curation; hyperlocal; integrated resources |
| Ottawa Tourism – What’s happening | Low — clear city hub & guides | Low — free; links to official sellers for purchase | Broad, official citywide highlights & seasonal roundups | Tourists; seasonal festivals and major event planning | Official source; seasonal hubs; direct organizer links |
| Eventbrite – Ottawa | Medium — marketplace navigation | Moderate — ticket costs + service fees; fast checkout | Very wide variety; instant ticketing for many events | Last‑minute plans; paid workshops, gigs, classes | Large inventory; instant mobile tickets; good filters |
| National Arts Centre (NAC) | Low — venue site with filters | Moderate — paid tickets; box office options | High‑quality performing‑arts programming; reliable tickets | Theatre, orchestra, dance; accessible seating & subscriptions | Trusted venue sales; avoids resellers; discounts/promos |
| Ticketmaster Canada | Low — ticketing platform | High — ticket prices + fees; resale/dynamic pricing possible | Reliable access to large arena concerts & sports | Major concerts, pro sports, arena shows this weekend | Primary inventory for big events; seat maps; verified tickets |
| City of Ottawa – Drop‑In Recreation | Medium — facility‑based schedules | Low — pay‑as‑you‑go or low fees; some reservations required | Affordable, same‑day recreational activities across neighbourhoods | Family outings, skating, swimming, inexpensive last‑minute plans | Low cost; transparent pricing; widespread availability |
| Apartment613 – Weekend Roundup | Low — curated weekly posts & calendar | Low — free to read; links to organizers for purchases | Strong coverage of indie/under‑the‑radar events | Discovering local gigs, niche arts, neighbourhood pop‑ups | Indie focus; curated staff picks; good for unique local events |
Making Your Weekend Plans in Ottawa
Discovering memorable things to do in Ottawa this weekend is more accessible with these resources. The key is knowing which tool best suits your needs. This guide has offered a list of effective platforms, from tourism sites to local community blogs, to help you plan your time.
The city's digital landscape for event discovery is diverse. General platforms like Eventbrite offer a broad spectrum of activities. Specialized sites like the National Arts Centre or Ticketmaster provide direct access to major cultural events. For community-driven suggestions, Apartment613’s roundup is a treasured local resource. The power lies in using these tools strategically to build a weekend that reflects your interests and budget.
Choosing the Right Tool for Your Weekend
To make the most of these resources, consider what kind of experience you are looking for. Your choice of platform should align with your planning style.
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For the Comprehensive Planner: If you want a complete overview of everything happening, start with Ottawa Tourism or Eventbrite. These platforms offer extensive filtering options. They are ideal for seeing the full picture before making a decision.
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For the Culture Seeker: If your weekend involves the performing arts, music, or sports, go directly to the source. The NAC website is the guide for theatre and orchestra, while Ticketmaster is the go-to for concerts and Sens games. This targeted approach saves time.
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For Spontaneous, Local Fun: For last-minute plans or budget-friendly activities, the City of Ottawa’s recreation schedules are invaluable. A quick check can reveal drop-in swimming or skating. Similarly, Apartment613 provides an insider’s look at the weekend, which is good for discovering unique, local events.
The best approach is often a combination of these tools. You might start with a broad search, then visit a specific venue’s site to purchase tickets, and keep the City’s recreation page handy for a spontaneous Sunday activity. Using these platforms helps you connect with the vibrant cultural fabric of the National Capital Region. This matters because it fosters a sense of community and allows residents to fully appreciate all the city has to offer.
For a consistently updated, one-stop source for local happenings, bookmark the NCR Now events calendar. We curate the best of Ottawa’s events, news, and community stories, making it easier than ever to find things to do in Ottawa this weekend. Visit NCR Now to stay informed and engaged with your city.
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