Things to do in Ottawa, the Outaouais, Eastern Ontario and beyond (February 3 to February 9, 2025)

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Wondering what to do in Ottawa this weekend? It is a great time for a road trip in Ottawa, Eastern Ontario or the Outaouais. In fact, there’s SO much going on that I keep adding new items, so please keep checking back here regularly. Happy road tripping!

TABLE OF CONTENTS

WEEK OF FEBRUARY 3 TO 9

Explore the metaphysical in Ottawa

Psychics, mediums, tarot card readers and many other practitioners of the metaphysical arts will be at the Ottawa East Psychic and Crystal Fair at the Jim Durrell Recreation Centre on Walkley Road from February 7 to 9.

Sample special restaurant menus in Kingston

As part of Kingstonlicious, a dining promotion that starts on Monday, February 3, and runs until late March, over two dozen Kingston restaurants will be offering special prix-fixe menus. Check the website regularly for information on upcoming chef’s dinners and overnight hotel packages.

Check out a flea market in Ottawa or Russell

On Saturday, February 8, bargain hunters and fans of cool handmade goods can choose from two flea markets. The popular 613Flea Market is back at the Aberdeen Pavilion at Lansdowne Park on Saturday, February 8, and the Russell Flea Market at Russell High School.

Curl and laugh for a good cause in Cornwall

Throwing Stones is an all-day curling and comedy event at the Cornwall Curling Centre on Saturday, February 8, to support Tim Hortons Foundation Camps. It will include a point spiel, a warm Tim Hortons lunch, and a surf-and-turf dinner, followed by a comedy show featuring Dan Allaire, Tavis Maplesden and Lewis Hill.

See cutting-edge performances in Ottawa

Can’t wait for the Ottawa Fringe Festival later this year? Well, you’re in luck, as the festival is also presenting the Undercurrents Festival (February 6 to 15). Showcasing local and national artists from a variety of backgrounds, cultures and disciplines—including emerging artists and underrepresented voices—the festival includes experimental theatre, live music performances, solo shows and more. Tickets start at $10.

Cheer for basketball players at TD Place

On Friday, February 7, basketball teams from Carleton University and the University of Ottawa will play each other in men’s and women’s matches in the Capital Hoops tournament at the Arena at TD Place.

Ski pretty trails in the Outaouais

The Canadian Ski Marathon is North America’s oldest cross-country skiing event; it began in 1966. This year, you can challenge yourself to complete one or more segments or the whole 160-kilometre route on February 8 and 9. This isn’t a race. It’s open to skiers of all levels and abilities! The shortest segment is 12km, and the event takes place on groomed trails. The trails are located north of Montebello, Quebec, largely in the Kenauk nature preserve.

Raise a glass and dance in Montreal

In Montreal, you can rock on to dozens of bands and DJs during the annual Taverne Tour in the Plateau Mont-Royal neighbourhood (February 6 to 8). Bars along Mont-Royal, Saint-Denis and St-Laurent have booked live music to entertain you as you drink.

Catch a new theatre production in Ottawa or Kingston

Two plays are opening in Ottawa this week and running from February 5 to 15. Kanata Playhouse is presenting The Girl on the Train (February 5 to 15), a mystery-thriller based on the best-selling novel of the same name. At the Gladstone Theatre, Elevator Theatre Company is staging Late Company, an Ottawa-set drama about parents who have lost their son to suicide having dinner with their son’s bully and his parents.

At Kingston’s Baby Grand Theatre, you can see Big Ticket, a new two-person comedy by Jim Garrard, presented by Theatre Kingston (February 6 to 23).

And for families, there’s The Gruffalo’s Child, aimed at kids aged 3 to 10. It’s at the Meridian Theatres @ Centrepointe in Nepean on February 8 and at the Grand Theatre in Kingston on February 9.

For more details on these shows as well as lots of plays coming up later this year, see my theatre post.

Shop for book bargains in Ottawa

The Elmdale Public School BookFair is coming a bit earlier this year. In 2025, you can browse through 40,000 used books, along with CDs, DVDs, puzzles and games on February 7 and 8. There will be a bake sale, too!

Enjoy foods from around the world in Perth

The first annual Perth Multicultural Food Fair will be taking place on Sunday, February 9, at the Perth Campus of Algonquin College. Running from 11am to 2pm, the free event will feature food prepared by local community members, honouring the culinary traditions of nine countries, including Chile, Afghanistan, Ghana and the Philippines. Live entertainment will include Easter Island and South Asian dance performances. Get there early to avoid disappointment, as the free food offerings are first come, first served!

Get wedding ideas in Kingston

Engaged couples might want to check out the Timeless Memories Bridal Show at Portsmouth Olympic Harbour in Kingston on Sunday, February 9. Admission is free, and there are door prizes.

Savour a fundraising brunch in Kemptville

The Knights of Columbus is hosting the 25th annual North Grenville Community Sweetheart Brunch on Sunday, February 9, at the North Grenville Community Centre in Kemptville. Along with enjoying brunch dishes, live music and a draw for cash prizes, you’ll have the chance to support an array of local charities, including the Kemptville District Hospital Foundation, Beth Donovan Hospice, and Leeds & Grenville Interval House.

Go to an exhibition opening in Almonte

From February 8 to March 14, Sivarulrasa Gallery in Almonte is presenting Elizabeth Desrosier: Looking In. Raised in Almonte and currently based in Ottawa, Desrosier explores themes of voyeurism, isolation, and belonging in her paintings, which are inspired by local shops, restaurants and other landmarks of urban life. You can meet the artist at a reception on Saturday, February 8, from 2pm to 4pm.

Thrill to contemporary dance in Kingston

Canadian modern dance company ProArteDanza brings its production of The 9th! to the Kingston Grand Theatre on Tuesday, February 4. The piece, which reflects on human resilience and the importance of freedom during the fall of the Berlin Wall, is set to the music of Beethoven’s Ninth Symphony. The performance is pay-what-you-can.

Try your pinball luck in Ottawa

Pinball Women Ottawa is holding its February pinball tournament at House of Targ in Old Ottawa South on Wednesday, February 5. It’s open to all women and gender-diverse players, and no experience is required!

Enjoy a winter festival

Along with the ever-popular Winterlude festival in Ottawa (January 31 to February 17), you can enjoy these winter carnivals this weekend:

• Manotick: Shiverfest, February 6 to 8
• Montague Township: WinterFest, February 6 to 8
• Marionville: Marionville Winter Carnival, February 7 to 9
• Moose Creek: Winterfest, February 7 to 9
• Quebec City: Carnaval de Quebec, February 7 to 16
• Smiths Falls: Smiths Falls Winter Carnival, February 8
• White Lake: White Lake Winter Carnival, February 8
• Orleans: Fête Frissons, February 9

WEEK OF FEBRUARY 10 TO 16

I’ll be adding more events here soon! It’s been a busy week here this week.

Enjoy comedy for a cause in Vankleek Hill

A Fundraiser Comedy Night to raise money for the Prescott-Russell Recreational Trail is happening on Saturday, February 15 at Beau’s Brewery in Vankleek Hill. Bringing the funny will be comedians Eric Collard, Danika Lange and Scott E.T., with Vankleek Hill’s Trevor Thompson as the headliner.

Discover the world at an Ottawa bazaar

The Ottawa Multicultural Bazaar (February 15 and 16) at the Nepean Sportsplex will feature more than 80 booths and vendors where you can shop for crafts, clothing and foods from many different countries. The organizers promise fun for the whole family, with workshops, face painting, henna applications, raffles and more. Free admission and free parking.

Count birds for science

No matter where in the world you happen to be, you can participate in the Great Backyard Bird Count (February 14 to 17). Run by a group of birding organizations, including Birds Canada, the four-day event encourages bird lovers to look for, identify and count birds in their favourite places. The data you submit will help scientists understand and protect birds. Even 15 minutes of observation will help! If you already use the eBird or Merlin birdwatching apps, your records in those apps over the four-day period will be included in the Great Backyard Bird Count. Easy, right?

Go to a gala for the Snowsuit Fund

SnowBall: A Cool Winter’s Eve (Wednesday, February 12) will be a festive evening fundraiser at the Ottawa Art Gallery to raise money for the Snowsuit Fund. Guests will enjoy premium cocktails, chef stations, DJ tunes, live music, auctions, beauty bars and surprise experiences. The Snowsuit Fund helps bring warm clothing to children in need.

Check out a Valentine’s pop-up shop in Cardinal

The Bee Good Shop and Hardscrabble Orchard & Gardens are presenting a Valentine’s Pop-Up Flower Market and Gift Shop at the The Bee Good Shop in Cardinal on February 13 and 14. You can shop for fresh flowers, chocolates, soap and other gifts. Pre-orders will be available.

Looking for more tips on things to see and do in Eastern Ontario, the Outaouais, northern New York state and beyond? Subscribe to my free weekly newsletter or order a copy of my book, Ottawa Road Trips: Your Weekend Getaway Guide.

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.