Here’s what’s happening in the National Capital Region this back-to-school season
Spencerville Fair. Photo Courtesy Spencerville Fair
What: Faerie Picnics
Where: Strathcona Park, Range Road, Ottawa
When: Aug. 19, 6:30 to 7:30 p.m.
Why: After successful runs in 2023 and 2024, Cirquonscient returns with evening Faerie Pop-up picnics in Strathcona Park this summer. Graceful faeries and whimsical creatures enchant and delight with all manner of circus arts including aerial acrobatics. Bring a blanket and stay for the whole family-friendly show, or just stop by on a walk home. Free show, but donations help faeries fly! Cash is accepted, or e-transfer to cirquonscient@gmail.com.
Website: ottawafestivals.ca/calendar/faerie-picnics
What: Toddler Tuesdays
Where: Peter A. Herrndorf Place, National Arts Centre, 1 Elgin St.
When: Aug. 26, 10 a.m.
Why: Singing, dancing, games, story time and more! Toddler Tuesdays are the perfect morning activity for children aged 18 months to five years and the parents and caregivers who love them. This free event is an interactive exploration of the performing arts through creative play.
Website: nac-cna.ca/en/event/39388
What: Watson’s Mill Music Series
Where: Dickinson House, 1127 Mill St., Manotick
When: Heaven’s Radio performs Aug. 26 and Vandalia performs Sept. 25. Doors open at 7 p.m. and showtime is 7:30 p.m.
Why: Heaven’s Radio and Vandalia are performing at Watson’s Mill. Tickets are $50 per show or $90 for both shows and can be reserved by calling 613-692-6455. Built in 1860 along the shores of the Rideau River, Watson’s Mill remains active as a working water-powered flour mill. Dickinson House, built in 1867, is the home of all the Mill’s owners and remains open to the public as a heritage house museum.
Website: watsonsmill.com
What: 38th annual Gatineau Hot Air Balloon Festival
Where: Parc de la Baie, Gatineau
When: Aug. 27 to 31
Why: The Gatineau Hot Air Balloon Festival has more than just balloons on offer. Artists including Flo Rida, Alessia Cara, Talk, Roxane, Bruneau, Eric Lapointe, Marie-Mai, William Cloutier, Comedy Gala, Qw4rtz will perform on various stages. Family offerings include performances by Yannick Bergeron, Daniel Coutu, Bam Percussion and local dancers of a variety of genres. Looking for some thrills? The Beauce Carnaval Amusement Park runs from August 28 through 31. Don’t want to miss a moment? Stay on site — there are camping opportunities, but spaces are limited.
Website: montgolfieresgatineau.com/en/
What: Ottawa Titans
Where: Ottawa Stadium, 300 Coventry Rd.
When: Through August 31
Why: It’s easy to check out the Ottawa Titans, a member of the east division of the Frontier League. Leave the car at home – take LRT to Tremblay Station and use the Max Keeping pedestrian bridge to cross over Highway 417 to get to the ball park.
Website: ottawatitans.com
What: Ottawa Family Cinema
Where: Rideau Community Hub, 815 St-Laurent Blvd.
When: With upcoming offerings including A Minecraft Movie (3D), Beauty and the Beast (3D), How to Train Your Dragon (3D), Lilo & Stitch, Superman (3D) and The Bad Guys 2 (3D), the Ottawa Family Cinema opens from mid-September to the beginning of May, excluding some holiday weekends. Shows are every Saturday at 2 p.m. plus selected Friday evenings at 7 p.m.
Why: The Ottawa Family Cinema is a not-for-profit theatre with powerful digital 3-D state-of-the-art projectors, Dolby Digital theatre surround sound, a huge screen, comfortable seating, free parking, low ticket prices and affordable treats. Proceeds from shows are donated back to the community through the Family Movie Trust Fund.
Website: familycinema.ca
What: 170th Spencerville Fair
Where: 22 Ryan St., Spencerville
When: Sept. 11 to 14
Why: Called the Biggest Little Fair in eastern Ontario, the Spencerville Fair is presented by the Spencerville Agricultural Society and features competitions, a demolition derby, power wheels, an antique tractor and truck show, a baby show, pet show, a parade, school exhibits, a barn of learning, food and more. Exhibits are divided into categories including Home Craft and Cultural Expression; Farm Fresh Products and Crops; Livestock; and Motorized Sport. There are rough camping opportunities for those looking for overnight accommodations.
Website: spencervillefair.ca
What: RBC Race for the Kids
Where: Wesley Clover Parks
When: Oct. 5
Why: Lace up to run a closed-course, timed all-terrain 5K and 10K race, or walk or run a fully accessible 2K Family Fun Run in support of the next breakthrough at the Children’s Hospital of Eastern Ontario. Event volunteers are also required.
Website: rbcr4tkottawa.ca
What: Ottawa Parent & Child Expo
Where: Nepean Sportsplex, 1701 Woodroffe Ave., Nepean
When: Oct. 18 and 19
Why: The Ottawa Parent & Child Expo is the capital’s longest-running parenting and kids expo and one of the best values for fun, learning, new products, services and entertainment for families. Play, take part in activities and learning zones, check out dozens of local parenting exhibitors and sit back to enjoy free mainstage entertainment. The first 1,500 families each day receive free show bags.
Website: parentandchildexpo.ca/
What: Nostalgic November Market: At the Warehouse
Where: 28 Booth Street, Zibi Albert Island
When: Nov. 15, 2 to 7 p.m.
Why: With a goal to make art accessible and help support local artists, the Urban Art Collective is a group of urban visual artists in Ottawa. The Urban Art Collective invites attendees to dive into all things vintage, thrift, antique, retro and pop culture at the indoor Nostalgic November Market.
Website: urbanartcollective.ca/pages/urban-themed-markets
What: Retro – Popular Music in Canada from the ‘60s, ‘70s and ‘80s
Where: The Canadian Museum of History
When: Now through January 18, 2026
Why: Discover music that turned the tables and left its mark on an entire generation. Visitors of a certain age can reignite the soundtrack of their youth. This unforgettable exhibition takes visitors on a journey through the ’60s, ’70s and ’80s — decades when music wasn’t just entertainment, but a voice for change, identity and connection. Explore iconic objects, handwritten lyrics and the sounds of artists like Céline Dion, k.d. lang, Kashtin and Rush.
Website: historymuseum.ca/exhibitions/retro-popular-music-in-canada
What: Bank of Canada Museum
Where: 30 Bank St., Ottawa
When: Ongoing
Why: The permanent exhibition is the heart of a Bank of Canada Museum visit. Designed as a journey, the exhibit takes visitors from an understanding of their roles in the economy to a broader understanding of Canada’s role in the world economy and how the Bank of Canada helps it all run smoothly.
Website: bankofcanadamuseum.ca/
-30-