Things to do in Ottawa, the Outaouais, Eastern Ontario and beyond (January 27 to February 2, 2025)

48.2K

Wondering what to do in Ottawa this weekend? It is a great time for a road trip in Ottawa, Eastern Ontario, the Outaouais or northern New York state. 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 JANUARY 27 TO FEBRUARY 2

See top chefs compete (and sample their dishes) in Ottawa

The Canadian Culinary Championships (January 31 and February 1) bring top chefs from across Canada to Ottawa to compete for the title of Canadian Culinary Champion. You can watch them at work—and sample the tasty results—at three different events, including a black-box competition and an elegant grand finale with live music by Johnny Reid and Michael Shand.

Buy from local vendors in Kemptville

On Saturday, February 1, you can buy from more than 40 vendors at the Eastern Ontario Craft and Gift Valentine Market in Kemptville. It’s happening at the North Grenville Municipal Centre from 10am to 3pm.

Eat chili in Manor Park or Hunt Club

The Manor Park Community Council is throwing a Skating Party and Chili Cook-Off in the Ottawa neighbourhood on Satruday, February 1. The fun will include exhibition hockey games between local teams, family skating, a chili cook-off, hot dogs, s’mores and bonfires.

If you didn’t get your fill of chili on Saturday, you could also check out the Chili Cook-Off at Moose McGuire’s pub in Hunt Club on Sunday, February 2. Come prepared to compete … or just to eat!

Cheer for snowmobile racers in Eganville

Since 1974, snowmobilers have been coming to Eganville each winter to test their machines and their skills against each other in the Bonnechere Cup. This year, the action returns to Eganville’s ice oval on February 1 and 2. The video above, from a past event, gives you a taste of the race.

Check out an LGBTQ film festival in Kingston or sale in Ottawa

In Kingston, the Reelout Queer Film Festival (January 30 to February 8) screens dozens of movies in just about every genre, from comedy and drama to horror and documentary, produced by 45 filmmakers hailing from 14 countries.

The 2SLGBTQIA+ Valentine’s Day Market is getting a two-week jump on Valentine’s Day by taking place on Sunday, February 2, at the Glebe Community Centre. You can shop for food and other locally made products from local queer- and trans-owned small businesses.

Get metaphysical in Ottawa

The Ottawa Mystic Market at the Next Door event space at 955 Gladstone Avenue (February 1 and 2) will give you the chance to shop for crystals, candles, home decor and clothing, and consult tarot card readers, psychics and others, all with a mystical bent.

Enjoy a winter carnival

Winter carnivals big and small are livening up communities near and far this weekend. As well as a little Ottawa celebration you may have heard of called Winterlude (January 31 to February 17), you can choose from the following (driving time from downtown Ottawa is in parentheses):

• Greely (0:30): Greely Winter Carnival, January 30 to February 2
• Petawawa (1:45): Cabin Fever, January 31 to February 9
• Saranac Lake (2:45): Saranac Lake Winter Carnival, January 31 to February 9
• Ottawa (0:10): Rideau Hall Winter Celebration, February 1
• Sarsfield (0:35): Carnaval Sarsfield, February 1
• Dunvegan (0:50): Dunvegan Winter Carnival, February 1
• Braeside (0:50): Braeside Winter Carnival, February 1
• St. Bernardin (1:00): Carnaval St-Bernardin, February 1
• Grenville (1:15): Carnaval d’hiver de Grenville, February 1

P.S.: Don’t miss my big list of nearby winter carnivals for links to other winter festivals later in the season.

Dine on Canadian classics in Smiths Falls

C’Est Tout Bakery in Smiths Falls is serving a special Canadian Classics menu on Friday, January 31, featuring specialties from across the country—from pierogies and tourtière to Nanaimo bars. There will even be a limited number of lobster rolls! You can dine in or take out.

Mark World Wetlands Day at Cooper Marsh

The Mohawk Council of Akwesasne’s (MCA) Environment Program, the Raisin Region Conservation Authority and their partners are celebrating World Wetlands Day on Saturday, February 1, from 10 am to 2 pm at Cooper Marsh Conservation Area in South Glengarry. At the free, family-friendly event, you can learn about wetlands through displays and activities, enjoy hot chocolate by a campfire, take a guided snowshoe tour, and more. Cooper Marsh is about 25 kilometres east of Cornwall.

Dig into poutine across Canada

It’s winter. It’s cold. It’s dark. What better time to console yourself with cheesy carbs, right? That must be the thinking behind La Poutine Week (February 1 to 7), which showcases poutine makers across Canada. Check out the La Poutine Week website to find a purveyor of poutine goodness near you. The list includes shops in Ottawa, Gatineau, Montreal and more.

See outdoor adventures on film in Ottawa and Gatineau

The Banff Centre Mountain Film Festival showcases award-winning movies from the Alberta festival, which focuses on mountain sports, adventure and the environment. The Ottawa edition of the festival continues at the Bytowne Cinema until Tuesday, January 28.

You can also catch the Outaouais edition of the festival at the Salle Odyssée du Centre Culturel in Gatineau on Sunday, February 2. There, the movies are presented in their original languages with French subtitles.

Enjoy a sensory-friendly night out at Lansdowne Park

Most social nights for adults are loud. If you find them overwhelming, the Relaxed Night Out at Ottawa’s Lansdowne Park on Friday January 31, may be just the event you’re looking for. Activities will include a silent headphones disco, board games, art activities and more, all designed to help you meet new friends in a laid-back environment.

Celebrate the lunar new year in Perth

During the Perth Lunar New Year Festival at Code’s Mill (Saturday, February 1), you can nosh on Korean, Filipino, Vietnamese and Chinese dishes, while your kids enjoy games and crafts. The highlight of the event will be a colourful lion dance. Tickets are available online.

Attend a gallery opening in Wakefield

The 100 Mile Arts Network is hosting an opening for its latest exhibition, Reflections: A Portrait Show, in the upstairs gallery at 721 Riverside in Wakefield on Thursday, January 30. The event will run from 6pm to 8pm and you can meet the local artists whose work will be featured. The show will continue on Saturday and Sunday afternoons throughout February.

Learn about Indigenous traditions in Ottawa and Gatineau

Pibòn Fest (Saturday, February 1) will showcase Indigenous culture with an afternoon of activities in Ottawa’s ByWard Market Square. The Assembly of Seven Generations event will include an Indigenous makers’ market, traditional hide tanning, live performances and a fashion show.

The following day, a Mini Pow Wow at the Canadian Museum of History in Gatineau will feature a Grand Entry opening ceremony, followed by drumming and dancing in many styles by participants of all ages. The event runs from 11am to 4pm on Sunday, February 2.

Sample lots of mac and cheese in Brockville

If cold winter winds have you craving the carby comfort of a bowl of macaroni and cheese, you might be interested in the Downtown Brockville Mac ‘n’ Cheese Fest. Starting on Saturday, February 1, and continuing throughout February, the event will pit downtown Brockville restaurants against each other to see which can earn the title of best mac ‘n’ cheese purveyor. Later this month (on February 22 and 23), the city will host a Mac ‘n’ Cheese Marathon, which sounds intriguing (details to come).

Meet Kurt Browning and Elvis Stojko in Gananoque

Ever wanted to meet an Olympian in person? Well, this week, you can meet two at once in Gananoque. Canadian figure skating legends Kurt Browning and Elvis Stojko will be in town to give a series of skating seminars. Tickets for those workshops were snapped up long in advance, with attendees travelling from as far away as Nunavut for a chance to learn from the greats. But the general public is invited to a meet-and-greet with the stars on Wednesday, January 29. It’s happening at the Lou Jeffries, Gananoque and T.L.T.I Recreation Centre at 600 King Street East, from 7:30pm to 9pm.

Try non-alcoholic beers in Hintonburg

Curious about non-alcoholic beers? Collective Arts Brewery and Bicycle Craft Brewery are holding a free tasting event called, very punnily, January Thirsty First on, yes, Friday, January 31. You can sample alcohol-free beers and learn how they’re made. It’s taking place at Maker House (987 Wellington Street West) from 4pm to 7pm.

Cheer for athletes in the Adirondacks

The Empire State Winter Games (January 30 to February 2) bring together athletes from across New York state to compete in more than 20 winter sports in venues across the Adirondacks, including Olympic training sites. You can cheer on the competitors in multiple communities, including Lake Placid, Saranac Lake and Tupper Lake.

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.