53+ fun things to do in and around Ottawa, March 30 to April 5

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Easter weekend is coming up quickly, with all the egg hunting and bunny spotting that the holiday brings. But even if you’re not about to indulge in a chocolate binge, there are lots of other things to see and do this weekend, too. You can enjoy Ontario Maple Weekend fun at local sugar bushes, cheer for duelling teams of show tune singers at Centrepointe, visit artisans in their studios in Pakenham, have your mind read at the Casino du Lac-Leamy, see glow-in-the-dark ballerinas in Kingston, set off on a car rally from Chesterville, drink and make door mats in Perth, or shop for fashion bargains in Gatineau. Have fun!

Cover photo by Waranya Mooldee on Unsplash.

Table of contents

Dig into maple goodies across Ontario

Sugar bushes across the province will be offering special events during the Ontario Maple Syrup Producers’ Association’s Maple Weekend (April 4 and 5). Participating farms in Eastern Ontario include spots in Chesterville, Wendover, Pakenham, Almonte, Lanark, Clayton, McDonald’s Corners, Kemptville, Moose Creek, North Elmsley, Athens, Lancaster, Kingston, Pembroke and Tyendinaga North. UPDATED

Have some laughs in Ottawa

Wry standup comic, actor and podcast host John Mulaney brings his Mister Whatever tour to the Arena at TD Place on Wednesday, April 1. (My husband and I saw him the last time he came this way and really enjoyed the show.) The following night (April 2), Toronto standup Hassan Phills is at the Bronson Music Theatre with his Eidiot Mubarak Comedy Show. And Canadian standup Mae Martin—hot off her hosting gig at the Junos—will be doing two shows at the Bronson on Sunday, April 5.

Enjoy family Easter fun all over Ottawa (and beyond)

The Cumberland Heritage Village Museum is hosting Hop into Spring on Saturday, April 4. The fun includes visits with farm animals, a scavenger hunt, treats, visits from the Easter Bunny and more. Activities are geared to children aged 3 to 8. You must register in advance, and the registration fee covers a group of up to six people. As of Monday, March 30, all the morning slots were sold out, but places were still available in the afternoon. UPDATED

On the opposite side of town, Easter at the Bunker is taking place on Saturday, April 4, at the Diefenbunker in Carp. The amusements will include a scavenger hunt for Easter eggs and flowers, butterfly and bunny crafts, egg decorating, and games. UPDATED

On April 4 and 5, the Billings Estate National Historic Site is offering Easter at the Estate, with activities aimed at kids aged 3 to 8, including crafts, games and hands-on activities. Advance registration is required, and the fee covers a group of up to six people. As of Monday, March 30, the event was sold out on April 4 and the morning of April 5, but some afternoon tickets on April 5 were still available. UPDATED

Over at the Canada Agriculture and Food Museum, Easter at the Farm runs over all four days of the long weekend (April 3 to 6). Kids (and adults, of course) can see lambs and chicks, learn how chocolate is made, do crafts, enjoy a family movie, and snack on BeaverTails and other food truck treats. Note that you must buy tickets in advance online. Also, parking is limited, so consider car pooling if that’s feasible. UPDATED

Also running all weekend (April 3 to 6) are the Easter Egg Hunt at Valleyview Little Animal Farm on Fallowfield Road and Easter at the Farm (egg hunt, wagon rides, sugar bush, baby animals) at the Log Farm on Cedarview Road, both in Nepean. In both cases, advance booking is required. UPDATED

In Smiths Falls, the Railway Museum of Eastern Ontario is hosting the Easter Eggspress on April 4 and 5. Kids (and their families) can ride in a vintage caboose, visit the petting zoo, check out the interactive S.T.E.A.M. Car and restored rolling stock, tackle a scavenger hunt, get their faces painted, do Easter crafts, and more. Note that online ticket sales for each day close the day before. UPDATED

Hey Buster! is a self-described “kindie” band of two Ottawa singer-songwriter dads. While not technically an Easter show, their interactive concert (aimed at kids aged 3 to 8) at Motel Chelsea is taking place on Easter Sunday (April 5).

In the Pontiac region of the Outaouais, Chutes Coulonge is hosting an Easter Egg Hunt on Saturday, April 4. Downtown Kingston is hosting an Easter Hunt that same day, which promises lots of scavenger-type fun. UPDATED

Marvel at mind reading in Gatineau

Devotees of mind reading and hypnotism can head to the Casino du Lac-Leamy in Gatineau on Saturday, April 4, to watch TV mentalist Spidey blow their minds in an English-language show. During his show, Make Believe, he promises to delve into audience members’ secret memories while also leaving people laughing.

Go to a show tune showdown at Centrepointe

If you can carry a tune and know your Broadway showstoppers, then the Orpheus Musical Theatre Show Tune Showdown will be right up your alley. The rowdy-sounding event at the Meridian Theatres @ Centrepointe, hosted by CTV Ottawa’s Stefan Keyes, will see teams competing to identify and sing show tunes. Audience members will have the chance to get in on the act, too! The event on Saturday, April 4, is all in good fun, and it’s a fundraiser for children and youth arts programs. (Hat tip to The Ottawan for letting me know about this one.)

Browse for handmade goods in Pakenham

Warmer weather must be on its way, because the first local studio tour of 2026 is here! You can enjoy art, crafts, food and heritage locations on the Pakenham Maple Run Tour (April 4 and 5). As well as meeting the artists and shopping for paintings, art glass, pottery, garden art, photography, jewellery, clothing, soaps and more, you can nosh on pizza, baked goods, breakfast sandwiches and more, and enjoy local craft beer and cider. The Maple Run Tour website provides details on all the tour participants (there are 30 artisans) and the seven tour venues, which include a Christmas tree farm, a one-room schoolhouse and a sugar bush. You’ll need a car—or a bike and lots of stamina—for this self-driving tour, as the whole route is about 40 kilometres long. Don’t forget to admire the five-arch stone bridge (above) while you’re there.

Celebrate a store opening and make a doormat in Perth

Rather than a grand opening, this is more of a grand reopening: Flint & Honey Boutique is moving to new digs in Perth (the old Shaw’s building) on Wednesday, April 1. From 1pm to 7pm, the shop will be marking the move with an opening day celebration featuring goodie bags (for the first 30 customers), drinks, charcuterie, dog treats, daffodils and more. Flint & Honey sells clothing, jewellery, accessories, baby items and home decor.

Later that night—from 5pm to 7pm, to be precise—Top Shelf Distillers in Perth is hosting its monthly Crafts and Cocktails evening. This month, participants will make a personalized doormat while sipping a cocktail (or mocktail) and enjoying a house-made snack. All craft supplies will be provided and no craft experience required.

Head to a farmers’ market in Carp

The Carp Farmers’ Market won’t be back to weekly events until May, but you can get a sneak peek at this year’s vendors at the Easter Market at the Carp Fairgrounds on Saturday, April 4. More than 60 vendors will be selling their wares, indoors and out, and there will be live music and kids’ activities, too. Donations of money or non-perishable food for the West Carleton Food Access Centre are welcome.

See a play or a concert

Plays continuing in Ottawa this week include Rose at the National Arts Centre, The Watsons at the Ron Maslin Playhouse in Kanata and Art of Murder at the Gladstone Theatre in Little Italy. It’s also opening weekend for the comedy Kimberly Akimbo at the Ottawa Little Theatre. And down the road in Montreal, Behind the Moon is the story of three immigrants to Canada whose lives intertwine. See my theatre guide for details.

If music is more your speed, check out my concert listing, which includes performances by Thirteen Strings at the Carleton Dominion-Chalmers Centre in Centretown, a candlelit tribute to Taylor Swift at Knox Presbyterian Church, George Thorogood and the Destroyers at the Hard Rock Casino, JJIG at Motel Chelsea, Hypochondriacs at Bowie’s in Smiths Falls, John VW at CC’s on the Rideau in Rideau Ferry and River City Junction at the Cove Inn in Westport. And looking ahead to early next week, the Goo Goo Dolls will be at the Canadian Tire Centre on Monday, April 6. BOTH UPDATED

Have brunch or play darts on Good Friday in Carleton Place

Here’s one for the late sleepers: the Good Friday brunch at Generations Restaurant in Carleton Place (April 3) runs from 10am to 4pm. The spread will include bacon, sausage, ham, made-to-order omelettes, home fries, French toast, tourtière, crab cakes and baked goodies.

If you’re up early enough, you could compete in the Helen Wilson Memorial Dart Tournament at the Carleton Place Legion on Friday, April 3. Registration starts at 10am and games start at 11am.

Marvel at a glowing ballet in Kingston

This is something you don’t see every day: a glow-in-the-dark ballet. In the Ballet of Lights performance of Sleeping Beauty at the Isabel Bader Centre for the Performing Arts in Kingston, dancers’ costumes will be illuminated. There will be two shows on Saturday, April 4, at 5pm and 7pm.

Go to a music festival in Montreal

Festival de la Voix is a Montreal celebration of vocal music. From April 4 to 28, it will offer concerts—everything from choral music to big band, Celtic and Indigenous music—and master workshops, mainly on Montreal’s West Island. UPDATED

Join a car rally in Chesterville

On Saturday, April 4, the Chesterville and District Lions Club is holding its 36th annual Car Rally. Registration starts at the Legion at 11am and the event starts at noon. UPDATED

Check out a Ukrainian market in Ottawa

The Ukrainian Women’s Association Ottawa Branch is holding its annual Easter Market on Saturday, April 4, at the Ukrainian Banquet and Convention Hall on Byron Avenue. Pick up homemade Ukrainian food to go, including varenyky (pierogi), cabbage rolls, borsch, sausages, maple bacon, Easter breads and other baked treats, Ukrainian Easter eggs, and other Ukrainian items. UPDATED

Meet an author in the Glebe

Ottawa author and academic Joshua Steckley will be at a meet-the-author event at Irene’s Pub in the Glebe on Thursday, April 2, to talk about his book The Nightcrawlers. Each year, as many as 700 million worms are handpicked from Ontario farms for the bait market, earning the region the undisputed title of worm capital of the world. The Nightcrawlers delves into a world of dairy farmers, stubborn worms, night-labouring immigrant pickers and cutthroat worm wholesalers. Who knew?

Shop for fashion bargains in Gatineau

The Big Fashion Sale by Quebec Designers is coming to the Hilton Lac Leamy in Gatineau from April 2 to 4. Shop for the latest offerings from dozens of fashion and accessories designers.

See drag and burlesque in Old Ottawa South and Centretown

On Tuesday, March 31, the Trans Excellence Extravaganza promises a lively (and loud!) night of trans drag performances at House of Targ. Two nights later (April 2), Collective Temptation Burlesque will feature three local burlesque troupes at the same venue. Want to see both styles in one place? Head to Babes Babes Babes, a drag and burlesque (and comedy!) cabaret show, at Live on Elgin on Wednesday, April 1.

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.