20+ fabulous fairs in and around Ottawa!

Do you remember that song about summer fairs from the animated version of Charlotte’s Web? “A fair is a veritable smorgasbord, smorgasbord, smorgasbord…” That’s certainly how I felt when I was a kid. What wasn’t to like, whether it was the small fall fair in my hometown in Toronto’s western suburbs, or the non-stop lights and action of the venerable CNE in Toronto? Fairs meant midways, stuffed animals, cotton candy, free food samples—just about everything kids love, all in one noisy, garish package.

If you feel the pull of nostalgia—or if your kids have been begging you to win them a stuffed animal—here are 20+ places where you can enjoy summer and fall fairs. All distances are measured from Parliament Hill.

• Blackburn Funfair (June 6 to 8, 2025) (13km from Parliament Hill)
• Maxville Fair (June 20 to 22, 2025) (77km from Ottawa)
• Beachburg Fair (July 10 to 13, 2025) (127km from Ottawa)
• Expo Lachute Fair (July 10 to 13, 2025) (128km from Ottawa)
• Lansdowne Fair (July 17 to 20, 2025) (153km from Ottawa)
• Avonmore Fair (July 18 to 20, 2025) (76km from Ottawa)
• Delta Fair (July 24 to 27, 2025) (121km from Ottawa)

• Williamstown Fair (August 8 to 10, 2025) (109km from Ottawa)
• Russell Fair (August 14 to 17, 2025) (42km from Ottawa)
• South Mountain Fair (August 14 to 17, 2025) (59km from Ottawa)
• Vankleek Hill Fair (August 14 to 17, 2025) (93km from Ottawa)
• Capital Fair (August 15 to 24, 2025) (19km from Parliament Hill)
• Chesterville Fair (August 22 to 24, 2025) (61km from Ottawa)
• Cobden Fair (August 22 to 24, 2025) (116km from Ottawa)
• Riceville Fair (August 22 to 24, 2025) (84km from Ottawa)
• Maberly Fair (August 23, 2025) (108km from Ottawa)

• Shawville Fair (August 28 to September 1, 2025) (77km from Ottawa)
• Perth Fair (August 29 to September 1, 2025) (87km from Ottawa)
• Stormont County Fair in Newington (August 29 to September 1, 2025) (75km from Ottawa)
• Renfrew Fair (September 4 to 7, 2025) (94km from Ottawa)
• Picton Fair (September 5 to 7, 2025) (270km from Ottawa)
• Middleville Fair (September 13, 2025) (70km from Ottawa)
• Spencerville Fair (September 11 to 14, 2025) (74km from Ottawa)
• 1860s Fall Fair Weekend and Quilt Show at Upper Canada Village (September 13 and 14, 2025) (90km from Ottawa)

• Richmond Fair (September 18 to 21, 2025) (30km from Ottawa)
• Lyndhurst Turkey Fair (September 20, 2025) (129km from Ottawa)
• Carp Fair (September 25 to 28, 2025) (33km from Ottawa)
• McDonald’s Corners Annual Fall Fair (2025 date to be confirmed; usually the last Saturday in September) (97km from Ottawa)
• Metcalfe Fair (October 2 to 5, 2025) (35km from Parliament Hill)

Do you know of any fairs I’ve left out? Let me know and I’ll add them!

And if you’re looking for a fair elsewhere in Ontario, the Ontario Association of Agricultural Societies has a list of 212 Ontario fairs.

Want more tips on road trips from Ottawa—including info on hotel discounts, contests, festivals and other cool news? Subscribe to my free weekly e-newsletter or buy my guidebook, Ottawa Road Trips: Your 100km Getaway Guide. I will never spam you—promise.

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.

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