Whether you’d like to see a play, hit a garage sale, sip wine, eat ribs, take your kids to a cycling event or a duck festival, see painters creating murals, meet firefighters, cheer for the Redblacks or ride your motorcycle somewhere cool, you can do all that and more in Ottawa, the Outaouais, Eastern Ontario and Montreal this week. You can also learn about oceans, try a new sport, go to a gallery opening, celebrate Pride, kick back at a music festival and much, much more. Enjoy!
Table of contents
- Get artsy in Ottawa's west end
- Dance at a Perth fundraiser
- Eat shawarma or Brazilian food in the ByWard Market
- Enjoy free tunes in Arnprior
- Discover world cultures in Gatineau
- Celebrate Pride all over
- Try new beers in Orléans
- Sign up your kids for a garden workshop in Edwards
- Enjoy wine and food pairings in a Lochiel vineyard
- Shop for unique items in Hintonburg and Kemptville
- Nosh on great food in Montreal
- Enjoy a family-friendly bike event in Ottawa
- Get out on the water in Seeley's Bay
- Cheer on the Redblacks at TD Place
- See a play in lots of places
- Admire flowers in Alexandria
- Gobble up ribs at the RA Centre
- Learn about the ocean in Ottawa, Brockville, Montreal and elsewhere
- Check out cool murals in Montreal
- Meet young entrepreneurs and swap kids' books in Gatineau
- See firefighters in Cumberland
- Take the kids to a festival in Blackburn Hamlet, Manotick or Saint-Isidore
- Try a new-to-you sport in Ottawa
- Browse for art in Cantley and Chesterville
- Rev your motor in Smiths Falls or Ottawa
- Enjoy a festival and thrift market in Dunvegan
- Go to a vernissage in Carleton Place or Williamstown
- Take your VW bus to Almonte
- Browse through many garage sales
- Peek behind closed doors in Ottawa
- See cutting-edge dance and theatre in Montreal
- Go for a ride near Napanee
- Marvel at a Māori circus performance at the NAC
- Meet an author at Indigo on Pinecrest or in Kanata
Get artsy in Ottawa’s west end
The Britannia Village Community Art Crawl on Saturday, June 6 (rain date Sunday, June 7) is a celebration of art and artists in this waterfront community in Ottawa’s near west end. From 11am to 4pm, artists will be showing and selling their works throughout the neighbourhood. In honour of Ottawa’s 200th anniversary this year, there will also be actors in period clothing, playing characters from Britannia’s history, as well as an Indigenous animator bringing the area’s much older history to life.
In Stittsville, Douglas Sutherland Arts in the Park is a one-day celebration of art, crafts, music and food in Village Square Park (6000 Abbott Street East) from 9am to 3pm on Sunday, June 7. The fun includes food trucks, a vendors’ market, a kids’ talent show and more. Admission is free.
Further west, the Red Trillium Studio Tour in West Carleton (June 6 and 7) will showcase 13 artists’ studios and 29 artists on Ottawa’s western fringe (in and around Kinburn, Carp and Dunrobin). On this self-driving tour, shop for everything from pottery and photography to jewellery and furniture. The tour’s website has lots of information on other things you can do in the area.
Dance at a Perth fundraiser
Kick Off to Summer (Saturday, June 6) is a fundraiser at the Crystal Palace in Perth for the upcoming Stewart Park Festival. The dance tunes will be provided by Heatwave, a professional Motown tribute ensemble based in Kingston. Expect lots of classic soul and R&B.
Eat shawarma or Brazilian food in the ByWard Market
Two festivals coming to the ByWard Market this weekend look delicious. First up is the Saravah Brazilian Festival (Saturday, June 6). From 11:30am to 9pm, it will bring the tastes and sounds of Brazil to the Market. Dance classes, food vendors and live music will keep things hopping.
Shawarma Fest (Sunday, June 7) claims to be Canada’s biggest shawarma festival. And this year, the organizers are aiming for another superlative: the Guinness world record for longest shawarma ever made! As well as lots of shawarma, the Market festival will feature live entertainment and family fun.
Enjoy free tunes in Arnprior
Tunes of all sorts will be wafting out over Robert Simpson Park in Arnprior during Priorpalooza, a one-day music festival on Saturday, June 6. Family fun will include bouncy castles, food trucks, a beer garden, a train show, a volleyball tournament and a paddling festival, along with the park’s beach and splash pad. Admission to the festival is free.
Discover world cultures in Gatineau
Le Festival Joie de Vivre is a one-day celebration of the foods, music and traditions of the world’s cultures. Enjoy live music, food tastings, workshops and more. It’s taking place from 12pm to 4pm on Saturday, June 7, at Place de la Cité in Gatineau. Free admission.
Celebrate Pride all over
Pride season has kicked off across Canada, and lots of places in Eastern Ontario are hosting Pride events this week. In Perth, the fun includes a drag show on Friday, and a parade and community fair on Saturday. Smiths Falls will have a flag raising and barbecue on Saturday. Brockville Pride Week features all sorts of events between June 1 and 7, including a Pride Parade on Saturday. And the Kingston Pride Festival begins on June 6 and runs until June 14. For links to these and many other Pride celebrations throughout the summer, see my just-updated Pride festivals guide.
Try new beers in Orléans
The Orléans Craft Beer Festival (June 5 and 6) will highlight 35 breweries, cider makers, vintners and other beverage producers in Centrum Plaza, along with five food trucks. There will be lots of live music, too!
Sign up your kids for a garden workshop in Edwards
Wondering how to amuse your offspring on the upcoming PD Day on Friday, June 5? Green Corners U-pick Flower Farm in Edwards is hosting a bilingual secret garden workshop for kids that day. Little ones will build their own planter from the supplied materials, and they can bring their creation home at the end of the event.
Enjoy wine and food pairings in a Lochiel vineyard
On Saturday, June 6, Stonehouse Vineyard in Lochiel (just northeast of Alexandria) is hosting the eighth annual edition of A Glengarry Affair. The annual event pairs Stonehouse wines with foods raised in Stormont, Dundas and Glengarry; this year’s farm partner is Kirkview Farms in Dalkeith. The farm raises pork, beef, lamb, chicken and turkey, and a smoker will be onsite for the event. As I type this on Monday, most times are sold out, but there are still about 90 tickets available for the 1pm time slot. Tickets are $45 in advance or $55 at the gate.
Shop for unique items in Hintonburg and Kemptville
From spring through fall, you can check out the Hintonburg Night Market on Thursday nights. It takes place at 1088 Somerset Street West from 4pm to 9pm, and it features all things local, including unique handmade goods, and food and beverages. The next one is on Thursday, June 4.
In Kemptville, the Hey Day Annual Giant Garage Sale (June 5 and 6) is a huge indoor event at the North Grenville Municipal Centre. It’s a fundraiser for the Kemptville District Hospital, and it’s open on Friday from 4pm to 9pm, and Saturday from 9am to 1pm.
Nosh on great food in Montreal
On Friday, June 5, dozens of food trucks will gather at Montreal’s Parc Olympique for First Fridays, a celebration of food truck fare. Confusingly, it’s still called by its original name, but it actually runs on both Fridays and Saturdays (so this first edition will run on June 5 and 6). This event is usually really popular, so I’d take transit to the site, if I were you. It’s a five-minute walk from the Viau metro station.
Enjoy a family-friendly bike event in Ottawa
Move and Groove: Glow Bicycle Night Ride is a free family event that starts at the Vanier Hub (271 Marier Avenue) on Saturday, June 6, at 8pm. Deck your bike out with glow sticks or other illumination, and cycle under the stars to some groovy tunes.
Get out on the water in Seeley’s Bay
Red CanoeFest is a celebration of water fun in Seeley’s Bay on Saturday, June 6, from 9am to noon. Fun at the family-oriented event includes a free fishing derby for kids and a scavenger hunt.
Cheer on the Redblacks at TD Place
In their 2026 home opener, the CFL’s Ottawa Redblacks are playing the Edmonton Elks at TD Place at Lansdowne Park on Saturday, June 6. Kickoff is 7pm. Dig out your red, white and black gear, and join your fellow football fans.
See a play in lots of places
The Upper Canada Playhouse in Morrisburg opens its summer season with a new Norm Foster comedy. In Danny and Delilah, a grumpy widower strikes up a friendship with a Pakistani student. It runs nightly (except Mondays) from June 4 to 28, with performances in the afternoon and/or evening (depending on the day).
Also opening this week are Once at the Gladstone Theatre, Alice in Wonderland Jr. in Kanata, a French-language version of Macbeth (set in 1990s Quebec) at the National Arts Centre and Very Heaven in Kingston. Continuing shows include Singin’ in the Rain at Centrepointe, A Fox on the Fairway in Cornwall and Finnegan’s Wake: A Dream Play in Kingston. For details on these and many other productions, see my list of local plays.
Admire flowers in Alexandria
Ranunculus is a plant with big, multi-petaled flowers. (Last year, I had to look it up! Check out the photo above if I haven’t painted quite enough of a picture with words.) And Sunwheel Farm just north of Alexandria is hosting a Spring Flower Fest on Saturday, June 6, to celebrate the pretty blooms. From 10am to 3pm, you can tiptoe among thousands of ranunculus plants.
Gobble up ribs at the RA Centre
Capital Ribfest (June 5 to 7) moves to a new home this year: the RA Centre on Riverside Drive. Along with lots of grilled ribs, you can dig into hot dogs, donuts, lemonade and beer. There will be games and live music, too. (Be prepared for a bit of a slowdown if you’re driving through the Bank Street and Riverside Drive intersection, which is currently under construction.)
Learn about the ocean in Ottawa, Brockville, Montreal and elsewhere
Communities across the country are holding events to mark Ocean Week Canada (June 1 to 7). In Ottawa, the hub of the festivities is the headquarters of the Royal Canadian Geographical Society on Sussex Drive. Events ranging from film screenings and art exhibitions to trivia games and water testing workshops are also happening at the Aquatarium in Brockville, Simon Fraser House in Sainte-Anne-de-Bellevue, the Biodôme in Montreal and many other places.
Check out cool murals in Montreal
During the Montreal Mural Festival (June 4 to 14), artists will be painting new murals over many of the enormous outdoor artworks created for previous festivals. You can watch them at work and admire their new creations, and enjoy live music, DJ shows and block parties—for free! The action all happens along St. Laurent Boulevard. The video above is from 2023, but it gives you some idea of what you can expect.
Meet young entrepreneurs and swap kids’ books in Gatineau
Parc de la Ferme-Dalton in Gatineau is hosting la Grande journée des petits entrepreneurs on Saturday, June 6, from 11am to 3pm. Budding businesspeople will be displaying and selling their creations. You can also bring used kids’ books to swap for something new to read.
See firefighters in Cumberland
Ottawa Fire Services and the Ottawa Police Service will be at Cumberland Heritage Village Museum for Firefighter Day on Saturday, June 6. Watch exciting demonstrations and see firefighting equipment up close. The family-friendly fun will include a bucket brigade, touch a truck opportunities, a tug of war, a children’s firefighter challenge and a vehicle extraction (jaws of life) demonstration. Insider tip: Bring a towel!
Take the kids to a festival in Blackburn Hamlet, Manotick or Saint-Isidore
True to its name, the Blackburn Hamlet Funfair (June 5 to 7) offers fun for the whole family—everything from fireworks, a parade and a used book sale to fun runs, bouncy castles, field games, a beer garden and a silent auction.
From June 4 to 7, Manotick will be hosting Dickinson Days. Activities there will include a parade, a pancake breakfast, a kids’ fishing derby, a craft fair, a scavenger hunt, fireworks and much more.
East of the city, the Duck Festival in Saint-Isidore (June 4 to 7) offers bouncy castles, a vendors’ market, bingo, a whist tournament and, of course, a duck race.
Try a new-to-you sport in Ottawa
The Ottawa Sport Council, in partnership with City of Ottawa Recreation, Cultural and Facilities Services and Ottawa 200, is hosting Sports 200 on June 6 and 7. It’s a massive citywide initiative to encourage residents to participate in free drop-in sports activities. You don’t need to bring equipment, as everything will be provided. There will be activities for all ages, interests and abilities—everything from pickleball and paddling to wheelchair basketball.
Browse for art in Cantley and Chesterville
A festival celebrating all things artistic unrolls this weekend in Chesterville: Art on the Waterfront (Saturday, June 6). With all sorts of artists and vendors on hand, you’ll find lots to see and do (and buy!). As well as artists’ stalls, there will be kids’ activities, live music and all sorts of other fun.
The arts group Art de l’Ordinaire is presenting a craft market at the Cantley Community Centre on June 6 and 7. Shop for jewellery, glass items, painting and much more at this sale, which is celebrating its 22nd anniversary this year. Kids aged 8 to 17 will have their own zone to create in.
Rev your motor in Smiths Falls or Ottawa
The first Smiths Falls Bike Night of the season is happening on Wednesday, June 3. Lots of motorcycle parking will be provided so you can check out the vendor stalls, pop into stores (which will be open late for the occasion), enjoy live music and check out the food trucks.
On Saturday, June 6, the Ottawa Ride for Dad is a big motorcycle event that raises funds for prostate cancer research. Register online or in person (at multiple locations) by June 5 to save $10 on your registration fee. And if you raise at least $100 in pledges, registration is free.
Enjoy a festival and thrift market in Dunvegan
The Glengarry Pioneer Museum in Dunvegan is hosting a Meet me on Main Street event on Saturday, June 6. The event includes a community thrift market, which starts at 2pm; the main festival runs from 4pm and 8pm. The amusements will include live music, a pizza food truck, a cash bar and children’s activities. Free admission.
Go to a vernissage in Carleton Place or Williamstown
The Glengarry Artists’ Collective is holding its 4th juried show at the Glengarry Nor’Wester & Loyalist Museum in Williamstown from June 6 to 20. The show launches with a free wine and cheese vernissage on Friday, June 5, from 6pm to 9pm. Visitors are encouraged to vote for their favourite for the People’s Choice Award.
On Sunday, June 7, the Carleton Place Gallery will be holding a vernissage for its latest exhibition, Figuratively Speaking, from 1pm to 4pm. The show, which runs from June 6 to 25, showcases photographs of nude human figures by Ottawa photographer Roy Whiddon.
Take your VW bus to Almonte
If you own a Volkwagen bus, you probably already know about BusFusion (June 4 to 7), the four-day camping festival in Almonte that celebrates VW bus life. The event features campfire singalongs, a flea market and swap, a puppy parade, a tie-day workshop, a communal workshop and live music.
Browse through many garage sales
At least seven community-wide garage sales are happening in Ottawa and beyond on Saturday, June 6, in Manor Park, Westboro, Kitchissippi Ward, Greely, Cumberland, Whychwood and Vankleek Hill. See my garage sales post for links and info.
Peek behind closed doors in Ottawa
Ever wanted a glimpse inside an embassy, a temple or your local fire station? This weekend is your chance to see inside dozens of the capital’s buildings during Doors Open Ottawa (June 6 and 7). The free event—one of the largest Doors Open events in North America—features a wide range of buildings. (Curious about the building above? It’s the Delegation of the Ismaili Imamat at 199 Sussex Drive.)
See cutting-edge dance and theatre in Montreal
The Festival TransAmériques (May 28 to June 10) is North America’s largest contemporary dance and theatre festival. This year, it’s offering 19 shows across multiple venues. Expect lots of cutting-edge choreography and thought-provoking performances by artists from countries around the world.
Go for a ride near Napanee
There’s still time to sign up for the Naturally L&A Gravel Ride, a 53-kilometre ride through the countryside northeast of Napanee. Riders will enjoy snacks (like butter tarts and ice cream!) at six stops along the route, as well as a celebration with live music at the end of the ride. You’ll need a hybrid or mountain bike, as road bikes won’t do well on the gravel sections.
Marvel at a Māori circus performance at the NAC
Te Tangi a Te Tūī (June 4 to 7) is a Māori circus piece that tells the story of the story of Aotahi. She lives peacefully on her ancestral land in Aotearoa (New Zealand), near a mysterious forest. When she gives birth to her son, Piri, his arrival awakens a long-dormant curse. In the allegorical tale, two powerful beings represent opposing oppressive forces of colonial impact on a family, culture and language, over multiple generations.
Meet an author at Indigo on Pinecrest or in Kanata
On Saturday, June 6, you can meet Canadian actor, comedian and media personality Jesse Reynolds at the Pinecrest Indigo for an afternoon of stories and a Q&A. He’s promoting his memoir Forbidden Fruit & Camo Boots. The event starts at 1pm and tickets are $5.
Also on Saturday, local author Vickie M. Lanthier will be signing copies of her book High-Agency Human: Navigate Adversity and Live BIG, at the Kanata Indigo from noon to 3pm; no charge.
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.
