Summer is officially in full swing, and this weekend is packed with festivals, outdoor events, live music, family activities, and some of the biggest entertainment events of the year.
Whether you're looking for a date night, family outing, patio crawl, or something unique to do around the city, here's your guide to the best things happening in Ottawa this weekend.
🎵 Escapade Music Festival
June 26–28 | RA Centre
One of Ottawa's largest festivals returns this weekend.
Escapade attracts thousands of electronic music fans from across Canada and features major international DJs and performers.
This year's lineup includes:
Tiësto
Illenium
Fisher
GRiZ
Slander
Knock2
Even if electronic music isn't usually your thing, the atmosphere is one of the biggest summer party weekends in the city.
🎷 Ottawa Jazz Festival
Confederation Park & Downtown Venues
The Ottawa Jazz Festival continues this weekend with performances happening throughout downtown Ottawa.
Expect:
Outdoor concerts
International artists
Free performances
Food vendors
Great summer vibes
The festival remains one of Ottawa's signature summer events and is perfect for an evening downtown.
🐴 RCMP Musical Ride Sunset Ceremonies
June 25–28 | RCMP Musical Ride Centre
One of Ottawa's most iconic summer traditions.
The RCMP Musical Ride features:
32 riders
Choreographed horseback performances
Traditional ceremonies
Family-friendly entertainment
Best of all, admission is free.
Many Ottawa residents have never attended despite it being one of the city's most unique attractions.
🦖 Jurassic Kingdom Ottawa
Wesley Clover Parks
Have kids?
Jurassic Kingdom has arrived in Ottawa featuring more than 40 life-sized animatronic dinosaurs.
Expect:
Interactive exhibits
Dinosaur displays
Family activities
Educational experiences
It's one of the largest touring dinosaur exhibits in Canada and a great family outing.
🏛️ Open Doors at Rideau Hall
June 27–28
Visitors can explore parts of Rideau Hall that are not typically accessible during regular tours.
Highlights include:
State rooms
Gardens
Greenhouses
Historic architecture
Admission is free.
For history lovers, it's one of the best hidden gems of the weekend.
🎉 Loretta Avenue Block Party
Saturday, June 27
One of Ottawa's coolest community events.
The Loretta Avenue Block Party features:
Live music
Food vendors
Vintage shopping
Local businesses
Family activities
A great option if you're looking for something local and less crowded than the larger festivals.
🚴 NCC Weekend Bikedays
Saturday & Sunday
Ottawa's famous NCC Weekend Bikedays continue.
Several scenic parkways are closed to vehicle traffic and opened exclusively for:
Cycling
Walking
Running
Rollerblading
Popular routes include:
Queen Elizabeth Driveway
Kichi Zībī Mīkan
Sir George-Étienne Cartier Parkway
This remains one of the best free activities in Ottawa.
🌊 Spend the Day at Petrie Island
Not every weekend activity needs a ticket.
If temperatures stay warm, consider heading to:
Petrie Island
Enjoy:
Sandy beaches
Swimming
Paddleboarding
Walking trails
Picnic areas
It's one of the closest "beach days" you'll find without leaving Ottawa.
🛶 Explore Dow's Lake
Summer weekends and Dow's Lake go hand in hand.
Activities include:
Kayak rentals
Canoes
Paddleboards
Walking paths
Patio dining
Afterward, grab dinner in Little Italy just steps away.
🍻 Patio Weekend in Ottawa
If you're simply looking to enjoy the weather, some of Ottawa's best patio districts include:
The Glebe
Perfect for restaurants, patios, and shopping.
Little Italy
Great food and lively summer atmosphere.
Westboro
Excellent for brunch, coffee, and patios.
ByWard Market
Still one of Ottawa's busiest entertainment districts.
⚾ Ottawa Titans Baseball
Ottawa Stadium
Summer baseball is back.
The Ottawa Titans are playing at home this weekend and games offer:
Affordable tickets
Family-friendly atmosphere
Local food vendors
Great weather
Perfect if you're looking for something different.
🏀 Ottawa BlackJacks Basketball
TD Place
Professional basketball continues this weekend at TD Place.
The BlackJacks host the Niagara River Lions on Sunday afternoon.
It's a fun option if you're looking for live sports without NHL prices.
🌅 Best Free Thing To Do This Weekend
If you're on a budget:
Head to:
Major's Hill Park
Bring:
A blanket
Snacks
Friends
And enjoy sunset views overlooking:
Parliament Hill
The Ottawa River
The National Gallery
It's one of the best free experiences in the city.
My Perfect Ottawa Weekend Itinerary
Friday Night
🎵 Ottawa Jazz Festival
Saturday Morning
🚴 NCC Weekend Bikedays
Saturday Afternoon
🏛️ Rideau Hall Open Doors
Saturday Evening
🍝 Dinner in Little Italy
Sunday
🌊 Petrie Island Beach Day
or
🏀 Ottawa BlackJacks Game
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the biggest event in Ottawa this weekend?
Escapade Music Festival is likely the largest event happening this weekend.
Are there free things to do in Ottawa this weekend?
Yes. Rideau Hall Open Doors, NCC Weekend Bikedays, RCMP Sunset Ceremonies, and many outdoor attractions are free.
What family activities are happening?
Jurassic Kingdom, Rideau Hall tours, Petrie Island, and the RCMP Musical Ride are all family-friendly.
Is the Ottawa Jazz Festival still happening?
Yes. The festival continues throughout the weekend with multiple performances downtown.
Are there outdoor activities this weekend?
Absolutely. Cycling, hiking, beaches, patios, kayaking, and festivals are all available.
What's the best date idea this weekend?
Dinner in Little Italy followed by the Ottawa Jazz Festival or a sunset walk at Major's Hill Park.
Final Thoughts
The final weekend of June is shaping up to be one of the busiest weekends of the summer in Ottawa.
Whether you're looking for live music, festivals, sports, outdoor adventures, family activities, or simply an excuse to enjoy the warm weather, there's no shortage of things to do across the city.
If you can only pick three activities this weekend:
🥇 Escapade Music Festival
🥈 Ottawa Jazz Festival
🥉 RCMP Musical Ride Sunset Ceremonies
Get outside and enjoy everything Ottawa has to offer this weekend.
