Ottawa Farmers’ Market
When: Until Nov. 16, Sundays
Where: Brewer Park
What: Take a leisurely family outing to shop and savour premium quality, Ottawa-area fruits, vegetables, meats, flowers and crafts.
Info: www.ottawafarmersmarket.ca
Wilderness Tours, Ottawa City Adventures
When: May 31-Oct. 13
Where: Britannia Beach
What: Float down the Ottawa River from Britannia Beach and hop off near the Canadian War Museum on this 3.5-hour family-friendly whitewater rafting adventure. Fees: Start at $39 per person
Info: www.ottawacityadventures.com
Mont Cascades Resort and Waterpark
When: June 6-Sept. 1
Where: 448 Mont Cascades Rd., Cantley, Que.
What: World-class water rides, water play areas and full food and beverage services make Mont Cascades Resort and Waterpark a great place for the family to cool down and have fun this summer.
Info: www.montcascades.ca
Father’s Day Antique Car Show
When: June 15, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Where: Billings Estate National Historic Site
What: Featuring some of the coolest cars in town, this classic event lets you get up close and personal with awesome examples of beautifully preserved automotive history – including its own 1959 Cadillac. Family activities include building simple machines and batteries, making your own circuits, and playing a circuitry game.
Fees: $6 person, $10 pair, $16 family
Info: www.ottawa.ca/museums
Father’s Day at the Farm
When: June 15, 9:30 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Where: Canada Agriculture & Food Museum, 861 Prince of Wales Dr., between the traffic circle and Baseline Road
What: Bring Dad to the Canada Agriculture and Food Museum for the day! Meet the farm dads and learn why these animals are special, not just on Father’s Day, but all year round. All fathers enter free today.
Info: www.cafmuseum.techno-science.ca
Italian Week Ottawa
When: June 5-15
Where: Preston Street
What: Come to Little Italy, dance under the stars, and share in gastronomic delights highlighting the delicious, varied regional cuisine of Italy. Cruise along the Ottawa River and see historical sites, attend the St. Anthony’s Church procession, and enjoy beautiful fireworks.
Info: www.italianweekottawa.org
Ottawa Ribfest
When: June 18-22, starts at 11 a.m. daily
Where: Sparks Street Mall
What: Bring the family to sample some of the best barbecue chicken and ribs you’ll ever taste, while “ribbers” from all over North America vie for top marks. With live entertainment, and more.
Info: www.sparkslive.com
Summer Solstice Aboriginal Arts Festival
When: June 20-22
Where: Vincent Massey Park
What: In honour of National Aboriginal Day, see some of Canada’s best Aboriginal talent, featuring music, family programming and more. With a Competition Pow Wow, fashion show, music workshops and an Education Day, the 2014 Festival promises to be better than ever.
Info: www.nadottawa.ca
Changing the Guard
When: June 24-Aug. 23, daily (weather permitting), 10 a.m.-10:30 a.m.
Where: Parliament Hill
What: A Canadian tradition at its most colourful! The Ceremonial Guard of the Canadian Forces brings stirring military drill and music to Parliament Hill. Come at 9:45 a.m. to learn more about the ceremony.
Info: www.parl.gc.ca/vis
RCMP Sunset Ceremonies
When: June 25-29, nightly from 7 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.
Where: RCMP Musical Ride Centre, 1 Sandridge Rd.
What: Featuring the world famous Musical Ride, Equestrian Abilities Show, Mounted Arms Display, RCMP/Ottawa Police Service Pipes and Drums and Dancers, the Central Band of the Canadian Forces, rescue dogs from the Ottawa Valley Search & Rescue Dog Association, as well as a kids zone that includes the DND kids obstacle course, a petting zoo, face painting and much more.
Fees: Free
Info: www.rcmp-grc.gc.ca
Bytown Museum: Let Us Entertain You!
When: July 3-31, 5 p.m. to 8 p.m.
Where: Bytown Museum, 1 Canal Lane, at the Rideau Canal locks between Parliament Hill and the Château Laurier hotel
What: Enjoy free entertainment at the museum on Thursday nights! Explore Ottawa’s history through storytelling, musicians, actors and much more.
Info: www.bytownmuseum.com
Torchlight Shakespeare Festival
When:July 3-Aug. 16 (except Sundays)
Where: Various Ottawa parks
What: Professional Shakespeare company
A Company of Fools presents As You Like It. This outdoor production tours a different park each night of the week.
Fees: By donation (pass the hat).
Info: www.fools.ca
Monday Night Movies at the Museum
When: July 7-Sept. 1
Where: Bytown Museum, 1 Canal Lane, at the Rideau Canal locks between Parliament Hill and the Château Laurier hotel
What: Escape the heat, grab some popcorn and explore the First World War and Canada’s history through cinema! Visit the museum website for film selection.
Info: www.bytownmuseum.com
Osgoode Medieval Festival
When: July 12-13
Where: 5673 Osgoode Main Street
What: Enter the Kingdom of Osgoode to attend the seventh annual festival, where the family can enjoy a medieval market, medieval feast, a creative arts competition and more!
Fees: Day admission: $6 per person, weekendnpass: $10 per person, family package: $30 (2 adults and 4 children), children under 4 free
Info: www.osgoodemedievalfestival.com
Ottawa REDBLACKS
When: July 18-Oct. 31
Where: Lansdowne Park
What: Take in nine exciting Canadian Football League home games and enjoy Ottawa’s brand new team in a brand new stadium. Cheer loudly for the REDBLACKS!
Info: www.ottawaredblacks.com
Ice Cream Festival
When: July 20, 9:30 a.m.-4 p.m.
Where: Canada Agriculture & Food Museum, 861 Prince of Wales Dr., between the traffic circle and Baseline Road
What: Explore the journey from cow to cone on National Ice Cream Day and get the scoop on ice cream and dairying.
Fees: Included with museum admission
Info: www.cafmuseum.techno-science.ca
Glengarry Highland Games
When: Aug.1-2
Where: Maxville, Ont., an hour east of Ottawa just off Hwy. 417, 30 minutes north of the Canada/U.S. border crossing at Cornwall
What: Bring the family for two jam-packed days of events, activities, sights and sounds. Witness traditional Scottish events, with more than 60 pipe bands, 200 Highland dancers, sports, pageantry and tradition.
Fees: General admission $20, children under 12 free
Info: www.glengarryhighlandgames.com
Ottawa Busker Festival
When: Aug. 1-4
Where: Sparks Street Mall
What: Enjoy some very unorthodox entertainment by street performers from around the world. There’s something for the whole family, including acrobats, contortionists, hula-hoopers, yo-yos, musicians, comedian escape acts, magicians, jugglers and more!
Fees: Free admission, donations appreciated.
Info: www.sparkslive.com
Sound of Light / Les grands Feux
When: Aug. 2-16, Wednesdays & Saturdays
Where: Canadian Museum of History (formerly Canadian Museum of Civilization), 100 Rue Laurier, Gatineau
What: Experience fireworks as never before during five unforgettable evenings of international fireworks synchronized to an original soundtrack, with some of the very best fireworks experts demonstrating their skills in this explosive battle of light and sound.
Info: www.feux.qc.ca
Celebrate Colonel By Day
When: Aug. 4
Where: Bytown Museum, 1 Canal Lane, at the Rideau Canal locks between Parliament Hill and the Château Laurier hotel
What: Celebrate the holiday named for Ottawa’s founding father with live music, dancing, heritage demonstrators, costumed characters, games and face painting for kids. Heritage events and programming provided onsite by the Council of Heritage Organization of Ottawa.
Info: www.bytownmuseum.com
Capital Fair
When: Aug. 15-24
Where: Rideau Carleton Raceway
What: Bring the family to check out Ottawa’s new 10-day fair with music, food, midway rides, animals and monster truck shows!
Info: www.capitalfair.ca
Capital Pride Festival
When: Aug. 18-24
Where: Various locations
What: Ottawa’s gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgendered, two-spirited and questioning communities will be jumping on the pride wagon to celebrate during this annual festival, with events for everyone. Parade and show on Sunday, Aug. 24.
Info: www.capitalpride.ca
Puppets Up! International Puppet Festival
When: Aug. 8-10
Where: Various venues, downtown Almonte
What: An international puppet festival for families and the young at heart! Great entertainment for families with children of all ages.
Fees: Rates vary for single day children/adult passes, and weekend passes. See website.
Info: www.puppetsup.ca
Gatineau Hot Air Balloon Festival
When: Aug. 28-Sept. 1
Where: Parc de La Baie, Gatineau
What: Come to Canada’s largest balloon festival, where beautiful hot air balloons fill the Gatineau sky and a number of exciting shows and family activities take place.
Info: www.balloongatineau.com