49+ fun events in and around Ottawa, June 22 to 28

5

You just know a week’s calendar of events is jam packed when it includes the RCMP Musical Ride, a big outdoor potluck supper, two jazz festivals, life-sized animatronic dinosaurs, yoga with alpacas and a spooky circus.

And those are just a few of the events coming to Ottawa, Eastern Ontario and the nearby parts of Quebec this week!

You can also watch hydroplane racers, eat ribs, see fireworks, go to a strawberry social, see faeries in a park, check out a classic car show or go to CHEO’s Teddy Bears’ Picnic. Read on for details on these events and many others.

Table of contents

Do yoga by moonlight at Lansdowne Park

It’s a full moon on Monday, June 29. If you’d like to mark the occasion with a few downward dogs, you can take a moonlit yoga class in the Aberdeen Pavilion at Lansdowne Park, starting at 9pm. Admission is free but donations of food (not cash) for the Ottawa Food Bank are appreciated.

Stroll through a lavender field in Moose Creek

The lavender field at Lavande Brydale Lavender in Moose Creek is opening for the season on Saturday, June 27. Stroll through the field (there are 1,500 new plants this year) and browse for lavender products in the farm shop. (If you love lavender, check out my guide to local lavender farms and my review of a lavender farm near Montreal.)

See classic cars in Carleton Place or Merrickville

Classic car collectors, start your engines: the Wheels on the Mississippi car show rolls into Riverside Park in Carleton Place on Sunday, June 28, sponsored by the Carleton Place Lions Club. As well as vintage wheels, there will be a splash pad for the kids, a 50/50 draw and more.

Also on Sunday, the Merrickville Classic Car Show will feature lots of vintage automobiles, along with door prizes, contests, a barbecue and live music. It’s happening at the Merrickville Fairgrounds.

Learn about Fenians at Beechwood Cemetery

Spies in the Cemetery—Call To Arms: The Fenian Threat is the somewhat-unwieldy title of a talk taking place at Beechwood Cemetery on Tuesday, June 23. Phil Gurski, a former senior strategic analyst with the Canadian Security Intelligence Service (CSIS), is the author of a new book calledThe Fenians: Brotherhood of fools or Canada’s first terrorist threat? In the 1860s, hoping to pressure the British into granting freedom to Ireland, the Irish-American Fenians attacked British North America (parts of which would soon become Canada). Proceeds from this event will support the CSIS National Memorial Cemetery.

Admire pretty gardens in the Bay of Quinte area

On Saturday, June 27, the Canadian Federation of University Women club in Belleville is running a Town and Country Garden Tour. It features eight gardens in the Bay of Quinte area.

Enjoy a free faerie picnic in Sandy Hill

Ottawa circus collective Cirquonscient is presenting evening Faerie Picnic Popups in Strathcona Park in Sandy Hill throughout the summer. They promise that “graceful faeries and whimsical creatures [will] enchant and delight with all manner of circus arts including aerial acrobatics.” The first picnic is on Tuesday, June 23, and the one-hour show starts at 6:30pm. Bring your own blanket and picnic goodies. Admission is free, but donations to support the collective are gratefully accepted. (And if you can’t make it this time, there will similar events in the same location on July 14 and August 18.)

Head to a country fair in Maxville

Maxville gets the jump on the avalanche of fall fairs by holding its event in early summer. The Maxville Fair (June 26 to 28) features bingo, a free Sunday breakfast, beach volleyball, a pet show, Highland dancers and other fun. (P.S.: If you like fairs, I have a list of tons of fairs happening in our region this summer and fall.)

Check out a farmers’ market in Navan

On Sunday, June 28, the monthly Original Navan Market will offer an opportunity to shop from local producers at the Navan Fairgrounds (1279 Colonial Road, Navan) from 9:30am to 2pm. P.S.: If farmers’ markets are your jam, don’t miss my list of more than 45 of them!

Catch a music festival in Ottawa, Cornwall or Montreal

The Bud Light Escapade Music Festival at the RA Centre (June 26 to 28) seems to grow bigger and more popular every year. Acts taking to the stage in 2026 include Tiësto, Illenium, Fisher, Alan Walker and GRiZ. (If none of those names ring a bell with you, you’re probably outside the festival’s under-30 target market.)

In Cornwall, Devfest (June 26 and 27) features a packed slate of local talent and big-name acts, with both The Strumbellas and The Trews performing on Saturday.

This is your last week to see some of the great talent in town for the TD Ottawa Jazz Festival, including St. Vincent, who’s performing with the National Arts Centre Orchestra on Saturday, June 27. The festival ends on Sunday, June 28.

Alternatively, you can head down Highway 417 to Montreal, where the TD Festival International de Jazz de Montréal (June 25 to July 4) will feature Lionel Ritchie (performing with Earth, Wind and Fire), Diana Krall, Patrick Watson, Angine de Poitrine and many, many others, including some of the artists who were at the Ottawa fest.

Thrill to the RCMP Musical Ride in Ottawa

The RCMP Musical Ride will be performing its very popular Sunset Ceremonies at the RCMP Musical Ride Centre in Rockcliffe (1 Sandridge Road, Ottawa) at 7pm each night from June 25 to June 28. Bring a blanket or lawn chairs. Admission is free but come early for the best seating. Food vendors will be on site. If possible, come by public transit, by bike or on foot, as parking is limited.

Marvel at fireworks in Montreal

Montreal’s huge fireworks competition, L’International des Feux Loto-Québec, kicks off on Thursday, July 2, and runs on Thursday nights (as well as Sunday, July 26) until August 6. Competitors include teams from Australia, Canada, China, Hungary, Italy and the United States. While you can see the fireworks from many places in the city, the grandstand at La Ronde (for which you’ll need tickets) is a good place to appreciate the way the pyrotechnics are synchronized with a musical score.

See model trains and learn about farm animals in Cumberland

The Cumberland Heritage Village Museum is hosting two fun events for families on Sunday, June 28. You can explore the evolution of rail travel and see demonstrations of large-scale model locomotives courtesy of the Ottawa Valley Live Steamers and Model Engineers. This activity depends on the weather and is included with museum admission.

For an extra fee, you can also participate in a special event called Animal Helpers. You’ll learn about the farm animals who spend their summer at Cumberland Heritage Village Museum—including horses, pigs, chickens, geese, ducks and more—and find out how they helped with farm chores in the 1920s and 1930s.

Go to a strawberry social in Middleville

The Middleville and District Museum in Lanark County is holding a strawberry social on Sunday, June 28. Enjoy strawberry treats and learn about the Lanark Highlands Basketry Museum, which is relocating to the Middleville museum. You can also sign up for a workshop to make a strawberry pottle basket. 

Swap art supplies in Vankleek Hill

Looking to get rid of some unused canvases, paints and other art supplies—or are you hoping to augment your stash? Either way, you might be interested in the Art Swap taking place at Arbor Gallery in Vankleek Hill on Saturday, June 27, from noon to 4pm. Entry fee is $5.

Shop locally in Stittsville

At the indoor-outdoor Maker’s Path Market, you can browse for handmade goods from roughly 60 local vendors, and enjoy food and drinks, too. Booths will be set up inside two buildings and along a looping outdoor path. It’s taking place at Mad About Patchwork at 2477 Huntley Road in Stittsville on Saturday, June 27 (rain date Saturday, July 11). Free parking and admission; donations of hygiene products and non-perishable foods for the Stittsville Food Bank are welcome.

Mark Holi in Montreal

Holi is a Hindu festival of colours that has spread around the world with the South Asian diaspora. Everyone is welcome to join in Montreal’s Holi Festival, taking place on Sunday, June 28, in the Old Port of Montreal. What can you expect? First, you’ll need to buy bags of coloured powder when you arrive. Then, you’ll toss the powder at friends and strangers alike. Don’t worry—the colour isn’t permanent, although I wouldn’t wear your best clothes, if I were you. During the Holi Festival, you can also listen to lots of live music and nosh on South Asian treats. (The affiliated Flavours of India Food Festival runs on both June 27 and 28.)

Celebrate summer in Aylmer

L’Outaouais en fête (June 19 to 24) unfolds at Parc des Cèdres in the Aylmer section of Gatineau, and it’s celebrating its 50th anniversary this year. For families, there will be magicians, a circus artist and other kid-friendly entertainment. And for music fans, there will be more than 30 concerts.

Enjoy wine and cheese in Mississippi Station

Back Forty Artisan Cheese in Mississippi Station (about 20 minutes north of Sharbot Lake) is hosting its annual Curds & Cooks summer festival on Saturday, June 27. Showcasing the region’s artisan foods and craft beverages, the event gives visitors the chance to buy items like kombucha, pies, bread, chocolates and more (the lineup of partners is still being finalized), along with Back Forty’s cheese, chicken, pork and beef.

Do yoga with alpacas in Brinston

Many people find both yoga and alpacas calming. So The Heart of the Willow—a farm about an hour’s drive south of Ottawa—has had the genius idea of combining the two. It has a morning yoga with alpacas class coming up on Saturday, June 27. The one-hour yoga class costs $45 per person. If you can’t make it this week, sessions are scheduled throughout the summer. The farm is at 10304 Sandy Creek Road in Brinston.

Discover vegan treats in Ottawa

The Vegans Who Snack Food + Art Festival returns to the Parkdale Market for another season on Friday, June 26 (rain date Saturday, June 27). The festival happens every month or two throughout the summer and fall. At this month’s edition, the goodies on sale will include cake jars, caramel, cookies, granola, pancake mix, coconut bacon and local drinks.

Browse for art and meet artists all over

On Sunday, June 28, Art in the Park is coming to Windsor Park in Old Ottawa South. Dozens of artists will be on hand, the event will run rain or shine, and admission is free.

On the last Thursday of every month from May to September (including Thursday, June 25), the Merrickville Art Walk is bringing local artists to businesses along Main Street in Merrickville. Between 11am and 4:30pm, you can watch art being created and meet the artists.

Two days later, the Cornwall Art Walk (Saturday, June 27) will showcase more than 70 artists and artisans in downtown Cornwall, which will be hopping with lots of live music, too. It’s happening from 3pm to 9pm.

The Rideau Lakes Studio Tour is also happening this week (June 27 and 28). You can admire the creativity of artists in Portland, Elgin, Newboro, Chaffey’s Lock and Philipsville, as well as the scenery along the rivers and lakes of the Rideau Canal system.

Artfest Kingston (June 26 to 28) brings more than 200 artists and artisans from across Quebec and Ontario to City Park in Kingston. Enjoy poetry readings, drop into the kids’ art studio, check out an Indigenous artisans’ pavilion and nosh on great food, all in a pretty outdoor setting. And admission is free!

Art in the County, a juried art show, returns to Picton this year from June 26 to July 12. Judges will be evaluating the works of artists from across the County, which will be on display on the upper level of the Armoury building in downtown Picton (206 Main Street West, Unit 2E, Picton). Admission is pay what you can ($5 per adult suggested).

Planning ahead? Check out my list of artist studio tours throughout the year.

See hydroplanes in Brockville

At the 1000 Islands Regatta in Brockville (June 26 to 28), the main attractions are the high-speed hydroplane races on the St. Lawrence River, but the festival will also feature food vendors, a kids’ zone and live music. UPDATED

Take a guided herbal walk in Vankleek Hill

On Sunday, June 28, you can join a Nature’s Apothecary Walk at Garden Path Homemade Soap in Vankleek Hill. A certified forest therapy and a therapeutic horticulture practitioner, herbalist, biologist and educator will lead the hour-long walk through Garden Path’s property. You’ll learn to recognize, harvest, and gently work with medicinal and edible plants, while reconnecting with nature, and your senses. Register in advance.

Have some laughs in Ottawa or Montreal

American comedian Daniel Tosh will be bringing the funny to the National Arts Centre on Saturday, June 27, and to L’Olympia in Montreal on Sunday, June 28.

Eat ribs in Gananoque

As well as lots of ribs and pulled pork, the 1000 Islands Family Ribfest in Gananoque (June 26 to 28) will amuse visitors with line dancing, bouncy castles, a duck race, a free pancake breakfast, an arts-and-crafts fair, lots of live music and more. It’s taking place on the grounds of the Lou Jeffries Arena (600 King Street East). It’s hosted by the Lions and Rotary clubs of Gananoque.

Take the kids to the Teddy Bears’ Picnic in Ottawa

The stuffed animals are having a picnic this week, and everyone’s invited! The beloved CHEO Teddy Bears’ Picnic is coming to Carleton University on Saturday, June 27, from 8am to 2pm. Small children and their small stuffed friends are the guests of honour for a day of family-friendly fun, including face painting, a free pancake breakfast (while supplies last) and a bear hospital to sew up all those injured toys. Admission and activities are free, but you’re encouraged to register online just so CHEO can get some idea of numbers to expect.

Run for a good cause in Cornwall

The Run for Cornwall (Sunday, June 28, includes 3K and 5K runs and a 1K fun walk. Starting and ending at Lamoureux Park, the event is a fundraiser for the Agapè Centre, the city’s largest food bank and community kitchen.

Join a family-friendly bike ride in Stittsville

On Sunday, June 28, you can join a quiet 5.5-km Family Bike Ride through Stittsville The ride starts at CARDELREC (1500 Shea Road) at 10am.

Celebrate St-Jean-Baptiste in Hull

La p’tite St-Jean is a free celebration of Quebec’s big holiday in the pedestrian area around Laval, Aubry and Kent streets in downtown Hull. Starting at 7pm on Wednesday, June 24, musicians in all sorts of genres—from ska-punk to bluegrass-swing—will be keeping crowds entertained.

Enjoy a free festival in Hawkesbury or Rockland

The Hawkesbury Multicultural Festival (June 26 to 28) will host a variety of free concerts by a wide range of artists on several stages in downtown Hawkesbury.

Down the highway in Rockland, the Clarence-Rockland Festival (June 23 to July 4) offers lots of free fun. The program is diverse, including stand-up comedy, seniors’ games, a kids’ zone and live music. Note that, aside from the seniors’ games, most of the events are happening from July 1 to 4.

Be dwarfed by dinosaurs in Nepean

They’re baaaack! Jurassic Kingdom will feature more than 50 life-sized animatronic dinosaurs at Wesley Clover Parks in Nepean, from Friday, June 26, until Sunday, July 12. The kid-geared event will also include a fossil dig pit, a ride-on dinosaur, face painting and food vendors.

See BMX athletes at Tremblant

BMX Sensation (June 26 to 28) will see five BMX athletes entertaining crowds at Tremblant resort with jumps, stunts and aerial figures. As well as doing three shows a day on Saturday and Sunday, the athletes will coach young BMX riders.

Take a poetry workshop in Ottawa

On Saturday, June 27, you can join Algonquin poet Albert Dumont at the Billings Estate National Historic Site in Alta Vista for a poetry-writing workshop. Through readings and storytelling, the former Ottawa Poet Laureate will share insights into his creative process and help you write a poem of your own. Light refreshments will be served. Advance registration required.

Enjoy a multicultural potluck in Almonte

I love this idea! Almonte is holding a multicultural potluck on Mill Street on Friday, June 26. From 5pm to 8pm, everyone’s invited to bring a favourite cultural dish to contribute to the feast. It’s free to participate, but The Inclusion Project (the event organizer) encourages people to register their dish online in advance. Bring enough of your dish to feed eight to 10 people, and bring an ingredient list, too.

Stroll through a market in the Glebe,Alta Vista or Nepean

The first Canterbury Night Market of the season is happening outdoors on Thursday, June 25, at the Canterbury Community Centre (2185 Arch Street) in Ottawa’s Alta Vista neighbourhood. Browse for fruits, veggies, sweets and more, from 4pm to 8pm.

On Saturday, June 27, 613flea returns to Lansdowne Park in the Glebe. Among the 150 artisans will be new participants selling gardening tools, custom-illustrated decks of cards, hand-bound journals, baseball hats and caramels, among many other items.

You can also check out the weekly Nepean Night Market on Sunday, June 28, from 5pm to 9pm in the parking lot of Mr. Lube (1442 Baseline Road). Local vendors, food trucks and live music should keep things hopping.

See a spooky circus at St. Laurent Shopping Centre

The St. Laurent Shopping Centre parking lot will have a spooky new life for a couple of weeks as the home of the Cirque Italia’s Paranormal Cirque Nightmare. From June 19 to 29, the Florida-based, Italian-inspired spectacle will be showcasing acrobats, trapeze artists, dancers and other circus artists under the big top.

Fish for free across Ontario

Ever wanted to try fishing but balked at paying the licence fee? This is your week! From June 27 to July 5, you can fish in Ontario lakes and rivers without a licence (but you still have to follow the regulations, of course).

Eat oysters in Hintonburg

The Whalesbone and Beyond the Pale Brewing Company are partnering to present Bytowne Oysterfest 2026 on Sunday, June 28. The fun will include a shucking contest, DJ tunes and dancing—as well as, of course, the chance to eat lots of oysters.

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.