This week in Ottawa, Eastern Ontario and the Outaouais, you’ll find events for just about every taste. For outdoor fun, there’s an end-of-winter festival in Gatineau and a ski demo in Pakenham. Chefs can take a cooking class in Chelsea, while thrifters can check out a flea market at Lansdowne Park. An international film festival, a huge dance competition, a home and garden show, and a travelling comedy festival are also on the calendar. You’re sure to find something fun not too far from home!
TABLE OF CONTENTS
- Watch films from around the world in Ottawa
- See dancers compete in Gatineau
- Buy crafty supplies in Carleton Place
- Make Ukrainian Easter eggs in Ottawa
- See exotic animals in Pakenham
- Enjoy concerts all over
- Get artsy in Russell or Arnprior
- Have some laughs in Ottawa, Smiths Falls, Cornwall, Petawawa or Spencerville
- Get renovation and garden ideas at the EY Centre
- Cheer for a sports team
- Enjoy March Break fun with your kids
- Test out skis in Pakenham
- Cook with mushrooms in Chelsea
- Channel your inner Irish person in Hudson or Montreal
- Celebrate the end of winter in Gatineau
- Learn Palestinian embroidery techniques in Almonte
- Get mystical in Ottawa
- Dance the night away in Bryson
- Focus on your health in Brockville
- Shop for collectibles in Ottawa
- Check out a Montreal music festival
- Thrill to magic in Almonte
- Hunt for flea-market finds at Lansdowne Park
- Meet artists in Chelsea
- See a play
Watch films from around the world in Ottawa
The International Film Festival of Ottawa (March 11 to 22) features 22 Canadian and foreign feature-length movies from film festivals around the world, each paired with a short. Screening locations include the ByTowne Cinema, the Ottawa Art Gallery, the Albion Rooms restaurant, the Korean Cultural Centre, the National Archives of Canada and the Mayfair Cinema.
See dancers compete in Gatineau
Hit The Floor is Canada’s largest multi-style dance competition/festival. To make it to the festival stage, nearly 17,000 dancers from 305 dance schools take part in 81 blocks of competitions covering a dozen dance styles. The event is coming to the Centre de congrès du Casino du Lac-Leamy in Gatineau from March 18 to 22.
Buy crafty supplies in Carleton Place
The third annual Carleton Place Sewing and Craft Supplies Sale is taking place on Sunday, March 22, from 10am to 1pm, at the Carleton Place Arena. Local crafters will be selling off items from their stashes, so you just might score a deal on something you’ve been looking for.
Make Ukrainian Easter eggs in Ottawa
The Ukrainian Women’s Association of Canada Ottawa Branch is offering a whole day of pysanka workshops on Saturday, March 21, at the Ukrainian Orthodox Hall on Byron Avenue. Participants will learn one of two ways to use wax to create intricate designs on Easter eggs.
See exotic animals in Pakenham
An animal rescue organization called The Keepers will be bringing some of their medium-sized and large critters to the Stewart Community Centre in Pakenham for a family-friendly (and free) exotic animal show on Thursday, March 19.
Enjoy concerts all over
Live music fans are in luck this week, as there are lots of concerts to choose from. Shows include Chris de Burgh in Gatineau and Kingston, the Cantata Singers of Ottawa in Sandy Hill, Sultans of String in Old Ottawa South, Hannah Georgas in Chelsea, and a Bob Seger tribute in Nepean. Check my concert listings for links to these and many other shows.
Get artsy in Russell or Arnprior
Hidden Daisy Fine Art Studio in Russell is offering its monthly Coffee & Canvas night on Friday, March 20. Create a painting in a relaxed atmosphere—all materials and instruction provided—and enjoy desserts in the company of new friends.
Artist Murielle Egan will be leading a paint-and-sip workshop in conjunction with the Friends of the Grove at the Arnprior Art Loft on Saturday, March 21. During the afternoon session, you’ll create a painting of birch trees while sipping on forest-inspired teas. All art supplies will be provided.
Have some laughs in Ottawa, Smiths Falls, Cornwall, Petawawa or Spencerville
The Crackup Comedy Festival (March 18 to 21) will see a roster of five to six comedians doing their standup thing in four venues: Mo Events in Cornwall (Wednesday, March 18), Skate and Play in Ottawa (Thursday, March 19), the Station Theatre in Smiths Falls (Friday, March 20) and the Petawawa Civic Centre (Saturday, March 21).
Also this week, the Spencerville Agricultural Society is hosting its annual Fairly Funny Frolic comedy night on Saturday, March 21. Three comedians will be bringing the laughter to the Drummond Building in Spencerville. This is a 19+ licensed event.
Get renovation and garden ideas at the EY Centre
The Ottawa Home and Garden Show is the big draw this weekend (March 19 to 22) at the EY Centre in Ottawa. Lots of experts and exhibitors will be on hand to inspire your next big garden overhaul or home renovation.
Cheer for a sports team
There’s lots of sports action happening in Ottawa, Gatineau and Eastern Ontario this week.
- Gatineau Olympiques: At Centre Slush Puppie in Gatineau, the Gatineau Olympiques are playing the Blainville-Boisbriand Armada on Friday, March 20, and the Drummondville Voltigeurs on Saturday, March 21.
- Ottawa Charge: Ottawa’s pro women’s hockey team is on the road this week.
- Ottawa Senators: At the Canadian Tire Centre, the Sens face off against the New York Islanders on Thursday, March 19, and the Toronto Maple Leafs on Saturday, March 21.
- Ottawa 67s: The 67s are taking on the Oshawa Generals (Wednesday, March 18) and the Kingston Frontenacs (Saturday, March 21) at TD Place.
- Central Canada Hockey League: The CCHL wraps up its regular season this week as Smiths Falls plays Rockland at the Rockland Arena on Monday, March 16.
- Eastern Ontario Junior Hockey League: The league’s playoffs continue this week on Monday, March 16, when the Ottawa Junior Canadians take on the Ottawa West Golden Knights in Ottawa and the Renfrew Timberwolves face off against the Arnprior Packers in Arnprior.
- Ottawa Black Bears: The Ottawa Black Bears lacrosse team is on the road this week.
Enjoy March Break fun with your kids
Museums, historic sites, theatres, art schools and other organizations are offering all sorts of family-friendly fun during Ontario’s March Break (March 16 to 20). See my March Break guide for details.
Test out skis in Pakenham
Ottawa Valley Air Paddling is holding its last ski demo day of the season at Mount Pakenham on Saturday, March 20. You’ll have the chance to test skis from Head and Atomic. Bring your own boots, helmet, photo ID and proof of lift ticket.
Cook with mushrooms in Chelsea
If you’re available on a Friday morning, you can sign up for a class to learn all about cooking with mushrooms at La Fab sur Mill in Chelsea on Friday, March 20.
Channel your inner Irish person in Hudson or Montreal
It’s not too late to celebrate St. Patrick’s Day! In Hudson, Quebec, you can enjoy five days of Irish-themed festivities (March 17 to 21). And Montreal’s St. Patrick’s Day Parade takes place on Sunday, March 22. See my St. Patrick’s post for details.
Celebrate the end of winter in Gatineau
I don’t know about you, but I’m very ready to say goodbye to winter! At Relais Plein Air in Gatineau, they’re marking the first official full day of spring with the Last Snow Festival on Saturday, March 21. The whole family can enjoy free indoor and outdoor activities, including cross-country skiing, fat biking, yoga and board games. Advance registration is advised but not mandatory. For an extra fee, you can enjoy an après-ski party with beer and a DJ. There will also be an all-day sale of used winter sports equipment.
Learn Palestinian embroidery techniques in Almonte
On Saturday, March 21, the Mississippi Valley Textile Museum in Almonte is hosting Stitching Solidarity, a workshop focusing on the Palestinian style of embroidery called Tatreez. You are invited to bring your own item to embroider, such as a scarf or shirt. No embroidery experience is necessary. While you’re at the museum, you could also explore the related exhibition, A Stitch in Time: The Palestine History Tapestry, on display until April 19.
Get mystical in Ottawa
The Ottawa Mystic Market (March 21 and 22) promises to be a “vibrant sanctuary of magic, community, and creative spirit.” Some 20 vendors will be on hand, providing tarot card readings, candles, herbal potions and more. It’s all happening at Next Door Ottawa on Gladstone Avenue.
Dance the night away in Bryson
The Bryson Lions Club is hosting a community dance in Bryson on Saturday, March 21, open to residents of Bryson and surrounding communities across the Ottawa Valley and the Pontiac. The entertainment will include square dancing, as well as live music by Greenwood. It’s a fundraiser for a new furnace for the Bryson Lions Hall.
Focus on your health in Brockville
The 1000 Islands Wellness Summit on Saturday, March 21, is your chance to meet some 30 local practitioners in fields such as nutrition, physiotherapy, fitness, acupuncture and mental health. Demonstrations and workshops are planned, too.
Shop for collectibles in Ottawa
Ottawa’s Toy and Collectible Sale returns to the Nepean Sportsplex on March 28 and 29, with 121 vendor booths and 26 artisan tables filled with toys, collectibles, anime, video games, comic books, Lego and geek-inspired art.
Check out a Montreal music festival
In the Montreal suburb of Verdun, Cabane Panache (March 19 to 22) is a four-day event featuring live music, maple goodies, shopping and more.
Thrill to magic in Almonte
Mr. Smith’s Family Magic Show rolls into Almonte Old Town Hall for two performances (at 10am and 1:30pm) on Friday, March 20. The interactive show blends comedy, illusions and audience participation—plus a trick where doves transform into a live rabbit!
Hunt for flea-market finds at Lansdowne Park
On Saturday, March 21, you can browse for 613flea returns to the Aberdeen Pavilion at Lansdowne Park in Ottawa.
Meet artists in Chelsea
An exhibition called Naturally Canada, featuring works by members of Ottawa Mixed Media Artists, opens at the Galerie Old Chelsea on Thursday, March 19. The exhibition runs until April 5, and you can meet the artists at a vernissage on Saturday, March 21 (1pm to 4pm).
See a play
A bumper crop of plays are opening in and around Ottawa this week, including BL_NK, Antigone and Visages in Ottawa, Blood Brothers in Perth, and Robin Hood in Morrisburg. This is also the final week for the farce Suite Surrender in Kingston. See my theatre guide for links and details.
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.
