If your idea of the perfect road trip is hitting a big garage sale in the morning and then spending the rest of the day exploring a new-to-you place, then this is the post for you! Whether you’d like to check out one of the big neighbourhood garage sales in Ottawa or a community sale elsewhere, read on to find out where to find those bargains and what you can do nearby, once you’ve finished treasure hunting.
Note: In some cases, 2025 dates haven’t been confirmed yet. I’ll add them when I have them. And if you know of a BIG (not just one family or one street) garage sale within two hours’ drive of Ottawa that isn’t listed here, please send me the details and I’ll try to include it!
APRIL
Canterbury Community Association’s Giant Spring Garage Sale
When: Sunday, April 13, 2025
Where: The Giant Spring Garage Sale takes place at the Canterbury Community Centre at 2185 Arch Street in Ottawa.
What else to do: Have brunch at Stacked Pancake and Breakfast House. Check out the Crazy Kitchen, steam trains and other exhibits at the Canada Science and Technology Museum. Feeling really energetic? Go bouldering indoors at Coyote Rock Gym.
MAY
Blackburn Hamlet Community Garage Sale
When: Saturday, May 3, 2025
Where: The Blackburn Hamlet Community Garage Sale takes place in Ottawa’s Blackburn Hamlet neighbourhood, along Innes Road just north of the Blackburn Hamlet Bypass.
What else to do: Nosh on gelato and fresh pastries at Atelier Rosso Desserterie. About a 10-minute drive south of Blackburn Hamlet, you can see plants and landscapes more typical of northern Canada along the boardwalks and trails of the unique Mer Bleue Bog.
Trend Arlington Community Garage Sale
When: Saturday, May 3, 2025 (rain date May 10)
Where: The Trend Arlington Community Garage Sale is happening in the Ottawa neighbourhood bounded by the CN rail line, Greenbank Road, West Hunt Club Road and Bruce Pit.
What else to do: Explore 40 kilometres of hiking trails meandering through Stony Swamp. Bring your pooch to the off-leash dog park at Bruce Pit (park in NCC lot P12, and note that your dog must be leashed in the parking lot).
Merrickville Community Garage Sale
When: Saturday, May 3, 2025
Where: The Merrickville Community Garage Sale takes place all over this picturesque Rideau Canal village, about 50 minutes southwest of Ottawa.
What else to do: Pick up yummy baked treats at Violets on Main. Shop for plants and explore the display gardens at Rideau Woodland Ramble. Enjoy an easy, four-kilometre out-and-back hike along the Tip to Tip Trail.
Big Barrhaven Community-Wide Garage Sale
When: Saturday, May 10, 2025
Where: The Big Barrhaven Community-Wide Garage Sale takes place all over the southwest Ottawa neighbourhood of Barrhaven. Last year, more than 850 households joined in.
What else to do: Stroll a 1.5-kilometre boardwalk along the Rideau River at Chapman Mills Conservation Area. Dig into sweet or savoury crepes at elegant Café Cristal. Check out the May 10 Holistic Healing Fair at the Nepean Sportsplex.
Great Glebe Garage Sale
When: Saturday, May 24, 2025
Where: The Great Glebe Garage Sale takes place on streets throughout the Glebe, a downtown Ottawa neighbourhood bounded by Highway 417, Bronson Avenue and the Rideau Canal.
What else to do: Grab a coffee and some baked goodies to go at Drip House, Little Victories or Ten Toes. Browse J.D. Adam Kitchen Company for housewares or The Papery for stationery. Strolling the scenic paths along the Rideau Canal is fun and free. You could always stick around for the May 24 ByTown Brawl at TD Place, if pro wrestling is your thing. (I suspect the overlap between garage sale lovers and wrestling fans is very tiny, but I might be wrong.) You could also check out my guide to the Glebe.
Carleton Place Community-Wide Garage Sale
When: Saturday, May 24, 2025
Where: Throughout the town of Carleton Place, just southwest of Ottawa
What else to do: Carleton Place is home to lots of thrift shops, where you can continue your bargain-hunting. Stop by the Carleton Place and Beckwith Heritage Museum to learn about Captain Roy Brown, credited with shooting down WWI flying ace the Red Baron. Fuel up at Foundry Collective and Coffee Bar or the Good Food Company. You’ll find more ideas in my Carleton Place guide.
Riverside South Community Garage Sale
When: Saturday, May 31, 2025
Where: More than 200 houses usually participate in the Riverside South Community Garage Sale, in the neighbourhood south of Leitrim Road, west of Limebank Road and east of the Rideau River.
What else to do: Drive south along Limebank Road for tasty takeout at Burgers and Shakes, then continue your rural drive into Manotick, where you can browse in pretty shops and admire Watson’s Mill.
JUNE
Hey Day! Giant Indoor Garage Sale
When: Usually the first Friday evening and Saturday in June (to be confirmed)
Where: The Hey Day! Giant Indoor Garage Sale, a fundraiser for the Kemptville District Hospital Auxiliary, takes place at the North Grenville Municipal Centre at 285 County Road 44 in Kemptville.
What else to do: Hike over 20 kilometres of trails in Ferguson Forest. Let your doggo run free in the Ferguson Forest Dog Park. Paddle Kemptville Creek in your canoe or kayak. Buy yummy breads at The Crusty Bakers and Grahame’s Bakery. See my Kemptville guide for many more ideas.
Kitchissippi Ward-Wide Community Garage Sale
When: Usually the first Saturday in June (to be confirmed)
Where: The Kitchissippi Ward-Wide Community Garage Sale takes place across multiple neighbourhoods in Ottawa’s near west end. Check this map of the city’s Kitchissippi Ward for a better picture.
What else to do: Shop til you drop in boutiques along Richmond Road and Wellington Street West. Visit the Parkdale Public Market. Head to Bate Island Park to relax at the Tavern on the Island or paddle the Ottawa River with Ottawa Turbo Tubing.
Manor Park Community Garage Sale
When: Usually the first Saturday in June (to be confirmed)
Where: The Manor Park Community Garage Sale happens in Ottawa’s Manor Park neighbourhood, bounded by Hemlock Road, Birch Avenue, Sandridge Road and the Greenbelt.
What else to do: Check out the Canada Aviation and Space Museum, where you can also book a biplane sightseeing flight with Ottawa Aviation Adventures. Stop by Baccanalle for outstanding Caribbean takeout and frozen meals. Also delicious are the fancy take-home entrées and gourmet goodies at Epicuria Food Shop.
Awesome Alta Vista Garage Sale
When: Usually the second Saturday in June (to be confirmed)
Where: The Awesome Alta Vista Garage Sale takes place in Ottawa’s central Alta Vista neighbourhood. The boundaries of Alta Vista are a bit ambiguous; see this Wikipedia entry for details.
What else to do: Learn about Ottawa’s history at the Billings Estate National Historic Site. Walk or cycle the recreational paths along the Rideau River. Enjoy great seafood (or buy some to cook at home) at Pelican Seafood Market and Grill, or indulge in super-cheesy slices at Colonnade Pizza.
AUGUST
Renfrew Community Parade of Garage Sales
When: Saturday, August 23, 2025
Where: The Renfrew Community Parade of Garage Sales takes place across the town of Renfrew, an hour west of Ottawa.
What else to do: Enjoy great cupcakes and much more at the Bonnechere Bakery and Bistro. Hike, bike or take your ATV along the Ottawa Valley Recreational Trail. Stroll across the historic swinging bridge above the Bonnechere River. See my Renfrew guide for more ideas.
SEPTEMBER
Old Ottawa South Porch Sale
When: Usually the first Saturday after the Labour Day weekend (to be confirmed)
Where: The Old Ottawa South Porch Sale happens in the central Ottawa neighbourhood bounded by Bronson Avenue, the Rideau Canal, Echo Drive, Riverdale Avenue, Main Street and the Rideau River.
What else to do: Meander along formal and informal trails beside the Rideau River. Enjoy a coffee and browse for new and used volumes at Black Squirrel Books. See what’s playing at the Mayfair Theatre.
Looking for more tips on things to see and do in and around Ottawa? Subscribe to my free weekly newsletter or order a copy of my book, Ottawa Road Trips: Your 100-km 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.
2 comments
Love this. Thank for putting it together. But for someone not familiar with all the locations one address would help
Good idea! I’ll take another look and provide more location info. Thanks!