20+ fabulous fairs in and around Ottawa!

Do you remember that song about summer fairs from the animated version of Charlotte’s Web? “A fair is a veritable smorgasbord, smorgasbord, smorgasbord…” That’s certainly how I felt when I was a kid. What wasn’t to like, whether it was the small fall fair in my hometown in Toronto’s western suburbs, or the non-stop lights and action of the venerable CNE in Toronto? Fairs meant midways, stuffed animals, cotton candy, free food samples—just about everything kids love, all in one noisy, garish package.

If you feel the pull of nostalgia—or if your kids have been begging you to win them a stuffed animal—here are 20+ places where you can enjoy summer and fall fairs. All distances are measured from Parliament Hill.

• Blackburn Funfair (June 5 to 7, 2026) (13km from Parliament Hill)
• Maxville Fair (June 26 to 28, 2026) (77km from Ottawa)
• Beachburg Fair (July 9 to 12, 2026) (127km from Ottawa)
• Expo Lachute Fair (July 9 to 12, 2026) (128km from Ottawa)
• Lansdowne Fair (July 16 to 19, 2026) (153km from Ottawa)
• Avonmore Fair (July 18 and 19, 2026) (76km from Ottawa)
• Delta Fair (July 23 to 26, 2026) (121km from Ottawa)

• Williamstown Fair (August 7 to 9, 2026) (109km from Ottawa)
• Russell Fair (August 13 to 16, 2026) (42km from Ottawa)
• South Mountain Fair (August 13 to 16, 2026) (59km from Ottawa)
• Vankleek Hill Fair (August 13 to 16, 2026) (93km from Ottawa)
• Capital Fair (usually mid to late August; to be confirmed) (19km from Parliament Hill)
• Chesterville Fair (August 21 to 23, 2026) (61km from Ottawa)
• Cobden Fair (usually late August; to be confirmed) (116km from Ottawa)
• Riceville Fair (August 28 to 30, 2026) (84km from Ottawa)
• Maberly Fair (August 29, 2026) (108km from Ottawa)

• Perth Fair (September 3 to 6, 2026) (87km from Ottawa)
• Shawville Fair (September 3 to 7, 2026) (77km from Ottawa)
• Stormont County Fair in Newington (September 4 to 7, 2026) (75km from Ottawa)
• Spencerville Fair (September 10 to 13, 2026) (74km from Ottawa)
• Renfrew Fair (September 10 to 13, 2026) (94km from Ottawa)
• Picton Fair (usually early to mid-September; to be confirmed) (270km from Ottawa)
• Richmond Fair (September 17 to 20, 2026) (30km from Parliament Hill)

• Middleville Fair (September 19, 2026) (70km from Ottawa)
• Lydhurst Turkey Fair (September 19, 2026) (129km from Ottawa)
• 1860s Fall Fair Weekend and Quilt Show at Upper Canada Village (September 19 and 20, 2026) (90km from Ottawa)
• Carp Fair (September 24 to 27, 2026) (33km from Parliament Hill)
• McDonald’s Corners Annual Fall Fair (September 26, 2026) (97km from Ottawa)
• Metcalfe Fair (October 1 to 4, 2026) (35km from Parliament Hill)

Do you know of any fairs I’ve left out? Let me know and I’ll add them!

And if you’re looking for a fair elsewhere in Ontario, the Ontario Association of Agricultural Societies has a list of 212 Ontario fairs.

Want more tips on road trips from Ottawa—including info on hotel discounts, contests, festivals and other cool news? Subscribe to my free weekly e-newsletter or buy my guidebook, Ottawa Road Trips: Your 100km Getaway Guide. I will never spam you—promise.

As the owner of Ottawa Road Trips, I acknowledge that I live on, work in and travel through the unceded, unsurrendered territory of the Algonquin Anishinaabeg Nation. I am grateful to have the opportunity to be present on this land. Ottawa Road Trips supports Water First, a non-profit organization that helps address water challenges in Indigenous communities in Canada through education, training and meaningful collaboration.

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