Princess Dance Party
When: March 16, 2017
Where: Centurion Conference and Event Centre, 170 Colonnade Rd.
What: A fun celebration in support of the Children’s
Wish Foundation of Canada, with delicious snacks, a dance party, VIP dinner, music, princess beauty parlour, superhero hair styling, entertainment, lots of princesses, superheroes, and more! Proceeds go to The Children’s Wish Foundation to help grant the wishes of Ottawa-area children diagnosed with life-threatening illnesses.
Website: www.ottawaptp.ca
DADA de L’Aubergine
When: March 16, 2017
Where: Shenkman Arts Centre, 245 Centrum Blvd.
What: In this intriguing French-language performance geared to families with children aged five to 12 years, Léopold Minute, a watchmaker by trade and a timid, disciplined and precise man, finds himself in a kind of daydream and soon begins to express himself through dance, juggling and acrobatics. *All children must have a ticket, regardless of age.
Website: www.shenkmanarts.ca
Rogers Hometown Hockey Tour
When: March 18-19, 2017
Where: Sparks Street
What: This ultimate hockey fan experience makes stops in communities across Canada. Enjoy free family programming all weekend while Hometown Hockey hosts Ron MacLean and Tara Slone broadcast live!
Website: www.hometownhockey.com
NAC Orchestra KinderNACO Series
When: Until March 26, 2017
Where: National Arts Centre, 53 Elgin St.
What: These imaginative and interactive concerts for the youngest music lovers, (aged 3-8 years), presented by ensembles from the NAC Orchestra, offer kids an up-close experience of the magic of music. Performances take place in the NAC main lobby.
Website: www.nac-cna.ca/orchestra/packages/kindernaco
Ottawa Parent & Child Expo
When: March 25-26, 2017
Where: Nepean Sportsplex, 1701 Woodroffe Ave. (Entrance 4 & Entrance 1)
What: Gather the kids and head to the Nepean Sportsplex for a weekend of family fun and information at Ottawa’s largest parenting show. Parents will find 125+ of their favourite Ottawa exhibitors offering important parenting information, and kids will find the beloved Dora & Boots, Chase & Marshall from Paw Patrol, superhero characters, Little Ray’s Reptiles, live music by Triple Trouble, and more. Discover friendly mascots to hug, magic, robotics, and many other activities that focus on fun, learning and being healthy and active, including fitness demonstrations, face painting, arts and crafts, a reading corner and much more. An exciting family event where you and your children can play, learn, and explore, with free parking. Check the website regularly for more entertainment announcements! Tickets on sale at www.ParentandChildExpo.ca/tickets.
Website: www.parentandchildexpo.ca
Maple Weekend
When: April 1-2, 2017
Where: Lanark County
What: Enjoy all things maple during this special weekend, a great opportunity for the family to see how maple products are produced from tree to table, and the chance to taste and purchase quality (and delish!) maple treats and products. Visit your local sugar camp, as many will be offering free samples of fresh syrup, maple candies and confections. Enjoy pancake breakfasts, sugar bush trails, sugar-making demonstrations, taffy on snow, horse-drawn sleigh rides, and more. Each producer has a distinctive list of activities and experiences for your family.
Website: www.mapleweekend.ca
Exhibit: Reptiles
When: Until April 8, 2017
Where: Canadian Museum of Nature, 240 McLeod St.
What: In this exhibit, you’ll meet an amazing variety of live reptiles from around the world in an educational yet totally fun family activity sure to thrill kids of all ages. Get up close with 30 animals representing 19 different species, including colourful lizards, deadly snakes, bizarre turtles and an alligator. Discover cool facts and get a new appreciation for these fascinating creatures.
Website: www.nature.ca
Elephant & Piggie’s ‘We Are in a Play!’
When: March 25, 2017
Where: Centrepointe Theatres,
101 Centrepointe Dr.
What: This live musical production brings together six stories from Mo Willems’ hit book series for a colourful adventure full of songs and laughter, a fantastic show for the kindergartener or Grade 1 kid in your life. Plus, explore imagination, friendship and creativity by joining the Nepean Visual Arts Centre crew for a pre-show activity in the Ben Franklin Place Atrium from 12 p.m. to 1 p.m.
Website: www.centrepointetheatre.ca
Ottawa Grassroots Festival
When: April 20-23, 2017
Where: Southminster United Church, 15 Aylmer Ave.
What: A family-oriented gathering of folk music, dance and spoken word, run entirely by volunteers and featuring daily workshops, performances and sing-alongs, cultivating community in a fun and friendly way.
Website: www.ottawagrassrootsfestival.com
Ottawa PoutineFest
When: May 4-7, 2017
Where: Ottawa City Hall, 110 Laurier Ave. W.
What: You won’t want to miss this amazing foodie experience, and the first big festival to kick off spring, featuring traditional, exotic and extreme poutine from around the world, a world record attempt for the “biggest” poutine (approx.1134 kg / 2,500 lbs. with proceeds going to support Ottawa food banks) as well as live entertainment, cooking demonstrations, a Kids Fun Zone, poutine-eating contest, balloon animals, caricatures, face painting and more.
Website: www.ottawapoutinefest.ca
Ottawa International Children’s Festival
When: May 10-14, 2017
Where: LeBreton Flats
What: A six-day extravaganza of the finest quality theatre, dance and music for young audiences, with performances by award-winning artists from around the globe, it’s the only festival of its kind in Ontario to offer international, live performing arts for families and youth, with a variety of on-site family fun activities.
Website: www.ottawachildrensfestival.ca