34+ fun things to do in and around Ottawa, February 16 to 22

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With two book fairs, four plays, four different kilt skates and all kinds of concerts, this week’s road trip roundup post is full of great ideas to get you out and exploring! A few events are early in the week, including talks about the Lost Villages in Cornwall and wooden boat building in Merrickville, so scan the list now to make sure you don’t miss out. And some require quick registration, such as a painting class in Chapeau. Wherever your travels take you, have fun and drive safely. That black ice is nasty!

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Go roller skating in Ottawa

Maybe, like me, you caught the roller-skating wave in the 1980s. (My hangout was called Skate Country, I wore velour without shame, and my red glitter laces were my pride and joy.) Or perhaps you tried it later, ironic tongue firmly in cheek, and discovered that roller skating is a ton of fun. Either way, you can lace up your wheels (or rental skates) for the Solé Jam Rewind X The Reunion on Saturday, February 21, at Skate & Play on Baxter Road. DJs will be spinning tunes from across the decades, from 8pm until 3am.

Learn about wooden boats in Merrickville

The Merrickville and District Historical Society is hosting a talk called Stories Written in Wood and Water on Tuesday, February 17, at the Merrickville Legion. Speaker Andrew Lee of Sirens Boatworks will delve into the history and craft of wooden boat building.

Eat chili in Perth

The 3rd annual Perth Children’s House Chili Fest is happening on Saturday, February 21, at the Perth Legion. Perth Children’s House students and their families will be cooking up a storm and serving samples to the community to raise funds for their Montessori school. There will be raffle prizes, too.

Visit the Mounties and their horses in Ottawa

Since 1996, the RCMP Musical Ride Stables has held an annual open house, where the public can meet Mounties and their horses (and grab a selfie or two). This year’s event will take place on Saturday, February 21, from 10am to 3pm. Admission is free, but donations of cash or non-perishable food to the Ottawa Food Bank are appreciated. Note that parking in the area is limited.

See a glowing ballet in Kingston

Light and dance intertwine in a retelling of Ballet of Lights: Sleeping Beauty, on stage at the Isabel Bader Centre for the Performing Arts for two performances on Friday, February 20. Illuminated costumes create a display of colour and light with each dancer’s every twirl and leap.

Buy cupcakes for a good cause in Arnprior

If your travels take you to Arnprior on Saturday, February 21, why not swing by the Arnprior and District Humane Society to pick up some sweet, home-baked treats during Cupcakes for Paws? Funds raised will help animals in need.

Delve into history in Cornwall

Two events are happening in Cornwall this week that will help you better understand its past.

On Tuesday, February 17, local historian Jim Brownell will be giving a talk at Schnitzel’s restaurant about the Lost Villages, as part of the SD&G Historical Society’s Speakers Series. Along Highway 2, just west of Cornwall, many people drive past the Lost Villages Museum without knowing its story. Having lived his early years in and around the Lost Villages and seen the St. Lawrence Seaway and hydro development projects of the 1950s, Jim will present a life and times account of the six villages, three hamlets, and the farming community on Sheek Island.  His presentation will bring viewers into those communities that were lost to “progress.” 

At a free Heritage Fair on Saturday, February 21, you can learn about local history and historic sites. More than 10 museums and other organizations will be setting up booths staffed with folks who can answer your questions about the past. It’s taking place on the second floor of Cornwall Square from 9am to 4pm.

See one of the Kids in the Hall at Algonquin

Kids in the Hall alum Bruce McCulloch brings his one-man show, Dark Purple Slice, to the Algonquin Commons Theatre in Nepean on Friday, February 20. Using music, stand-up and storytelling, McCulloch takes the audience on a poetic flyover of his life. Expect a look into his struggle against his own internal pessimism to see the beauty and joy in life.

Catch a family-friendly science show in Orléans or Kingston

Ever wished your kids were more excited about science? Or maybe you wish you just understood it better yourself. Doktor Kaboom understands science and presents it in an interactive way designed to involve, excite, educate and entertain kids and adults alike. He’ll be performing at the Shenkman Arts Centre in Orléans on Saturday, February 21, and at the Kingston Grand Theatre in Kingston on Sunday, February 22.

Enjoy concerts all over

This week, you can see a Creedence Clearwater Revival tribute in Orléans, Terra Lightfoot at the Motel Chelsea, Monkeyjunk at the Black Sheep Inn in Wakefield, an Eagles tribute in Perth and many other concerts. You can also catch The Offspring in Ottawa, Montreal or Peterborough! See my concerts calendar for links to these and many other shows.

Paint sunflowers in Chapeau

Itching to try something creative? You could sign up for a two-hour class with Paint with Sheila at the Chapeau Market in Chapeau, Quebec (across the Ottawa River from Pembroke) on Saturday, February 21. You’ll receive instruction to paint your version of Van Gogh’s famous sunflowers, along with the canvas, paints and other materials you’ll need. Note that you need to sign up at least three days before the class.

Sip whisky in Ottawa

As well as whisky dinners, masterclasses and, on Saturday, and all-you-can-eat buffet (sushi and charcuterie, anyone?), Whisky Wonderland will feature live music, a cigar lounge, an ice bar and much more. In all, some 50 whisky vendors will be on hand. It’s all happening at TD Place in the Glebe, from February 19 to 21. Slainte!

Get some cycling inspiration in Montreal

With more than 200 exhibitors showing off the latest cycles and promoting bike trips all over the world, the Montreal Bicycle Show (February 20 to 22) is a great opportunity to get yourself equipped for two-wheeled adventures this summer. It’s happening at the Palais des Congrès de Montréal. (You could also wait until the event’s smaller sister show comes to Gatineau from March 6 to 8.)

Do some line dancing in Russell

Grab your boots and your Stetson! The Russell Optimist Club is holding a line dancing fundraiser in partnership with Navan Boot Scootin’ Line Dancing at the Russell Arena on Saturday, February 21. Dancers at all levels, from newbie to star, are welcome.

Make bao with your kids in Brockville

How cute is this? Sweet Ofelia Café in Brockville is running a Kids Mini Bao Bun Class on Saturday, February 21. Aimed at kids aged 6 to 12 (younger tots are welcome, if a caregiver can help), the class teaches kids the basics of making and steaming tiny versions of the Chinese-style buns, which they can stuff with chicken, veggies or other fillings.

Skate with Scots in Ottawa, Renfrew, Williamstown or Montreal

The Great Canadian Kilt Skate comes to the skating oval at Lansdowne Park on Saturday, February 21. The organizers note that you don’t have to be Scottish and you don’t have to wear a kilt. But it would be great to sport some sort of tartan—a coat, a scarf or even socks—for this free afternoon event. The Scottish Society of Ottawa will be collecting non-perishable food donations for the Ottawa Food Bank, too.

If your travels take you to Montreal, you can check out the Great Canadian Kilt Skate activities organized by the St. Andrew’s Society of Montreal at the Westmount Recreation Centre on Saturday, February 21.

The following day (Sunday, February 22), you can join another Great Canadian Kilt Skate event, also spearheaded by the Scottish Society of Ottawa, at Ma-te-Way Park in Renfrew. Also on Sunday, the Society has lent its backing to the Great Canadian Kilt Skate event at the Char-Lan Centre in Williamstown.

Browse for boats at the EY Centre

Sure, summer seems years away, but dropping into the Ottawa Boat and Outdoors Show at the EY Centre in Ottawa (February 19 to 22) might just make it seem a little closer. You can chat with vendors selling all sorts of marine and outdoors equipment, including powerboats, kayaks, fishing gear and more.

Eat well in Gatineau

Outaouais Tourism and the École hôtelière de l’Outaouais are presenting L’Outaouais en cuisine, which will see 12 local chefs and pastry chefs developing savoury or sweet bite-sized dishes. The chefs will then work with a team of four students from the École to create and serve their creations at a public cocktail reception on Wednesday, February 25. Three prizes will be up for grabs in the friendly competition. A few tickets are still available.

Journal about nature in Kemptville

Every month, a free nature journaling session takes place at the Kemptville Campus. Participants can bring supplies such as sketchbooks and pencils, and some other art materials will be available on site. This month’s session focuses on “mammal mischief” and will take place on Friday, February 20, from 4:30pm to 6pm.

Belt out Broadway tunes in Riverside Park

Do you love to sing the scores of Les Miz or Rent in the shower? Why not bring those pipes out in public and sing show tunes for a good cause? On Thursday, February 19, Suzart Productions—which stages family-friendly musicals in various Ottawa locales—is holding a one night pop-up choir fundraiser at Riverside United Church. All are welcome, no matter your singing experience or ability!

Revel in books in Navan and Gatineau

The theme of this year’s Salon du livre de l’Outaouais (February 19 to 22) is Entre nos mains. The four-day francophone book fair features all sorts of readings and other literary events, and it’s taking place at the Palais des Congrès de Gatineau in the downtown Hull sector.

In Navan, Robert Plante Greenhouses is hosting a one-day book fair on Sunday, February 22. Meet local authors and illustrators, and shop for books, journals, stationery, pens, bookmarks and more.

Catch a play in Ottawa, Carleton Place, Smiths Falls or Cornwall

New this week is Sherlock Holmes and the Locked Room, in which the great detective and his friend Dr. Watson wake up in a strange room with Holmes’s greatest adversary, Professor Moriarty. The mortal enemies must join forces to escape. This show, presented by Playhard Productions, runs at Ottawa’s Gladstone Theatre from February 18 to 28.

Three plays are continuing in our region this week.

• In Carleton Place, the Mississippi Mudds Youth theatre troupe is presenting Hadestown: Teen Edition. It follows two romances—that of young dreamers Orpheus and Eurydice, and that of immortal King Hades and Lady Persephone—and takes the audience on a journey to the underworld and back (until February 21).
• In Cornwall, Rodgers and Hammerstein’s Cinderella retells the magical fairy tale of beleaguered Cinderella, her catty stepsisters, a fairy godmother, a royal ball and a lovelorn prince with lots of catchy songs, great warmth and lots of comedy (until February 21).
• In Smiths Falls, the farce Don’t Dress for Dinner (until February 21) sees a man desperately trying to plan a naughty weekend with his mistress at a French country house … even though his wife and her lover insist on sticking around.

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

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.