Things to do in Ottawa, the Outaouais, Eastern Ontario and beyond (April 28 to May 4, 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 APRIL 28 TO MAY 4

Check out local talent in Kingston

Everyone involved in Kingston’s Juvenis Festival of the Arts (running until May 4) is aged 30 or younger, but shows are open to all ages. Events this year include three musical theatre productions, a battle of the bands and a 90-minute version of Twelfth Night.

The Homegrown Live Music Festival is a packed day of 143 live performances by local acts on 16 stages across Kingston on Saturday, May 3. Each venue will be showcasing multiple bands in a particular style, including blues, psychedelic, country, hip-hop and jazz.

Find fab fabrics in Wellington West

Attention needleworkers: Dozens of vendors will be selling fabrics galore and other sewing-related materials at the Hintonburg Fabric Flea Market on Saturday, May 3. It is taking place at the Fisher Park Community Centre (250 Holland Avenue).

Hear authors in Ottawa

The spring edition of the Ottawa International Writers Festival (May 1 to 4, and May 14 to 16) features a wide range of authors, including Linda McQuaig, Amal El-Mohtar, Timothy Caulfield and Ben Ladouceur.

Browse for bargains in Blackburn Hamlet, Trend Arlington or Merrickville

Saturday, May 3, will be a busy day for community garage sales, with events happening in the Ottawa neighbourhoods of Blackburn Hamlet and Trend Arlington, as well as in the picturesque village of Merrickville (about 50 minutes southwest of the capital). Details on these and many other sales are available in my community garage sales post.

Shop for unique items in Ottawa, Almonte, Kingston or Corbyville

The Ottawa Guild of Potters will be holding its spring pottery sale as part of the Ottawa Clay Festival in the Horticulture Building at Lansdowne Park from May 2 to 4. As well as shopping for pottery, you can see demonstrations and let the little ones discover clay in the children’s play area.

In Carleton Place, the Spring ART Tour will take place in two venues: the Art Hub Gallery (50 Bennett Stree) and the Carleton Place Arena (75 Neelin Street). This fine art exhibition will feature 65 juried artists. You can pick up a weekend exhibition passport at either location, and if you get the passport stamped at both locations, you could win a door prize. (It won’t be hard—the venues are just two kilometres from each other.)

The Cheerfully Made Market at the Almonte Community Centre (Saturday, May 3) features food, clothing, jewellery, home decor and other goodies from local makers.

The Kingston Potters’ Guild is holding its annual spring show and sale at the Tett Centre for Creativity and Learning from May 1 to 4.

It’s a bit of a hike, but the Mother of All Craft Shows on Saturday, May 3, in Corbyville (just north of Belleville) looks like fun, with more than 60 vendors offering everything from clothing to food. Raffle ticket sales will support Fixed Fur Life, an animal-rescue group.

Learn about urban design and history on a Jane’s Walk

Jane’s Walks are named after urbanist Jane Jacobs, who wrote numerous books about the way cities work. This year, from May 2 to 4, numerous cities are hosting free walks with local experts who will explain facets of each city’s history, development and design. You can join a walk in Ottawa-Gatineau, Kingston or Montreal, among many other places. There will be 45 walks in Ottawa, 23 in Kingston and 53 in Montreal!

Celebrate Mexico in Orleans and the ByWard Market

After international success in Spain, Germany, Italy and Poland, Ballet Aztlán México is returing to the Shenkman Arts Centre in Orleans on Wednesday, April 30. The company’s work blends ballet with Mexican folklore.

Later in the week, the ByWard Market is getting a jump on Cinco de Mayo festivities. Even though the Mexican festival’s name translates to “May 5th,” the fun will be happening in the Market on Sunday, May 4. You can enjoy live music, Mexican food, a photography exhibition and more.

See a play in Ottawa, Winchester, Wakefield, Carleton Place, Smiths Falls or Perth

There are all sorts of plays on stages around the region this week. Continuing productions include 1979, a play about Joe Clark’s last night as prime minister, at The Gladstone in Ottawa (my husband is playing John Crosbie!); Geezers, a drama set in a retirement home, in Osgoode; the Agatha Christie classic Murder on the Orient Express in Winchester; a Norm Foster comedy, Jonas and Barry in the Home, in Smiths Falls; and an evening of one-act plays in Wakefield. Shows opening this week include Groundhog Day: The Musical in Carleton Place and Waiting for the Parade in Perth. And that’s just the tip of the iceberg! Check my theatre guide for more information on these and many other plays this week.

Discover local vendors in Morrisburg and Newboro

The Home, Trade and Craft Show in Morrisburg (May 2 and 3) brings a wide array of local vendors under one roof at the Morrisburg Arena. As well as shopping for local products and services, you can also catch a magic show and enjoy live music.

A new event this year is the Spring into Rideau market, happening in Newboro on Sunday, May 4. Local crafters and businesses will be on hand, indoors and out, at the Newboro Hall.

Compare electric vehicles in Montreal

Thinking about buying an electric vehicle but overwhelmed by choices? You can compare lots of EVs all in one place at the Electric and Plug-In Hybrid Vehicle Show at IGA Stadium in Montreal (May 2 to 4).

Go for a walk or run in Prescott or Renfrew

On Saturday, May 3, you can join the hero-themed Fort Town Night Run in Prescott. The 5K, 10K and 15K routes take you past many local historical sites, and Prescotters (is that a word?) will be cheering on runners along the route. There’s also a 1K fun run for kids, and the run raises money for local youth programs. All racers (except those in the kids’ run) will receive a headlamp.

On Sunday, May 4, Hike for Hospice Renfrew will be raising money for palliative care facilities. The one-hour event starts at 2pm and is open to runners and walkers.

Nosh on poutine in Ottawa

Got the munchies? The Ottawa PoutineFest at Ottawa City Hall (May 2 to 4) is a great chance to get your curds-and-gravy fix (along with craft beer and live music).

Sip martinis while painting in Renfrew

You’ll want to book a designated driver to take you home from this one: Manitou Bistro in Renfrew is holding a Martini and Charcuterie Paint Night on Wednesday, April 30. Your ticket includes three martinis, charcuterie, a crystal skull to paint and supplies.

Go fish in the Bay of Quinte

Attention, anglers: The Kiwanis Walleye World Fishing Derby (May 3 and 4) is a big catch-and-release contest for walleye and pike, and a major fundraiser for youth projects in the Bay of Quinte region. The event headquarters are in Trenton but there are also weigh stations in Belleville, Picton and Brighton. Prizes are still being finalized but often include boats, fishing charters, cottage stays and cash.

Bid on wines at an Ottawa auction

You can attend the Ottawa Wine Auction on Friday, May 2, online, or you can bid in person at the Fairmont Chateau Laurier Hotel. Either way, your purchase will help support the Music and Beyond festival.

Have some laughs in Orleans or Montreal

Ottawa comic Paddy Mack is doing a show at the Shenkman Arts Centre in Orleans on Friday, April 25, that will be recorded for audio and video. Tavis Maplesden will host, and standups Emmett Morrison, Greg Stringer and Wafik Narsrallah will be warming up the crowd.

If you love The Kids in the Hall, SCTV and Saturday Night Live, you might just be interested in Montréal Sketchfest, an annual festival of sketch comedy (May 1 to 10). It features both rising stars and established comic talents, performing in French and/or English.

Bike for a good cause in Ottawa

The CN Cycle for CHEO fundraiser takes to Ottawa’s streets on Sunday, May 4, with 15K, 35K, 70K and 95K cycling routes, as well as 2K and 5K walks. They all start at LeBreton Flats Park and go along the Ottawa River; the longer routes also take riders along the Rideau Canal and through the Experimental Farm. (The 95K Century Ride also goes into Gatineau.) Proceeds will support the Children’s Hospital of Eastern Ontario.

Delve into architectural history in Almonte

A father-daughter team, Keith and Alex Blades, are exploring the rich history of architectural heritage preservation over two Monday nights (April 25 and May 5) at the Mississippi Mills Public Library branch in Almonte. They will examine the core values of the field, such as sustainability, cultural significance and community engagement. The discussion will also include the decline of traditional crafts, legislative protection for historical buildings and the challenges of maintaining heritage buildings in the modern world. There will be an optional walking tour on Monday, May 12.

Go to a casino for charity in Ottawa

Helping With Furniture, a charity that provides gently used furniture and household items to families in need, is holding a fundraising casino night at Ottawa’s St. Elias Centre on Friday, May 2. The glamorous gala will include dinner, prizes, casino games, DJ tunes and more.

See movies in Toronto

This year, the more than 113 featured documentaries from 47 countries at Toronto’s Hot Docs Festival (April 24 to May 4) focus on everyone from Indigenous basketball players on the West Coast to an activist widow in rural Kenya.

Looking for more film festivals? Check out my just-updated list of Ontario and Quebec film fests.

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.