From a house tour in Ottawa and a forest retreat in Kingston to runs in Stittsville and Perth, there’s lots going on this week. Shoppers are spoiled for choice, with multiple vintage fairs, outdoor markets and consumer shows. There’s even a charity purse auction! Sports fans have soccer, football and hockey games to choose from. You can also meet authors and artists, sing or do trivia, enjoy Oktoberfest or visit a farm. Feeling spooky? Your choices include a Halloween market in Aylmer, a magic show in Orléans, a ghost walk in Almonte and a ghost cruise in Kingston. Wherever your travels take you, have a great time.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
- Have some laughs at Lansdowne Park or Algonquin College
- Eat chili and sing in Oxford Station
- Meet authors in Kanata
- Take an artists' studio tour in West Carleton
- Test your trivia chops in Hintonburg
- Attend a forest retreat in Kingston
- Discover South Asian culture at the NAC
- Enjoy a fall festival in Petawawa or Bath
- Check out a parenting show (and meet princesses) in Nepean
- Buy a purse for charity in Winchester
- Get into the Halloween spirit all over
- Tour renovated homes across Ottawa
- Go to a craft sale in Lansdowne
- See a play in Smiths Falls or Gananoque
- Celebrate Oktoberfest in Westboro
- Shop for vintage and handmade items in Ottawa
- Go for a run in Stittsville or Perth
- Get a taste of the Ottawa Valley in Cobden
- Catch a game in Ottawa or Cornwall
- See offbeat movies in Montreal
- Enjoy a concert
- Visit a farm near Smiths Falls
- Pop into a market in Gloucester, Stittsville, Aylmer, Metcalfe or Bourget
- Look into the future in Westport
- Check out a consumer show at the Cohere Centre
- CONTINUING EVENTS
- SAVE THE DATE
- NEED A PLACE TO STAY?
Have some laughs at Lansdowne Park or Algonquin College
Standup comic Max Amini will be bringing the funny to the Arena at TD Place at Lansdowne Park on Thursday, October 15. The Iranian-American comedian has sold out shows in several high-profile spots around the world, including Madison Square Garden.
American comic Sal Vulcano has also had his share of sell-out shows. The creator of Impractical Jokers is appearing at the Algonquin Commons Theatre on Sunday, October 18.
Eat chili and sing in Oxford Station
Green Gables Vines in Oxford Station will be celebrating World Singing Day on Saturday, October 17, with an afternoon of singing in the vineyard followed by a chili dinner.
Meet authors in Kanata
For fans of science fiction, fantasy and horror, I give you Can*Con: a three-day convention of Canadian authors and fans of all three genres. You can buy books, meet authors and agents, and take workshops. It’s taking place at the Brookstreet Hotel in Kanata from October 16 through 18.
Take an artists’ studio tour in West Carleton
The fall version of the Red Trillium Studio Tour (October 17 and 18) gives you the chance to visit artists in their studios and buy their works. The tour features 25 artists in eight locations across West Carleton in rural west Ottawa, including stops in Dunrobin, Woodlawn and Kinburn.
Test your trivia chops in Hintonburg
IODE Laurentian is hosting a Trivial Pursuits Afternoon at Beyond the Pale Brewing (250 City Centre Avenue) on Sunday, October 18. Dig into your memory and compete for prizes. Teams of six can register for $30 and proceeds will support the Nelson House women’s shelter.
Attend a forest retreat in Kingston
For just $5.25, you can attend a three-hour nature wellness retreat at Little Cataraqui Creek Conservation Area in Kingston on Friday, October 16. Participants will start the morning with some gentle qi gong and yoga movements before heading out on a forest therapy walk.
Discover South Asian culture at the NAC
ArohaFest (October 15 to 18) is a celebration of Diwali at the National Arts Centre in Ottawa. Most events are free, including an afternoon of activities—henna painting, a yoga workshop, a concert and dance classes—on Saturday, October 17.
Enjoy a fall festival in Petawawa or Bath
The Petawawa Ramble festival (October 15 to 18) features everything from “pumpkin people” posed in cute scenes (hello, Instagram!) to a pints-and-gourds evening at Dog House Brewing Company. Are you looking for a new family photo? On Saturday, October 17, pro photographers will be taking outdoor portraits for free at the Mount Molson Dairy Bar and Petawawa Terrace. And on Sunday, October 18, you can participate in a Farm to Trail “walking market,” where you’ll amble from booth to both along a three-kilometre route, receiving food and beverage samples along the way. Those are just a few of the many things happening; check the festival’s website for full details.
South of Napanee, Wynn Farms in Bath is hosting a Pumpkin Festival on October 17 and 18. The fun includes a corn maze, pumpkin painting and cotton candy; you can also pay extra to pick your own pumpkin.
Check out a parenting show (and meet princesses) in Nepean
At the Ottawa Parent & Child Expo at the Nepean Sportsplex (October 17 and 18), your kids can meet Peppa Pig, Bluey and Camille the Caterpillar; whiz down a bouncy slide; and enjoy animal presentations. And you can learn about French immersion, talk to local parenting experts and browse local vendors’ booths.
Buy a purse for charity in Winchester
Purses With a Purpose is a gala fundraising event happening at the Winchester Arena on Friday, October 16. The fun will include a fashion show, a purse auction, cocktails and appetizers. Funds raised go to House of Lazarus, which provides food, clothing, furniture and other support to people in need.
Get into the Halloween spirit all over
Lots of Halloween-themed events and attractions are continuing throughout October. Here are a few that are happening only this week or starting this week:
- Ghost and Mystery Cruise in Kingston (Thursday, October 15)
- Hellarious magic show in Orléans (Thursday, October 15)
- Ghost Walk of Almonte (starting October 16)
- trick-or-treat with the mayor at Ottawa City Hall (Saturday, October 17)
- Glebe Halloween Village (Saturday, October 17; rain date Sunday, October 18)
- Halloween Bazaar at Cornerstone Organics in Long Sault (Saturday, October 17)
- Halloween Haunted Walk at Fraser Creek Pizza Farm in South Glengarry (Saturday, October 17)
- Spooky Symphony concert at the National Arts Centre (Sunday, October 18)
For more details on these events and many more, see my Halloween fun post.
Tour renovated homes across Ottawa
On the RenoTour Parade of Homes (Sunday, October 18), you can visit five new or gorgeously renovated homes across Ottawa, and meet the experts who did the work. The tour also includes several businesses specializing in home renovation supplies.
Go to a craft sale in Lansdowne
In the village of Lansdowne (located between Brockville and Gananoque, and not to be confused with Lansdowne Park in Ottawa!), you can check out the Lansdowne Craft Market on Saturday, October 17, from 9am to 3pm.
See a play in Smiths Falls or Gananoque
It’s a somewhat quiet week for live theatre, with the Agatha Christie mystery The Hollow opening at the Smiths Falls Station Theatre and Come From Away continuing at the Thousand Islands Playhouse in Gananoque. For details on these and many other plays in the region, see my theatre post.
Celebrate Oktoberfest in Westboro
A few weeks ago, I confidently wrote that the last Ottawa-area Oktoberfest had come and gone. I was wrong! The Westboro Masonic Lodge is hosting Bytown Oktoberfest on Saturday, October 17, from noon to 6pm. Nosh on bratwurst, chicken schnitzel, soft pretzels and other German fare, and enjoy craft beer and live music.
Shop for vintage and handmade items in Ottawa
At the Hintonburg Art Night Market on Thursday, October 15, you can shop for local art, handmade goods, vintage items, jewellery, paper products, zines and more, while enjoying street food, drinks and music. Vendors and musicians rotate weekly. The market runs from 4pm to 9pm at 1088 Somerset Street West.
Next Door Market + Event Space is hosting the last Vintage Pop-Up Market of the year on October 17 and 18 (from 11am to 5pm). At the Sweater Weather Market, shop for vintage, second-hand and handmade items.
The Ottawa Nostalgia and Collectible Show is happening on Sunday, October 18, at the Nepean Sportsplex (from 9am to 3pm). Some 50 dealers will be selling comics, postcards, radios, LPs, toys, sports cards and much more.
Go for a run in Stittsville or Perth
A fundraising race called 9runrun (clever name) raises money for the Ottawa First Responders Foundation. It’s taking place in Stittsville on Saturday, October 17. You can choose a 5K, 10K or 21.1K, or a 2K family fun run.
The following day (Sunday, October 18), Ecotay in Perth is offering 6K and 10K runs.
Get a taste of the Ottawa Valley in Cobden
Taste of the Valley—one of the most popular events in the Ottawa Valley for food lovers—rolls into Cobden on Saturday, October 17. Shop for produce and prepared foods made in Renfrew County, while enjoying local music and more. It’s taking place at the Cobden Fairgrounds (43 Astrolabe Road) from 10am to 3pm.
Catch a game in Ottawa or Cornwall
It’s going to be a busy weekend at TD Place at Lansdowne Park in Ottawa! The CFL’s Ottawa Redblacks are playing the Toronto Argonauts on Friday, October 16. On Saturday, October 17, men’s soccer team Atlético Ottawa take on Forge FC in the afternoon, and the Ottawa 67’s face off against the Oshawa Generals in the evening. And on the afternoon of Sunday, October 18, women’s soccer club Ottawa Rapid FC are playing Vancouver Rise FC.
Out at the Canadian Tire Centre in Kanata, the NHL’s Ottawa Senators are playing the St. Louis Blues on Tuesday, October 13, and the New York Islanders on Thursday, October 15.
And in Cornwall, the Seaway Shootout (October 16 and 17) will feature the first Ontario Hockey League games in the city in decades. The Brampton Steelheads will face off against the Ottawa 67’s on Friday and the Kingston Frontenacs on Saturday. Both games start at 7pm at the Ed Lumley Arena.
See offbeat movies in Montreal
I doubt many of the films showcased at Montreal’s Festival du nouveau cinéma (October 8 to 18) will be showing up on Netflix anytime soon, so catch them while you can. From Guinea-Bissau, Japan, Greece, Brazil and many other places, filmmakers have submitted everything from experimental animated films to documentaries. Over its 55-year history, the festival has presented films by all sorts of innovative directors, including Guy Maddin, Jane Campion, Atom Egoyan and Wim Wenders.
Enjoy a concert
Among the many, many live music events happening around our region this week are these:
- October 13: Relive the Music 50s, 60s & 70s Show, Nepean
- October 13: Janina Fialkowska, Ottawa
- October 13 and 14: Ran Wang and Annette Bauer (Silk Road Diaries), Orléans
- October 15: Vengaboys and Prozzäk, Ottawa
- October 16: SOS: The ABBA Experience, Perth
- October 16: The Stampeders, Kingston
- October 17: The Black Keys, Kanata
- October 17: Keith Glass Band, Shawville
- October 17: Elmer Iseler Singers, Almonte
- October 17: Classic Troubadours, Perth
- October 18: Collective Soul, Ottawa
- October 18: Chris Murphy and Peter Elkas, Wakefield
- October 18: Lynne Hanson, McDonald’s Corners
Visit a farm near Smiths Falls
The Milkhouse Farm and Dairy near Smiths Falls is offering free farm tours on Saturday, October 17, and Saturday, October 24, from 10am to 3pm. Meet the sheep and llamas, and learn a bit about farming. You can also drop into a nearby pottery studio and a farm museum. No dogs allowed. Wear clear/washed shoes if you’ve been visiting another farm.
Pop into a market in Gloucester, Stittsville, Aylmer, Metcalfe or Bourget
The Gloucester Night Market returns to the parking lot of the Earl Armstrong Arena (2020 Ogilvie Road) on Friday, October 16, from 5pm to 9pm. This is your last chance this season to enjoy this event, which features local vendors, live music and a laid-back vibe.
Marché Enchanté is a Halloween-themed outdoor market coming to Parc Commémoratif in Aylmer on October 17 and 18. As well as shopping for items made by local artisans, you can enjoy family entertainment, creative workshops and live music.
The Maker’s Path Market on Saturday, October 17 (rain date: October 31) is an indoor/outdoor market featuring more than 60 local vendors selling handmade goods, food and drinks. The outdoor booths line a winding, tree-shaded path. The organizers will be collecting donations of hygiene products and non-perishable food for the Stittsville Food Bank. The event is happening at Mad About Patchwork, 2477 Huntley Road, from 11am to 4pm.
Don’t miss the last regular Metcalfe Farmers’ Market of the season. It’s happening at the Metcalfe Fairgrounds (2821 8th Line Road, Metcalfe) from 9am to 1pm on Saturday, October 17.
Saturday is also the last event of the season for the Bourget Community Market. The market will be held near the Bourget Pavilion beside the Prescott-Russell Recreational Trail—where it intersects with Lévis Street in Bourget—on Saturday, October 17, from 10am to 2pm.
Look into the future in Westport
During Mystics at the Dockside in Westport on Saturday, October 17, an astrologer, a tarot and oracle card reader, and a psychic will be giving readings. Some sessions require advance sign up, while others are first come, first served.
Check out a consumer show at the Cohere Centre
The Cohere Centre (formerly the EY Centre) is hosting not one, but two, big consumer shows this weekend.
Can’t wait to hit the slopes? Then hit the Ottawa Ski, Snowboard and Travel Show (October 17 and 18), where you can find out about resorts near and far, shop for clothing and gear, and get skiing and snowboarding tips. Free admission.
The National Women’s Show also sashays into the Cohere Centre on October 17 and 18. It offers two days of makeovers, food and wine samples, fashion shows, psychics, craft workshops, live entertainment, and shopping. There will also be goodie bags, dance performances and a “Flaming Hot Firefighter Fashion Show.”
CONTINUING EVENTS
Don’t miss these ongoing museum exhibitions, sales and other events.
- ሀሌታ | Haleta: The Threshold of Being, Ottawa Art Gallery (until November 8, 2026)
- On Guard For Thee…, Priest’s Mill Arts Centre, Alexandria (until November 8, 2026)
- One World Bazaar, Manotick (until November 22, 2026)
- Napoleon—The Immersive Saga, Canadian Museum of History, Gatineau (until January 10, 2027)
- Wild Colour, Canadian Museum of Nature, Ottawa (until January 10, 2027)
- Close to Conflict—Canada and the American Civil War (until February 28, 2027)
SAVE THE DATE
Here are a few upcoming events you might want to add to your calendar, if you’re planning ahead. (Look for details on these events and many others in upcoming posts.)
- October 22 to 25: Ottawa International Writers Festival
- October 22 to 25: Signatures Handmade Market, Ottawa
- October 22 to 25: Gatineau Hills Fiddle Festival, Chelsea
- October 22 to November 15: Countylicious, Prince Edward County
- October 24: Mystic Market, Smiths Falls
- October 24: Vankleek Hill Fibre Frolic
- November 6 and 7: Orléans Cork and Fork Festival
- November 7: Vankleek Hill Christmas Homes Tour
- November 7: Kemptville Comedy Night
- November 13 to 15: Homes for the Holidays, Ottawa
- November 13 to 26: European Union Film Festival, Ottawa
NEED A PLACE TO STAY?
If you’re planning to head to any of these events and you need accommodation, why not use the map below to find a place to stay? If you book a place (anywhere in the world!) using the map, I’ll receive a small commission, at no extra cost to you. Thanks for supporting this site!
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.
